The Book of Cookies

Seven years ago my husband Dub and I sailed into Wangarai Harbour in New Zealand. On our way in I spied some friends or ours, Gayle and John, who we'd met in Tahiti. They were Kiwis and they were ending their five year circumnavigation, home at last. We anchored close to their boat and later dinghied over for sundowners (usually Coke and Rum). That evening, as usual, we told tall tales of our adventures at sea and we congratulated ourselves on being in this wonderful place at this wonderful time. Later, as we were saying our goodbyes, Gayle gave me her set of the Salamandar Book of Series Cookbooks. They are sold by HP Books in the States as paperbacks. Gayle carried these books around the planet and now she was giving them to me, complete with her notes (written in the books) on the recipes, how well she and John liked certain dishes, which were their favorites, how hard they were to prepare. She knew I was a cook and she thought I'd appreciate them. She was right. Like all the books in the series "The Book of Cookies" is about five inches wide and about a foot tall, making them kind of unique among cookbooks. But one should not be put off because of the odd shape, these are real books and you can find mighty darned good recipes in them and if you have a sweet tooth, a cookie loving child at home or just want to have some nice snacks around for company, then this book is for you. From Cherry and Praline Rings to Honey and Lemon Creams to Scottish Oat Cakes you'll find them all here and so much more. Cookiewise this is a happening little book. Cookies of all shapes and stripes, tastes and nationalities. Cookies, cookies, cookies and still more cookies, how to make 'em, shape 'em and eat 'em, what more could you ask for is a cookie cookbook. Review Submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

In its roughly 50 parts, all written by experienced cooks and cook book writers, HP Books" "The Book of ... Cooking" series takes you to the cuisines of various regions of the U.S. and around the world; all in easy to follow, well-explained recipes. This installment, the Book of Cookies, starts with a brief introduction featuring the necessary equipment and utensils, and the various methods and techniques of baking cookies. It then presents recipe suggestions for all major types of cookies, from no-bake cookies to savories and cookies based on oats, cereal, whole wheat and other healthy alternatives. Special chapters are dedicated to dropped, bar, rolled, shaped, refrigerator, piped, sandwich, meringue and festive cookies. Classics such as Florentines, Linzertorte fingers, macaroons, Lebkuchen, lemon shorties and other shortbreads, Madeleines, raisin oat biscuits, spritz cookies, gingerbread men and even an instruction for a whole gingerbread house appear next to unique recipes such as cherry praline rings, curry biscuits, egg nog brownies, and muesli and honey cookies. From advent crescents and almond flowers to whiskey macs, this collection of recipes is a great introduction into the endless possibilities of confectioning sweet little treats - and at a relative bargain price, to boot. Also recommended: this series' installments on chocolates and petits fours, ice creams and sorbets, preserves, and afternoon tea. Also recommended: Around the World Cookbook Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant: Ethnic and Regional Recipes from the Cooks at the Legendary Restaurant (Cookery) Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals (4th Edition) Textbook only Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006

This is a nice little book of cookies, from a really great cookbook series. It is incredibly well illustrated, and the directions are very clear. The explanations are good, and there are around 90 recipes included. There are lots of color photographs for you to look at. It is a really nice book.Some of my favorite cookie recipes are in the this book. There are great recipes for Filigree Cookies, Oznei Haman, and Lime Cremes. There is also a good recipe for Lebkuchen Heart (a nice German Gingerbread cookie), as well as savory recipes.... such as cheese straws, and, get this, curry cookies!I bought this book for $12... and seeing it here at this price, I kick myself!! Buy this book...

This book has a great variety of recipes, most of them sweet, but a few of them savory. I tried the chocolate crisps at my New Year's Day family get together and everyone loved them! I also want to try the blue cheese nibbles, onion and garlic twists, and the sesame sticks. The book has pictures and relatively good instructions. My only complaint is that when I made the chocolate crisps, the instructions said "3 egg whites, beaten" and I didn't know how long I was supposed to beat them! So I just did it until they were frothy. Anyway...this is a very cool book. Lots of variety! Try it! It'll give you great ideas!