The Saffron Tales by Yasmin Khan (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Armed with little more than a notebook and a bottle of pomegranate molasses, and fueled by memories of her family's farm in the lush seaside province of Gilan, British-Iranian cook Yasmin Khan traversed Iran in search of the most delicious recipes. 

Her quest took her from the snowy mountains of Tabriz to the cosmopolitan cafés of Tehran and the pomegranate orchards of Isfahan, where she was welcomed into the homes of artists, farmers, electricians, and teachers. Through her travels, she gained a unique insight into the culinary secrets of the Persian kitchen, and the lives of ordinary Iranians today. 

In The Saffron Tales, Yasmin weaves together a tapestry of stories from Iranian home kitchens with exclusive photography and fragrant, modern recipes that are rooted in the rich tradition of Persian cooking. All fully accessible for the home cook, Yasmin's recipes range from the inimitable fesenjoon (chicken with walnuts and pomegranates) to kofte berenji (lamb meatballs stuffed with prunes and barberries) and ghalyieh maygoo (shrimp, coriander, and tamarind stew). She also offers a wealth of vegetarian dishes, including tahcheen (baked saffron and eggplant rice) and domaj (mixed herb, flatbread, and feta salad), as well as sumptuous desserts such as rose and almond cake, and sour cherry and dark chocolate cookies. 

With stunning photography from all corners of Iran and gorgeous recipe images, this lavish cookbook rejoices in the land, life, flavors, and food of an enigmatic and beautiful country.

My thoughts-

I am always on the look out for new Iranian recipes. My husband's parents are from Iran and he loves Persian food (as do I, and as do our children) so it's always nice to find new books with good recipes. Something I have never thought about is Iranian breakfast foods, so it was interesting to learn some new recipes. I can't wait to try a few out, particularly the baked eggs with spinach and sumac. There are many recipes throughout the book that I do recognize, but each a little different from the other times I have seen them elsewhere, something common in Persian cooking, each family will have their own little spin on things. I have my eye on several things to try to see how they compare to the recipes I have learned previously. The Saffron Tales is a great introduction to Persian cooking. I love the way it is set up by region. It includes so many beautiful pictures, both of colorful food and of the gorgeous land and people of Iran. 

Make It Easy by Stacie Billis (Cookbook Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

About the book-

As a home cook, you may want to create every dish from scratch. But let's face it: sometimes life gets in the way and you just need a 20-minute meal that will taste great and nourish your family. Stacie Billis knows the challenges home chefs face—and now, she shares her tools and tips for meals that are high-quality and low-stress. Want to make tacos using scratch tortillas? It's in here! Need to make a meal quickly? No worries: Billis gives suggestions for the healthiest store-bought tortillas. Her mix-and-match recipes help you cook efficiently with minimal effort, making the most of go-to dishes without getting bored. Why make it hard on your-self to make good, delicious food your family will love? Make it easy.

My thoughts-

I love cooking from scratch for my family. I enjoy the seeing my family and friends enjoy food that I have worked hard to construct. A lot of times when I am looking for a cookbook about cooking from scratch the section containing those books are either dedicated to desserts or other carb heavy meals. I was so excited to come across Make It Easy. What initially drew me to the book is the vibrant cover with the delicious yet healthy looking food on the cover. I couldn't wait to see what other recipes the book held. Since I already have a good knowledge of eating well and stocking my pantry I found the introduction with this type of information a little long and overbearing, but it is great information from someone who is knew to healthy cooking. I was happy to get to the recipes section and really enjoyed the set up of the book. I like that each recipe kind of builds on the last so you can mix and match your creations and have an entirely from scratch meal. This is exactly the type of cookbook I need in my kitchen and I am so glad it found it's way to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to eat healthier or who enjoys cooking from scratch meals in their home. 

Make It Easy will be available for purchase on May 10. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.com.

Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen by Linda Marie Steele (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

With more than 60 delicious recipes, this book celebrates sharing good food with family and friends, inspired by the sweetness of living by the beach. Accompanied by food photography and beautiful Cape Cod landscapes, chapters focus on baked goods such as cakes, cookies, quick breads, cheesecake and biscotti, as well as appetizers, entrees, and salads and even summertime-perfect drinks. Many of the easy-to-follow recipes rely on seasonal and regional ingredients, such as Linda’s Supreme Lemon Cake, Cape Cod Cranberry Loaf, Turkey and Cranberry Empanadas, Linda’s Simple Lobster Salad, and Bella’s Raspberry Tea. Children will enjoy helping with treats such as Nana’s No-Fail Sugar Cookie Recipe, which the author makes with lobster-shaped cookie cutters. This celebration of Cape Cod focuses on gratitude for simple pleasures and includes reflections on life in a seaside community.

My thoughts- 

Last summer my family and I had the immeasurable pleasure of  vacationing on Cape Cod. Ever since, each of us has expressed in interest in going back, it was one of the most pleasurable experiences of my life. Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen brought me back to being surrounded by the water, the friendly locals. and gave me the opportunity to imagine living in such a magical place. I enjoyed all of Lina Marie Steele's recipes, but what I loved more were here snippets at the beginning of each recipe connecting them to her experiences living on the Cape. I did expect there to be more savory dishes indigenous to the Cape Cod area, but as soon as I read Ms. Steele got her start blogging about her baking, it made sense that a lot of the book was baked goods. Still, there were some fantastic recipes to be found, including a quintessential Cape Cod recipe for Clam Chowder (my 8 year old will be ecstatic that we can try to re-create her favorite dish from our trip at home!). There were also drink recipes and enough dessert recipes to keep you busy for a long while. I can flip through this book and dream about being back in Cape Cod until we can find our way back to Massachusetts. I recommend this book to anyone interested in cooking or travel.

Maple Syrup Cookbook by Ken Haedrich (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Maple Syrup Cookbook has convinced thousands of readers that maple syrup makes just about everything taste better. Now, the revised third edition of this classic cookbook features full-color photographs and a dozen of the author's favorite new recipes. In all, the book now offers more than 100 ways to enjoy maple syrup at every meal, including Buttermik Corn Cakes, Banana Crepes with Maple Rum Sauce (perfect for an elegant brunch), Maple Cream Scones, Lacy Sweet-Potato Patties, Maple Bacon Strata, Curried Pumpkin-Apple Soup, Creamy Maple Fondue, Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts, Orange-Maple Wings, Beet and Pear Relish, Maple-Roasted Root Vegetables, Steamed Brown Bread, Maple Onion Marmalade, Hot & Spicy Shrimp Kabobs, Chicken with Maple-Mustard Glaze, and Crispy Maple Spareribs. There are barbecue sauces and salad dressings and dozens of tempting desserts, from Almond Bars and Coffee Chip Cookies to Maple Apple Pie, Maple Pecan Pie, Maple-Ginger Ice Cream, and much more. There's even a recipe for Maple Bread-and-Butter Pickles. This is a treasure chest of delightful recipes you'll turn to again and again.

My thoughts-  

Maple syrup is one of my favorite ingredients in food. I love a great quality maple syrup to top my waffles or pancakes or to use in place of white sugar in recipes. My absolute favorite meal of the day is breakfast. If I could get away with eating breakfast for every single meal, I totally would. Ken Haedrich's Maply Syrup Cookbook offers a wide variety of breakfast recipes so I my mouth was watering just flipping through the pages. I was happy to also see the inclusion of other meal types that use maple syrup including sides and entrees. One of my favorite parts of the cookbook were the recipes for sauces, jams and dressings. There are 100 recipes in the book, so plenty of ways to utilize your maple syrup! I recommend Maple Syrup Cookbook to the breakfast or brunch lover, or someone looking to use less white sugar in their recipes.

Happy Cooking by Giada De Laurentiis (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection - I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

 About the book-

Best-selling cookbook author Giada De Laurentiis is picking up where Feel Good Food left off. Filled with even more fresh recipes and day-to-day living strategies, the Food Network superstar shares her year-round approach to living a healthy and happy lifestyle.

