The French Laundry Cookbook
by Thomas Keller
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Book Reviews of The French Laundry Cookbook
Book Review: for those who love to cook
Summary: 5 Stars
A beautiful book that is nice to browse through for the non-culinary inclined and inspirational to those who love to cook. Keller is a genius, that is evident in the recipes. However, to successfully recreate a French Laundry meal from this book will be a daunting task for the more experienced home cook and virtually impossible for a beginner. The small portion sizes require at least 4 or 5 dishes to comprise an entire meal (although the recipes may be scaled up to more typical serving sizes without much problem). The book can be pretentious (witness the blurb entitled 'the importance of offal'), includes recipes that 99.9% of readers will not bother to attempt (stuffed pigs heads, for example) and more than a few recipes require a very well equipped kitchen to pull off (juicers, mandolines, silipat baking sheets, variety of strainers, etc...), but all seem accessible if you take your time and have mastered some basic cooking skills. A very fun and informative book for those who love to cook and enjoy a challenge in the kitchen. If you are serious, you will have a blast, learn a lot, and eat some spectacular food. If the food tastes this good when I make it, I can only imagine how good it is at the restaurant.Book Review: Evidence from One of Our Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This could just very easily be the best of the best of my growing collection. Having just gotten it finally, it is truly an amazing cook who has put this together. The creativity, polish and sensitivity to taste, presentation and perfection is all here in spades!The only ones possibly who come close to this level: Trotter, maybe Nobu. Here unmistakenly is clearly a fine-tuned chef who has refined his art to strong, rarified levels. One who likes to eat and cook such is left in awe just leafing through this.
What amazes and fascinates and I can't wait to put to the cooking test is such as: Macaroni and Cheese (with Lobster and Mascarpone enriched Orzo; Roquefort Trifle! Strawberry Sorbet Shortcakes. The ordinary made outrageously vibrant!
The layout is so pleasing to work with: much white space on each page with small typeface but justified on the page just right to read and work with easily. Exquisitie photos and subject sidebars pour forth with wonderful hints and discussion of critical ingredients, techniques etc.
Must have for the cooks among us! These cookbook shows easily why this guy has such a staggering reputation.
Book Review: The Art of Cooking
Summary: 5 Stars
Thomas Keller's "French Laundry Cookbook" is the platonic yang compared to the homey yin of the famous "Joy of Cooking." While "Joy" has the basics of cooking for the novice, Keller delves deeper into the art and the science of the kitchen.
"French Laundry Cookbook" is more of a work of art than an ordinary cookbook. Keller re-invents coffee&doughnuts, macaroni&cheese, as well as the ubiquitous carrots&peas. There are unusual ingredients such as truffles and foie gras,so don't try this at home-unless you're ready to invest the time&money on it.
I've never used the French Laundry Cookbook,but it's a pleasure to read. For those who enjoy cooking, Keller's insights provide further enlightenment. It's a coffee table book with beautiful photographs and crisp writing.
After having read this book many times, I finally did get to SEE the French Laundry in Yountville. It's a relatively nondescript building, covered in ivy. Outwardly, there is nothing spectacular about it,yet it is a culinary destination.
The French Laundry Cookbook is delicious writing that will transport you to the Napa Valley!
Book Review: beautiful and delicious!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
The French Laundry is a beautifully photographed gastronomic delight!! This book is not just a "cookbook" from the reknowned French Laundry restaurant of Thomas Keller located in the wine country of California, it is much, much more. It is the story of a young man having a respect for food, how it is grown and harvested, along with respect for those that spend their time nurturing the food. He takes great joy in taking great care and overlooking no detail in the preparation of food for those who will surely enjoy it. He wants to develop this love and respect for food in those who eat his creations! Michael Ruhlman writes the story of the French Laundry and of Thomas Keller as well as the stories of those that supply the lamb, rabbit, mushrooms, cheeses, wines and produce.The story alone is worth the reading, but the recipes put it over the top!! While some of the recipes may be too detailed for many "home" cooks, there is so much variety in the recipes that everyone can find something to try!! This is classic French culinary food with a terrific American twist.
Book Review: Does the Emperor Have Clothes?
Summary: 1 Stars
My husband had eaten at the French Laundry (in the 70s) numerous times before we met, and before Keller took it over. He couldn't praise it enough, so we decided to go together in 1997. We was expecting something out of this world, but all we got was an enormous bill and we left the place hungry. My husband was very disappointed in what Keller's done to the place. Are we alone? Does the Emperor have no clothes or what? Can anyone really appreciate a meal or even a course with one or two bites? Kudos to those who can, I really need to taste more than a morsel to be satisified with any meal or entree. The cookbook? A Christmas gift to me. More of the same pretentious Keller, with nice photography and some insight into this chef's philosophy on food, but honestly, he's too fussy and his ingredients are just too too for the mere mortal to pull together, in my opinion.
If you love pretty picture cookbooks or just want a nice one for the coffee table, go for it. If you want to prepare a real meal, I'd skip this book and try something else.