Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A joint effort between Kasper, public radio host of The Splendid Table, and her producer and fellow foodie, Swift, this superb book should grace the shelves of even the most infrequent of cooks. Full of tantalizing, fast and easy-to-assemble meals, this collection also focuses on the ideas behind the techniques: what to look for as the food cooks, what kind of pot ensures success, and where substitutions will work. Helpful information such as why buying imported Italian pasta and why salting pasta water are important help the less experienced extract flavor from basic ingredients. Recipes center on quick and nutritious dinner options, including Dressing-in-a-Bowl Supper Salad, North Shore Shrimp Scampi, and Lamb Chops with Crossover Spice Crust. The authors also provide valuable references such as a tasting guide to salad greens, advice for imparting flavor to frozen shrimp and suggestions for using pasta water in sauces. Given the show's popularity, the accessibility of the recipes and the authors' practical and useful advice, this excellent book is sure to become a kitchen staple. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
The Splendid Table is the name of Kasper's highly acclaimed first cookbook, her weekly newspaper column, and the radio show she has hosted since 1995; Swift is her producer and "partner in [the show's] creation." Their book, which grew out of a popular e-newsletter they started in 2002, Weeknight Kitchens, presents dozens of simple but imaginative recipes. Kasper is an authority on Italian cooking, but the recipes gathered here, ranging from Thai Cantaloupe Salad with Chile to Filipino-Style Chicken Adobo, were inspired by a variety of cuisines. Many of them include variations, and sidebars titled "Cook to Cook" provide helpful information on all sorts of topics. There are also intriguing digressions on various culinary matters and recommendations for favorite cookbooks. Informative, entertaining, and filled with appealing recipes, this is highly recommended. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
