The River Cottage Preserves Handbook: [A Cookbook] (River Cottage Handbooks) Hardcover – Illustrated, June 15, 2010

I have this book for a year now and I have tried many recipes. I like it because it uses a lot of ingredients local to the River Cottage. It is very interesting, but I would not recommend this book for a beginner. The author assumes the reader is familiar with preserving. The canning process does not include water bath processing for the jams. The recipes are still usable but I used Complete Guide to Home Canning and Preserving (2009 Revision) to determine processing times.

A most excellent guide, especially for experienced US canners who want to learn methods and flavors used in the UK. Very glad to have some new recipes using the traditional canning techniques I grew up with!

I love this book and use it all the time, not one bad recipe. It’s very sweet of them to try to adapt to the American market by adapting the recipes to cups and TBSP etc, but I wish they had stuck to grams. It would be simpler.

The book itself is fine with some interesting recipies -- HOWEVER -- if you are also considering buying the second book on preserves from River Cottage (ie River Cottage Handbook No 2 - Preserves), please be aware that the content is pretty much identical (ie same recipies, photos and layout). Wish I had known this before I bought both books -- could have saved some money.

I've only just received this book, so this review is a bit premature, but I thought I would get down my first impressions now, and update later.I must admit this was a complete impulse buy, rather unusual for me who usually likes to make sure I really really would use a cookbook before adding it to my overflowing collection. However, something about the pictures promised inspiration, and as I've already canned (but by no means an expert), I was intrigued by some of the unusual recipes. Looking through this book one afternoon, I found much that makes this book look promising: there is an engaging author with a nice voice permeating the text, there is some good solid explanation that I think will serve beginners and intermediate canners alike, and there are lovely lovely photos that just make you want to start canning immediately.One thing I did notice, in looking through some of the recipes, was the very regional quality of their ingredients. Brambleberries and other fruits and nuts from the British Isles are called for in many of the recipes; and while I enjoy learning about these flavors and ingredients not readily available in my northern California area, I wondered if this might make the book a little more useful in the armchair than the kitchen. However, there appears to be plenty of recipes that showcase flavors and ingredients that I am familiar with, so it will be more accurate to discuss usability after I've tried a few of those.Until I actually get in the kitchen though, this book is still delighting me, allowing me a little peek into the kitchen of an expert canner in England. It also makes me very curious to check out the other River Cottage cookbooks that I've heard so much about but have yet to investigate.

I'm a novice when it comes to jams/ jellies, so a friend recommended this book to me, and am so glad she did. It is very comprehensible, and an easy read with good directions on how to make them. Really good recipes too.

Some great recipes and ideas in this book, really nicely presented in a quality printed, small sized book. The conversion from UK to US measurements seem a little odd for a few recipes though and it would have been nice to have had the UK measurements included.Still a great book for anyone interested in jams, pickles and anything else that you might want to preserve/can.

Absolutely unequivocally an AMAZING book. No I don't own any shares, nor am I paid on behalf of the author. But I am an expert canner and love the recipes in this book. It is one of my go-to books on the subject. In truth, it has been a little difficult learning to adapt from British to North American canning standards as they are different, but no matter what always use your best practices in North American standards on this side of the pond and I think you will be fine and safe. I am very happy with the quality within!

...lot of great recipts ,great print,very quality made book ...I m satisfy with it.

What exactly is the difference between the Preserves Handbook and the Preserves Handbook No. 2? it's a con, they are identical- no different recipes.I do not think much of this at all ....... I expected a book full of other preserving ideas as the 2nd book, very very disappointed indeed.

Another great pocket size- actually bigger than that- book that is a great read. There are some great presserves and cordials. And the tips are great 'cause you go " why didn't I think of that". In all great is the word

This was a bought as a birthday present and they loved it

Taille trop petite pour moi, mais peut-être un atout pour d'autres.Manque qqns recettes par exemple, abricot.En générale, bien.