Product Description
More than 200 recipes featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients arranged as 52 menus to prepare in less than an hour. There are 52 menus, one for every week of the year, which can be prepared in one hour or less. With the menus, the author provides preparation tips, presentation ideas and invaluable advice on how to shop, what to keep on hand and how to get organised in the kitchen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

I love this book!!
My husband does all the cooking--and is a great and innovative cook who has the ability to make splendid meals without a recipe!Then there is me... I enjoy great food but am not a very accomplished cook.Thank goodness for Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus.
I have had the hardbook version of this wonderful cookbook for almost 20 years and (before marriage) made MANY OUTSTANDING dinners from it!It is well-presented, easy to put a fabulous dinner together with the companion dishes, and it is not difficult to find most ingredients!!Now that I don't cook, I STILL browse this cookbook (I'm no dummy, though--if I started cooking from it, I would have to take over the kitchen...).
I just ordered two copies for gifts, one for my newly married niece (unfortunately, she didn't hold out for a chef!!) and the other for a good friend.I highly recommend this!!!

Quick and Quality Meals
This is an excellent cookbook for the cook who wants to prepare quality meals, but has limited time. Most ingredients, including seasonings, are easily procured or already on the shelf. Photography is beautiful and adds to the appeal of the food. I could happily have done without Martha's tedious running commentary on her fast track personal life, and that of her now divorced husband.But that can be ignored. It's the recipes that matter.This is a cook book that gets pulled down from the shelf.

Great Cookbook with Great Results!
Great cookbook with well written instructions.Practical recipes for the most part.
I have found most of Martha Stewart's recipes do work and are delishous.
I wish "Collected Recipes for Every Day" had pictures like this one does.

If "jeffsdate" cannot finish these menues in an hour, he must not be used to multi-tasking.

Good recipes, beautiful photos, but NOT quick!
The photos in this book are really gorgeous and the recipes do work.However -- there is NO WAY one person could make any of the full menus in just an hour!I would say that each individual dish takes at least an hour -- doing a whole Martha menu is a major undertaking.Another problem -- many of the ingredients are hard to find (even in the sophisticated greater Boston area!) and she relies heavily on fresh herbs in practically every recipe, which is just not practical for me. Not only is fresh sorrel unavailable in any store I know of, but evensorrel SEEDS, so you can grow your own sorrel, are hard to find!

come on martha
i purchased this book based on the on-site reviews. although it must have worked for some, not this cook.i enjoy the kitchena lot and consider myself pretty good at it--- just a bit bored and restless with my current menus.this was just way too stuffy. or perhaps the new phrase is "way too martha".yick.the menus are dated and boring.oh well, i tried. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

You can make that cake on the cover.
I bought this book because the cover looked like the ultimate challenge.


My mother is one of those effortless bakers who cheerfully delivers gourmet sweets that look like they are straight out of the case at a pastry counter.I was visiting home when I bought this book and proudly told her, "I'm going to make THAT tomorrow NIGHT for my dinner party," jabbing my finger at the 16-layer cake on the cover.


She balked immediately and urged me to reconsider, recommending a three or four layer cake to start.She recounted my many cake failures (gently, of course) and told me not to overextend myself.More determined than ever, I trusted Martha and my own direction-following skills, and made that cake.


Martha's process is simple, thorough (above all, I hate cooks that assume you'll fill in the blanks), and graceful. The cake cook time to make, true, but did not require too much money (short ingredient list) or baking skills (my repertoire is as limited as my pantry). Every other recipe I have made from this book (try the Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti) has turned out beautifully.


Martha made a chef out of me and can make one out of you.

wonderful...
This is a wonderful cookbook.I have several others that I use to make dishes, but I can always count on Martha's recipes to be the best.I have yet to make an average or bad dish using one of her recipes.They always come out great.The book has good pictures and a wide skill range for the recipes- from easy to difficult.It's packed with lots of recipes and side hints to help with anything from picking ingredients to preparations.The deserts are particularly wonderful.I love to bake and all of the deserts come out great- apple sauce cake, lemon bluberrry pound cake, coconut patties to name a few.Highly recommended.

Another Goodie From Martha!!
Love her or hate her, the woman has some GREAT recipes!! Everything from basic to show-stopper!!You will be so amazed at the results.Altho some pictures of the recipes look like you need to be a professional baker or trained at the Culinary Institute, they are actually easy.I have yet to make a recipe here that people do not ask for the recipe. A great addition to a cookbook collection.Many of Martha's highly requested recipes included.

Martha Does A "Good Thing"
Yes, I'm reviewing a Martha Stewart cookbook. Martha Stewart as a person, has received a ton of criticism, some founded and some not. Though not a diehard fan, I can appreciate her do-it-yourself approach to good living. I now have two Martha Stewart cookbooks.

This particular cookbook is the recipe compendium of all Martha Stewart Living issues for 2001, plus a few recipes from her special topic issues (weddings, baby, kids).If you have every issue of the magazine, you'll not need this cookbook. For the rest of you, read on.

Chapters represent each month's issue, and along with the featured recipes for the month, include recipes from the regular columns: Dessert of the Month, Good Things, What To Have For Dinner, and Fit to Eat.

Browsing through this cookbook is like walking through a buffet. You'll find a varied assortment of dishes that will please just about everyone; from the basics like "Spaghetti and Tomato Sauce 101" to more elaborate meals like "Beef Rendang with Broccoli". Regardless of the recipe, I found each recipe clearly written and easy to follow.

