foodiewife's Reviews
Cookbook Reviews
34 books reviewed. Showing 1 to 34Sort by: Rating | Title 
Tyler's Ultimate: Brilliant Simple Food to Make Any Time
By Tyler Florence
Clarkson Potter - 2006
Tyler Florence is one of my favorite chef's-- right up there with Ina Garten. Unlike Ina, Tyler is a classically trained chef. I was privileged to meet Tyler, personally, at a food event. I was even luckier that he selected me to taste his dish! It was delicious! He is very personable and approachable. Like Ina, I think his recipes are beautifully presented. I don't think they are difficult to make, either. I have, yet, to make a single Tyler recipe that was a dud. This book is personally autographed to me, by him, so it holds a special place on my shelf. The photography is gorgeous, too. Sure, some of his ingredients can be costly. However, I agree with Tyler's philosophy about what we cook with. I'll pay a few more dollars for free-range meats because I don't support hormones and cruelty in the raising of animals (yet, I am a carnivore). There are so many recipes I have yet to make in this book, and I look forward to finding the time to do so. Tyler Rocks!
The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook: 101 Asian Recipes Simple Enough for Tonight's Dinner
By Jaden Hair
Tuttle Publishing - 2009
I purchased this cookbook, because I like to support Food Bloggers who have finally published their recipes. What I like about Jaden's photos, is that she took them. There's no fancy food styling tricks. This is real food. The photos do justice to the recipe, and that always sets the tone for my decision to try something. I'm not very experienced with Asian cooking, but I'd like to be. Jade gives great tips on how to set up my pantry and what tools I need, if I really want to start cooking more Asian recipes. She also shows some great tips, like how to peel ginger, or how to make fresh spring rolls. The ingredients aren't too difficult to find. The difficulty of the recipes are Intermediate, I'd say.
There are helpful step-by-step photos, and clear directions.
The Southern Foodie: 100 Places to Eat in the South Before You Die (and the Recipes That Made Them Famous
By Chris Chamberlain
Thomas Nelson - 2012
Disclosure: As a food blogger, I was given an advanced copy of this book to review. My opinions are my very own, and was not a condition for my advanced copy.
I'm a California girl, and am not an expert about Southern Cooking. That hasn't stopped me from dabbling with learning how to make Southern Food. This cookbook isn't just a cookbook. This cookbook can double as a travel guide for restaurants in the south. It's a journal of various restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Each restaurant review gives an overview of their cuisine, atmosphere, specialties and insider tips. One of their recipes (sometimes two) is included.
I'm a visual person, so one of my foremost criterias for cookbooks is that I want photographs. The photographs in this book don't disappoint. They are full-color, beautifully food-styled and helps me to visualize what the finished recipe should look like. Mildly disappointing is that there isn't a photograph for every recipe.
Many of the recipes wouldn't pass for low-cal, but I guess that's the general reputation for Southern Cooking. Still, I bookmarked a few recipes that I would like to make.
Slow Cooker Revolution
By The Editors at America's Test Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen
Boston Common Press - 2011
When I first got this book, I flipped through the pages and I wasn't thrilled. I put it away, and forgot about it for several weeks. Last week, I revisited the book and began to read it. Then, I was hooked. You see, I don't use my slower cooker very often. Most slow cooker cookbooks I've seen use a lot of canned soups and mixes, and I don't. A lot of recipes have directions to through raw meets into the slow cooker and press "go". I don't like that either. I'm big on searing and braising, and so my Dutch Oven gets a lot of mileage for me. Cook's Illustrated's recipes are definitely enticing, in this book. I like the ideas like using a panade, to prevent cooking ground turkey from becoming too dry. Or, the use of soy sauce to add more depth of flavor. I ended up bookmarking a LOT of recipes, and I'm looking forward to preparing the recipe the night before work, then plugging it in the morning and letting things cook low and slow.
