Real Stew: 300 Recipes for Authentic Home-Cooked Cassoulet, Gumbo, Chili, Curry, Minestrone, Bouillabaisse, Stroganoff, Goulash, Chowder, and Much More

by Clifford A. Wright

Presents a collection of recipes for a variety of stews that are made with beef, veal, lamb, pork, fish, poultry, and vegetables.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Clifford A. Wright is a cook, cookbook author, and independent culinary historian who won the James Beard Cookbook of the Year award and the Beard award for the Best Writing on Food for A Mediterranean Feast in 2000.

Reviews

[Yaaresse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably should not count this one as red since I basically skimmed the last half.
The collection of recipes looks good on the surface. Digging a little deeper, it seems to be a collection skimmed from various sources, including the Internet, and that makes me doubt whether any of them have actually been tested. I picked up a few typos and some inconsistencies that make me think not much effort was put into the editing. Fortunately, it was on sale for extremely cheap, so I’m not out much. It is a reminder for me to check more closely before buying. I can’t say I learned anything from this one.

[P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book affirmed my nascent love of stews. Oh, to stew. It doesn't have lots of pictures, but it does have little origin stories. And, of course, good recipes. That provide a basis for future stew experimentation.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this cookbook! It is full of authentic stews. It is definitely for the more advanced cook. Some of the recipes can be time consuming. Only negative is some of the ingredients are difficult to get. But the results are some of the best stews you will ever taste.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting material, including stews from numerous different ethnicities. It's only flaw is that there are very few vegetarian stews and that at least some of them meat options are pretty rare in the American diet

[Michelle Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is above my interest level but a good book.

[BookBec · Rating 2 out of 5]

More complicated than I want to deal with for most meals.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good cookbook but no photos. Prefer to "see" what it looks like but definitely plenty of recipes to choose from.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find a lot of recipes I would like to make from this book. I am sure they are all delicious though.

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Christmas gift to self, one of my better ones. I love one-pot cooking, and it's usually one big, battered, red or blue Le Creuset pot. I've always been drawn to peasant food. So Clifford Wright's book is a perfect fit. He provides great geographical background information for his recipes, which he's culled from around the world. Reading this is a trip, really. He offers chapters on different proteins, and includes game recipes and vegetarian offerings. The info boxes that are sprinkled throughout the book have useful and pertinent information, as does a source list at the back. The index is better than most, too, when it comes to searching for recipes containing a particular ingredient. I haven't yet met a bad recipe. Some favorites: Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry, Austrian Pork and Cabbage Stew. His Beef Burgundy recipe is my go-to recipe now. If I could only keep 10 cookbooks, this would be one.

[Randine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to buy this book!!! (i picked it up at the library). I may never make anything but stew again. If you are a lamb affectionado as I am, you will truly appreciate this book and Wright's recipes are from all over the world so the tastes are varied and wonderful.

[Glory · Rating 2 out of 5]

These recipes seemed mostly Mediterranean and to be honest, Mediterranean stews don't really melt my butter, so to speak. But this isn't a reflection on the author. If you like Mediterranean type stews, you'll probably love this cookbook.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of 300 stew recipes from around the world. It is idea for the cook who wants international flavors without a lot of work and wants to use regular ingredients and simple techniques.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want some culturally diverse recipes, including ones for lamb 8( and eggplant and recipes that require special pots, this book's for you. I was thinking about simpler recipes....

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good cookbook. Try the stroganoff and goulash recipes, they are all 5 star.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to make FABULOUS stew--buy this book. The "Roast Pork Shoulder and Italian Sausage Stew" is a family favorite. Enjoy!

[Laura]

This is a good read, and a good book but I wish there was more simpler, yet stimm nummy, stews in it then what they had!

[Nur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love goulash lamb ;-)

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many unusual ingredients for me, but an interesting read for some regions...not truly global.