     Giada De Laurentiis, one of the most recognizable faces on the Food Network lineup, invites readers to get to know her as never before. The celebrity chef is back with nearly 200 new recipes and helpful advice on everything from hosting a potluck or open house to what to pack along for lunch every day. Drawing on the time-saving tips and healthy eating strategies that keep her functioning at the highest possible level in her roles as working mom, restaurateur, and tv personality, she has assembled a year-round roadmap to vibrant good health and delicious eating. Readers will be inspired to try new ingredients, new wellness practices, and create a wholesome balance between peak nutrition - and the occasional decadent indulgence. Featuring her New Year's cleanse, homemade Christmas gifts, and ideas for every holiday, special occasion, and casual weekend in between, this is Giada’s 365-approach to cooking up a happy life.

My thoughts- 

One of my favorite pasttimes is watching my favorite chefs' shows on Food Network and the Cooking Channel. I always have plans that I will dvr the episodes and try to knock out the recipes as they show them to us during the show, but it never seems to work out that way so instead I love looking up their recipes on FoodNetwork.com. That website is a life saver for me! Especially when I am in a funk and can't think up new recipes to try out. One of my absolute favorite go-to food network chef's is Giada De Laurentiis. Most of the time that I find myself on Food Network's website, I end up making one of her recipes. I was super excited to receive her newest cookbook, Happy Cooking, because it is supposed to be a book full of healthy recipes that are not super difficult to make. I enjoy being in the kitchen, but as the mom of three young kids and of one very busy husband, I find it difficult some days to spend a long time preparing food in the kitchen. Happy Cooking is a great cookbook. It has simply, yet tasty recipes for every meal, as well as sides, snacks, dips, and desserts. Just to make sure all bases are covered there are also fantastic recipes for the holidays included as well. I love the gorgeous pictures of the beautiful food, as well as Giada's tips for well being and health sprinkled throughout the book. Happy Cooking came out at just the right time, I think it would make a fantastic gift for the person in your life that love's to cook! I recommend this cookbook to anyone who enjoys eating well, but also likes to save time where they can.


Connect with Giada De Laurentiis on Facebook

Happy Herbivore: Holidays & Gatherings by Lindsay S. Nixon (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Bestselling vegan author Lindsay S. Nixon brings “healthy” and “holidays” together in her new book, Happy Herbivore Holidays & Gatherings, filled with easy recipes that celebrate and define our favorite occasions throughout the year. Whether you’re planning an elaborate Thanksgiving, a no-fuss dazzling New Year’s Eve party, an omnivore-approved potluck for Super Bowl Sunday, or a lazy Sunday brunch with friends, this is the only cookbook you’ll need. Including more than 130 recipes with new and old favorites, Happy Herbivore Holidays & Gatherings guarantees you’ll have a healthy, festive, deliciously memorable meal—whatever you’re celebrating!

Twelve different special occasions are covered in detail with more than two dozen menus and detailed, step-by-step instructions, so your party planning is easy and effortless. Nixon’s fuss-free, fast recipes are also weeknight practical, so you can enjoy all her hearty main dishes, savory sides, and sweet treats all year long.

True to Lindsay’s beloved “everyday” cooking style, Happy Herbivore Holidays & Gatherings focuses on using only whole, unprocessed plant foods with no added oils or fats, or wacky, hard-to-find ingredients. She makes it easy to impress guests while also celebrating health—and without breaking the bank.

Say yes to Portobello Pot Roast, Thanksgiving Loaf, Hot Chocolate Muffins, Mini Corndog Bites, BBQ Sliders, Cauliflower Hot Wings, Cherry Tart Brownies, Lemon-Rosemary Meatballs, Beet Salad, Banana “Cake” Pops, Mini Soy-Free Quiche, and more. With Happy Herbivore Holidays & Gatherings, your healthy, hearty dishes will be the life of the party!