My first experience with this cookbook was not something simple and safe. Oh no, I had to pick something that required time, patience, and steady nerves. I selected to make "Alma Etheridge Wilson's Roanoke Sixteen-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake". If you ever see this cookbook, a slice of this particular cake appears on the cover.

Making this cake also required breaking in my new KitchenAid stand mixer. The sweat broke out on my forehead with the thought. What had I gotten myself into?

The only secret to this fun (yes, I said fun) cake is to follow the directions. No matter how much you want to, do not over bake it. Each layer is so thin that it will dry out or burn before you know it. The only thing missing from this recipe is an estimated time of completion. I made the mistake of starting the cake after dinner and didn't finish until sometime after midnight. The results were worth it. A delicious and gorgeous cake that had everyone wondering how I did it.

Another recipe that was a knockout was for "French Onion Soup". I've never had it, never wanted to try it, and turned my nose up at it if offered. I'm not a major fan of onions. I selected this particular recipe because my fiance said he liked it and I wanted to add another "new food/dish I've tried" to my growing list. For anyone who has never had French Onion Soup, unless you are allergic to onions or cheese, you must try this recipe! For those who love French Onion Soup but were afraid to make it thinking it might be too difficult, try this recipe.

The hardest thing about this recipe is having patience to not stir the onions too often while waiting for them to caramelize. I made this over the weekend and after my first taste, wanted the whole pot for myself. This is one of those recipes that are so simple, whether you make your own beef broth or use canned, you'll want to make it often.

I have to say that I went into this cookbook ready to find all sorts of faults with it and I couldn't. Well, I did run into a few silly editing mistakes. Small things like in the index, Pork is shown as a sub-category for Poppy-Seed. It was frustrating initially looking for a recipe using pork until I noticed the mistake.

As for who would enjoy this cookbook? Just about anybody looking for recipes they can be successful using, for anyone looking for a variety of recipes to suite family and friends, for those who enjoy good cooking. The few mistakes I found were easy to overlook but still tarnish the shine of this cookbook. Not bad Martha, not bad.

Definately Classic Martha
What can we say? This is a very good cookbook, but not for the average cook on an "everyday" budget. But then, of course, Martha's tv shows are not for us either. Anyways, there are many good recipes, and I like Martha's shows and have her other books. But, in my opinion, her Comfort Foods Cookbook was her finest hour. ... Read more

Product Description
Martha Stewart guides homeowners step-by-step through every phase of the biggest, costliest, most demanding project many people will ever undertake--the renovation of an entire house. This is a virtual encyclopedia of essential information delivered with Martha Stewart's personal flair. Full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A coffee-table book, not a renovation guide
This is one of my favorite books for inspiration when I'm feeling stuck on a project in our own "new old house." It's definitely over the top for most homeowners, and I didn't like the jabs at the previous owner, either. But the pictures are gorgeous and there are great decorating ideas.

mixed bag
On one hand I liked seeing step by step how an old run down house was saved and restored (be kind to your handy man and all contractors-- they're heroes) but I really didn't like how Martha kept reminding the readers in what seemed to be every chapter how tacky the previous owner was. That didn't seem particularly kind and it was not necessary to the success of the book.

Nice idea
As a recent purchaser of an old house, I really enjoyed the first few sections of this book and thought it might really be helpful for our remodel.However, it quickly turned into a big spend-fest, as other reviews have mentioned.Get this only for the nice pictures and commentary, certainly don't expect advice on how to do anything yourself.

Wonderful!
The Photos and the home are beautiful! Maybe not good for ideas to restore, but the federal colonial farmhouse was done in wonderful taste and style. I reccomend it to anyone who loves old homes. It's my favorite book. How nice!

A diary of a major renovation
This book chronicles the renovation/restoration that Martha Stewart completed on a historic New England farmhouse.It is very specific about many of the tasks that she completed, and gives some general how-to information (how to hire a contractor, create a landscape design, etc).I was disappointed because I was looking for ideas to restore and renovate my "new old house" and didn't really find much inspiration here.Much of the decorating revolved around painting murals and designs on the floor, which is something that I don't plan on doing.If you are planning a major renovation project to a large, historic home, this book might be a good starting place but I wouldn't rely on it for all of my information.Although it didn't really help me with my specific plans, it was an interesting, sometimes sketchy, read. ... Read more

Product Description
A holiday grab bag of party recipes, entertaining ideas, table settings, decorations, gifts, and wrappings, complemented by step-by-step instructions and how-to color photographs, includes a Christmas calendar for planning ahead. Original. 150,000 first printing."Amazon.com Review
Martha Stewart's fans look to her to provide a sense of what'spossible with unlimited taste and plenty of decorating funds, andcertainly no one else does Christmas with such flair.Martha'sChristmas feast may seem a bit over the top, with silver-leaved fruitat each place setting, crystal decanters of French dessert wines, andcake stands holding more decorations, but it photographs nicely--and,of course, the food looks great. There's also an easier New Year's Dayparty suggestion that will appeal to more casualparty-givers. Martha's signature is the elegant simplicity of herdecorative concepts, and this book's strength is its easy instructionsfor making wonderful wreaths, tree ornaments, and gift wrappings. Theinstructions for making aluminum snowflakes may alone be worth theprice of the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

What's with the pastels?
I am a Martha Stewart fan, but this book disturbed me with its creepy pastels and white motif that pervaded the book.This sucked the Christmas spirit right out of me.I do yearn for the deep rich colors and and oldmoney feel that were the Martha of yore.Now everything is post-divorcebright minimalist.

