Cold-Weather Cooking

I love this book. I've been into cooking since I was about 5 and I own over 4,000 cookbooks, but this one is definitely my fav. I bought it in December 1990 and at this point, have cooked nearly every recipe in the book. They are all fabulous. I have never had one of these recipes fail. I have given this book as a gift many times over the years, and the recipients have all come to love the book as much as I do. Here are some of the standout recipes: Creamed Spinach - it's a very simple recipe but the best I've ever tasted Mustard Creamed Onions - a zippy twist on a Thanksgiving tradition Spanish Garlic Soup - rich and unusual Raised Waffles - worth the price of the book just for this recipe! Apricot Ginger Cream Scones - totally fattening & totally worth it Turkey Mole - the best mole I've ever had, way better than most restaurants Spicy Shrimp, NOLA Style - just like Pascal Manale's The thing I love about these recipes is that even the ones I don't think I'll like (such as Rhubarb Custard Pie) come out great. SLC also has a fun, chatty and erudite writing style, so reading her cookbooks is almost as much fun as cooking from them. Many of the recipes are a bit long and can take awhile to make, but the end product is worth every minute of prep time.

This is a cookbook I turn to again and again. The flavors are wonderful, the recipes diverse and sophisticated (though you often can cut back on oil). Be sure to try the Saucisson Paysanne (leftovers are great on buttered parsley noodles; reduced fat kielbasa works fine, but don't use fat-free or really low fat...it gets tough), Italian Rosemary Potatoes, Bay Scallops Gremolata, the Orzo and Roasted Vegetable Salad (great for potlucks as it serves twice as many as the recipe says!), the Baby Carrots with Brown Sugar and Mustard, and the Mixed Greens with Spiced Pecans, Chevre and Hot Cider Dressing. Be sure to check out her Nantucket Open House Cookbook as well.

I received this as a gift and it is amazing. Every recipe I have tried has been great. Sample menus are fabulous. This will keep anyone cooking year round. Recipes are diverse and intriguing. I have given this as a gift over and over.

This book, along with the Nantucket book, are the two most-used staples of my large cookbook collection. Some of these recipies call for expensive, lavish ingredients, but all are well worth the expense! The artichoke/prociutto hors d'oeuvres disappear faster than you can produce them. Another "must-have" from Ms. Chase!

I own a lot of cookbooks, but this is the one I pull out most frequently during cold weather months. It is especially great for cozy, casual, Sunday type entertaining. The chapter "Stormy Weather and Magic Mountains" is my favorite. Be sure to try the Hungarian Chicken, Indian Ragout, Country Captain, Ropa Vieja, and Cabbage Rolls. A wonderful, eclectic assortment of do ahead, one dish meals.