The Frog Commissary Cookbook Paperback – January 1, 2002

It is an old cookbook that has been reprinted

Just when I was beginning to think, the contents of my Viking Shaped Cucina should be retired to my garden, where the door of my stove could support a display of hand painted flower pots, I discovered this cookbook. Haunted by a 35 year old memory of "Killer" cake, I searched for it's recipe and found this gem. I'm neither a chocoholic or a cake lover, but I recalled this as "the Best Thing Dessert I've ever eaten". Having just made this cake and served it as dessert for a party of ten I can report, it is still "all that". Everyone who sampled The Killer Cake, has either begged me to make me one for their Birthday or insisted I should make them available for sale. In only two weeks I've recreated several of the recipes and have been inspired to push all thoughts of retiring from kitchen duty out of my head. The delightful tale of "how" Frog originally developed and their masterful recipes has inspired me to such an extent, I may never leave the walls of by kitchen again. The simple, elegant purity of always wanting to plate the "best" is laced, like a delightful heap of spun sugar on every page!

This is my all time favorite cookbook! I finally had to replace my original copy - it was just in tatters. In my first job out of college in the late '70s I worked around the corner from The Commissary. I couldn't afford to eat there very often - but certainly had my share of Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Cookies and Heart Tarts. When Poses opened Eden - his version of fast food - it was the "go to place" for lunch with friends or dinner before a concert or play. When the first baby was born into our group of friends, we had lunch at Carrots to celebrate (upstairs from The Commissary) before visiting the hospital. When the cookbook first came out and I could make my favorite dishes at home it was just heaven. Perhaps my perspective is tainted by all the great memories I have of eating at various Poses restaurants, but through the years I have repeatedly found just the right dish to make for many occasions. I think the directions are very clear; and you can take your pick of straight forward dishes or rather complex ones - and everything in between - and rest assured of good results. In my opinion, though the cookbook was first published over 25 years ago, it is still fresh and inventive.

The book arrived in perfect condition as it was tightly wrapped product description absolutely accurate. I am so very happy to have found this book at FreeAnnie!

This is a wonderful cookbook, illustrated with all of the charm and flair of the original restaurants, and containing many of the most sought-after recipes.I lived in Philadelphia during the heyday of Frog and The Commissary, and they were my favorite restaurants, in a city that was in the midst of a restaurant renaissance. The original Frog was a real treat - low key, 70's eclectic decor, great service, and fabulous food. Since The Commissary was literally across the back alley from where I worked for many years,it was my regular breakfast/lunch spot. Every day the menu changed - great salads, freshly prepared pasta, two featured main dishes, and the most decadent desserts you could imagine. Yes, the carrot cake lived up to its reputation! Breakfast brought freshly baked brioche and coffee cake, made to order omelets, the muffin of the day, and real Irish oatmeal. And always heavenly coffee. The creativity of Steve Poses and his team was as boundless as their enthusiasm. They contributed much to expanding the palates of the Philadelphians who dined there.How wonderful that this cookbook is back in print. It has a very appealing Thai/French slant and lots of back story information, along with Becky Roller's charming illustrations. Everything is good. Don't miss the Strawberry Heart Tarts and the Coffee Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins!

I was a fan of the Frog/Commissary restaurants in Philadelphia and was thrilled when this cookbook was reissued. Yes, it is quirky . . . as was the Philadelphia restaurant renaissance of which Frog/Commissary were a part. But it is my go-to resource for decadent dessert recipes. No, they are not heart healthy. But for special occasions and served in moderation, they are lawless.

This afternoon I told my daughter we'd make oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies for her lunchbox ("No oatmeal!" "Yes oatmeal,") and went looking for a recipe online. As soon as I saw the words "Frog Commissary" come up on Google, I was happy. Why? I don't know -- maybe it was all that eastern-PA late-80s/early-90s bookselling, maybe I'd shelved the cookbook before, or maybe it was ESP cookie vibes reaching out to me from 1985. Because hot damn, these are wonderful cookies.I must admit that reading the reviews makes me wince just that tiny bit -- all those terribly fashionable foods of the time. Reminds me of the year my dad added Belgian endive to my mom's shopping list every week just to annoy. You know, I could live without the raspberry puree brulee spinach asparagus crepe hazelnut big-puffy-sleeve dance again. But so what? I'm looking forward to cooking from this book, and I bet I'll wake up some pleasant memories in doing it.

I love this cookbook. My original copy was so well-used and well-loved that it completely fell apart. I used to go to both the Commissary and to Frog, and couldn't wait to replicate some of my favorite recipes. The recipe for the carrot cake recipe (simply the best carrot cake ever) alone is worth the price of the cookbook, and the other recipes are equally good. The instructions for all the recipes are clearly written and the accompanying drawings and side notes, like how to prepare a cheese plate or suggestions for a cocktail party, are great additions. The book is as much fun to read as it is to cook from

Book arrived quickly and was not disappointed, not just a cookery book buts lots of other stories as well as information. Liked that it gave you recipes for 'larger' gatherings and a whole page of ideas on sandwich suggestions.

Not as good as all the hype suggested - the recipes are actually quite elaborate and for some reason I thought the book was mainly vegetarian - this is not the case and covers more meat recipes than anything else.