My thoughts-

By the sheer amount of cookbooks I review on this blog, you have probably caught on to the fact that I love to be in the kitchen. October kicks off my absolute favorite time of year. The holiday season is filled with family and friends, joy and cheer, celebration and lots of great food! I love to host guests at my house for the holidays and I also have a very large family that gets together for *the* biggest food holiday, Thanksgiving, and we each bring several dishes. Many of my aunts have their signature thing that they always have to bring (one brings coconut pies, another pumpkin pies, we have one person that always brings pea salad and another that always provides the mashed potatoes). Since I am of the younger generation, I do not have an assigned food so I like to try out new things. This year I am particularly interested in offering a healthier version of whatever I bring, but that still brings the great flavor we expect this time of year. I have many of the Happy Herbivore cookbooks so I was really excited to see that there is one focused on just holidays and gatherings. All of the recipes are mouthwatering. Even though they are vegan, they all sound like they would be fantastic and I know from experience making some of Lindsay Nixon's other recipes that they will be well received by carnivores and herbivores alike.  There are veganized versions of Thanksgiving and Christmas staples, but there are also sections devoted to New Year's eve and the super bowl, as well as an entire section on appetizers in case you want to change things up. There are so many delicious sounding recipes, I don't even really know where to start. I think that I may make the magic cookies first. They DO sound magical (and super tasty). I would recommend Happy Herbivore Holidays & Gatherings to anyone looking for a new spin on classic recipes or who will be serving vegetarians or vegans this holiday season.
Connect with Happy Herbivore on Facebook

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook by Pearl Barrett & Serene Allison (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

In their debut cookbook, the Trim Healthy Mama’s share hundreds of delicious, healthy recipes to help readers successfully slim down while eating well.  This companion cookbook to the bestselling Trim Healthy Mama Plan is just what readers have been waiting for. It features simple, mouthwatering, recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner—including slow cooker and one-pot meals, hearty soups and salads, omelets and waffles, pizzas, breads and more.  No Trim Healthy Mama should be deprived, so there are also favorite snacks, delectable desserts, and the smoothies, sippers and teas fans love. With  pantry-stocking advice, time-saving tips, and information on how to cook for the entire family, the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook offers a delicious and nutritious way to make trim and healthy meals with less stress—so you have more time with your loved ones.

My thoughts-

The Trim Healthy Mama way of eating is quite popular among my circle of friends. I always see Facebook posts mentioning it and while I got the general gist of things ( sugar free, refined grain free, lots of clean eating) I never read the original book. I was happy to find an overview at the beginning of the book written for someone like me who hadn't read the original book or for someone who needed a refresher course. The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook offers a wide variety of healthy yet tasty recipes ready to satisfy the palette while also feeling up your belly. I love that there are a wide variety of offerings to make sure there is truly something for everyone. I don't think I really noticed a recipe in the book that I wouldn't try at least once. I also love that although this book is about keeping healthy and trim, there is a section on indulgences at the end. The desserts are modified using sweeteners like stevia and they all sound delicious. I can't wait to test some of them out. I recommend this book to any woman trying to eat right and feel great about her choices. It's called Trim Healthy Mama, but this book is for everyone from all walks of life. I am definitely glad I picked this one up. I know it will get a great deal of use in my kitchen!

A Modern Way to Eat by Anna Jones (Cookbook Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.



About the book-

A beautifully photographed and modern vegetarian cookbook packed with quick, healthy, and fresh recipes that explore the full breadth of vegetarian ingredients--grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables--from Jamie Oliver's London-based food stylist and writer Anna Jones.

How we want to eat is changing. More and more people cook without meat several nights a week and are constantly seeking to push the boundaries of their own vegetarian repertoire. At the same time, people want food that is a little lighter, healthier, and easier on our wallets, and that relies less on dairy and gluten. Based on how Anna likes to eat day to day--from a blueberry and amaranth porridge, to a quick autumn root panzanella, to a pistachio and squash galette--A Modern Way to Eat is a cookbook for how we want to eat now.