A rehash of past magazines
If you subscribe to the magazine you will be very disappointed.Most ofthe projects are articles directly out of the past couple years' Winterissues.If you don't subscribe, you will enjoy the book.It's a scam fortrue Martha devotees.

Why is the cover so ugly?
ALl I have to say about this book is one thing:It's a shame an art-driven publisher like Clarkson Potter would allow an ugly cover like this to bear their logo.Obvious last-minute slap job of magazine scrap pieces.What a waste of money.

I can't imagine the holidays without it!
What would Christmas be without Martha Stewart?I can't imagine.This book covers Christmas in every stage from planning a month before to enjoying the big day. Everything is mapped out in accessible detail.The finished products look so "Martha Stewart," yet they are so simple to make, especially the folded paper stars, boxes of Swiss meringue,(which are spectacular) and the felt bags.My book is well worn and I find myself reaching for it almost monthly.The Lime Meringue Tartrecipe alone is worth the price of the book!

A Classic Christmas how to,elegant and easy!
Martha introduced (or re-introduced) all of us, to the beauty of making it at home. From soup to ornaments, nothing is missed! Martha shows the world how easy things can be, if we just take the time. Hers is a classic simplicity that says "you are home!" ... Read more

Product Description

Set in a world of luxury and power, this is the story of two remarkable women and a friendship that changed both their lives forever.

Customer Reviews (38)

The Purrrr-fect Friend
Tsk, tsk. It becomes obvious very early on in this book that the author wrote it to tell the world why she is - unjustly - no longer a part of Martha's inner circle. According to Pasternak, for 20 years she was the perfect friend: non-judgmental, undemanding, never questioning, always good company, always available, always deferring to Martha's wishes even when it might harm her children or prevent her from finding a new husband. And while she admits that being in Martha's circle provided her entree to meeting the rich and powerful, she also points her finger at Martha as being a contributing factor in her divorce, among other downfalls. Her rambling commentary depicts her chagrin when she'd receive a bill so quickly from Martha's office after an exotic vacation trip, but she seems to take for granted all the free weekends at Martha's various homes, all the free star-studded dinners, all the free transportation by air and private driver, all the fun of being so close to a larger-than-life personality, and all the probable real estate business the author attracted because of her association with Martha. While Pasternak pats herself on the back all through the book, Martha is criticized for her egocentric characteristics, traits which are often found in ambitious high achievers and which should be either managed or forgiven by friends. This is inherent in any friendship and, ahem, no one is the perfect friend as we can see.

If you delete what became tiresome travelogs (I skipped over many sections), the too-frequent metaphors for literature and art (meant to impress the reader with Pasternak's intellect), and the many anecdotes with no punchline, you are left with one clear picture. For 20 years, Pasternak was like a junkie hooked on the excitement of traveling in Martha's circle, willing to take out large personal loans and home mortgages to finance staying in that circle. By her own words, Pasternak makes Martha the more generous and loyal friend, inviting Pasternak all along her route to global business success. It was up to Pasternak to define her side of the friendship. To write a book about Martha's shortcomings, which are already well known, seems petty. And the sugary high praises she heaps on Martha's other friends makes it look like Pasternak is fishing for a dinner party invitation or maybe one more ride on the fame train.

Tiresome read
While it started off fairly interestingly, it didn't take long for me to start asking what Mariana's problem was. She repeatedly let Martha walk all over her, but then came back for more, time and time again. It doesn't sound like the sort of friendship I would want to be involved with. It is obvious that Mariana stayed friends with Martha over the years in order to take advantage of the social and travel opportunities afforded her by Martha, but Mariana then has the gall to complain about all of them. She tries to paint Martha in a negative light by saying that she is first and foremost about the almighty dollar, but Mariana proves herself to be just the same. Mariana certainly did herself no favors in this ridiculous book.

Martha has the last laugh here
When I read all the negative reviews, I thought perhaps those were written by loyal friends of Martha, and I was curious to read the book.

After reading the book, I have increased admiration for Martha Stewart -- her energy, drive, generosity, adventurous & positive spirit, & her vulnerability -- while, conversely, nothing but the lowest opinion of the author, summarized in one word -- contemptible.

Anyone with the least shred of decency would not stab in the back a friend of 20+ years -- much less in public and for profit!!No person with any self-respect would reveal private information about another such as this author does. Furthermore, after all those years, the author really has to sift and stretch to find any "dirt" to dish.And if Martha isn't an absolutely perfect person, well, guess what?? neither am I!!

This mean-spirited attempt to smear Martha just ends up revealing the author for the mean-spirited, snake-in-the-grass that she is.

P.S. The book describes the sneaky, deceitful, cruel way that Andy Stewart left his wife and marriage of 27 years -- the very definition of "weasel."

It's going in the recycle bin
I won't bore you with repeating what others here have said, and they said it very well.Yes she went on and on about herself, and yes it certainly seems she can't learn from an error.Here are some questions I would like to ask the author Mariana:
If you feel cheated on a vacation, why do you continue to go year and year and complain?Do you have an idea what friendship is?

