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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

cookbook review: My Father's Daughter by Gwyneth Paltrow

Hard Cover: 272 Pages
Photos: Yes

Chapters/Sections: How to Use this Book, The Well-Stocked Pantry, Soups, Salads, Burgers & Sandwiches, Pastas, Main Courses, Side Dishes, Breakfast, Desserts, Reliable Online Resources

Unique or Cool Features:  Forward by Mario Batali.  A touching, personal intro.  A great "how-to use this book" section in the beginning.  Tons of mouthwatering photos of food.  More great photos of Gwyneth and her family from the time she was young (it's always...okay, usually...fun to see a glimpse into someone else's life).

(a few of the) Recipes Destined for my Kitchen:  Homemade Sriracha, Tortilla Soup (surprised?), Fish Stew, Anchovy Vinaigrette w/ Bitter Greens Salad, Fried Sole Sandwich w/ spicy mayo & pickles, Crispy Potato & Garlic Cake, Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes

My Thoughts/Review:  I adore this book.  After seeing it around and contemplating buying it, I checked it out from the library.  I knew within moments that it needed to be a permanent resident on my sagging shelves.  There were tons of colored slips of paper peeking from between the pages.  How perfect was it that I received an Amazon gift card worth just enough to buy it the very next day?  So, my very own copy was in my mailbox less than a week later...and the "markers" were transferred from the library copy to my own.  Gwyneth has a true passion for food and family and wonderful stories and food memories shared in the beginning to give us an idea of  "why" she wrote a cookbook...and interspersed throughout the rest of the book and the recipes.  She has a fantastic outlook on food and eating, though she openly admits she went through a pretty extreme raw phase when her father was diagnosed with cancer.  She treats food the way it should be treated and has compiled a fantastic book filled with balance, taste, and feeling.  Check it out- you'll see what I mean.

Recipes I have already tried:  
Seasonal Crumble (using peaches & strawberries)
 Spiced Apple Crumb Muffins
*I did NOT receive a free copy of this book...but I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you. 
I am sharing this post with:
foodiesreadingchallenge

Would you like to comment?

  1. OMG! I so want this cookbook! I was already a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, but after her stint on Glee I thought, "Is there nothing this woman can't do?" I mean she can sing, dance and act. And now we all find out that she can cook too! WOW!

    Anyway, I'm gonna have to wait until next month to buy her book. I already spent this month's book allowance on another cookbook. :P And I just know that I won't even mind paying an extra 9 dollars to have it delivered to Mexico.

    Thanks for giving me a preview of my next cookbook. :P

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  2. This is a very helpful review and looks like a great book. Off to a great start with these muffins!

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  3. Didn't know she could cook...now I have to add this book to my wishlist and mail to my mother-in-law. ;-))

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  4. I love book reviews and I too have sagging shelves full of cookbooks, but always wanting more. An addiction perhaps, but it could be worse - think David Yurman jewelry.
    Sam

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  5. What is it about always wanting more cookbooks! The 2 recipes shown look awesome!

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  6. I can't stand Gwyneth Paltrow (she annoys me even more than Rachael does), so I don't think I could ever get by that to buy her book, but the two recipes do look good!!! I've heard mixed reviews of this cookbook, glad you enjoyed it. I might have to check it out from my local library after all....

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  7. My daughter gave this to me on Mother's Day..omg, I have made Paltrow's Dad's salad dressing... as well as her recipes.. I love her commentary in the book as well.

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  8. Nice posting! It's really helpful for me. Thanks a lot for sharing.

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  9. I have this book too and really love it. I love the reason why she wrote it, the glimpse into her life, all the gorgeous pics. Plus, it makes me want to order that duck bacon....ha ha! I haven't tried anything yet, but I hope to soon. Everything you tried looks terrific. I've been craving a good crumble lately.

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  10. This book looks so interesting I would love to read it, I will definitely have to check it out :)

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  11. So glad to see your review, I just recently won this book from a very lovely blogger and I love it, too! Similar bookmarks, can't wait to make the sriracha! The muffins and the crumble look so good.

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  12. I like reading what people think of different cookbooks. We all have our reasons for liking it. Funny how we have sagging full shelves of cookbooks, and how often do we say "what should I make?" almost like saying "I have nothing to wear" while looking at a full closet of clothes...just a thought.

    I love the seasonal crumble, it looks so good!

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  13. I have to say, I was super skeptical about this book until Bon Appetit put her on the cover. now I really want to get my hands on a copy! Everything you've made looks delicious!

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  14. Thanks by your review I heard about this book of her and sound really nice. Hope I find here, Thnaks a lot girlchef! gloria

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  15. This is the first I have heard about this book! Have I been living under a rock?!

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  16. Heather, I was on the “hopeful list” for a free copy at Goodreads for this cookbook. I like Gwyneth’s site GOOP and this book looked amazing. So happy to hear you loved it.

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  17. I was contemplating this cookbook too - glad you give it two thumbs up!!

    Hope you are enjoying the cheese Heather!

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  18. I have always really liked Paltrow. I think it's because I like her calm presence and authenticity. I'm also excited to add this book to my shelf. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, there are so many mixed reviews on it.

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  19. After seeing her on the cover of Bon Appetit...I knew I had to check her new cookbook out. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! Thank you so much for sharing with me...and for offering me such support. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday afternoon! Hugs from Austin!

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  20. I've put this cookbook on my wishlist at Amazon and now feel very excited to purchase it!! Thanks for posting this great review!

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  21. I have this book all "tabbed up" too. Everything looks so delicious.
    ;-)

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