southerncooker's Reviews
Cookbook Reviews
117 books reviewed. Showing 51 to 100Sort by: Rating | Title 
The Greenmarket Cookbook : Recipes, Tips, and Lore from the World Famous Urban Farmers' Market
By Joel Patraker, Joan Schwartz
Viking Adult - 2000
This book is divided into seasons.
There are great photographs through out this book, of scenes from the farmers
market. There is also a list of farmers markets across the US in the back of
the book. Included are great stories from the farmers, shoppers, chefs, and
celebrities who make Union Square Market a wonderful success. There is lots of
information on the different varieties of produce and fruits available at the
farmers market.
Gritslickers: Southern Home Cooking for Today's Cooks
By Lisa Lofton Shively
Lisa Shively Cookbooks - 2005
I got this one at the Southern Women's Show and had it autographed by Lisa. I love the name of this one and Lisa includes the story of how this one was named in the book. Think cityslickers only southern.
I love to cook and enjoy tackling a more complicated and complex recipe when I have the time. On a work night it's usually a different story. I'm exhausted most days when I get home from work at 5 PM, or sometimes even later. On those nights I want nothing more than to get in and out of the kitchen in as little time as possible and with little effort and clean up. It's also a definite plus if the meal is economical. You'll find this type of recipes in Gritslickers.
LIsa says she's often called thrifty, sometimes even as an insult, but she always considers it a compliment. She rarely spends more than $5 on meat for a meal for her family of four. Her recipes more often than not call for a short list of ingredients, which are always found at your local supermarket and quiet often already in your pantry or fridge.
There is a short note included after every recipe. Type is easy to read and black. The book lays flat on your counter. There is up to three recipes per page. Included is a page of tips and a few pages of stories at the beginning of the book. Chapters include: Appetizers & Beverages; Soups & Salads; Vegetables & Side Dishes; Main Dishes; Bread & Rolls; Desserts; Cookies & Candy; This & That.
If you enjoy southern recipes, notes and stories with your food, economical and easy recipes, I think you'll enjoy this one.
I've made several of the recipes already with great results and little effort.
Hala Food Fun and Laughter
By Linda D. Delgado
- 2005
Even though the target audience for this book is Muslim cooks, I think
cookbook collectors who are interested in or curious about other
cultures or religions would find this book to be a great addition to their
collections. If you like trying new recipes from around the world then
this is a great little book.
Healthy Exchanges Sensational Smoothies
By JoAnna M. Lund, Barbara Alpert
Perigee Trade - 2004
I got this one from paper back swap back a couple summers ago and I LOVE IT! After the book arrived Sarita and I have been enjoyed a different smoothie almost every day and so far they've all been fantastic. What a great way to get fruit and sometimes calcium in our diets. A bonus is they're actually healthy.
All the recipes are easy to make and call for just a few ingredients. Place
them in the blender and in seconds you have a delicious, nutritious, frothy
drink that sometimes has to be eaten with a spoon.
Some of the ones we've tried so far are Frosted Strawberry Smoothie,
Strawberry Colada Smoothie, Strawberry Romanoff Smoothie, Fuzzy Navel
Smoothie and Tri-Fruit Smoothie. I made so many this summer, too many to mention them all and I have so many more marked to try.
There is even a chapter called Blender Bonuses, with recipes for other things
you can make in the blender. Sarita made the Pimiento Cheddar Cheese Dip and
it was good but a bit more mayonnaise than we like. If we make it again we'll
just use less mayo.
Some of the smoothies we've made call for Diet Mt. Dew and since neither of us
care for Mt Dew we subbed diet 7 up instead and they were delicious. Some of
the smoothies call for yogurt, some skim or soy milk and some fat free ice
cream in addition to either fresh or frozen fruit.
If you like smoothies don't miss this book. I know this is one that won't
spend much time on the shelf here.
Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys
By David Tanis
Artisan - 2010
I'm loving this book already. It's divided into seasons and also contains a chapter of some of the author's favorite meals for when eating alone or only cooking for two, and one for what he calls simple meals for a long table, for when you feed a crowd. The author believes in eating what's in season. I like being able to search for meals using whats fresh and in season. The only thing I don't like about this book is the author doesn't always tell how many people a recipe serves.
Intimate Gatherings: Great Food for Good Friends
By Ellen Rose, Jessica Strand, Maura McEvoy
Chronicle Books - 1998
This is a menu book seperated into the seasons with beautiful color photos. This
book is very special to me as I got it at the Cook's Library and Ellen signed it
to me.