To me the worst part of reading the book was the jumping around.Talking about a theme for a chapter all the while refering to things from years prior.The central ideal was that Mariana was broke.I don't consider living on a lake, wearing all the label clothes she describes is broke.Hitting the Manhattan party scene?Really?Now tell me your broke.The constant whining drove me nuts.

I think the author missed the mark and should really have elaborated on her family's life saga in Romania.I did find that portion of the book very interesting.She should have gone from Romaia pre-Communism, Communism to post communism.

The Best of Friends: Martha and Me
Well written, interesting.Author Mariana Pasternak is very intelligent and I learned a lot, vacationing vicariously through her book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book with wonderful recipes
I love this book. We use it often. Its funny how my family likes the Home Fries in here; They will eat the home fries before they eat their steak! They have asked me to make the Home Fries three nights in a row !
This book is just full of plain old fashioned foods we love. From Fried Chicken to Roast Beef to the best Macaroni & Cheese.The health food experts out there may not like this book, but I think its ok to indulge in some really good food favorites now and then. And you could always improvise.. like the Fried Chicken, you could always broil it or bake it, to make it more lean & healthy.
Just a great cookbook filled with very good yummy recipes from appetizers to desserts. I like this book so much that I bought two of them, one hardcover & one soft cover because if you use any cookbook that much its bound to get the used look. I even gave this cookbook to my mother in law, so she could try some of the recipes. Good, easy to use, easy to cook, just plain good & heart comforting cooking.Comfort food. Makes you feel good inside.

Good home cooking
Growing up with a Mexican mother my idea of childhood comfort food recipes are not the ones listed in this book. So basically, I've had to teach myself how to make American comfort food and this book has been my best teacher. I have had this book for a few years now and it continues to be one of my favorite cookbooks (and boy do I have a lot of cookbooks!) The buttermilk pancakes are superior to any other recipe I've tried. The pizza is fantastic also. The roasted chicken is my secret recipe for an easy but impressive dinner. The fried chicken is very tasty. And who could forget the macaroni and cheese? Simply the best. Like I said, I didn't grow up on ANY of these foods but my kids sure will! ... Read more

Product Description
Martha Stewart shares her ideas for delectable finger foods to serve at 13 different parties. Includes 150 original recipes, tips on sophisticated presentation, and nearly 200 glorious full-color photographs. 175 full-color photographs.Amazon.com Review
Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres is classic Martha--it'sall about food, glorious food. Not just any food, either--it's abouthors d'oeuvres. And you know how much Martha loves these tasty littlenibbles. This book presents more than 150 recipes organized into 13sample menus tailored to a wide variety of events. There's a Christmascocktail party, with a Savory Wreath and Skewered Tortellini withRoasted Garlic Garnish; Seafood at the Beach featuring Goujonettes ofSole and Grilled Scallops with Chervil and Fennel; and OrientalCocktails in the Parlor with Chinese Pearl Balls and Tea-SmokedEggs. The recipes are garnished with plenty of advice--from usefultips on make-ahead dishes to the "I wish" advice like "it is difficultto ensure perfect service with fewer than four [servers] for 24 to 36guests." The book is also useful for picking and choosing horsd'oeuvres for your own events. Even if you aren't planning a "grandand elegant" party for hundreds, you may well enjoy the recipe forClams with Golden Caviar and Italian Parsley, Saucisson en Croûte, orCorn Muffins with Smoked Turkey. The book is, predictably, full ofbeautiful photographs--so whether you're really planning a "valentinesand champagne" party for 50, an intimate tea party in the kitchen, orjust indulging in a little gastronomy, Martha Stewart's Horsd'Oeuvres will please Marthaphiles and general readersalike. --C.B. Delaney ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Hors d'Oeuvres
I am always looking for new hors d'oeuvre recipes.She has a few good ideas, but it seems dated.Just as fashions change from year to year, so do tastes and types of popular foods.The photos are inspiring.

Excellent
These early books and magazines are the best! Have used lots of these hors d' oeuvres. Presentation
fabulous too. A favorite of mine.

I did my best but the guests hated the Hors D'Oeuvres
The guests hated the finger food and I would think there are better books on the subject.I am terrified to visit the golf & tennis club after the dinner debacle.Maybe Martha's finger food was well received in Nutley, NJ but in Short Hills it was another story.

Wellll--
This is great if you have all the time and money to spend on Hors D'Oeuvres--I would not buy it again, but it was fun to look at.

Solid First Course Helper of a Cookbook
I've enjoyed this one so much {'ve moved on to her new Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook.However, this one has much in it, so to get this one as well and use it.

Some of my all=time favorites are here:Apples with chicken liver pate, Orange muffins with Smoked Turkey, and Roquefort Grapes.

I find this a useful book in its structure by function: Tea Party, Christmas Cocktails, Outdoor Barbe, etc.Bonus as in all her cookbooks, fantastic clear photos and marvelous creative ways to serve an eye=catching, tastebud wowing first course! ... Read more

Product Description
With more than 100 original recipes, this may be the most inspiring dessert cookbook ever published. Martha's recipes for such delights as Tartan Rhubarb Pie or Walnut Tartlets with Chocolate Lace are accompanied by creative ideas for spectacular presentation and stunning full-color photographs. More than 160 full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

American classic
This book is perfect.The recipes are basic, unpretentious and they look and taste like a million bucks. I got "Pies and Tarts" from Amazon years ago and it's been a favorite since. Friends have borrowed it so much that it's falling apart.