My thoughts-

I like to have an eclectic mix of cookbooks in my walk in pantry, but I would definitely say that I lean vegetarian where I can. My family are all meat eaters and I do eat meat as well, but I know that it is healthier (and more cost efficient) to eat a primarily vegetarian diet. Sometimes that can get mundane, until you discover the wide array of vegetables and fruits that are actually available and find wonderful cookbooks like A Modern Way To Eat that present them so beautifully. ;The food pictures contained in this book are gorgeous! The recipes represented are delightful. I honestly forgot that this was a vegetarian cookbook while reading through it the first time because the recipes sounds so tasty and so filling. I love that there are several pages that present one recipes in many ways or offer you the ability to customize it to your liking or to be able to switch things up if like my family you like a huge variety in your food repertoire. I recommend this book to anyone who eats a vegetarian based diet, but I also recommend A Modern Way to Eat to anyone looking for exciting yet healthy dishes that will please everyone in the family.

annajones.co.uk

99 Favorite Amish Recipes by Georgia Varozza (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

I am always game to thumb through a book full of Amish recipes. I have looked through plenty over the years and sometimes I am thoroughly disappointed in the overuse of convenience items.  When I think of the Amish, I think of times gone by where people made real food and those are the types of recipes I want to find in Amish cookbooks. There are a couple of recipes in 99 Favorite Amish Recipes that use convenience foods (it seems that in almost every Amish cookbook I have read there is at least one recipe featuring Velveeta, so I guess we "English" people do not have a monopoly on the addicting fake cheese!) but overall I was very satisfied by the recipes. There are very few recipes in this book that I wouldn't try and I think my entire family would happily devour each and every recipe happily. Many of these recipes could utilize leftovers from a previous meal, which just screams "Amish" to me- how resourceful! If you like comfort food and easy, wholesome meals you can effortlessly make at home, this is definitely a cookbook that you will want to check out!

The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

UNOFFICIAL AND UNAUTHORIZED

Dine like Draper and Drink like Sterling with More Than 70 Recipes from the Kitchens, Bars, and Restaurants Seen on Mad Men
Ever wish you could mix an Old Fashioned just the way Don Draper likes it? Or prepare Oysters Rockefeller and a martini the way they did fifty years ago at one of Roger Sterling’s favorite haunts, The Grand Central Oyster Bar? Ever wonder how Joan Harris manages to prepare a perfect crown roast in her tiny apartment kitchen? Or about the connection between Jackie Kennedy’s 1962 White House tour and Betty Draper’s Valentine’s Day room service order?

The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook serves up more than 70 recipes to satisfy a Mad Men appetite! From the tables of Manhattan’s most legendary restaurants and bars to the Drapers’ Around the World dinner, this book is your entree to the culinary world of Man Men-era New York.

Packed with period detail, The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook provides invaluable historical and cultural context for the food and drink featured in the show, tips on throwing a successful ’60s cocktail party, and even a guide to favored Mad Men hangouts. Every recipe inside is authentic to the time.

Whether you’re planning a Mad Men-themed dinner party, need to mix up some authentic Mad Men cocktails, or just can’t get enough of the show itself, this is your essential resource, a guide to all foods and drinks Mad Men. So hang up your coat, pour yourself a cocktail, and get ready to dine like Draper and drink like Sterling with The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook.

Includes a color photo insert of 16 dishes, plus additional black and white photos and other images of bars, restaurants, and food advertisements from the 1960s.

Sample Recipes:

* Playboy Whiskey Sour
* Sardi’s Steak Tartar
* Connie’s Waldorf Salad
* Sal’s Spaghetti and Meatballs
* Pat Nixon’s Date Nut Bread
* Lindy’s Cherry Cheesecake

My thoughts- 

When Mad Men first aired, I was so excited that there was a show set in a really cool time period. I enjoy historical settings and the 50's and 60's are a little under-represented in contemporary television. Mad Men made a huge impact on people and i think that is part of the reason. Many of our grandparents grew up during this time period and, for me, that makes this cookbook even cooler. I could imagine my grandma making some of these recipes in her youth. The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook if full of great recipes that might have been mentioned on the show or that could have been consumed by the Draper family. There is also a great section at the beginning full of classic cocktails with tons of information on what kind of glasses you would need and how to mix drinks. This cookbook is full of everything you need to through a Mad Men themed party or even just a 50/60's themed dinner party. Even if you are not a fan of the show, if you have any interest in cooking or cocktail making or just the time period in general, you will enjoy The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook. 

