New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations

I was slightly surprised when I noted how thick Claire Hopley's New England Cooking is. I grew up in New England, and somehow I hadn't come away with the impression that there were that many regional recipes to delve into. Nor have I seen this many recipes in other books that concentrate on that region. Ms. Hopley found so many recipes by stretching well past the obvious, stereotypical New England recipes such as clam chowder or apple pie with cheddar. She explores cookery from all corners of New England, both modern and historical. The mushroom lasagna, for instance, is an unusual take on a hearty favorite. It's clever and delicious, and quite easy to make. There are simple bean salads; cheddar and potato soup ("a tradition in Vermont"); notes on New England cheeses; Shaker recipes; cobblers of all types; the oh-so-necessary strawberry shortcake; plenty of seafood recipes for fish and shellfish alike; and more. Whether it's a dish that uses a New England-favorite ingredient such as berries or cheddar, or a dish that's been served in a New England state for years, you'll probably find it in here somewhere. The fare is homey and comforting, yet creative and elegant. It combines the best of tradition and invention. The layout is clear and easy to make sense of; recipe notes often include background tidbits relevant to New England. If you're looking for a source of New England recipes, or just want a cookbook filled with homey-yet-elegant fare, this is a fine option.

New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations is a wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes that draw from a distinctive regional culinary tradition. The very chapters headings conjure up images of gustatory delight: First Harvests; The Wanderers' Return; Spring Holidays; Beside the Sea; Berry Season; Shakes & Gardeners; Heritage Days; Harvest Festivals; Wine, Beer & Cider in New England; Thanksgiving; Party Time; Cold Weather Fun; and Once A Year. From Smoked Scallop Crostini with Radish Butter; Peppered Tuna with Sweet Potato Puree; Nantucket Portuguese Bread; and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingernut Crust; to Muireann Glenmullen's Cranberry-Nut Soda Bread; Apple-Raisin Hand Pies; Cider-Baked Winter Vegetables; and Indian Pudding, New England Cooking offers superb recipes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

I received this book as a gift and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What distinguishes it from many cookbooks I've seen is that it includes detailed commentary on the origins of and traditions relating to various dishes and ingredients. This level of information creates a context for the recipes that most cookbooks fail to provide. It also makes the book a good read for someone who is too busy to cook or who is more interested in learning about New England cooking than actually trying recipes.The book contains a wide variety of recipes. The author has included recipes for several standard favorites and has also come up with many creative "twists" on otherwise familiar dishes. I appreciate this mix. I've already tried several enjoyable recipes and plan to try others in the near future.

Claire Hopley has created a well-orchestrated, easy-to-use book on New England cuisine that is a must-have for both the casual and expert chef interested in the foods of the region. The book's plethora of recipes include many, many colorful pictures and, most impressively, interesting stories and histories of many of the tasty meals. Miss Hopley is an excellent writer, blessed with a keen ability to instruct through words without oppressing the reader with minutia. As a New Englander and a huge fan of her food publications in the local newspapers (e.g Boston Globe), I highly recommend her work and especially this book.