Stewart's approach is that fruit pies should taste like fruit. They should be easy enough for everyday dining and they should make the most of whatever's freshest and in season. The recipes use a minimal amount of spices. The philosophy is one of restrained, everyday elegance.

The pies here are intended to be shared with friends and family, so there is some focus on presentation and decorative treatments. The fruit itself is showcased in most of the recipes. For the bottom crust plum pie, the crust is just folded inward around the edges leaving a mostly open face, which shows off the plum filling. It's rough, but beautiful.

The all-butter pie crust recipe is the star of the book though. Probably the definitive pie crust, period. The section is generously illustrated with photos so you can see the different stages of preparation, rolling and wrapping. If you've never had a handmade all-butter pie crust, it's completely different than anything you can get at the supermarket.

For traditional recipes with lots of whole fruit, this is a great volume to get acquainted with the essentials of pie making.

My favorite is the green tomato pie - with a little ginger, raisins, lemon and cinnamon. It's gooey, light and surprisingly delicate. I let the tomatoes drain for an hour first though, otherwise it comes out too liquid.

okay
it had a few good recipes i liked in there overall it was an okay cookbook

Consistently great pies and tarts
I've tried at least 7 pies or tarts from this book and found the crusts, contents and compliments consistently excellent.Mom will not return my copy!

I've got a long-term relationship with this book
I'm a little bit of an oddball in that I've been making pies and tarts since I was in High School, and basically learned how through this book. The basic recipes for pie and tart crusts and glazes, found at the back ofthe book with step-by-step illustrations, have become indispensablefavorites of mine.Martha is a big advocate of using a food processor toensure that chilled ingredients stay that way, ensuring a tender, flakycrust that's fast and reliable, and I couldn't agree more, especially if,like me, you're working in an unairconditioned kitchen.The recipes forpastry cream and lemon curd are superb.Rather than using specific recipesfor tarts, I usually bake one of the crusts(pate brisee, pate sucree orsucree extra or nut), use the recipe for pastry cream found in the recipefor the blackberry tart, and add my own fresh fruit and one of the glazes.Among the individual recipes, the apple raisin pie is a favorite I makeevery Thanksgiving, the Tarte Tatin is great, and I especially appreciatethe recipes using Italian Prune or Friar plums, available in late August /September, my favorite fruit for pies and tarts.I just ate a PearFrangipane tartlet this weekend, and was pleased to discover there was arecipe for it in this book, and look forward to making my own.One of myonly complaints is that the recipes seemingly all use different-sized andshaped pie and tart tins, with no easy formulas for converting recipes tofit what you're using.Also, there's no recipe for a classic pecan pie. However, this book is a classic Martha Stewart effort, with the beautifulphotographs and consistently high standards that go with that; it certainlyhas stood the test of time in my kitchen.

YUCK!
Well, the illustrations in this book are beautiful and Martha's pie crust, as well as her lemon curd, are absolutely the best, but the pies and tarts in this book are simply the worst I've ever tasted!Really, I've tasted kindergarten paste that had more flavor than these recipes.As a seasonedbaker, I do know how to substitute ingredients and add more spice, but whyshould anyone have to?And what about those who can't?After all, thebook is not titled, Martha Stewart's Exotic Pies and Tarts for theExperienced Baker Only, however, it should be.What good is a book if mostpeople really can't use it?Yes, I can make all those lovely grapeclusters, leaves and tendrils that adorn Martha's Concord Grape Pie, but Ithink most people are really looking for something a little more basic. Okay, final analysis:if you're looking for the out-of-the-ordinary (andthe tasteless) then buy this book.If you just want some great pie andtart recipes, try The Pie and Pastry Bible.You won't go wrong there. ... Read more

Product Description
This title features: 32 must-know crafts packed into one comprehensive 416-page hardback book; full step-by-step instructions for every technique, catering for everyone from first-time dabblers to the more adventurous crafters; and over 200 projects that are fully explained and beautifully shot - a key blend of accessible and aspirational. Illuminating glossaries, a full rundown of essential tools and materials, professional tips and handy UK resources make this a lasting reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reviewed By www.beachbrights.blogspot.com
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SPHX3X8VYUEC ~This is my first video review. In the future, I will try and make them shorter. This video is 1:44 seconds long.~

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts
This book contains the best of the craft projects from Martha Stewart Living Magazine. All crafts are organized by topic from A to Z. There are over 400 pages of crafting ideas & information. Each craft is laid out with (i) Supplies Needed (ii) Step-by-Step Instructions (iii) Product Ideas.