The Apple Cookbook by Olwen Woodier (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Apple Cookbook features 140 recipes, sweet and savory, easy and delicious, featuring America's favorite fruit in dishes perfect for every meal. Try Apple Cheddar Crepes, Apple Ring Fritters, Apple Banana Bread, Iced Apple Tea, Curried Chicken Salad, Grilled Tuna with Apple Chutney, Cider-Braised Chicken, Pork Chops with Apple Cream Sauce, French Apple Tart, Apple Turnovers, Peach and Apple Pie, Apple Lemon Cake, Apple Blackberry Crisp, and Pumpkin-Apple Pie.

My thoughts-

One of my absolute favorite foods to bake with is apples. There is just something about an apple that is versatile and translates well to so many different dishes. I will admit that I haven't ventured far beyond the usual baking when using apples in my dishes, so the idea of an apple cookbook really intrigued me. The Apple Cookbook is full of 125 delicious recipes ranging breakfast to dinner to, of course, dessert. There are dishes in here I never would have thought of but absolutely work (spinach, with leek, bacon and apple as a side dish? Yes, please!). There really isn't a recipe in here that doesn't sound mouth watering to me. My family loved the curried chicken salad and enjoyed the homemade applesauce recipe.  I also can't wait to make the apple kabobs for a sweet summer treat for my kids very soon! If you enjoy cooking and want to add a healthy does of vitamins and fiber in your diet, this cookbook my be just the book for you!

Cooking Allergy-Free by Jenna Short (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

 About the book-

Jenna Short is on a mission--to help home cooks create meals that are safe--and delicious--for anyone who suffers from food allergies or who follows a special diet. As a caterer who specializes in events suitable for those who choose a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or kosher lifestyle, Jenna knows it's not easy to meet these different needs at the same time. In Cooking Allergy-Free, Jenna comes to the rescue, with 150 recipes that are suitable for weeknight cooking as well as entertaining. Each recipe is free of one or more of the most popular food allergens--wheat, milk, eggs, nuts, shellfish, fish, soy and corn--easily identified by colorful icons, and includes substitutions to convert the recipe for other allergens. Icons also indicate recipes appropriate for those who follow a gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diet.

Jenna's collection of recipes include starters, soups, salads, main dishes, sides, desserts, and breads. Sample the Mustard Raisin Marmalade on Toasted Crostini, Moroccan Stuffed Tomatoes, Rosemary Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Potatoes, Sloppy Joes, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Blackened Fish Tacos with Guacamole and Cilantro-Lime Slaw, Blueberry Lemon Crumble Pie, Mini Fudge Brownie Bites, Granola Bars, and more. With Cooking Allergy-Free in hand, you'll discover flavorful, easy-to-make dishes that aren't off limits.

Menu suggestions for setting up a kitchen to be allergen-friendly, and essentials for stocking your pantry will make Cooking Allergy-Free your most trusted source for delicious cooking.

My thoughts-

There are so many people with food allergies or sensitivities these days (including me and my daughter) that I am always on the lookout for books like this that I can pull out on the occasion that I have someone on a special diet visiting and since I love to entertain, it does happen every once and a while. I also like to add as many meat free recipes to my family's rotation of meals, so I love books like this that have clearly marked these kinds of recipes for easy reference. Cooking Allergy-Free offers up allergy-friendly versions of tried and true favorites, as well as some new and inventive recipes that are sure to join the ranks of your favorite go-to dinner recipes. I would recommend  this book to anyone who needs an allergy friendly cookbook or even just someone who is open to knew recipes.

Treat Yourself by Jennifer Steinhauer (Cookbook Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

If you grew up on corner-store treats, memory lane is paved with Ho Hos, Yodels, Oreos, and Ring Dings. And while your taste buds may have grown up a bit, chances are you still crave these classic flavors. Now you can re-create the lunch-box delights that made you the envy of other kids, with all-natural homemade versions.

After much obsessing and experimentation, Jennifer Steinhauer has cracked the code for 70 iconic treats to re-create in your own kitchen. There are cookies with a perfect crunchy base for cream filling, snack cakes with frosting so thick you can peel it off all at once, candies dipped in chocolate and dusted with sugar, and ice cream pops so juicy that they drip down your arm. A self-taught baker, Jennifer had no interest in complicated techniques or chemical gunk, just easy hacks that break down and remaster these throwback snacks.

