Customer Rating: 
Summary: Gorgeous, and let me tell you about the Moraga Pear Pie!
Comment: Beautiful book in every way - the layout, the artwork, the photographs, the research...and the RECIPES. I've made maybe 10 things from this collector's item of a book. But let me talk at some length about the Moraga Pear Pie. It's fantastic - and here's a favor. There's a way to make it even more superlative with a better crust:
In a food processor, put 2 c flour, 3 T. sugar, and 3/4 cup of butter. Blend till mixed and crumbly. Then add 2 egg yolks and blend just till it forms a ball. With your fingertips, press it evenly into an 11 or 12 inch tart pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 325.
Then proceed with the rest of the Moraga Pear Pie recipe - and serve the tart to the Queen. I guarantee she'll ask for the recipe.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Beatiful Combo of Gourmet/Garden Guide to Pear
Comment: This book combines the culinary with hortoculture, and does it in magnificent publishing style which we've come to expect our of TenSpeed Press. The layout, photos and composition are just excellent and great to look at.It begins with a history of the fruit, from partridge in a pear tree to its intro in the States by Jefferson and its eventual spread along the Pacific Northwest.
This is followed by a most interesting Q & A section on growing pears in the home garden which is excellent, along with sources in the back appendix of the book.
Each of over 50 varieties is illustrated and discussed, followed by perry (pear cider) and a pear in the bottle liquor.
Recipes complete the book. Almost 50 pages of sandwiches, drinks, condiments, desserts, etc. utilizing pear varieties. Especially see the easy but elegant Poire Belle Helene, a poached pear set on ice-cream or yogurt with chocholate topping.
Gorgeous book. For what is more exhaustive, creative recipe collection, see "Pears: A Country Garden Cookbook."
Customer Rating:
Summary: For the fan of the pear who wants a guide to varieties
Comment: The Great Book Of Pears is for the fan of the pear who wants a guide to varieties - color pictures of pears are supplemented by history, a description of flavors and uses, and a survey of the pear's usefulness in the garden and on the table. Add recipes and you have an appealing, beautiful guide.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An appealing, beautiful guide
Comment: The Great Book of Pears is for the fan of the pear who wants a guide to varieties - color pictures of pears are supplemented by history, a description of flavors and uses, and a survey of the pear's usefulness in the garden and on the table. Add recipes and you have an appealing, beautiful guide.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a real gem
Comment: This delightful book has it all: beautiful design, gorgeous pictures, informative text, and delicious recepies. Full of appreciation for heritage pears, it'll turn you into a pear lover if you aren't one already. You'll be tempted to take it with you to the market so you can refer to the pictures when you're choosing among the pears available. Give it to friends and get one for yourself - it's a treasure.