At first glance, the book seemed overwhelming. Most of these crafts will take practice and success will not be achieved on the first try. Most of these crafts I would rate as difficult and not suitable for children. This is a great resource crafting book but due to the difficulty of the crafts, this is not a book I will use often. 3.5 out of 5 stars. I rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon's rating scale. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
What would the holidays be without a fresh book from MarthaStewart?Remarkably, she manages to come up with something new everyyear. Decorating for the Holidays shows off some amazing,almost lifelike snow figures of greenery-clothed polar bears, afull-skirted girl and her lively dog decorating a live tree, and asharp-nosed, skinny Santa leading a lone reindeer across a field. Fromthere, Martha moves on to instructions for fairly standard, thoughlovely, wired greenery and fruit wreaths and swags; a set of velvetstockings trimmed in gold and silver ribbon; satin balls andmini-stockings of felt for the tree, and finally to the kind ofbeautiful beaded ornament that makes it worthwhile to buy the booklong before December. The heirloom beaded wreath is utterly gorgeous,the kind of craft project that can consume many months, yet will beenjoyed for years. Martha never neglects edible treats, and offers asa family project a Gothic gingerbread mansion and gingerbreadsnowflakes and animals for the tree. Don't worry, they'll keep for awhile--and she does warn that "gingerbread is meant to be eaten, so besure to make an extra batch or two." The remainder of the book isdedicated to tabletop ornaments, like silvered pine cones and topiaryfruit trees, and to more seductive treats: tuile cookies in the shapeof holly leaves, chocolate petits fours, a gingerbread Yule log filledwith a creamy semifreddo mixture, and tiny angel-food cakes cut in theshape of stars and piled up on dessert plates. Transitory though thefestive season may be, creating beautiful and tasty things to helpcelebrate it is one of its greatest pleasures. --Barrie Trinkle ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

my favorite of Martha Stewart
I first found this book in my local library & checked it out.I absolutely love it!The pictures are incredible & there are how-to's.There is something that everyone would like in it, unless of course your a bah-humbugger.I start thinking about holiday decor in September because I love it so much & this book is a great idea sparker.

Beautiful Christmas Book!
I loved the many gorgeous photos in this book. It had great directions for all the crafts. The pictures are wonderful for getting ideas for your own house. It is my favorite Christmas idea boook!

It's Classic Martha!
Even if you aren't a true fan of Martha, you will enjoy her book filled with decorating and crafting ideas that you can either incorporate into your own traditions or expound upon to revise them to your personal taste.

It's a great book for your crafting collection!

Pretty to look at !
I have found that Martha Stewart books are to be viewed rather than used as a basis for trying to make anything because her instructions and recipes are often convoluted and/or incorrect.I just do not understand why, with her vast resources, Martha does not hire better and more thorough editors and testers.

So now I just look at her books for the visual pleasure they bring me! That way I avoid any frustration associated with implementation. And this one gave me lots of beautiful things to look at: the fruit wreath, the silvery pine cones, the beautifully done petits fours, the handmade ornaments, the gorgeous cookies.

Even if the directions were perfectly clear, I know I still would not make many of these things...but a gal can dream, can't she?

Pretty neat stuff in here!
Although, like the rest of the "Christmas with Martha Stewart" books, they are republished features from the magazine, this one is pretty good. You do not have to use red and green every year; Silver, white, and even pastel colors can be used festively.I love the neat snowman article; unfortunately, here in Houston, we don't get much snow! Cookies. . .oh, I licked my lips over the snowflake wafers, but I've never made them. ... Read more

Product Description

In our fame-crazed culture, she's known as a diva of domesticity, entrepreneur, media magnate, and a living brand. She has legions of fans and at the same time, many detractors. To her fans, Martha Stewart is a homemaking maven, the do-it-yourself doyenne. To her detractors, she's taken the American woman backwards, espousing an unobtainable ideal. Love her or hate her, this much is true: Martha Stewart is a self-made woman who has risen from her modest upbringing to become one of the most successful and wealthiest businesswomen in history. This intriguing biography provides a balanced portrait of Martha Stewart's professional and personal life, from her childhood as the oldest daughter in a family of six children to her brief career as a securities trader, to becoming a bestselling author in the 1980s and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in the 1990s. At the height of her power, Stewart was convicted of lying to investigators about a stock sale. Author Joanne F. Price documents the twists and turns of the trial, Stewart's five-month prison term, the highly publicized comeback following her release from prison in March 2005.

Product Description
Learn how to become a skilled, successful gardener one step at a time. Easy to follow illustrated lessons give you all the information you need to grow your favorite vegetables, flowers, trees, and shrubs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

good intro
This is essentially a crash course in gardening and garden design. It evenly provides instruction on the how-tos of growing as well as providing advice on planning an attractive garden or landscape. An awful lot of it didn't apply to me because of my growing situation. For instance I live in a very hot arid climate making all the info on cold weather gardening superfluous to me and I'm an apartment dweller which removes any possibility of gardening beyond what I can do on my patio.

Despite all the information not of immediate use to me I thought this was an excellent book for beginning gardeners. It covered every aspect of gardening you could think of from raising seedlings, drip irrigation, how to check soil pH and countless other things making it a good introductory source for most any information an aspiring gardener could want. The best part is that it provided step by step instructions so neophytes like me weren't just left with the principles of say preparing a bed or composting but clueless about how to go about employing those principles.

On the whole the book emphasizes gardening for your geography and goes a long ways to facilitate putting together a garden that will thrive with the natural conditions rather than struggle against them.

Helpful and pretty to look at
In true MS form, the book is lovely to look at and has some helpful ideas about gardening. Not a big book, but a valuable one for me.

Should be titled, "Gardening Martha's Way"
The photos truly are lovely, but I'm so glad I didn't buy based on reviews - I read a library copy first.

It does start out with some good advice. The Preface talks about choosing your gardening style and doing a bit of planning before digging. The Introduction talks about matching the plant to the site, and urges readers to ask local extension services or nurseries for advice.Invaluable info for a novice gardener, but I don't believe it was ever repeated later in the book.

