If you are thinking about setting up your kitchen for the very first time, I highly recommend picking up a copy of “Cooking Bouquet”. All aspects of equipping a kitchen properly are included here. This book would make an excellent gift for a bride-to-be or for a newlywed couple’s wedding gift.

Brown Books Publishing Group (2006)
ISBN 1933285281
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (7/06)


If you are thinking about setting up your kitchen for the very first time, I highly recommend picking up a copy of “Cooking Bouquet”.  All aspects of equipping a kitchen properly are included here.  This book would make an excellent gift for a bride-to-be or for a newlywed couple’s wedding gift.

“Cooking Bouquet” is set up so that the reader may start at the beginning and read straight through, unlike most cookbooks where one searches for a particular recipe in a specific category.  “Cooking Bouquet” has a chapter for each month of the year with recipes appropriate for events occurring in that month.  For example, January’s feature recipes focus on soup and dishes that go well with soup while June offers recipes and ideas for the perfect grill out.  Each section offers wines recommended to be served with the recipes given, and tips are shared to help make the monthly get-together a success.  Also included at the end of each chapter is a section entitled Parties with Panache, which gives ideas the host may employ to make the dinner party or get-together just a bit more special and unique with ideas for decorating, special effects, music and special foods to try.

I really cannot say enough good things about this excellent resource.  So much good information about cooking and everything in a kitchen is included here.  Setting up your dry pantry and storing smartly, to how to properly stock a refrigerator and freezer are included here.  Common equivalents, a glossary of common terms, and seasoning and spice substitutions are also helpfully encompassed.

I believe the included recipes are just what a new cook might find most helpful; good basic dishes using common ingredients that are not too difficult to locate or  prepare and yet are filling and tasty.  All the recipes are ones I personally will use, and I picked up some ideas with all the helpful tips.  Under May’s Picnic Parade, a good basic Chocolate Cake and Cherry Crisp, plus the always popular Chocolate Brownies are sure pleasers.  Homemade Lemonade and tasty variations with flavors such as peach, raspberry and pineapple will provide a mouthwatering accompaniment.

The book’s design is attractive in pastel colors and picture drawings in neutral tones.  A ribbon bookmark will allow the reader to readily find a favorite page.  The book does have a nice binding and spine which makes for a good-looking book, but experienced cooks know that this sometimes makes it difficult to keep your page opened to the appropriate spot.  The matching book jacket will help keep the book protected from spills. However, Cooking Bouquet is very aesthetically pleasing with its tastefully done drawings.

This book will make an excellent gift for anyone who will be getting familiar with a kitchen.  I would definitely pick up two copies though, for you will want to keep a copy for yourself!