The Best American Recipes

Having gotten this great cookbook for Christmas, I've been cooking from it almost non-stop since. I have a large collection of cookbooks and think of myself as an accomplished cook, but I have never had a bookbook like this one in which all the recipes not only work but are delicious. My only regret is that I can't ask the authors to dinner; they sound delightful.I just had a dinner party for 6 very discerning friends and made the stracotto oflamb with olives and oranges and the oven-baked polenta. For dessert we had the butttermilk panna cotta with lemon jelly. My guests were in heaven! At New Year's I made the strawberries in Champagne Jelly which was quite a hit. And if anyone is still making cookies out there, make sure to include the apricot walnut biscotti. A big thank-you to the talented authors!

My daughter gave me this book and already I have made seven of the recipes. They are just as good as the authors promise! I especially loved the Manly Meat Balls, the Tandoori-style cornish game hens, the cheddar and pepper scones and the lemon almond pound cake. This is a delicious collection!

This recipe book is perfect as a gift for someone who does a lot of entertaining. All of the recipes are fairly simple to make and do not take a lot of time. Each recipe also comes with a great introduction.

After 26 years of cooking turkeys, I finally cooked one that everyone including myself loved. It's the cider-brined turkey in this book which is as good as the authors say. I also made the great pumpkin and goat cheese gratin which is delicious. Now I'm sorry I didn't make thw whole meal from the book. Everyone at our Thanksgving table wanted this book for Christmas.

The polenta recipe alone is worth the price of the book. It is a no-stir recipe, and very easy. There is also a great chili recipe with lamb and beans. It is a very eclectic collection with some unusual and delicious dishes. It is a cookbook well worth having.