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At Blanchard's Table: A Trip to the Beach Cookbook
The next best thing to actually living on an island paradise is being able to bring a bit of paradise home. Bob and Melinda Blanchard shared their own “paradise found” in their book A Trip to the Beach, the true story of the couple’s adventures as they escaped civilization to open a restaurant on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. Now in At Blanchard’s Table , the couple extends the celebrated warmth and hospitality of their acclaimed restaurant, and its delicious menu, to our homes. The happy result is a cookbook that’s as much a pleasure to read as it is enjoyable to follow.
Writing with the same humor and charm that made their first book such a success, Bob and Melinda share recipes drawn from their New England roots, their early years in the gourmet food business, and their life in the Caribbean. At Blanchard’s Table is a delectable collection of more than 160 recipes perfect for get-togethers of family and friends, illustrated with glorious photographs that reveal how lucky they are
to have homes in both Vermont and Anguilla.
Although the Blanchards’ restaurant gets rave reviews for the food, Melinda was never trained formally as a chef, so her recipes are for true homemade meals that are appealing and easy. Caribbean-influenced dishes like Calypso Chicken with Lime, Grilled Lobster Anguilla Style, and Jamaican Jerk Shrimp are complemented by New England–inspired fare such as Vermont Cheddar Soup, Balsamic-Glazed Veal Chops, and Vermont Picnic Ham Baked in Dark Beer.
Sections include Casual Starters, Soups, Salads and Dressings, Seafood, Meat, Pasta, Vegetables and Sides, Desserts, and Drinks. Throughout the book, there are dozens of mini-recipes that allow people in a hurry to toss together just a couple of ingredients for a quick and tasty dish. The Blanchards also offer expert cooking tips, as well as more delightful stories about some of their favorite Anguillians.
With simple, eclectic, and flavorful recipes—along with sound cooking advice, charming anecdotes, and the same warmth that made people fall in love with A Trip to the Beach—At Blanchard’s Table is truly a pleasure to cook from and nearly as enchanting as an actual trip to the beach.
Writing with the same humor and charm that made their first book such a success, Bob and Melinda share recipes drawn from their New England roots, their early years in the gourmet food business, and their life in the Caribbean. At Blanchard’s Table is a delectable collection of more than 160 recipes perfect for get-togethers of family and friends, illustrated with glorious photographs that reveal how lucky they are
to have homes in both Vermont and Anguilla.
Although the Blanchards’ restaurant gets rave reviews for the food, Melinda was never trained formally as a chef, so her recipes are for true homemade meals that are appealing and easy. Caribbean-influenced dishes like Calypso Chicken with Lime, Grilled Lobster Anguilla Style, and Jamaican Jerk Shrimp are complemented by New England–inspired fare such as Vermont Cheddar Soup, Balsamic-Glazed Veal Chops, and Vermont Picnic Ham Baked in Dark Beer.
Sections include Casual Starters, Soups, Salads and Dressings, Seafood, Meat, Pasta, Vegetables and Sides, Desserts, and Drinks. Throughout the book, there are dozens of mini-recipes that allow people in a hurry to toss together just a couple of ingredients for a quick and tasty dish. The Blanchards also offer expert cooking tips, as well as more delightful stories about some of their favorite Anguillians.
With simple, eclectic, and flavorful recipes—along with sound cooking advice, charming anecdotes, and the same warmth that made people fall in love with A Trip to the Beach—At Blanchard’s Table is truly a pleasure to cook from and nearly as enchanting as an actual trip to the beach.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2003
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 23, 2007
I bought this after eating at Blanchard's on Anguilla & reading "A Trip to the Beach". I love looking at it & love the Caribbean flavor to a lot of their dishes... recipes are mostly on the easy side, and I really should use this cookbook more!!! They also have some great "quick" ideas and tips at the beginning of each section for easy entertaining or throwing something together at the last minute.
January 4, 2019
My favorite place to dine in my favorite place in the world... Anguilla!! The food is to die for! I'm so glad we bought this cookbook so we could relive the food experience at Blanchard's at home in between our visits to Paradise.
September 29, 2008
Definitely taking this one to the beach; so many yummy things that would work well there
July 12, 2015
A couple chuck their stateside life and open a five-star restaurant on a tropical island. It's a very stressful, alienating, expensive and apparently "worth it" in the end. But I got the feeling that the Blanchards never really fit in with the island. All and all, an enjoyable read but not as relaxing as the similar tropically themed "An Embarressment of Mangoes" by Ann Vanderhoof .
November 1, 2010
I borrowed this from the library because several of the vegetable recipes looked really good, and the ones I've made haven't disappointed. There are a couple of chicken dishes that I want to try too, before I have to return it.
June 8, 2020
I love this cookbook! The recipes are simple enough for the home cook but delicious enough to be interesting. If you can find it, get it!
August 24, 2008
I am already in love with this cookbook and I haven't tried a single recipe yet. It's just so beautiful and the recipes make my mouth water thinking about them.
April 5, 2013
One of my favorite cookbooks. Love the Feta Cheese Spread, Barbecued Chicken, Caribbean Corn Bread, Potato Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Orzo Salad recipes. Beautiful photos.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews