Romney Steele

Interesting and delicious recipes celebrating all things fruit. A nicely edited collection including curds, soups, salads, jam, sauces, intriguing main dish protein combinations, etc, with lovely photography accompanying each dish. I particularly appreciated the author's focus on fruits and edible herbs that are often under-represented in American cookbooks, such as quince, pomegranate, olallieberry, kumquat and lavender. Steele's passion for food definitely shines through on every page. show more Would make a superb gift for fruit loving cooks and bakers. show less

5 out 5

I would give this book a 10 out of 5 if possible. Plum Gorgeous by Romney Steele is not just a memoir, or just a cookbook, or just of food photo book, it is simply all of those things and more. It had the ability to bring back my memories of the smell as you walk out the backdoor to the orchard, in the heat of the summer, and smell only ripe peaches. And not just any peaches but those varieties that you barely see any more, like the Fay Elberta. It brought back the memories of the show more canning of summer's bounty with my grandmother, jams, fruit, pickles and more. The scent of the fruit pies coming out the oven with beautiful lattice tops.

I must warn, do not read this book while hungry. You will want to run out and get all the ingredients to several or maybe all the recipes she shares with us. I am making the "Marmalade Chicken" for dinner this evening. I love that she also offers alternative items to substitute based on the weather or time of the growing season. The photography in this book provided by Sara Remington is eye candy for all food lovers, and created "artist envy" in me.

This is a book that I will gift to those I know who love to cook, those I know who love to eat good food that stimulate all their senses, and to all the artists I know. I urge everyone who reads this book to not keep it to themselves, pass or gift this bounty just as you would a wonderful sumptuous meal for 10.

Thank you, Romney Steele, for keeping the spirit of the orchard in California alive. You are what my husband fondly calls a "true California sunshine girl" because you appreciate, and have created works of art out of nature's bounty so abundant here in California. show less

It is rare for me to buy a cookbook for anything other than the recipes, but I must admit to having such good memories of time spent at Nepenthe that I couldn't resist. And as that was the rationalization, I couldn't be more delighted with this gorgeous coffee table book which is so much more than just a collection of recipes.

For those who don't know, Nepenthe is a renowned restaurant that opened in Big Sur back in 1949. It's set in one of the most naturally stunning locations on the planet show more and has a fascinating history which is fully documented by author Romney Steele, the granddaughter of the restaurant's original owners. She does an excellent job relating the history of Nepenthe as a business, as a destination, and as it intersects with her family history. The story is more interesting than you might guess. The place has seen a lot of people and a lot of events in the past 60 years.

In addition to documenting the history of Nepenthe in words, this over-sized book is chock full of the most magnificent photographs of the people, the surroundings, and--oh yeah--the food.

The book contains nearly 100 recipes from the family and the restaurant. For me, the book worked slightly better as a whole than strictly as a cookbook. The recipes aren't really organized in any way, and they're a somewhat random selection. There's a little of this and a little of that, but if you're looking for something specific, you won't necessarily find it here. More, it's like a book you'll read, and you just might discover a gem inside like Chile Custards with Salsa Fresca or Nepenthe's Triple Berry Pie.

A bonus: after reading this book and the included recipes, you may feel compelled to visit the restaurant. I haven't been in a few years, but I can't wait to return with a new appreciation of this Northern California institution. show less

If you are looking for a cookbook to give as a gift, this would be a great option. The recipes in this book utilize many fruits, not just plums. From soups to meats to breads to desserts, a plethora of tasty treats awaits discovery by those who peruse it. The biggest strength of this book is in its illustration. The author shares some memories of the recipes, but her descriptions often left me wanting a little more information about the circumstances or the event. This review is based on an show more advance readers copy provided through NetGalley. show less