It is divided into
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. In each season there are recipes for
gatherings for Dinner for Two, Dinner for Four, and Dinner for Six. At the
begining of each menu there is included a very helpful Menu Manager, with tips
to do 1 day before dinner, day of diner, about 1 hour before serving, 10 minutes
before serving, and just before serving. In some cases there are things to do
from 1 month to 4 days before the dinner.
This book would make a great addition to anyone's collection but especially if
you enjoy entertaining or just love to cook.
Jack Daniel's Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook
By Lynne Tolley, Pat Mitchamore
Nelsonword Publishing Group - 2009
Lynn Tolley is the great-grandneice of Jack Daniels and is the proprietress of Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House Restaurant in Lynchburg TN.
Not all recipes in the book use Jack Daniels but many do. There are lots of great information and photos included among the recipes. Included in the information is How Jack Daniel's is made; About Barrels and Barrel houses; Hog Killing time in Tennessee; Tennessee Walking Horses; Southern Food Something Special; The art of Tall Tales and The Lynchburg Hardware and General Store, to name a few.
If you enjoy cooking with spirits or a bit of history with your recipes, then this would be a good book for your collection.
Jack Daniel's Hometown Celebration Cookbook, Volume II
By Pat Mitchamore
Rutledge Hill Press - 1990
This is the seconed book by Pat Mitchamore and Lynne Tolley. It has some interesting information as well as some good sounding recipes, many using, of course, Jack Daniels.
Jack Daniel's Old Time Barbecue Cookbook
By Vince Staten
The Sulgrave Press - 2001
Lots of good information about barbecuing in this one. Many of the recipes do use Jack Fun book to read as well as cook from.
Jack Daniel's The Spirit of Tennesssee Cookbook
By Lynn Tolley and Pat Mitchamore
- 1988
This book has some great information about Jack Daniels and the Lynchburg area of Tennessee. It also contains some good sounding recipes often using Jack Daniels. A fun read and a fun one to cook from.
Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader: Recipes from Mitford Cooks, Favorite Tales from Mitford Books
By Jan Karon
Viking Adult - 2004
If you've read any of the Mitford books by Jan Karon you'll know that food often plays an important part in the characters lives. Some fans actually wrote Ms. Karon and told her that her books made them hungry. This book is great for reading as well as to cook from.
I really enjoy the Mitford books and can relate to them. They are set in North Carolina. This book has lots of southern recipes since Mitford is a fictional town patterned after Blowing Rock, NC, where Karon lived for awhile. Karon was born in Wilson, NC.
Liver mush, Baloney, Dukes Mayonnaise, White Lily Flour -- some of the very familiar items I've grown up with and are explained and included in this book for those who may not be familiar with them.
Although this book is mainly targeted to Mitford fans, if you enjoy southern cooking or want to find out a little about the books in the series, I think you'll also enjoy this book. Jan Karon's books tend to pull you in and make you feel a part of the Mitford family and I think this is also true of the Mitford cookbook. Jan even shares some of her real family photos with us in this book. Good reading, good food, and you feel like a part of the family.
This book is divided into chapters which are the titles of Mitford books, with the last chapter being of Karon's Mama's recipes. Included in the chapters are excerpts from that book, favorite recipes of the characters, and also helpful hints.
You'll read Jan's thoughts on aprons, what several people told her they'd want for their last meal, and you can learn how to season a black iron skillet, among other things. You'll be treated to recipes for 150 dishes that will please almost anyone. Good down home cooking.
Included is one of Ms Karon's most requested recipes -- Esther's Orange Marmalade Cake. She kept telling people it was a fictional cake but they kept requesting the recipe. In 1997 Victoria Magazine invited her to be their writer-in residence. During the year she was there she wrote a Mitford story that was printed in the magazine and in that story she also mentioned the now legendary cake. That story is also reprinted in the Mitford cookbook. And editor at the magazine there said there should be a recipe for that cake. The recipe was created by Scott Peacock, famous chef and often linked to Ms. Edna Lewis, a wonderful southern cookbook author. They co-authored the book The Gift of Southern Cooking.
Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes
By Joy Wilson
Hyperion - 2012
I recently won this from The Inspired Dish Blog. Cathy who runs the blog had Joy send the book to me and Joy graciously autographed it to me personally. I only knew a little about Joy and her blog before winning the book so I did some investigating and found she has lots of great recipes and interesting writing on her blog, Joy the Baker.
Her book is just as wonderful as her blog. I love that the book has a photo for every recipe. I have so many recipes marked to try and have already gave a few a go and loved them. I have made Chocolate and Goat Cheese Black Pepper Truffles, Whole Wheat and Honey Drop Biscuits, and Carrot Cake Pancakes and they were all hits at my house. Before the book arrived I had the pleasure of testing a couple of the recipes for the LC website, Chili Cheese Fries and Mommom’s Chocolate Bourbon-Spiked Banana Bread, both of which were delicious.
I also like the little story she includes with each recipe. Joy connects memories to food and shares those memories with her readers.
Last Dinner On the Titanic: Menus and Recipes from the Great Liner
By Rick Archbold, Dana McCauley, Walter Lord
Hyperion - 1997
This was a very interesting read with some photos of recovered items from the
actual Titanic as well as photos, paintings and drawings of some of the
famous passengers from the ship. There is a picture of the actual menu from
the first classs dining saloon and according to the book it would have
probably included eleven courses. Included in this were things like Oysters a
la Russe, Cream of Barley Soup, Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce, Filets
Mignons Lili, Lamb with Mint Sauce, Poasted Squab on wilted cress, many
veggies, Waldorf Pudding, Chocolate Painted Eclairs, and of course wine or
spirits with every course.
A third class meal included vegetable soup, Roasted Pork with Sage and Pearl
Onions, Green peas, Boiled Potatoes, Plum Pudding wiht Sweet Sauce, Cabin
Biscuits and oranges.
Included in the book is information on how to host your own recreation of the
Last dinner on the Titanic and how to brief your guests to portray different
people who were onboard.
There are 50 recipes included in this book which are said to be researched and
carefully tested for modern kitchens.
Lee Bailey's Tomatoes
By Lee Bailey
Clarkson Potter - 1992
This is a small cookbook filled with great tomato recipes. There is 35 recipes included, everything from savory to sweet. Recipes for both ripe and green tomatoes and even a tomato sandwich. I grew up on tomato biscuits and tomato sandwiches in the summer. Still love them. If you need ideas to use up some garden tomatoes, then this is the book for you.
Macaroni & Cheese: 52 Recipes from Simple to Sublime
By Joan Schwartz
Villard - 2001
We all love mac and cheese here but especially my daughter, Sarita, who's been
experimenting with different recipes since she first started cooking. She
even had one of her macaroni and cheese recipes published in the cookbook
Hungry for Home, Stories from food across the Carolinas.
It was hard to choose which recipe to pick to try first, but we finally decided on Baked Four Cheese Pasta. It was fantastic.
The only color photo in this one is the great looking bowl of mac and cheese
on the front cover. There are cute nostalgic looking black and white drawings
through out the book. In addition to the recipes from the author there are
recipes from many well-known chefs, including Bobby Flay, Rocco Despirito,
Rick Bayless and many more. Also in the back, included are the chefs'
Biographies.
There are recipe that are truly simple, using only a few ingredients and one
or two well known cheeses and also those more spectacular, which use things
like lobster, truffles or truffle oils, wild mushrooms and exotic cheeses. I
can't wait to try more recipes from this book and I'm sure I'll use this book
many times. If you love mac and cheese too then this would be a great addition
to your cookbook collection.
Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian: More Than 650 Meatless Recipes from Around the World
By Madhur Jaffrey
Clarkson Potter - 2002
If you enjoy eating vegetarian meals, either all the time or occasionally, like we do, then this is a wonderful book.
It is a thick book with 758 pages and over 650 recipes.If you want to learn to cook Indian then Madhur Jaffrey's books are a great place to turn. In this book she shows her talents in other cuisines as well. We've made several recipes from this book and enjoyed them all.
There is a glossary of ingredients and techniques included that is very helpful. Also included are several color photos. Each section begins with a detailed introduction in which she describes methods for preparation and storing as well as different cooking techniques and their cultural origins.
Make a Joyful Table
By JoAnna M. Lund
Putnam Adult - 1999
If you want a
Healthy Cookbook with recipes special enough to serve
company, or to just treat your family to some
delicious healthy cooking, then you need to add this
one to your collection. Some of the great recipes I've
tried from this book are Seafood Macaroni Bake , Oriental Chicken
Noodle Soup, The Best Turkey Chowder, Chicken Cordon
Bleu Casserole, Creamed Chicken over Muffins, Chicken
Pot Pie Sauce with Noodles, Corned Beef Toasties, and Italian Asparagus Tomato
Stir Fry.
This is a great book to pull out when you have company
coming or any time you want something healthy, quick
and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, when
in fact you only spent a few minutes for a delicious
meal.
Marcia Adams' Heirloom Recipes: Yesterday's Favorites, Tomorrow's Treasures
By Marcia Adams
Clarkson Potter - 1994
This is a companion book to one of Marcia Adams' PBS series, which I used to
enjoy watching when it was on PBS here.
This book is divided into seasons with more categories under each.
She includes postcards with information about the people and places she's
visited collecting her heirloom recipes and often some background information.
You will also often come across a page of travel notes about the places she has
visited and what she did during her travels. This book is filled not only with
treasured recipes from all over the US but, interesting reading material as
well.
Scattered thru out the book are pictures of antique kitchen tools. All the
photos are black and white which gives it an old timey feeling and I think this
goes great with the recipes she chose to include. If you enjoy some history
along with your recipes you'll love this one.
Mexican Everyday (Recipes Featured on Season 4 of the PBS-TV series "Mexico One Plate at a Time")
By Rick Bayless, Christopher Hirsheimer, Deann Bayless
W. W. Norton - 2005
This book contains recipes from season 4 of the Public TV series Mexico One Plate at a Time. I like that at the end of each recipe Rick gives what he calls a Riff on the recipe. His Riff is a way you can vary the recipe to suit your tastes or season in which you choose to cook the dish. In the riff he also gives you helpful tips and tricks to get the food on the table faster.
At the beginning of the book Bayless gives you in site into the way he eats and feeds his family. He is a health conscious individual and he tries to make his recipes better for everyone. He also gives you a glossary of items you might not be familiar with that are used in Mexican cooking. He tells you how to choose, store and find these items.
The Minimalist Entertains
By Mark Bittman
Broadway - 2003
This book is divided into the 4 seasons and then into menus for different types
of interesting dinner parties, cocktail parties, barbecues and more entertaining
occasions. The book is based on the popular NY Times column written by Mark
Bittman. There are 40 seasonal menus for entertaining included in this book.
For each menu it lists the items for the
meal, then a blurb about the menu, then keys to success, Wine suggestions and a
timetable. There are useful and interesting tips included with each recipe.
The writing in this book is green, ingredients and tips or information about the
recipe in a lighter green and instructions id darker green. This doesn't bother
me but it might some.
Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table
By Moosewood Collective
Clarkson Potter - 2005
I'm loving this book. I've already made Nachos Grandes, Broccoli Slaw, Chipotle Scrambled Eggs, and just this morning, Poached Huevos Rancheros. I have many more recipes on my to try list. I'm looking forward to more delicious simple suppers and even a few breakfasts (which of course can also be served for supper).
Moosewood Restaurant's emphasis is in cooking with wholesome, fresh foods so this book even has recipes that are healthy. It doesn't contain nutritional values but it does give you menu and serving ideas with each recipe. For instance; it suggests serving the Nachos Grandes with the Broccoli Slaw, which I did and they were great together.
You'll find quiet a few recipes inspired by different cuisines (which I love). Cuisines like Asian, Mexican, Indian., Italian and Greek to name a few. I've found most of the recipes require little work as suggested by the title simple suppers and use ingredients easily found at most supermarkets for the most part. The recipes are mostly vegetarian as with the other Moosewood books. There are some fish and egg recipes as you'll probably notice from the chapters included.
Chapters included in this book are: Pasta; Sautes, Curries & More; Beans & Tofu; Egg Dishes; Main Dish Grains; Main Dish Salads; Soups; Sandwiches, Wraps & Rolls; Fish; Side Grains; Side Dishes; Side Salads; Dressings, Condiments & Seasonings; Sauces & Spreads; Desserts; The Well-Stocked Pantry; and finally a Guide to Ingredients, Tools & Techniques.
Some of the recipes serve 2, others 4-6 and I noticed at least one that served 8.
The Most Decadent Diet Ever!: The cookbook that reveals the secrets to cooking your favorites in a healthier way
By Devin Alexander
Broadway - 2008
Devin is also the author of The Biggest Loser Cookbook, The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, and Fast Food Fix.
I enjoy cooking from this one. Nutritional information is included for all the recipes. Sometimes she even gives two and in some cases even three different serving size nutritional information in case you want to eat a bigger or smaller serving size. I find this very helpful.
At the beginning of the book she gives you information on following a food plan like the way she eats. She has maintained a fifty-five pound weight loss for over 16 years. She is a chef and former LA, CA caterer. She also encourages you to follow your own plan, whatever it may be and incorporate the recipes in the book into your plan.
There is lots of great reading in this book. She includes interesting background information with each recipe. Things like how she came to make the recipe healthy and information on where to purchase some ingredients you may not be familiar with. At the beginning of the book she also shares her decadent pantry with you, as well as a section on explaining ingredients you might not be familiar with and a helpful tool list. There are lots of great color photos.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting some tasty healthy recipes. These recipes fit well if you are a weight watcher or just watching your calorie count or even want to follow her Healthy Decadent Diet.
The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook
February 6th, 2010This is a wonderful healthy cookbook. All nutritional information is included with the recipes. Has beautiful photos of every dish... you know the kind that make you want to lick the page. You'd never know these are good for you dishes.
The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, Concise Ed
By Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic - 2004
Nutritional information is included for all recipes. I made two recipes from
this book and plan on making more. Dad planted a large patch of fall greens including turnip, mustard and kale, so I have been searching for healthy ways of preparing some of them. One of the recipes I made used some mustard greens - Wilted Greens with warm Balsamic Vinegar. I didn't realize I was out of balsamic until I actually started making the dish so I substituted some of my homemade blackberry vinegar. Although the dish was pretty good it tasted as if it were lacking something. I think it might be better
suited to the balsamic.
I also found a recipe that uses kale - Braised Kale with Cherry Tomatoes.It was delicious with some grape tomatoes. The other recipe I made was Warm Potato Salad and it was very good with the fresh tuna steaks I made to round out our meal.
It has beautiful color photos. Some of the recipes do used ingredients that are a bit harder for me to find in our area like, fava beans, buck wheat groats and bulgur to name a few. I would probably have more luck when I head to the big city shopping.
There are also many recipes in this book I wouldn't make because
of personal taste preferences and hard to find ingredients.
Looking through the chapters I find that I would make 11 out of 24 of the
vegetable dishes, 4 out of 11 of the salads, 3 out of 13 of the soups, 1 out of
24 of the pasta and grains, 6 out of 20 of the beans and legumes, 2 out of 18 of
the fish and shellfish, 3 out of 12 of the poultry and meat, and 2 out of 14 of
the desserts. I think those dishes I would make makes having the book worthwhile
and you certainly can't beat the price I paid for it, $1 at a yard sale.
New Soul Cooking: Updating a Cuisine Rich in Flavor and Tradition (Melting Pot)
By Tanya Holland, Ellen Silverman
Stewart, Tabori and Chang - 2003
his is a beautiful book from one of my favorite people from the now canceled, food network
show, Melting Pot. This book is also special since I got to see Tanya at the LA
Times book festival and she autographed the book to me. Growing up in the south
I grew up on good old southern type soul food and it's nice to have this book
that uses fresh and healthy ingredients. Even though there is no nutritional
values listed you can tell by the ingredients that these dishes are healthier
for you than many of the standard southern recipes.
There are 95 recipes included in this book, many with beautiful color photos.
At the festival from this book Tanya made Sweet Potato Blinis with Bourbon-cured
salmon and caviar; File-crusted scallops with tomato and okra ragout; and a most
unusual dish - Raspberry Grit parfaits. They looked really good and she said the
photographers son loved them as proved by the picture of him enjoying one in the
book.
Nigella Bites: From Family Meals to Elegant Dinners -- Easy, Delectable Recipes For Any Occasion
By Nigella Lawson
Hyperion - 2002
I enjoyed watching the TV series by the same name so naturally had to have the cookbook. I love to read and cook from Nigella's cookbooks. It feels as if she's there with you talking you through the recipes and enjoying a meal.
Nigella Express: Good Food, Fast
By Nigella Lawson
Hyperion - 2007
I got this one for my daughter, Sarita's birthday a few years ago. We both enjoy watching
Nigella's show on the Food Network by the same name, Nigella Express.
Recipes from the shows are among the ones in this book. Of course there
are additional recipes that aren't from the shows.
As you can tell from the title the recipes in this book are quick to
make. Even though this is true they are very long on flavor. Not only
is this book fun to read, (like hearing Nigella talk to you), she
includes an interesting note before each recipe, it's also a great one to
cook from.
