Customer Review: 50 years of enjoying Elizabeth David

My mother introduced me to the wonders of Elizabeth David 50 years ago! In her English country kitchen, with all the rigors of post-war shortages, she would pore over Elizabeth David's mediterranean recipes. In those days the basic ingredients available in a small village didn't extend to much more than carrots and potatoes. But David's recipes would inspire my mother's creativity, and we would eat the most amazing dishes, with the ingredients adapted to what could be unearthed in the village shop. Now, so many years later, this compendium of articles brings back vividly that - for me - happy time. It is a book to pick up, dip into, take note of her suggestions, try out the recipes. It transports you to France and back again, it gives sensible advice, brings a mixture of common sense and fantasy to the chaos which is modern living today. And yes, an omelette and a glass of wine (or two, as Elizabeth David so sensibly says) is my favorite meal! Thank you.

Customer Review: In love.

I've always been scared to buy ED's books.
Why? Because most reviewers go out of their way to point out how intelligent she is (true), how ruthless she is in terms of staying authentic, how she fills her books with references to obscure and elite sources. She always seems to be described as less approachable then most food-writers, with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue.
To that I say...

*NONSENSE!*

She's not an elite-writer, she's simply a very smart woman with a deep love for food. She doesn't seem rigid or overly strict with her recipies at all. She just seems like a lovely entertaining expert on all things edible, explaining why things taste better when prepared a certain way, making you ponder the truth in what she writes, and making you realise she's telling you things you should have already figured out on your own. She's a teacher, but a very loving one. Elegant without being prissy, experienced and willing to share.
I wish I had bought this book much earlier. It's filled with wonderful essays, thoughts and descriptions. It made me hungry and happy at the same time! If you like a book with more substance then just a HUGE index of 10.000 recipies -like some cookbooks are- then this is perfect.

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