Savory Pies: Delicious Recipes for Seasoned Meats, Vegetables and Cheeses Baked in Perfectly Flaky Pie Crusts
By Greg Henry
Ulysses Press - 2013
Anytime I can support a Food Blogger, I will do that. (Of course, I'm a food blogger, but nowhere close to being ready to publish my own cookbook). Greg Henry has the blog "Sippity Sup" where he shares delectable recipes (mostly savory) with beautifully written stories. He's also a professional photographer. I've met him at a few food conventions, and he's both humble and very approachable. This book is short and simple, but not short on recipes that I would want to make. I need more appetizer ideas, and I found a few that I wanted to make. These recipes aren't more country comfort foods, but they're not also complex or too fru-fru. The cream cheese pie crust is amazing! For appetizers, I want to make his Prosciutto-Wrapped Fig Mini Pies. The Mushroom Tarte Tatin had me drooling. Braised Short Rib "Neeps and Tatties" Shepherd Pie. Count me in! He doesn't leave out the vegetarians, either. English Farmhouse Cheddar Onion Pie...yum! The Crawfish and Corn Turnovers sound intriguing. I haven't made a recipe, yet, but I am gearing up to do so. The photos are lovely, and the book isn't too expensive. Oh, and there are wine pairings as well (though I'm more of a beer drinker).
Rachael Ray's Look + Cook
By Rachael Ray
Clarkson Potter - 2010
The camps are divided on Rachael Ray's popularity. I like her recipes, but I find her to be overbearing (as a TV hostess) and her prattling can get on my nerves. But, I am reviewing a cookbook and its recipes. I am visual, so when I buy a cookbook I am longing for photographs. We do eat with our eyes, so I was pleased to see that this is the first Rachael Ray cookbook I wanted to purchase. This book is perfect for beginner cooks. I'm more experienced, but I am a working wife and mom (well, my son is an adult but he's still at home). I have bookmarked a LOT of recipes that I plan to make for those busy work week nights. I give Rachael Ray kudos that she is teaching people to get back in to the kitchen, and to give up buying processed pre-fab food. She proves that it is possible to make fast food, from scratch, with ingredients that are not hard to find. I'm a fan, and not ashamed to admit it!
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).
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl
By Ree Drummond
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2009
The Pioneer Woman Cooks was the first food blog that I stumbled across, several years ago. I was enchanted with Ree's story on how a city girl meets a real life cowboy. Her recipes are pure comfort food. I'm not a total health nut, but I cannot eat the way she cooks on a daily basis. It's her humorous way of writing that made me a fan of P-Dub. Her photography is beautiful, and that is when I finally decided to start my own food blog. I have been a loyal reader of her blog, and still do as of today. Many of her recipes are classic comfort foods-- such as Chicken Fried Steak, Meat Loaf, Flat-Apple Pie (I call them crostatas). When this cookbook came out, I was one of the first to pre-order it. It was a little disappointing to see that most of the recipes were already on her blog. I had already made her Prune Cake (wow, is that good), oatmeal crispies and onion strings. I didn't see very many new recipes. While the idea of her step-by-step photos (which is how my own blog is formatted) works on her blog, it's the layout of the photos in the book that just loses it. I tend to read left to right. But the photos are in columns, up and down. Kinda odd. Most of the family photos were familiar to me, from her blog. It's not a cookbook that I remember to go through for ideas, unless I want to figure out how to gain weight fast. Love Ree, but I'm a Cuisine At Home fan (or Ina Garten) for inspiration.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier
By Ree Drummond
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2012
What's not to love about the Pioneer Woman? It was her popular blog that inspired me to start my own. Ree's format in sharing recipe is a step-by-step photo instruction, which I really appreciate. She's a bit of an Ethel Merman with a dash of Erma Bombeck, with a witty style of writing. Most of her recipes are pretty much comfort food-- plenty of butter and heavy cream. Yet, she tosses in some salads and a few healthified recipes. I've made many of her recipes, over the years and they usually turn out really well. Speaking of, many of the recipes I've made are in this new cookbook. I expected that to happen, but since the book was at Costco, and I have a few extra dollars to spend, I decided to buy it anyway. There are a few recipes that aren't on her blog, so I'll work my way through those. Overall, if you like country cookin', butter, beef, heavy cream and vegetables, there's a recipe or two in here that are guaranteed to please.
