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This is the first cookbook I have ever read cover to cover. Paullina Simons writes an unconventional cookbook based on her Tatiana and Alexander trilogy full of deliciously easy recipes. Simons presents her recipes according to her books in the order in which they would have been prepared. As the Bronze Horseman takes place in war torn Leningrad, all the Russian recipes are included first, followed by Italian, Mexican and American dishes as Tatiana reaches the United States. Desserts are included in the back of the book and range from simple cookie recipes to the fancier rum cake which *hic!* goes up in flames with oversampling of the rum.

The most beautiful part of this book is how much more real her stories become when you are able to sample the dishes which she so lovingly describes in her books. Since she described blinchiki I have wondered how it would taste. Now I have the recipe! I have made the beef stroganoff (delicious!) and will be baking some Challah rolls tomorrow! This cookbook has earned its place among my most prized cookbooks and I can't wait to sample more of its delicious recipes.

Simons introduces each recipe with a small narrative of the circumstances surrounding that particular dish. I read the passage to my family as we sat down to dinner before sampling the beef stroganoff. It was so much fun to do, and to allow something that Tania or Shura might have eaten pass my lips was like getting the opportunity to know them on an even deeper level; if that could be any more possible.

Excellent addition to your kitchen library!