southerncooker's Profile

From: Boomer, NC USA

Joined: January 3rd, 2010

About me: I collect cookbooks and love to cook and try new recipes. I tested recipes for Leite's Culinaria for almost eight years. I learned to cook from many good southern cooks including my Mom, Dad, several Aunts and my Grandmothers. My children and husband also like to cook and try new foods and recipes. My son still lives with us but our daughter is married. She often visits to cook with me. We are adventuresome eaters willing to try new things.

Bourbon Roasted Pork Loin from Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook

This was delicious. I know she says in the book not to use the good bourbon but all I had was Woodford Reserve so that's what I used. I marinated for about 8 hours in fridge. Loved the apples and onions... read more >

recipe reviews (2277)
book reviews (117)
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southerncooker's Reviews

Cookbook Reviews

The Art and Soul of Baking

By Sur La Table, Cindy Mushet
Andrews McMeel Publishing - 2008

This is a huge book. It weighs just over 5 pounds. It's filled with wonderful color photos of not only some of the finished products but some step by step photos as well. I won this book in a Project Foodie contest. (projectfoodie.com)

The first two chapters help you to learn what you need in a bakers kitchen and also the bakers pantry. Next are chapters on yest breads and rolls, layered pastries, quick breads, Pies, Turnovers, and dumplings, Tarts, fruit desserts, cookies, bars, and brownies, cakes, custards, bread puddings, and cheesecakes, souffles, meringues, and pate a choux, and finally basic recipes and finishing techniques.

The book is laced with some boxes with tips called What the Pro Knows. There are also many tips for success in your baking adventures. Did you know there are eight main ingredients in baking? Well you can find out what they are if you read this book.

There is lots of information included with each recipe, and often variations after the recipe to help you turn something into something even more. If you are a baker or just want to become one then this is the book for you. It's fun to read, browse through and bake from.