Anne Willan

I’m a fan of Practical Magic, both the book and movie. Even if the movie takes some liberties, I think the spirit and message of the book is there. So a book about the Aunts as young girls then as women is too good to pass up! This doesn’t disappoint. Jet and Franny along with their beautiful younger brother navigate the 60’s and 70’s learning who and what they are. You learn of Maria’s past, their history within the town and of course the curse. Their lives are marked with denial, show more heartbreak, tragedy and losses. However, Alice Hoffman also shows that love for each other and loving others is what makes everyone human, and loss happens to everyone. I would have loved to have kept delving deeper into this family, but maybe she plans to do another. At least I hope she does!!♥️📕📖📚 show less

This is my favorite cookbook. I have worn it out the way I wore out my old Miles Davis vinyl LP's. If you have never had the joy of making beautiful handmade pasta and serving it fresh to your family, then you need to get this book and do it. Here are step by step, practically fool proof recipes for some of the most fresh tasting pasta dishes on earth. I really love this book. I had never made pasta before. It really is a joy to make. I love making the green fettuccine with fresh basil. It show more is just wonderful. I think my favorite recipe is page 10, Fresh Fettuccine with Tomato and Basil. Double (or triple) the garlic. This recipe is so simple and so delicious, you have to make it and taste it to believe it. show less

I wanted to like this one more and, while the reading became easier as time droned on, the pacing still stayed stunted. When the story would start interesting strands it was always leading up to something depressing that would knock it off kilter again. The writing style is beautiful and the characters eventually become likable to a degree, but again the pacing was downright laborious at times.

"Women in the Kitchen: Twelve Essential Cookbook Writers Who Defined the Way We Eat, from 1661 to Today", by culinary historian Anne Willan, spans a time frame of more than 350 years and offers an enlightening look at a dozen great women and the great food they prepared. While cooking terms, techniques, trends, and tastes have certainly changed through the years (centuries), the love of cooking and sharing food is timeless. The author, who has been cooking professionally for 60 years and show more operated a Paris-based cooking school, writes with a great love of subject and an expansive knowledge of cooking and those who cook. The twelve women are each featured in a brief biography accompanied by several of their own recipes. Here's a sampler of what you'll find: Hannah Woolley (1622-1675)--"Savory Pumpkin and Apple Pie"; Hannah Glasse (1708-1770)--"Rose Petal Syrup"; Amelia Simmons (dates unknown)--"Corn Griddle Cakes"; Maria Rundell (1745-1828)--"Potato Yeast Rolls"; Lydia Child (1802-1880) --"Thanksgiving Pudding"; Sarah Rutledge (1782-1855)--"Golden Chicken"; Fannie Farmer (1857-1915)--"Bread Pudding with Raisins"; Irma Rombauer (1877-1962)--"Never-Fail Dinner Rolls"; Julia Child (1912-2004)--"Coq Au Vin"; Edna Lewis (1906-2006)--"Brown Sugar Caramel Pie"; Marcella Hazan (1924-2013)--"Polenta with Italian Sausages"; and Alice Waters (born 1944)--"Mango Salad with Chile Pepper". While these women represent a variety of cultures and levels of fame, each of them is a fascinating trailblazer in their own right. Author Anne Willan not only shines a spotlight on these wonderful women, she gives us a compelling look at almost four centuries of culinary history. As a child, I was taught to cook by my beloved Gran, who was also a very knowledgeable, intuitive and gifted cook. Over 50 years later, I am still at home in the kitchen, and I love to read and collect cookbooks. I greatly enjoyed "Women in the Kitchen".

Book Copy Gratis Scribner Books show less