The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accessories
By David Lebovitz
Ten Speed Press,U.S. - 2007
I love David Lebovitz's recipes. I much prefer egg-custard based ice cream. I've made several of his recipes. Unfortunately, his salted Caramel Ice Cream recipe is not in this cookbook (but it's on my blog). It's one of the best ice creams I've ever made. Buttery, salty, creamy... perfection! The only thing that surprised me is that David's legal team contacted me and asked me to remove the recipe for strawberry sorbet! I was so surprised, as this isn't exactly a rocket science recipe. Strawberry sorbet is pretty basic... fruit puree, lemon juice and liquor to keep ice crystals from forming. C'est la vie, I just changed a few words and his Legal Eagles have left me alone. That's a personal thing, but the man can make desserts. No hard feelings, I continue to love this book.
The Pasta Bible: The Definitive Sourcebook, with over 1,000 Illustrations
By Christian Teubner, Silvio Rizzi, Tan Lee Leng
Chartwell Books, Inc. - 2009
I am very selective on which cookbooks I'll buy, as my bookshelf space is limited. This is one of the most useful, and beautifully photographed books I've bought. I just received the book, and I literally found myself craving most of the recipes. I just learned how to be comfortable with my pasta maker, and how to make ravioli. This book is so helpful. As an aspiring food photographer, the food styling, lighting and quality is mouth-watering gorgeous. In fact, I immediately made the Penne with Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese. It was simple, and delicious. Pasta is my kind of fast food!
The Pasta Bible
By Jeni Wright
Anness - 1999
I thought I was buying the book by the same name, but different authors. HOWEVER, I am not disappointed in this book at all! The first few chapters gave me a wealth on information, as I am at the infancy stages of learning how to make homemade pastas. I have an Atlas pasta maker, and I'm loving it. The photos are stunning-- beautifully food styled, lighting is beautiful and they made me want to make them all. I'll buy the "other" book, but for now I found plenty of recipes that I really want to make. Great investment.
Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home
By Nigella Lawson
Hyperion - 2010
I bought this book at a moment of "greed". Border's Books was closing for good and all books were 40% off. Most of the worthwhile cookbooks had been picked clean. I flipped through this one, and I liked the photographs. I've caught an episode or two of Nigella's show on Food Network. What possessed me to buy this?! I never did care for her show!
Sadly, I've looked through this cookbook, and there isn't one recipe that I'm slightly motivated to buy. Nothing personal against her. She has a huge fan base. I had hoped I'd like her recipes, but I don't. This one will be given away to someone who can appreciate her cooking. Ina Garten and Tyler Garten are more my style. Live and learn.
Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favourites
By Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 2011
This current review is just for the quality of photos, tutorials and variety of recipes. I particularly like the section that shows different ways to crimp pie crusts, decorate them and terrific recipes for several types of pie and tart crusts. It was hard to pinpoint which of the many beautifully photographed. I've indexed those I really want to bake and I will rate them as I do.
Lick the Bowl Good: Classic Home-Style Desserts with a Twist
By Monica Holland
Skyhorse Publishing - 2013
Full disclosure: I know the author, as she is a fellow food blogger and we've attended a Food Blog conference together. However, I paid for my own copy of her book, as a way to support her endeavor. Monica and I bought the same camera, and I'm thrilled to see how well she has learned to use it. Each and every recipe has a photograph, and they are all very delicious to look at.
I haven't made any of the recipes in her cookbook...yet, but it's just a matter of time before I do. That's why I am indexing the many recipes that she's shared, because they all look so good. She is from Texas, and most of the recipes are cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Yes, they all are loaded with sugar. However, I have a wicked sweet tooth, so I'll have fun trying her recipes out.
I downloaded this cookbook in digital format, to my iPad, so the page numbers might be off from the book version.
Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes
By Joy Wilson
Hyperion - 2012
I met Joy when she was a keynote speaker at the Food Buzz Festival in San Francisco in 2010. She's personable and approachable, and was voted Best Blog. She was part of a panel of food bloggers, and I loved her down-to-earth approach and food blogging advice.
