Thursday, July 8, 2010

FARM TO FORK by EMERIL LAGASSE: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
FARM TO FORK
Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh
BY EMERIL LAGASSE

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Farm to Fork
brings out the “green” in Emeril with recipes that will inspire cooks, new and old, to utilize fresh, organic, and locally-grown ingredients throughout the year. A must have for those interested in the Green and locavore movements, and the legions of Emeril’s own fans!

In this extraordinary new book, Emeril Lagasse continues his lifelong commitment to using fresh, local ingredients in his restaurants and home kitchen. He has spent the past thirty years building close relationships with farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. Farm to Fork is his guide to help you explore the great local bounty through fifteen flavorful chapters—sweet summer in "The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash," juicy "Berries, Figs, and Melons," sublime naturally raised meats in "Out on the Range," fresh catch in "Fresh Off the Dock," and home canning tips from "Home Economics: Preserving the Harvest."

Fill your basket with the ripest ingredients from every season at the markets (or your backyard garden) and dig into delicious recipes such as Sweet Potato Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, Cheesy Creole Tomato Pie, Honey-Brined Pork Chops with Nectarine Chutney, Watermelon Rind Crisp Sweet Pickles, and Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp. Even learn how to make your own cheese and pasta at home. Emeril shares his love for fresh from-the-fields foods—and the heritage of the artisans who bring them to the table.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chef Emeril Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 10 restaurants, including three in New Orleans, Louisiana (Emeril’s, NOLA, and Emeril’s Delmonico); three in Las Vegas, Nevada (Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Delmonico Steakhouse, and Table 10); two in Orlando, Florida (Emeril’s Orlando and Tchoup Chop); one in Miami, Florida (Emeril’s Miami Beach), and one in Gulfport, Mississippi (Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House).

Lagasse is a national TV personality, has hosted over 1,500 shows on the Food Network, and is the food correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. He is the host of Emeril Green, a new series exploring fresh and seasonal ingredients on Discovery Communications’ Planet Green, an eco-lifestyle network. His show, Essence of Emeril, can be seen on Food Network, and Emeril Live appears on both the Fine Living network and Food Network.

Lagasse is the bestselling author of 12 cookbooks including, Emeril’s New New Orleans Cooking, which introduced his creative take on Creole cuisine, and Emeril’s There’s a Chef in My World!, a children’s cookbook. In September 2008 Lagasse announced a multiyear, 10-book project with HarperStudio, a new imprint of HarperCollins. The chef’s first book with HarperStudio, Emeril at the Grill, is slated for release on May 5, 2009, in time for Father’s Day. It will be chef’s first book since 2005.

In September 2002 Lagasse established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support and encourage programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children. As of September 2008, the foundation has contributed over $2.3 million to Gulf Coast organizations.

Lagasse’s corporate office, Emeril’s Homebase, is located in New Orleans and houses restaurant operations, a culinary test kitchen, and a boutique store for his signature products.

In April 2008 Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse’s media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, the emerils.com website, and his licensed kitchen and food products.

MY REVIEW:

Before I review FARM TO FORK, I had to share my favorite Emeril food I have eaten and it was at Delmonico's in Las Vegas in the Venetian Hotel. Of course, known for their steaks, I have to say the entire meal was AMAZING, but the sweet tooth in me would trade my steak for another piece of Emeril's trademark Banana Cream Pie pictured above. I just realized during some research on Emeril for my review that both his restaurants in Orlando near my home feature this dessert so if I leave and this is a very short review, it is because I got in the car to go get some! YUM to the 10th degree!

As for FARM TO FORK, there isn't a cookbook that the "King of Bam" doesn't do a great job on and this is no exception. In the introduction, Emeril discusses his connection to fresh, local food that started when he was a child with his father farming and using all they produced. He has always had that "connection with the soil" and supports local farmers' markets and the slogan "Buy Fresh, Buy Local". His support of urban gardens and students starting to farm at a young age is something he strongly believes in, and is very near and dear to him. In FARM TO FORK, this is the basis for all the wonderful recipes.

