Kate McMillan (Author), Erin Kunkel (Photographer) (Wendel Owen Publishing - 2012)
I've
rarely been disappointed by a Williams-Sonoma Cookbook. We are a
soup-loving family so I couldn't resist checking this one out. It is both
lovely and well designed with a calendar-style with loads of
recipes soups and stews for every season and every day of the week -- 365 recipes.
There are lots of great recipes that should please
vegetarians and meat lovers alike. All the bases are
covered in this book. At least 3/4 of the recipes are ones that I would
consider preparing, although a few seemed like ones that I might
like to add more spices to based on my family's taste.
The color photographs are gorgeous, but there
were not enough of them, in my opinion. There were a few minor things
that I did not like about the book:
- Some recipes like the ones for pureed soups require a food processor
- As a visual person, I would have preferred more photographs, and the photos should have corresponding text to tell you what recipe is being displayed.
- The print is also very very tiny (at least for my eyes), so for readers who may be visually impaired, and are still interested in this book, that might be an issue. If available, I would recommend an eBook version so you can enlarge the print to a size that is comfortable for your eyes.
Some of the recipes that I plan to try include:
- Savory Barley Soup with Wild Mushroom and Thyme
- Cauliflower Soup with Cheddar and Blue Cheese
- Shrimp Bisque
- Broccoli Soup with Parmesan Lemon Frico
- Orzo, Delicate Squash and Chicken Soup with Sage
- Chickpea and Roasted Tomato Soup with Fried Rosemary
Other than the few things I've mentioned, this is a beautiful book to add to any collection.
Rating 4/5 stars
I love soup and am always on the lookout for new recipes.
ReplyDeleteBrowse first at library or bookstore to see what you think. It is beautiful but might not be a BUY for everyone.
DeleteI'm always a bit disappointed when I see a food processor in a recipe too. I use my blender when it's really necessary but it doesn't work quite as well and tends to get explodey. Maybe I need to break down and buy one to truly become proficient at soups.
ReplyDeleteMmm those sound delicious! Soup is do good when it's cold.
ReplyDeleteSoup is the best winter food! I love making it when it's chilly outside!
ReplyDeleteI had gotten this book to review a while back in digital download. I loved it so much I bought it. We just made the potato/leek/celery soup the other weekend. SO good!! I threw it in the blender as I didn't want to find the FP in the basement and put it all together.
ReplyDeleteThey make a salad cookbook that is similar, too.
-beth
My Dad and Mom love to go to their store and snoop around. They have lots of soup in the winter months so that book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is this??????? What a great book and Williams Sonoma rocks!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to see if my library has this book! We love soup too.
ReplyDeleteI have to make homemade soups these days because any of the ones I buy, usually have gluten in them. I SO love soup though that I usually make huge pots so I can always have some on hand.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book but the small print would bug me a tiny bit.
I have a few recipe for soup that my family loves, but to tell you the truth, once you start involving the food processor, things become a little more complicated. I might have to give this one an inspection and see if there are many recipes inside that I would want to try for myself. Excellent review. Thanks for sharing both the ups and downs of this one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about pictures. I want a photo for every recipe! Sounds like a delicious book though!
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting a book that's perfect for this time of year. It's been chilly on the east coast, and you've inspired me to make some soup this weekend...will serve with a salad and loaf of crusty bread.
ReplyDeleteCatherine @ bookclublibrarian
These soups sound yummy. I too like photos but I suppose I can imagine the soup if there isn't one. Checking it out at the library first would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThe cover of this looks like a work of art (too bad there are not more photos inside), and the soups you mention sound wonderful. I never heard of fried rosemary before!
ReplyDeleteI love soup and am always on the look out for recipes, but they have to be easy. I need photos too.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge soup lover. I too need photos and lots of them!!!
ReplyDeleteI just need someone to make me some actual soup! I'm back online but with Windows 8...I could just cry!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing. I just read Prodigal Summer, my first Kinsolver. I highly recommend it! Soooo good. The detail of her wildlife description was fascinating to me. I want to read all of her books now. I saw it on your list of to reads.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious... and wholesome. And that's a great idea to have a soup a day, all different for the whole year. What an achievement if someone tries to follow exactly that... ah, haven't we heard of that before? Julie and Julia?
ReplyDeleteOoooooo! I do love soup. I don't use a food processor for pureed soup even if it calls for it. I asked for (and received) an immersion blender for Christmas one year and it is my favorite kitchen invention ever (and not expensive either) so it negates the need for a food processor. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love soups! I have to check this one out. Thanks for reviewing this.
ReplyDeleteI live off soup, literally live... I might have to pick up a copy of this one for ideas.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well!
This looks wonderful! I have a W&S Comfort Food cookbook and oh boy is it ever delicious.
ReplyDeleteI've never looked at a Williams-Sonoma cookbook - this does sound good. We love soup in the fall and winter! Interesting that this is soup for 365 days a year - I always say soup is for cold weather, but my son disagrees! Some of these recipes sound delicious.
ReplyDeleteSue
Book By Book
The only way I can get Gage to eat veggies is in soup (as long as he sees crackers on top) so I need to check out some great soup recipes. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDelete