I was super excited to receive this book because I'm a cookbook collector and an avid cook who is constantly on the lookout for new books with exciting recipes that I can experiment with.
50 great appetizers was a little disappointing though for a couple of reasons:
1. The actual hardcover was quite small and there weren't as many pictures of the dishes as I would have liked. I like to see pictures of the completed recipes so I know what it should look like when it's done, and how it should be plated and served. Also for some recipes that might have done well with a picture there wasn't one - i.e. a recipe for b'stilla (a very uncommon dish i had to google so i could see what it looked like) - I feel that that is a recipe that really would have benefitted from a picture.
2. I also thought that the appetizer recipes were either super simple - i.e. marinated mushrooms, tomato brushetta or were pretty labour intensive i.e. tea-smoked chicken wings with sweet & sour sauce, fried spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce. I felt like it was a weird combination of recipes overall.
I did find some recipes that look delicious and easy to make (isn't that the whole point of an appetizer anyway?) which I will try i.e. polenta squares with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes and the vegetable samosas. I also like the basics and equivalents section at the back which is always helpful.
That being said, the couple of recipes that I might try and the basics section wouldn't be enough to entice show more me to buy this book should I come across it at a bookstore. I just don't think it would give me value for my money unfortunately. show less