Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am deeply disappointed in this cookbook and would return it if I could. The problems are many: 1. Far too many unusual ingredients are called for in the recipes. I don't have the time or the inclination to shop for the ingredients for most of these recipes. Do you keep dried porcini mushrooms, saffron threads, masa harina, vermouth, "good" red and/or white wine, Asian sesame oil, red curry, sun dried tomatoes and harissa in YOUR pantry? I know I certainly don't. Not to mention the host of fresh ingredients that would require several trips a week to the supermarket to keep on hand...parsnips, swiss chard, leeks, shallots (she LOVES to use shallots), a multitude of fresh herbs, fresh ginger, fennel, chayote squash, zucchini, limes, lemons, chile peppers and the standards...carrots, celery, bell peppers, mushrooms, potatoes, broccoli, etc. You must also have a well-stocked spice cabinet as well. Most of the recipes call for a LOT of spices. Many recipes call for pancetta, which I don't usually have on hand, and there are a surprising number of recipes for lamb. 2. A full three quarters of the recipes have cooking times under 3 hours. I use a slow cooker because I work a full 8-10 hour day. What good to me is a slow cooker recipe that only cooks for three hours? I need to be able to throw ingredients into the slow cooker before work and come home to a meal. 3. I enjoy reading cookbooks as well as using them. This one drove me to distraction with the overuse of the words "adore" and "favorite". She doesn't just like something, she "adores" it. Recipes aren't "tired and true" or simply "staples on the menu"...they are "favorites". Not to mention that half the cookbook writers in the world appear to be her "good friend". The writer comes off as pretentious and the overall effect is somewhat nauseating. 4. There are no photos of the dishes in this book, except for the front and back cover. I don't need a picture of every dish, but it does help to gauge whether or not your dish "looks right", not to mention it definitely helps one pick a recipe if the picture makes it look delicious! If you a bit of a gourmet yourself, don't have to work a full day's shift, don't mind shopping for groceries frequently for fresh food items, and have a well-stocked pantry and spice cabinet, this may be the perfect cookbook for you. It is NOT the perfect cookbook for me.