FARM TO FORK is divided into 15 sections by kinds of fresh ingredients rather than grouped by kinds of meals. No breakfast, lunch, appetizer but rather sections like the Herb garden and Milk, eggs, and cheese to Berries, figs, melons, and Fresh from the dock. One section called The three sisters: corns, beans and squash may be familiar if you are a fan of Emeril's as he uses the term in a lot of his recipes. This section includes quite a range of dishes from Roasted spaghetti squash with Parmesan curls to Pumpkin Custard Pie.

Home Economics: Preserving the Harvest
is the last section of the book and one I found most interesting. I have always wanted to be able to preserve fresh foods and this section not only gave you the recipes, but explained how to preserve them. I can't wait to try Watermelon Rind Fresh Sweet Pickles now that watermelon is so available. There are even pictures to show the pickling part. Of course, photographer Steven Freeman does gorgeous work as he adds his craft to include pictures of many and most of the dishes to prepare. I loved this cookbook because it has the feel of "down home" food but the panache of Emeril's master chef style.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS FABULOUS
COOKBOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BOOK DESCRIPTION, AND/OR REVIEW, THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN AND READ THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR/CHEF, EMERIL LAGASSE, THAT IS FOUND ON HIS WEBSITE HERE. THERE IS SO MUCH TO READ AND LOOK AT..ENJOY!

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
JULY 19!


GOOD LUCK

77 comments:

Suburban prep said...

My sister has a garden growing in her yard. She has three young sons and they love to see how things are growing. They want to know what can be made with all the great produce. This would be a fantastic book to have to make great menus.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

He has a recipe for watermelon limeade and a recipe for great triamisu that look like I could make them for my family.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Laura said...

I love Emeril. Please enter me.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

Steve Capell said...

I found it interesting that the Lagasse Foundation has contributed over $2.3 million to Gulf Coast organizations. The wife and I have watched his food channel programming for many years and have tried a number of his recipes. This cookbook would get a lot of use around our home. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that Emeril's father farmed since I never knew that before. Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that Emeril was offered a music scholarship and chose culinary school instead. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Tina said...

Great review of what looks like it's going to be a terrific book. I love the way he has it organized. Not your basic cookbook.

tbranco AT hughes DoT net

Tina said...

I blogged about your giveaways here on my blog and I have your button linked back to your giveaway tab --all on the blog.

Tina said...

My spouse is Portuguese and we once lived in the town next to Fall River Mass where Emeril worked in the Portuguese bakery while he was growing up....who knows - we may have even seen him when we stopped in for that delicious bread--and didn't even know who he was

tbranco AT huges dot net

debbie said...

I love his recipes. You are so lucky to live close to his restaurant. I make his cornish game hen recipe every year for christmas. I would love to have his cookbook.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I saw he is raising money to help the shrimpers and fisherman that have lost money because of the oil spill. That is really nice.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! This book sounds delicious to read!! I like the fact that he is using fresh vegetables or fruits from local areas to make dishes with. :) The rhubarb crisp sounds wonderful!

Great giveaway!
Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

traveler said...

His unique recipes are so appealing and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This book sounds delightful and wonderful with a great arrangement of sections. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

+4 swagbucks!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I just love Emeril Lagasse's recipes...he makes me so hungry! This sounds like a great cookbook and a wonderful thing to support (buy locally and cook fresh, healthy food!).
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

petite said...

He is helping out the shrimpers and people at the gulf. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

What a great book. Fun, and lovely. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

I would love this book as I just love Emeril Lagasse.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

On Emeril's website I read that Emeril's Orlando encompasses everything Chef Emeril Lagasse stands for; high energy, bold exciting flavors and an unforgettable experience.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybea52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Shannon said...

I'm glad to hear that there are pictures. It's so frustrating when I don't know what the recipe is supposed to look like.
tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

I looked through his "Fun Kid Food Talk" blog and didn't see anything healthy.
tiredwkids at live dot com

Benita said...

I love how recipes are grouped by ingredients. It's rather unique to see that in a cookbook.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I love the layout of his website and the recipe for very strawberry shortcake.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

My mother-in-law loves to cook. This would be a perfect book for her. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Esme said...

I love the concept of the three sisters

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

Esme said...

cococroissants

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/07/farm-to-fork-by-emeril-lagasse-review.html

chocolate and croissants at yahoo .c om

Esme said...