For Christmas, I redeemed an iTunes gift card and downloaded this book in the iPad format (hence, my page numbers will be "off" compared to a hard copy of the book).
Reading her intro made me feel as thought we were sharing a cup of coffee. She gives great tips, too. It's like Joy is such an open book about her life (pun intended).
First thing I made was the Perfect Kettle Corn. Awesome! This morning, I made the Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes. Love! Joy writes with humor and such friendliness, that you feel she is your personal friend. A total joy to read and joy to bake from. Highly recommend!
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home
By Jeni Britton Bauer
Artisan - 2011
What makes this book have such high potential begins with Jeni's story and her success with her ice cream business. I don't live anywhere near Ohio, but plenty of my food blogger friends tell me that the ice cream is incredible. Her story is interesting to read and well told. Each recipe has a beautiful photograph (and I am highly visual) and is arranged by season. Her basic ice cream recipe is so different from the custard-base recipes I've learned through David Lebovitz (The Perfect Scoop). She is pure genius in her creativity of blending spices, fruits, nuts, cheese, or wine to her frozen confection. As I read every recipe, I was amazed at the combinations she thinks of-- and wanting to make them all. I will start, first, with the roasted strawberry & buttermilk flavor. Of course, I need to try her salted caramel, because it's one of my favorite flavors. The sweet potato ice cream with toasted marshmallows (and she includes that recipe) sounds like one that I can hardly wait to make. These recipes are not your ordinary ice creams. That's what excites me about diving into trying them. I'm so glad that I bought this book, because not only love to eat ice cream-- it's fun to make.
UPDATE: I made the Savannah Buttermint Ice Cream with White Chocolate. It was creamy, slightly dense and really good. I can't wait to make more flavors!
The Homesick Texan Cookbook
By Lisa Fain
Hyperion - 2011
I have been following Lisa Fain's food blog for some time. One of my viewed recipes (from my own food blog) is her Tex-Mex Chili Gravy recipes. Not only is it super simple to make, but it's bursting with flavor. I'm not completely familiar with Tex-Mex cooking, but I my father's Mexican roots have played an influence on the way I cook at home. The biggest criteria I have, when I buy a cookbook is that I want photos. I want to see the finished product. This cookbook delivered that well, with full-color and well done food photography. I will update my review, once I begin to make some of the dozen, or so, recipes that leaped off the page and said "make me"! I'm always happy to support a food blogger.
Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh
By Emeril Lagasse
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2010
I haven't made any of the recipes, yet but I am reviewing the content and layout. I live in the fertile Salinas Valley (CA) where I pass by fields of lettuce and all kinds of produce. I much prefer to buy organically grown produce that is in season. We grown our own tomatoes and herbs. That's why I bought this particular cookbook. The photographs are plentiful and beautiful. We do taste with our eyes, and I can see a plethora of recipes that I am most anxious to make. I'll index them, and review them as I do so. I have made many of Emeril's recipes and have always had great results.
Everyday Food: Great Food Fast
By Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Clarkson Potter - 2007
Being highly visual, I appreciate that each recipe has a beautiful full-color photograph. I miss this TV show, but am glad to have their recipes in one book. These are very simple recipes and sometimes very basic. But, sometimes, simple is best. I need to refer to this cookbook more often, for tasty worknight dinner ideas.
Cuisine At Home Volume 1
September 9th, 2011Every so often, I invest in buying older issues of Cuisine At Home. Apparently, this is the first volume circla 1999. LOVE this book! I look forward to buying more of these, though some are now only collector's items.
Cooking Light Complete Cookbook: A Fresh New Way to Cook (Book & CD-ROM)
By Editors of Cooking Light Magazine
Oxmoor House - 2008
Why in the world have I relegated this cookbook to the back of the bookshelves? I dusted it off and I have to say that there are some great recipe choices. To make these healthier, I see more egg whites than whole eggs, non-fat or low-fat yogurts, evaporated milk, gelatins and low-fat or fat-free milk, cream cheese etc. You get the picture. This is a great book for beginners and advanced cooks. I like the seasonal chapters with ideas of what produce is in season. There's a great chapter about nutrition with charts that I will find as a useful resource. This book is all before the Gluten-free, Paleo Diet craze that is happening now. Thank goodness! I look forward to indexing the entire book with all the recipes that appeal to me. This is the year I will focus on a lot more healthier cooking. I'm not getting any younger, and it's time.
Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets
By Anne Burrell, Suzanne Lenzer, Mario Batali
Clarkson Potter - 2011
I have been a fan of Anne Burrell's, ever since I spotted her on Food Network as Mario Batali's Sous Chef. I've watched her pave her way to Chef Rock Star success, when Food Network gave her own TV Show "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef". I love Anne's quirkiness, and she is definitely a chef. I've made MANY of her recipes, and blogged about them. I received this cookbook, yesterday, and I'm thoroughly enjoying Mario Batali's intro, and her introduction. She says that "the purpose of this book is to teach you how, in a fun way, to cook-- or to help you expand your skills and our repertoire if you're already comfy in the kitchen." I've read the first two categories, and I've already bookmarked quite a few recipes I cannot wait to try! I love Anne's little sayings, and she's shared some excellent tips. for example, (page 49) she shares that polenta is a "salt eraser" and if you don't salt abundantly in the early step (adding salt when bringing to a boil), you'll never recover. Who knew?!
I'm not a classically trained chef, but I feel very comfortable in the kitchen. Anne's recipes are unique, some have an interesting twist to classics (such as Cipolline Tempura p. 52)-- as an option to onion rings. The photography is beautiful, as are Anne's "Mis En Place" lists, rather than ingredient's listings. I'm big on Mis En Place, and Anne really emphasizes that this is key in successful cooking. I will update my review, as I begin to make her recipes. I'm ready to start on one right now!
The Complete Cooking For Two Cookbook
By Editors at America's Test Kitchen
Boston Common Press - 2014
I have been a fan of America's Test Kitchen for many years. I have made lots of their recipes, always with success. Now that our son has flown to coop, I have to rethink how to cook for just the two of us. Some of these recipes, I've already made but they are adapted for smaller portions. There are LOTS of recipes that are new to me, with smaller portions. I have bookmarked so many of them, that I need to index this book right here so I can jump in and get started. With 650 recipes, there's something for everyone-- and lots and LOTS of color photos, too. Win!
The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook
By Editors at America's Test Kitchen
Cook's Illustrated - 2009
Five stars to America's Test Kitchen. I've made many of their recipes, over the last few years. I have a paid subscription to watch their videos, that I find to be very helpful. I like the way ATK tests and tests a recipe. Sometimes, the directions seem outside-the-box and that's what they are all about. What secret ingredient will they use? What technique worked? I've learned so much about cooking, since I discovered this show. It's a big book, and I Have the DVDs that go with it.
The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread
By Peter Reinhart, Ron Manville
Ten Speed Press - 2001
I bought this book a couple of years ago. A blogger had a weekly event where other bloggers would bake along with the book. I would marvel at the gorgeous breads, and so I decided to buy the book...and, I promptly forgot about it. I've been baking a lot from Artisan Breads in 5 Minutes A Day (which I like a lot). Now, I am revisiting this book. It has a wealth of information. I had forgotten how beautifully photographed this book is. It's coffee table worthy, for sure. This year, I'm on a mission to learn how to bake more artisan breads. This book has beautifully written tutorials, and the photos are like an armchair baking school. One of my best investments, for sure.
Blue Jean Chef: Comfortable Under Pressure
By Meredith Laurence
Walah! LLC - 2013
I have been pressure cooking for about 15 years. I started with a traditional stove top PC, but converted to an electric PC more than ten years ago. I have never looked back. Finding pressure cooking cookbooks is like looking for hen's teeth. I own a few, but recently added this one. I like that almost every recipe has a photo. Since I'm a food blogger (and foodographer) the photos are pretty good. One of the most valuable paragraphs in this entire book is how to convert most ANY recipe to pressure cooking. I own two electric pressure cookers, now. My old "Cook's Essentials" 8-quart oval shaped PC (still working, but showing signs of wear after 15 years) and my newest purchase of an Instant Pot 6 Quart PC. I have bookmarked quite a few recipes that I plan to make, from soups, to stews, pasta dishes and desserts (I make a great PC cheesecake). I think this book is a good resource for beginner pressure cooker folks, but I did bookmark a couple dozen recipes I plan to make.