So go ahead—treat yourself to your own homemade version of these favorites:
• Samoas, Pecan Sandies, Chips Ahoy!, and other classic cookies
• Nutter Butters, Mint Milanos, Oatmeal Creme Pies, and other sweet sandwich cookies
• Twinkies, Drake’s Coffee Cakes, Devil Dogs, and other snack cakes
• Fig Newtons, Lemon Mini-Pies, Strawberry Pop-Tarts, and other fruity, filled treats
• Soft Pretzels, Pizza Pockets, Funyuns, and other salty, savory snacks
• Cracker Jacks, Goo Goo Clusters, Candy Dots, and other candy favorites
• Orange Creamsicles, Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Pops, Nutty Buddies, and other frozen treats

My thoughts- 

You may be surprised to learn that I grew up in a house full of junk food. There were chips of every kind, Popsicles and ice cream and always around were my mother's weakness- Little Debbie snacks. My whole family balks when they come over to my house and look for a snack because I do not keep that kind of thing in my pantry. All of those treat may taste delicious, but they are full of chemicals, artificial flavors and colors and are likely full of GMO ingredients. I love when I run across a great copy cat recipe online. It is great to be able to enjoy the indulgences of my childhood without the terrible ingredients of the commercial products that are just never going to make an appearance at my house. When I came across Treat Yourself, I knew I had to have it in my cookbook collection. It is full of such awesome copy cat recipes. I was not even sure which one to try first, so I went with a classic favorite- Oreos. These cookies were not very difficult to make. They did take a little time because I had to make the dough, freeze it, roll it out and cut the circles and make the filling, but any sandwich cookie takes the same amount of time. After I baked the cookies, I tasted the cookie and it was pretty similar to the real thing. The filling was spot-on.  The only thing I did wrong was make the cookies too thick, so next time I will roll them out a little thinner. They were tasty. All 3 kids and my husband devoured them. I am so excited to have these recipes and I can not wait to try each of them. I think next I will try the Star Crunch recipe or the Thin Mints. There are so many wonderful options! This book is really going to come in handy during the holidays! I absolutely recommend Treat Yourself to anyone who enjoys baking. You will love re-creating your childhood favorites!

About the author-

Jennifer Steinhauer has been a reporter for the New York Times for twenty years. Her weekly column at Food52.com, "Weeknights with Jenny," shares her adventures in weeknight cooking. She lives with her husband and their two daughters in Washington, D.C.


Treat Yourself is now available on Amazon.com. "

Gluten-Free Family Favorites by Kelli Bronski and Peter Bronski (Cookbook Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts I was not required to right a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

I am constantly on the look out for recipe books with a focus on gluten free dishes. We have been experimenting with a gluten free diet this year because my daughter seems to have a sensitivity to it linked with some behavioral issues. She is a totally different kid when she has not had anything containing gluten and when she accidentally gets a hold of something, man, I remember why we started down this road. Some gluten free cookbooks are full of specialty ingredients and while I have some on hand and don't mind getting a few here and there, I do not want to have to totally overhaul everything. One of the nice things about this book is that it doesn't call for many specialty ingredients, making it a more doable cookbook for most people to work with what. The main thing I liked about this book is that even those these are kid friendly recipes, they all sound pretty fantastic. We have tried several and have not been disappointed yet. This is not all chicken nuggets and hamburgers, but there is a good mix of lots of different types of recipes, which is great for my family, we love to experiment with new dishes, but for those who like to stick to the same rotation of meals, there are some in here that you could definitely add to your meal plan (chicken fried rice or turkey burgers anyone?) There are great recipes for every meal of the day as well as some awesome recipes for snacks that I can not wait to try out, especially since the summer months are upon us and my kids will be home and hungry in the middle of the day.

Besides tasty, easy to make recipes, I really like this cookbook because each recipe also suggests things that children can do to help prepare the meal. My kids all like to be in the kitchen and help prepare dinner and I think it is a great way to get them involved and more excited about what we are going to eat.

Even if you don't eat gluten free, I would still suggest checking out this book for some fantastic, healthy recipes!