Alas, the book then takes a nasty turn and descends into the pit of Martha's garden and Martha's terms. Rock powders - perhaps that's the New England name for soil amendments, but you'll have trouble if you ask for them in nurseries around here (unless they've read the book).Her lists of vegetables, perennials, and annuals must be the ones she favors growing in her zone; quite a few of them wouldn't do well in other parts of the country. You'll have to get ideas for your zone from some other book, because they're not in 101.

A lot of basic info is touched upon but not explained very well; for instance, one page is devoted to watering, yet three pages give instructions for casting your very own garden trough.

I didn't much care for her sources at the back of the book, either.

Not as comprehensive as it should be
If you are truely a beginner at gardening, this book would be ok but it seems to only scratch the surface.I've read other gardening books and have discovered and benefited more from them than this one.I know it's tempting to buy a book because it says that its for the beginner but in this case, I'd advise beginners to seek more comprehensive books on the topic.They may sound intimidating but in the end, they will make you a better gardener and work for you long after you've moved on from the beginner stage.I abandoned this book after I learned more.

If your just starting out, this is a wonderful reference
Don't be fooled by the size of this book. An abundanceof information is inside. It is essentially a step by step guide to creating your first garden. If you are more experienced this is probably not the book for you. But for the novice (like me), there aren't many better. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are all the foods that make us feel good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Several Mistakes!
I love the artwork and ideas in this book, and especially the illustrations, it was terrific for a new wife to learn what to cook and how to cook it BUT I have now found that two of the recipes contain major mistakes -- the boston cream pie recipe contains no leavener, which I thought was weird but I trusted Martha -- I shouldn't have!After my cake came out looking like a pancake I looked at several other recipes online, including on Martha Stewart Living, and all call for baking soda.I am up at 7:30 to re-do a cake for a party tonight and I am super frustrated.There is a mistake in the waffle recipe too, but once fixed, these waffles are a family favorite.This book is great for a young couple who want to be semi-gourmet and learn to cook better than average comfort food together.The recipes are definitely involved, but you can learn a lot.I would just cross check the recipes to similar ones before cooking.

Nothing I'd Use
So there isn't much in this book I got any use of.The pictures were nice, but as a seasoned cook, who knows the basics of cooking, I didn't come away with inspiration for anything new with this book.Big Martha fan here, but not for this book.

The best tasting classic comfort foods recipes ever!
I've never tasted better chicken soup, meat loaf or tuna melt before this book.Some of the recipes
can be quite time consuming, but very worth the effort.I highly recommend this cook book.It's a stable.
I often give it to women at their wedding showers.

Yum Yum!
What a wonderful recipe book!

As you'd expect of a Martha Stewart production, the look of the book alone makes it worth buying. The photos are gorgeous, with dishes & accessories complementing the food.

The recipes are clearly written & quite achievable by anyone with average cooking skills & a well stocked pantry. If you experience cooking by pouring a can of filling into a premade pastry case & microwaving prepared dinners, this isn't the book for you. If you enjoy cooking real food, you'll love the recipes.

Many of the recipes are appropriate for cooking with children - the brownies & macaroni cheese were made easily by my 14 year old daughter. She also loved making pancakes & waffles. The chicken pies were a big hit in our house & were very easy to make.

The recipes are easily adaptable to use ingredients you've got on hand, always a good thing.

My only complaint (as previous reviewers have noted) is the lack of sturdiness of the book. A great cookbook needs to be able to be read frequently, have food spills wiped off the pages, & extra instructions scribbled on recipes. This one's a bit too fragile, & I can see all the recipes being removed & placed in a ring binder very shortly to preserve them.

A great book for the recipe collection, & a wonderful present as well.

Comfort foods
I'm a Martha fan but recipes have changed today. There are detailed instructions for making these recipes although some I wouldn't consider for everyday. ... Read more

Product Description
The undisputed doyenne of domesticity, Martha Stewart has mesmerized millions with her bestselling books, popular magazine and highly rated television program. Yet Ms. Stewart's personal life is a far cry from the cheery portrait of the epitome of household perfection she paints for her fans in her writings and public appearances. Now for the first time, "Just Desserts" reveals how her driving ambition shattered her marriage, strained her relationships with her daughter and family, and destroyed friendships. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (40)

i'll have a 2nd helping!
well, i was hoping to get some good stuff on the woman i couldn't get enough of. while there was some interesting stuff, there seemed to be alot of outlandish accusations like pot smoking and swing parties, or that martha was off "gettin' hers" on various trips. overall it is a pretty interesting book whether you like martha stewart or not. give it a try. the beginning's a little dry because you have no idea who the people he's introducing are. it's a little confusing.but once you get the ball rollin' it moves right along.

What a truly vile woman. . .
I must say, Jerry Oppenheimer's book is definitely a page-turner.The whole Martha Stewart phemonenon always made me a little queasy; after reading his book, I know exactly why.Some reviewers have said that this book is mean-spirited or overly negative.That's not Oppenheimer's fault.During the course of the book he interviewed family members, colleagues, and former friends/business associates of Stewart's.The portrait they unanimously paint is of a really awful human being; a petty, vindictive, greedy woman who clawed her way to success frequently on the stolen ideas and hard work of others.At best, she comes across as cold, aloof, and distant.Nevertheless, truly villainous people are fascinating in their way, and Martha Stewart is no exception.I always had the feeling she had a closet full of skeletons, and Oppenheimer's book colorfully brings them to light.It's not a deep intellectual read, but it's definitely a fun one.