Emeril-has netted $17,000 for shrimp and fishermen relief

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

nfmgirl said...

I like that he has things grouped by the type of ingredient instead of the type of meal. I'm a pescatarian, and I'm growing my own garden. So I like the idea of searching for a recipe based on an ingredient from my garden!

Please count me in. Thanks!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I learned that one of Emeril’s favorite quick bites to eat is a good fried shrimp po'boy -- with Zapp's potato chips and a cold Barq's root beer. Oh yum! I love a good po'boy myself!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

CrystalGB said...

I grow a vegetable garden every summer. I would love to have Emeril's cookbook.

Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com

enyl said...

I'm intrested in starting a garden,I'm hoping to get some ideas and loads of tips. I also look forward to trying the Sweet Potato Raviolli.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#farm
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I learned that Emeril is a humanitarian as well as a restruanteer.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

I want to read this because that recipe for Pumpkin Custard Pie sounds sooo good!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Joan said...

I would love to add this on to my collection and start cooking from it. I think it's wonderful that he divides the book by ingredients. This way you can find recipes for what you have fresh from the garden or farmers market. Great review.
joosbornenc@yahoo.com

Joan said...

I think it's wonderful how Emeril gives back and is helping the Louisiana Fishermen by donating money For every cocktail sold,at his restaurants for a period of time.
joosbornenc@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

One of Emeril's favorite quick bites to eat is a good fried shrimp po boy with chips and root beer.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I love to read books about food and this looks very interesting.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Jeff H said...

+4swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

Shirley H said...

+4swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+4swag chirth7@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

I like the idea of using fresh, local food

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

baileythebookworm said...

My boyfriend and I are very into the local/organic food scene. He works on a cooperative farm and owns 5 acres of his own, where he plans to grow the majority of his own food. He and I would love a chance to share this book!

baileythebookworm[at]gmail.com

Latsyrc728 said...

I find it interesting that it is divided into fresh ingredients instead of meals types.
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Latsyrc728 said...

I found out that Emeril does a lot for charity. He has two organizations: Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. That is so great of him!
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Latsyrc728 said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/Latsyrc728/status/18590900768
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

This book sounds great : ) I love the concept of making meals from nice fresh ingredients!

Unknown said...

Posted contest on my blog! :)



http://freebies-deals-contests.blogspot.com/2010/07/contest.html

Unknown said...

I love all the recipes on Emeril's site! Thanks emeril for all the yummy eats! : )

Unknown said...

Tweet

https://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/18659814526

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

I think the Cheesy Creole Tomato pie sounds interesting.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

+4 Swagbucks
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am always looking for tasty recipes using farm fresh ingredients & I know Emeril will provide them.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I love how he continually gives back to his community. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation seeks to inspire, mentor and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, their full potential as productive & creative individuals.
Love & Hugs,
Pam

Lynn said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/livelovelynn/status/18789419267
lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Lynn said...

I found it very interesting that the book focus on fresh, organic, and locally-grown ingredients because I've been thinking of joining a community garden. I would love to win a copy and see what the author has to say.

lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Lynn said...

I learned from the website that the author, Lagasse, was offered a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, but decided to pursue a career as a professional chef.
Very interesting!
lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

I would love to incorporate more local and fresh foods on my table.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/18903748009

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=133347776702277

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6676631818&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/44059605/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

https://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/18945793161

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6675673056&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/44076432/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=133766713329050

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

he's got a lot of resturants. I've never been to one but I love seafood so I'm sure I'd love it!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Christine H said...

I found Emeril on facebook.

chirth7@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

https://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/18946861144

jeff727682yahoo.com

urbanL said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000609680005&v=wall&story_fbid=136687486362854

jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540594583&messageID=6675675760&hash

jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/44059605/

jeff727682yahoo.com

urbanL said...

I'd love for my wife and I to learn to cook and eat better, being diagnosised with Diabetes makes ya have to make changes.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

seen a lot of good recipes for food I'm nto suppose to have much of if any anymore. They sounds great! jeff72768@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I would like to read this because I love to buy fresh items locally.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

(Emeril’s Nets $17,766 For Shrimper and Fishermen Relief) I live on the Gulf Coast and I think this is a wonderful thing that he did. God bless him!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY