473069 Wed Dec 26 15:46:10 -0800 2007 8 31 Home Cooking 0 3238301 One of my holiday gifts is my choice of a Rick Bayless book. I think I might go for Mexican Everyday (food from his PBS show) but his other books look great too. Can anyone elaborate on experience with this book, or one of his others? His other books: ** Authentic Mexican 20th Anniversary: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico, or ** Mexico One Plate at a Time, or **Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen: Capturing the Vibrant Flavors of a World-Class Cuisine. I love LOVE Mexican food and I have spent many months traveling around various regions of Mexico lapping up delightful cuisine. Of course I'd love the most delicious book, one reminiscent of the bright flavors I experienced roaming Mexico... but also one that I will cook from quite often, which is why I lean toward the Everyday book. But maybe one of the others is just a MUST-have? thanks. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-8749408-9294548?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rick+bayless&x=0&y=0 Wed Dec 26 15:46:10 -0800 2007 56490 foxy fairy 1 3238311 I have all three and really love the Authentic Mexican one best. I think it covers the most and is fantastic! Lucky you! I have been to his Chicago restaurant 2 of the 3 times that I have visited and it is absolutely wonderful. He is my favorite chef! Wed Dec 26 15:51:01 -0800 2007 3238301 12400 WildSwede 1 3238352 "Mexico One Plate at a Time" was the November 2006 Cookbook of the Month. If you go to this thread http://www.chowhound.com/topics/339027 you will find a discussion of how people think this book compares with others. The links in that thread will lead you to discussions and critiques of recipes from the book. It may help you decide. Wed Dec 26 16:11:14 -0800 2007 3238301 11407 JoanN 1 3240342 I own all three, and for day to day use I use Mexican Everyday. It's really full of great flavors and light, quick meals. I can't think of one recipe in that book that I haven't liked. If I'm in a festive spirit, and I have some more time to devote to cooking, then I go for Mexico One Plate at a Time. I like the descriptions of the flavors and the traditional processes it takes to make everything. The recipes just seem more attainable to me, but it's probably because I'm addicted to his PBS series. Perhaps, your decision could be based on the ability to find used copies of his other books on half.com.... Thu Dec 27 11:57:13 -0800 2007 3238301 88792 jazzy77 2 3240697 I agree with the day-to-day comment for Everyday. Authentic is definitely more labor-intensive. They are all good and I love them all for different things! Thu Dec 27 13:42:55 -0800 2007 3240342 12400 WildSwede 1 3240561 I have Everyday and One Plate at a Time and prefer the latter. I loke them both a lot. And RB, too. Have you considered any of Diane Kennedy's books? Thu Dec 27 12:59:37 -0800 2007 3238301 43893 C. Hamster 1 3240780 I have Authentic Mexican and Mexican Kitchen, both of which are great but seem to have a lot of overlapping information, i.e., I'm not sure there's really two books worth of information between them. I've had very good luck with the recipes, but more importantly, I've learned a good deal about techniques and ingredients, all of which has come in handy when I've been in improvisation mode. If you're looking for just a straight-up cookbook, the Everyday book might be what you're after. But if you want a cookbook that you can also just read for pleasure, I would recommend Mexican Kitchen or Authentic Mexican. Thu Dec 27 14:15:15 -0800 2007 3238301 86822 hohokam 1 3241042 I'm not sure if this is true for you. but my local library has a good collection of cookbooks. You could possibly try before you buy... I always have one on loan, whether or not I actually cook from it or not. I borrowed the Everyday book and liked it. I will go back to his books again. BTW, my library also has the Diane Kennedy books, which were mentioned previously. I plan to look at those also, but they appreared to be more daunting than the Bayless books. Thu Dec 27 15:53:49 -0800 2007 3238301 57830 natureboy 2 3241156 No need to be intimidated by Diana Kennedy's books. She presents several very simple but satisfying recipes (e.g., calabacitas con crema, pechugas de pollo con rajas, carne con chile verde) in amongst the more complicated ones, and she does a good job of explaining the steps. If you have the option of borrowing them from the library, I'd recommend you do so. :-) Thu Dec 27 16:37:26 -0800 2007 3241042 86822 hohokam