Food Network Favorites

by Jennifer Darling (Editor)

All-time-favorite recipes from some of the world's best chefs—from Paula Deen’s homey, all-American fare to Wolfgang Puck’s Euroasian cuisine. More than 120 of the best restaurant-quality recipes that can easily be prepared in home kitchens. All of the characteristics culinary fans have come to expect from Food Network—great recipes, reliable cooking tips, and easy-to-understand instructions. Behind-the-scenes back-kitchen chit chat with some of the world’s hottest chefs. Question-and-answer sessions with each chef about his or her passion for food, favorite ingredients, and secret vices. Exclusive photos of the all-star chefs taping shows on-stage at the Food Network studios put readers in the kitchen with their favorite television personalities. Numerous how-to photos and detailed text guarantee recipe success every time.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference, Food and Drink

263 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an AVID FN fan, I was shocked how few of these recipes looked appealing and manageable for a home cook. A couple of Paula Deen’s were the only ones I actually wrote down to try.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alton Brown: 7/10 Recipes
Corn Dogs (2/5)
French Onion Soup (3/5)
Pressure Cooker Chili (3/5)
Eggplant Pasta (2/5)
City Ham (3/5)
English Muffins (2/5)
Pineapple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake (2/5)

Bobby Flay: 5/10 Recipes
Charred Corn Guacamole w/Chips (4/5)
Grilled Shrimp in Lettuce Leaves w/Serrano Mint Sauce (4/5)
Spiced Pork Tenderloin w/Ancho Chili Mustard Sauce (4/5)
Grilled Steak & Papaya Salad (5/5)
Fresh Fruit Batidos (4/5)

Dave Lieberman: 7/10 Recipes
Curried Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups (3/5)
Bow Ties w/Pesto, Feta & Cherry Tomatoes (3/5)
Spicy Coconut Shrimp w/Mango Basil Salsa & Lime Jasmine Rice (5/5)
Roasted Salmon w/Roasted Plum Tomatoes & Caramelized Lemons (3/5)
Red Wine Beef Stew w/Potatoes & Green Beans (4/5)
Apricot Glazed Chicken w/Dried Plums & Sage (3/5)
Blueberry Pecan Crumble (3/5)

Emeril Lagasse: 5/10 Recipes
Pork & Chorizo Burger w/Green Chile Mayo (3/5)
Emeril's Memory Stovetop Clam Boil (3/5)
Stuffed Chicken Legs in Puff Pastry w/Andouille Cream (4/5)
Asian Style Braised Short Ribs (4/5)
Root Beer Glazed Pork Chops w/Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes (3/5)

Giada de Laurentis: 5/10 Recipes
Dirty Risotto (5/5)
Shrimp Fra Diavolo (4/5)
Tilapia w/Lemon Vinaigrette (2/5)
Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola (3/5)
Creamy Ricotta Tart w/Pine Nuts (3/5)

Michael Chiarello: 0/10 Recipes

[J. Gowin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows a well worn plan for failure. It selects several famous chefs and gathers a few recipes from each of them, adding a few irrelevant interview questions and glamour shots for filler. Of course the chefs involved saved their better recipes for their own cookbooks, and have no reason to give attention to teaching technique. I would have given it a lower rating except for a few interesting recipes from Alton Brown, Wolfgang Puck and the Food Network staff.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with earlier reviews... Seems like a lot of glory shots/mini interviews with the chefs .. but not their best recipes. Best ones did seem to be from the Food Network staff.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

as always, wonderful in this contemporary with no fantastic or elements but a surprise in the ending!

[Sandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As long as you are looking for something different to try out. This is a book that you want to borrow and or buy for your collection. You will find meals and snacks along with what have you in this book.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love watching the Food Network, back when we had cable. Alton Brown and Rachael Ray were some of my favorites. And for drama, you can't beat Iron Chef or the Food Network Challenges. So I thought I would have fun with this cookbook.

Well, it was kind of fun, but honestly, there's only about 6-8 recipes in this book that I would make. The best ones are from the noted TV chef, Food Network Kitchens. That's right - the support staff. I think I will try making English muffins from Alton Brown's recipe. But most of the rest are so complicated or require weird ingredients that may be yummy, but are not available where I live. Lots of liquor and lots of coffee, neither of which I use. Lots of seafood too, which I don't enjoy but might be willing to try if there was a good source of fresh seafood nearby. There's not.

