Mary McCartney

There is much to love about Mary McCartney's cookbook Food, though there are some oddly irritating aspects. The photography is lovely, the dishes are simple, easy to follow and consistent. The use of spices and other seasonings is on the subtle to bland side, though, obviously one can adjust up. Because for the most part the recipes are simple and towards subtle side in flavor there is plenty of room for adjustments for personal and family tastes. Everything I have tried has been easy to make and savory. There are some odd ingredients; I am surprised to see her asking for things such as canned lentils and other canned beans rather than dried. She seems to use an awful lot of soy sauce. She also has a seeming love affair with onions, the quiche calls for 6! Some measures are off. The shortcrust pastry was far to dry to hold together, the quiche that is suppose to fit in a 9' -10" dish overflows the dish. I was able to make a quiche and several mini-quiches. Many of the names are irksome. Arty's Chocolate Chip cookies? Arty is her son. That's cute and all, but I can't go around calling them that. Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies is what I would call them. There are wonderful with the orange zest. And a quiche with 6 onions should not be called Cheesy Quiche. There are 6 onions!
Strong points: well organized, great photograph, not too chatty, simple flavorful recipes that are easy to adjust for preferences.… (mer)

There is much to love about Mary McCartney's cookbook Food, though there are some oddly irritating aspects. The photography is lovely, the dishes are simple, easy to follow and consistent. The use of spices and other seasonings is on the subtle to bland side, though, obviously one can adjust up. Because for the most part the recipes are simple and towards subtle side in flavor there is plenty of room for adjustments for personal and family tastes. Everything I have tried has been easy to make and savory. There are some odd ingredients; I am surprised to see her asking for things such as canned lentils and other canned beans rather than dried. She seems to use an awful lot of soy sauce. She also has a seeming love affair with onions, the quiche calls for 6! Some measures are off. The shortcrust pastry was far to dry to hold together, the quiche that is suppose to fit in a 9' -10" dish overflows the dish. I was able to make a quiche and several mini-quiches. Many of the names are irksome. Arty's Chocolate Chip cookies? Arty is her son. That's cute and all, but I can't go around calling them that. Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies is what I would call them. There are wonderful with the orange zest. And a quiche with 6 onions should not be called Cheesy Quiche. There are 6 onions!
Strong points: well organized, great photograph, not too chatty, simple flavorful recipes that are easy to adjust for preferences.… (mer)