The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2012: The Year's Best Recipes, Equipment Reviews, and Tastings (Best of America's Test Kitchen Cookbook: The Year's Best Recipes)
By Editors at America's Test Kitchen
Boston Common Press - 2011
What's not to love about America's Test Kitchen? I enjoy reading the stories that tells the origin of the recipe, the trial and errors to perfect the recipe. Sometimes, the surprise "secret" ingredient is fun to discover-- and it works! I'm a huge fan of ATK, Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country. Sure, some of the recipes involve extra steps, but I don't mind. I don't like to cook from box mixes and canned soups. I've made many of their recipes, and it's rare for me to be disappointed in any of them. I do subscribe to their online recipes sites and videos, because I enjoy watching the recipes being made. This is a great investment to my cookbook library, and one I use often.
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
By Ina Garten, Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 1999
This is the first Ina Garten Cookbook that I've ever purchased. I love it, but now that I own all her recent ones...this one doesn't have quite the spectacular photography of her newer ones. I'm glad I got to revisit the index of this book, as there are several recipes I need to make.
Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics
By Ina Garten
Bantam Press - 2009
I'm such a fan of Ina Garten. She cooks and bakes the way I like to eat. HOWEVER, I don't eat like her recipes every single day! This is not a Weight Watcher's book, by any means. However, I've made several recipes from this book. Whenever I have the recipe ho-hums, all I have to do is open up one of her books and I'm inspired. I always love her photography, since I'm so visual.
Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2006
Now that I'm indexing the recipes, I am realizing just how many of the recipes I've made. I love Ina Garten's recipes. They aren't complicated. Sure, some are pricey. Sometimes I splurge and buy her "good" ingredients. Her recipes fail to disappoint me.
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
By Jeff Hertzberg MD, Zoe Francois
Thomas Dunne Books - 2007
I followed the steps, just as it is on their blog, exactly as written. I have the plastic buckets, drilled a hole on top, and this dough really comes together in minutes! It rose beautifully (I use SAF Instead Yeast). I invested in a baking stone, which makes all the difference in the world. I was so excited when my first loaf turned out perfectly. I look forward to make all kinds of breads. Super easy to do.
The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook: A New, Healthier Way to Cook Everything from America's Most Trusted Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen, Editors of Cook's Illustrated Magazine, America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen - 2010
I won this cookbook, which is signed by Christopher Kimball. I'm a big fan of America's Test Kitchen and all of their publications. It's important to know that this cookbook isn't necessarily super low calorie, and they don't use sugar substitutes (like splenda). That's not a bad thing, because the recipes aren't lacking in flavor and it's "real" food. There are many familiar and classic recipes that have had makeovers, and I can see a dramatic reduction in fat and calories. There's a nice variety to choose from, and I've bookmarked quite a few. I've made their baked fish, which is awesome. I'm loving their healthier salad dressings, and am a big soup lover. I've made the Mushroom-Barley Soup, which was good. Not every single recipe has photos, but there are plenty to choose from. I also like that ATK has included reviews and recommendations on ingredients and cooking tools/utensils. I look forward to making more recipes over the next few weeks. I need to get rid of the extra pounds that Santa brought me!
The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book
By America's Test Kitchen, Daniel J. Van Ackere, Carl Tremblay, America's Test Kitchen
Boston Common Press - 2008
I'm a pretty experienced baker, but I am always up to learning new techniques. This cookbook is terrific for all levels. I love the step-by-step photography. There are beginner levels recipes, and some that are more challenging. I love America's Test Kitchen Recipes. I have yet to make one that hasn't turned out great.