Beachbrights' Reviews
Cookbook Reviews
8 books reviewed. Showing 1 to 8Sort by: Rating | Title 
5 Ingredient Fix: Easy, Elegant, and Irresistible Recipes
By Claire Robinson
Grand Central Life & Style - 2010
I am in love with Claire Robinson and I think this book rocks! I love a cook book that makes my life more productive (less ingredients=more time) and still is full of quality recipes. If you want to save money, save time without sacrificing on quality meals, then buy this book!
Click to see my YouTube Video Review of 5 Ingredient Fix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0NHbmoU1A8
Click to see my Blog Spotlight of 5 Ingredient Fix:
http://beachbrights.blogspot.com/2010/12/5-ingredient-fix.html
XOXO
Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free: 75 Recipes for Irresistible Gluten-Free Desserts and Pastries
By Karen Morgan, Knoxy
Chronicle Books - 2010
Click the link to see my video review & spotlight of Blackbird Bakery:
http://beachbrightsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/12/blackbird-bakery-gluten-free.html
or go directly to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSMeyTImUSE
Happy Cooking-
XOXO
Chocolate: A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection
By Max Brenner, Yonatan Factor
Little, Brown and Company - 2009
Yes, Max Brenner is a Chocolate God. Mr. Brenner has amazingly crafted the diverse flavors of chocolate to create 65 decadent recipes bound in this one book. You think you know dessert pizza? Think again. Max's Bad Boy Chocolate Pizza comes complete with a chocolate-hazelnut spread and topped with chopped marshmallows. If that did not wet your appetite, how about A High School Bonfire Chocolate Melting Heart Cake that is filled with a mixture of heavy cream, marshmallows & white chocolate. My knees are getting weak just thinking about these delicious recipes. What you will not find in this book is traditional pictures of the recipes. This book is just as much about chocolate as it is about art, words and the intimate stories they tell. This book is seductive.
One final thought, my review would not be complete without the recognition of the artwork. What grabbed my attention among these 144 pages was the illustrations by Yonatan Factor. Page after page of pop art eye candy. I have found a new favorite artist. The pages of this book will one day be framed and hanging on my wall.
Easy Food for Kids: Simple Recipes for Child-friendly Food
By R.D. Linda R. Yoakam, Celine Hughes, Delphine Lawrance
Ryland Peters & Small - 2009
Let me first be honest here. I am writing this review while eating a Poptart, so my culinary choices might not be right for reviewing a cookbook but this cookbook is for kids and I have one of those. So, I am at least partially qualified. There also might be a cultural differences in this cookbook. I reside in the United States and this book is published by Ryland, Peters & Small, who have a strong presence in London.
This would be a great cookbook, if you were not a kid. Unfortunately, the title says "child-friendly food" so I can not give this cookbook high marks. How many kids do you know that will eat the following: smoked mackerel pate (pg. 61), leek frittata (pg. 74), fiorentina pizza (pg. 120), herby trout triangles (pg 122) and fish pie (pg. 145). I can see my son's gag reflex in full glory.
I might not be able to recommend this book to kids but it is a great cookbook for adult taste buds. The book is divided into 6 basic chapters: breakfast & brunch, soups & snacks, lunchboxes, hot dishes, desserts and teatime treats. The ingredient lists for each recipe are minimal, time saving and the flavors seem appealing. I did not try any of the recipes for this review. I like the size of the book (7.5" x 7.5") and the color pictures are nice and coordinate well with each recipe.
If you have a child that will try anything, with far reaching tastes, than this cookbook is for you. It will bring a little variety to your meals and the recipes are easy enough that kids could help in prep--making this even more delightful!
Fix, Freeze, Feast: The Delicious, Money-Saving Way to Feed Your Family
By Kati Neville, Lindsay Tkacsik
Storey Publishing, LLC - 2010
I don't buy in bulk, I am only a family of 3. However, we are a very busy family of 3 and I take pleasure in cooking during the weekends, freezing my meals and having "home cooked" goodness during those busy weeknights.
Pro:
Recipes easy to 1/2
meatless section
great section on how to shop/plan
freezer labels w/ instructions
Neg:
no pictures, this is a no frills cookbook
A great book for bulk shoppers and those who want ready to cook meals straight from the freezer. Time & money saving.
Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV0LP5JegCc
Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 Large-Batch Recipes to Bake and Share
By The Editors of Good Housekeeping
Hearst - 2009
This book is the "go to" for all things cookie swap. Not only does the book give you tips for how to organize and host a cookie swap but the book also gives you great tips on baking the best cookies at the swap!
The book is a very manageable 5x7. It is spiral bound and lays flat for easier reading when cooking (I love these kinds of considerations). I would like to have seem more photos included with the recipes but they did write the recipes "large-batch" to make cooking and giving easier (another great consideration).
It is no secret that I can't bake. Cooking yes, Baking no. There is a difference! From now on when I get invited to a cookie swap, I am going to use this book and cook all the delights: Coconut Macaroons, Cinnamon Spirals and Nut Cresents. I will have those "cookie swap church ladies" swooning with cookie envy!
This would make a great stocking stuffer or better yet, a great addition to a gift basket. Just add the book with a batch of cookies in a cute basket - all tied up in a bow. Perfect!
How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking
By Michael Psilakis, Barbara Kafka
Little, Brown and Company - 2009
I have never owned a greek cookbook and other than making my own chickpea hummus, I have never cooked Greek food. I did not grow up with Greek food. I have never been to a Greek restaurant. I believe this cookbook could change my cooking habits. I believe the recipes from this cookbook could find their way onto my table.
This book should be viewed as a resource for Greek food and recipes. Every cook should have this book included in their arsenal. This is an excellent reference for original Greek recipes with a modern twist.
I have to admit, I was intimidated by this book at first glance. It is a large book with overwhelming ingredient lists and hard to find items. Would a working mother really have time to shop and cook these recipes for her family? I will tell you honestly that some of these recipes are far too advanced for my family. The Poached Halibut with Cypriot Shellfish Salad, Cucumber-Yogurt Broth & Caviar has 49 ingredients including sheep’s milk yogurt, live razor clams and sturgeon caviar. I don’t think my local Kroger will be able to accommodate. I bring this up not in a negative way but to keep your expectations in check. This is not your casual Food Network recipe book. This book is about so much more than Greek food. It is about culture, family, traditions and the spirit of Greece.
What I am planning for my table: Spanakopita, Dried Fruit Salad with Thyme-Honey Vinaigrette and Grilled Watermelon & Grilled Manouri (yes, I had to google Manouri).
Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook
By Lynne Tolley, Pat Mitchamore
Nelsonword Publishing Group - 2009
I am so excited for the opportunity to review Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook Vol 1. I am not only excited because I love cookbooks, food and Jack but because I lived in a small town right beside Lynchburg, TN which is home to the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Jack Daniel's is not just about whiskey. It's about food, family and community. This is truly an American iconic brand.
After flipping through the many recipes what really stuck out was the pictures of the people and places that the authors chose to spotlight. There is so much rich history in middle Tennessee and Jack Daniels has been a huge part of this history. This book sets out to capture the "spirit" of this relationship and delivers very nicely. If you or anybody you know has ties to Middle Tennessee, Jack Daniels or loves good home cooking, then this is the book for them.
Two recipes to note:
Cafe Daniel (page 13)
Jack Daniel's Chocolate Velvet Cake (page 156)