Cook Beautiful: Delicious Recipes and Exquisite Presentations Hardcover – October 10, 2017

I've never been into cooking but this book has opened up a world of flavors and beautiful gatherings for me. Initially I got into Athena's blog for the interior design but her beautifully presented salads hooked me in. I went ahead and bought her cookbook! I wish some of her other desserts and salads made it into her book but I am still in love! I really really appreciate the nice big beautiful photos of each recipe as I like to look at what I am making. Personally, I like recipes that aren't drenched in sauce, but rather, accentuates the ingredients which this cookbook does. There are some clean dishes, and some not so clean that require the butter and sugar. One bad reviewer thought this book would provide more tips on how to make a dish more beautiful, which would have been really cool...but I think that's why she has a great photo of each dish so that people can emulate it. She also offers a swoon tip at the bottom of each recipe with minor tips about the look or taste.. and some fun table styling tips between each section of the book. The recipes aren't perfect by no means (my husband isn't into it as much as me)... but you can adjust the fruit and other ingredients to make it your own!

This is a really beautiful cookbook, which is not surprising for one who is a frequent visitor to the author, Athena Calderone's, blog, "eyeswoon." As well it should be no surprise that her ability to mix simplicity with good taste in home design also extends to simplicity with good taste in food.Even though I had already made many of the recipes in the book, I had to get the book mainly because 1.) I knew it would be beautiful (it is) and 2.) because there are so many recipes in it that I have made over and over again. Adding to the recipes in the book is a "swoon tip" for enhancing each recipe for taste or visual pleasure.The first recipe of hers that I ever made was the Orecchiette with Kale, Fennel and Sausage. I've made it so many times because it quickly became a favorite in my house. The Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata is a really nice light dinner or lunch. The Summer Squash Salad with Arugula and Feta is an exceptional way to use up the massive amount of zucchini that friends seem to gift everyone with at the end of summer. The Fish Tacos are also very good as is the Grilled Rib-eye with Burst Tomatoes and Chimichurri.Some of my favorite recipes are for desserts. I only make them for special occasions at home or when I have friends over for dinner, and I am of the belief that the end of a meal should be so good that my guests leave with a lasting memory of it which is often the case with Calderone's desserts. The Peach and Blackberry Crostatas are wonderful as is the Butterscotch Pots de Creme, which instantly became my husband's requested substitute for birthday cakes. The Lime and Raspberry Tart is also fantastic for those, like me, who love tart desserts. I have made a few more that are not in the book, but if the best from the blog are the ones on the book, I can't wait to try them all.Another thing about the book is that the recipes are arranged by season. I love cooking seasonal recipes because that is, of course, when the ingredients are at their peak.I have no hesitations about recommending this book at all!

This cookbook is a feast for the eyes. I love how every recipe has a picture which inspires the eyes and taste buds. I've tried a few recipes and they are delicious and fairly simple to make. I highly recommend and can't wait to host a dinner party soon and follow her tips.

I received this cookbook as a gift. As I do with all my cookbooks, I tag my favs and start cooking. Every recipe in this book I have made has been superb. I’ve even made ones not tagged (now realizing this is something I should do more often). Her technique has a modern flare and she brings all the tastes buds to the table (no pun intended). Most ingredients are easy to find or I have on hand.Her styling tips are easy and give the dish an extra pizzaz. I made her zucchini salad one night for some girlfriends. They ended up loving it and taking pictures of the recipes. I decided to gift them both the book for their birthdays and they were thrilled. I’ve gifted it two more times in addition. Anyway. I own MANY cookbooks and open them weekly but Athens’s book is my new go to and it will continue to be.

One of the best cookbooks I own - and I own quite a bit! I honestly was not expecting this cookbook to be this good - I thought it would be more inspirational (the photographs are lovely) but probably not something that I would routinely turn to. I've owned it for two years now and I have to say that I was flat-out wrong - I use this cookbook constantly and have made so many meals from it (not many of the desserts as I am not really a dessert person). One after another they have turned out incredibly well.I also disagree with a previous reviewer who said this doesn't tell you how to make your cooking more beautiful - there are actually many plating and presentation tips given in each recipe. The author's attention to detail, balance of flavors and clear, yet evocative language are just superb.

Absolutely beautiful cookbook! So much time & effort was put into this book, and it shows. The layout by season is lovely . The recipes are fabulous. The pictures are dynamite. I also loved reading about the inspirations that created the entire book. Excellent idea for a great Christmas gift.