A fascinating look at one of America's pop culture icons
Before the story broke about the insider trading scandal involving Martha Stewart, I did not have a good idea of who she was. I was curious to find out so I purchased "Just Desserts". The book did not seem to be a "hit piece", as others have portrayed this book. What I found was a writer who disected the image from the the real person. It is a very interesting study on Martha Stewart's troubled past regarding her domineering father and Martha's need to become rich and famous no matter what the cost and no matter who got in the way. I came away feeling very sorry for her. Whether you are a fan of her's or not, the book does a very good job of showing the fake from the real. The onscreen personae and her real actiions behind the scenes will shock and astound. The author also delves into the fantastic business savy that Stewart displayed throughout her career. She was very often underestimated, but always a step ahead of the competition. A real modern day Jeckyl and Hide story.

Not only does the book describe the interesting antics and unreal behavior of Stewart, it also touches on the gullibility of the people who surrounded her and how they naively followed her every whim. It is an interesting study of how people will believe in the image of a person and cling onto it no matter what the true reality is. In the case of several people such as her former husband and several business associates, they finally saw past the facade and saw the real person behind the disguise.This is a tragic story but very revealing on what motivates some people towards ultimate fame and power.

The Ultimate Stepford Wife-Martha!!!!!
Ok, first off, let me say that I have nothing wrong with a woman that is independent, hard working and creative.

What I do have a problem with is a woman that won't get therapy for her lack of people skills due to her lousy childhood.

Look Martha, not all women feel "inadequate" becaue they don't spend lots of time on silly compulsive activites such as gathering fall leaves from the backyard and matching them! (when you're rich and have a staff, then you can do these things)

Do I feel rage or jealousy becaue I don't do these things? No.

Do I realize that Martha would be nobody without her PR machine and spin doctors? Yes.

Does she make pretty stuff? Yes,

Does she have some serious interpersonal problems? Yes.

Good book all around.

I do feel sorry for her family.

And yes to some reviewers, even men have to contend with this.

Makes Oprah seem like a fuzzy kitten...
WOW, was this a ruthless illustration of Martha Stewart!She's described as an obsessive-compulsive insomniac (she would only sleep for 2-4 hours a night, then get up and paint her entire house in one day), who's main goal is to be on top through ruthless power and manipulation (she stole business ideas, designs and didn't give credit to friends, coworkers... to the point where if a person demanded royalties, she would find some loophole in the legal system to prevent them from getting any profits -- Me-YOW!)This depiction is a far cry from the soft-spoken homemaker you see on her show.She's described by family and friends as dominating, cold, sadistic, abusive and absolutely ruthless.She even cuts down her elderly mother in front of her family: "She only makes peasant food!" she snipes.I've never read anything like it.

It starts with Martha's family and where she came from in New Jersey.Apparently, Martha's father was a perfectionist who shoved his beliefs, anger and attitude down her throat; nothing was good enough in his eyes and because of him, the Monster-Martha is what is alive today. Even as a child, she sabotaged a little girl's cake recipe in order to take her little business away for herself.Signs that a powerful, heartless woman was going to surface.

Martha was cutthroat and vindictive.She pretty much screwed over anyone and everyone around her to further only herself -- she didn't even care about her family, including her daughter and husband, whom she brow-beated to death in front of family and friends until he (who was just wimpy from the start) finally had the nerve to leave her, prompting incredible stories of stalking, vandalism and public screaming fits -- till he had a restraining order put on her.

Martha is depicted as someone who never learned affection, or at least had an incredible dark side that was calculating and vindictive.She would purposely hire people who were creative and brilliant, but they either had low self-esteems to begin with or she broke them down.She DEFINITELY was masochistic and manipulated everyone who came in her path on her rise to power.The only time her affections seemed to be positive, were when sex was involved, and then she came across predatory.She's also illustrated as an incredible liar; family and friends reflect on her writings of her "happy past" and say all of them are either exaggerated or completely fabricated.

After reading what a terror she was in the past, I can actually believe the insider trading stories -- it just fits.Oh and the new edition adds that little chunk in the end.

Upon finishing this, I'm blown away at what a terror she was and has become.She is obviously a person who will stop at nothing to be on top, including her cheapness and just downright vicious scheming.She's also obviously brilliant, with a chip on her shoulder about her poor past and is also considered racist, sexist and as the book says: "WASPy in true form."

Martha Stewart is a nightmare in this book!I wouldn't want to come within 20 ft. of her (much less meet her in a dark alley) after reading this.Personally, I think she's mentally screwed up something fierce, but the fact that she concentrates all of it into her work is phenomenal.

4 stars -- one missing due to some anonymous sources (which I don't always trust as true) and the fact that it pretty much had NOTHING positive to say about her; I would have liked to see a little positive stuff.You know, to kind of balance it out.Then again, maybe there wasn't anything positive.This woman is the anti-Christ!

Otherwise, good trash to read! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

All in one place for another $10!
If you've purchased Martha's Halloween or October issues of the magazine from the past few years, then you probably have all the parts than make up this special edition handbook. You could buy this and have all the same crafts, costumes and recipes in one place, or just flip through your past issues for free. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the origin and growth of the company that grew out of the popularity of the decorating and entertaining ideas of the creative and hard-working Martha Stewart. ... Read more