Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This book was a gift. Notwithstanding the cutesy chirps introducing the recipes, e.g., Lady Mary would "... enjoy this soup while in the midst of a fiery debate with Matthew," (yeah, right), anyone who cooks beyond the microwave will find at least four inexcusable errors in the first 60 pages. This does not inspire confidence in the remaining 182: -"Smoked Salmon Mousse," where no smoked salmon is called for -"Velvety Cream of Mushroom Soup" informs us that Georges Auguste Escoffier is recognized "... as the finest master chef of the twenty-first century ..." Escoffier died at age 88 on 12 February 1935 having predeceased the 21st Century by 66 years -"Mrs. Patmore's Particular," calls for 6 cups of ham stock from boiling one ham hock, and further stretches our credulity by suggesting it might be too spicy, and if so we can "... distill [sic?] with some water" -"Lobster Thermidor" serves 4. You need to keep this in mind. Ms Baines' recipe calls for green beans with onion and bacon as a bed for the Thermidor; so far so good. The "bed" is prepared with 1-pound of bacon, 2 cups of "julienned" onions, and ½ cup green beans. Per serving you can expect: ¼ lb. bacon (plus drippings!), and two green beans. The onions are the challenge, here. Julienned? Really? Could we see a demo, please? The publisher, Adams Media, should be held responsible for the typos and research errors. The proof reader was either sick that day or smoking something - but not, obviously, the salmon. Ms Baines, on the other hand, should be held responsible for her cynical opportunism. "Downtown Abbey" fans deserve better. Go write a "Sons of Anarchy" cookbook, dear.