Soup

I bought this book some time ago in Moscow, Idaho. I had gone into a bookstore to wait for a friend, saw this and thought it looked good, so walked out with it. Now that I have been able to use it over the years, I am astonished that it is not better known. It is that rare cookbook wherein every recipe is good or even better! I have a number of books that I got because of a recipe or two that I wanted; this one is tops from cover to cover. You can try any new recipe without fear, and will be well rewarded for your work as they are all delicious. The author covers soups from ethnic specialties to those featuring a particular ingredient (like beans), from regular soups to those that are a meal in themselves, and then to a wonderful chapter on cold soups (the watermelon and the cantaloupe are favorites of mine). She adds a section on "mini recipes" which has 37 short and delicious (and fast) choices, and has also a glossary, recipes for dumplings and such, and other accompaniments. An outstanding volume; my only caveat is that is in paperback and not hardback. Mine is now in 2 pieces from regular use!