foodiewife's Profile

From: Monterey, CA 93940

Joined: September 3rd, 2011

About me: I'm a self-taught home cook & baker and author of the Food Blog "A Feast for the Eyes". I live on the beautiful coastal area of the Monterey Peninsula of California. I'm undecided about which I enjoy the most-- learning food photography or trying out new recipes or techniques. Over the last several years, I've eliminated any processed foods or package mixes. Instead, I try to find ways to cook the way our grandmother's did-- from scratch! We have a small herb garden and grow our own tomatoes. Favorite cookbook authors: Ina Garten, Tyler Florence, Everyday Food and anything by Cook's Illustrated.

Favorite cookbook: Far too many to choose only one!

Favorite recipe: Ina Garten's Baked Scallops Gratin-- garlic!

Website:
www.foodiewife-kitchen.blogspo

Skillet Pasta Quattro Formaggi from The Complete Cooking For Two Cookbook

Very easy to make, but I'd reduce the water from 4 cups to 3 cups. The sauce turned out a bit watery. I added some cooked shrimp for protein,and next time I'll add some steamed broccoli. What made this... read more >

recipe reviews (99)
book reviews (34)
useful review votes (43)

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Cookbook Reviews

Pressure Cooker Perfection

By Editors at America's Test Kitchen
Boston Common Press - 2013

I've been using a pressure cooker for at least 15 years, and I love it. I started with a stovetop model, but moved on to an Electric Pressure Cooker. Mine is a Cook's Essentials 8-Quart oval model, which is no longer made. It's a shame, because I can easily fit a whole chicken in it. So, the book gives highest raves to a stove top pressure cooker. I disagree, because I love the non-stick feature of mine, that I can easily brown meats in it...and I can just walk away. So there, ATK!
I wasn't wowed with ALL of the recipes, and disappointed there weren't any dessert recipes. Sigh.
I have bookmarked a few recipes that I definitely will make...like "Rustic French Pork and White Bean Stew" , Pork Vindaloo, Macaroni & Cheese (I'm curious), Creamy Mushroom Sauce, Cuban-Style Beef with Onions and Bell Peppers, Asian-Style Boneless Beef Short Ribs, Whole Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon Sauce, Kalua Style Pork, Parmesan Risotto... well, there are many more.
Tonight, I made the Pork Ragu, which was fantastic and very easy to do. If the rest of the recipes are as good as this one, then the $12.00 for the kindle version was a bargain!
I also like that every single recipe has a photo, so I can visualize what the dish will look like. The photos are beautifully done, too.
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UPDATE: I'm having a love affair with this book...er, Kindle edition. Four recipes later, I'm pretty happy with the recipes I've made (and reviewed here).