I'm not quite sure who this cookbook is for, but it is not for me.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a used copy of this book at Bookman's while visiting Tucson, AZ, a week ago. I've already tried four recipes--each of which has met with success.

In the three days that we've been home, I've made (1) Dave Lieberman's black bean soup (the cost of the book is worth it for this recipe alone!), (2) Lieberman's roasted salmon with roasted plum tomatoes and caramelized lemons, (3) his Bow Tie Pasta with Pesto, Feta & Cherry Tomatoes and (4) Paula Deen's Tennessee Banana-Black Walnut Cake with Caramel Frosting. On deck later in the week is Paula's Tomato Pie.

I won't do a full-on review until I've worked through at least a dozen and more thoroughly familiarized myself with the volume. To date, however, I have found this to be a pretty user-friendly book with good illustrations, helpful kitchen tips, readily acquirable ingredients, and am making good use of it so far.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this cookbook. I enjoy reading cookbooks for the recipes, but I have no interest in the chef's personal lives or stories. I buy cookbooks for the recipes. I don't care how long they have been cooking, where they have been chef's prior to this book, what they look like, where they live, what their house looks like, who they are married or not married to, etc. This cookbook doesn't get overly personal, just too much for me.

My only interest is in recipes. Hopefully pictures of the recipes too. There are several recipes pictured so that is a positive. Very few of the recipes are anything I would actually use though. So overall, not a good fit for me. I am sure there are others out there that love this book.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked seeing different recipes from some of my favorite cooks. There were a lot of great recipes to try. I found myself leaning more towards the Tyler Florence things. A few recipes I passed over thinking I wouldn't try them, but then came back to them to try later and they were great. Some recipes didn't seem to be right for the "everyday person" if that makes sense. There are some ingredients that I am not sure if I can find them at my local super market. I might have to search farmers markets or whole foods stores.

This is a great addition to any cookbook library. I highly enjoy it.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Food Network Favorites: Recipes from Our All-Star Chefs" was my first cookbook purchase connected to the "Food Network", and it was a great way to start my collection! The format is friendly, the food is flavorful and fixable. The book is overflowing with relaxed and revealing interviews and insights from some of TV's favorite celebrity chefs. The food photos are gorgeous, and the recipes are well laid out and easy to follow. I also greatly enjoyed the "insider" pages from the Food Network kitchens. A cookbook to be often used and read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

was neither good or bad. i would not buy this book the only good section that i would be more than willing to make more than one thing out of was the first alton brown. most of the recipes seemed geared for people who are not home cooks. it was almost as if the cook would need more than average cooking skills i would possibly eat the food but as far as putting in the effort to make it ..... no.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

almost everything in this cookbook is delicious. emeril's pork chops are awesome. paula's potato's are sinfull. dave leiberman's recipies are yummy. woolfgangs pizza is a favorite with the kids along with the food network kitchen's tuna burgers.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Cow! If there is something good you want to make this book will most likely have it. There is a mixture of different kinds, ethnics, and flavors in this cookbook. Got it as a gift and I really like it!

[Marian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Just cannot make myself pay this much for a book just for Alton Browns ham coating, Though I have tried it and it is astounding! But that technique was on TV. I am not familiar enough with Everything the other chefs have cooked to know if these were all on TV previously either.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this cookbook and probably cook a few recipes on a rotating basis in my house! My personal favorites are the snickerdoodles and the Shrimp Diablo! There's quite a few recipes that I'll never cook, but I really did find the Q&A with the chefs fun to read.

[Phoebe Flesch · Rating 2 out of 5]

In general, I usually enjoy Food Network recipes and their chefs (yes, yes, I know I'm trash), but this book was a bit of a letdown. Lots of pictures of the chefs, less of the food, which I ain't about.

[Kristin]

I'm trying to learn some good recipes!

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed different styles and creative use of food. Reminded of need for quality in our food supplies and preparation.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipes are a little too advanced for me. Maybe I'll be able to attempt them someday.

[Ginnie Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book but I was really let down

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will use one of these recipes. They seem good and simple enough.

[Emylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

this thing wont let me read it and this thing sucks because I put my email so I am tring to read any books

[Angi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book with hundreds of mouth watering recipes...just too complicated for my tastes.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few to try and great snippets of each chef.