We've made the Breakfast
Bars p. 94, Croque Monsieur Bake p. 107, Cheddar Cheese Risotto p 176,
and the Doughnut French Toast p. 188.
If you enjoy Nigella Express the show then you'll love this book.
Nigellas brings back the fun to cooking even after you've had a long day
at work or play. This is one I know we'll be trying recipes from often
Passion for Potatoes
By Lydie Marshall
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1992
When I was growing up there were three things that were always on our table at supper time, one was some kind of meat, the 2nd was usually corn bread but occasionally biscuits, and the last and most important was potatoes, so naturally this was a book I had to add to my collection.
On the back of the book there are praises for the book from such famous people as Patricia Wells, and Alice Waters. Inside along with the recipes is a history of potatoes, how to store them, and potato folklore.
Chapters included are:
Appetizers; Soups; Potato Salads; Breads; Main Courses; Mashed Potatoes;
Baked,Sauteed, Braised and Roasted Potatoes; Fries; Gratins and Scalloped Potatoes; Potato Dumplings and Gnocchi; Potato Pancakes; and Desserts.
It only has a few pictures and they are black and white drawings, mostly of potatoes. I love the sidebars on each page. They tell something about
the recipe itself - such as where it came from, what to serve with the dish, or ideas, tips ect.
Passionate Vegetarian
By Crescent Dragonwagon
Workman Publishing Company - 2002
I love this book! It has 1100 pages and over 1,000 recipes as well as notes on cooking, eating, loving and living.
If you enjoy vegetarian cooking and eating, either all the time or part of the time, or just need some ideas for cooking veggie dishes this is a great book.
Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style
By Paula Deen
Simon & Schuster - 2005
Paula Deen starts the book off just like she does her show -- Hey, Y'all!. I can hear her voice with the familiar southern drawl as I read the introduction. In the introduction she continues the story where she left off in a previous book. She shares some more about her and Michael and of marrying him on a food network special called Paula Deen's Wedding. She also shares a little about the movie Elizabethtown she played in. She ends the introduction similar to the way she always ends her shows, sending best dishes and love from Savannah, GA.
Lots of great sounding recipes Deen style are included in this book. If you enjoy Paula's Home Cooking, her other cookbooks, or southern cuisine, then this is the book for you. Paula and her friends share stories, ideas for southern style entertaining and their recipes in this wonderful book.
I like the little notes from Paula included with each recipe. Be forewarned though for those who don't enjoy colored ink, the ingredients for each recipe are in dark blue ink, the rest of the recipe is in black. I don't think the dark blue is hard to read at all though so maybe it won't distract from the recipe for anyone.
Paula Deen's The Deen Family Cookbook
By Paula Deen, Melissa Clark
Simon & Schuster - 2009
This is a fun book with lots of color photos of the recipes as well as of Paula and her various family members. There is a great family photo on the back of the dust jacket. Of course there are recipes from Paula but also, her husband, Michael, his children and brother, her son's Jamie and Bobby and Jamie's wife, her Aunt Peggy, brother Bubba and his children, her cousin, Johnnie and several others as well as her friend, Katie Lee.
Each recipe includes a brief story of who the recipe is from and a little something about why it's a family favorite. This is a fun book to read as well as cook from. Many recipes are what you would expect from Paula with a few surprises. If you're a fan of Paula, love southern cooking, want to learn more about how her family really eats or want to get a peak into her family life, then this is the book for you.
For the most part recipes are either all on one page on continued on a facing page. There are a couple exceptions to this rule and you have to do a bit of page turning on a few recipes. Type is black ink with the recipe name and ingredient list in a green color.
I read this one from cover to cover when it arrived by way of a paperback swap friend. Then I marked several recipes to try and finally made the first one a couple weeks ago.
Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day
By Peter Reinhart
Ten Speed Press - 2009
I had my daughter who works at the library get this one for me through interlibrary loan. Now I'm in trouble, since I know I'm going to have to buy a copy of my own. (I did get my own copy when I went to the Bread Festival in Asheville, NC. I also got to attend a session with Peter Reinhart and he signed my book.) This is a wonderful, informative bread baking book. I've learned so much just reading through it the past few days.
At the moment I have three doughs in the fridge, proofing for tomorrow. They are English Muffins, which I'll make in the morning, Many Seed Bread, which I plan on doing in two loaves so my daughter can take one home with her, and finally The soft sandwich bread and rolls, which I put in two bowls, one to share with my daughter for her to bake next week, and one for our supper tomorrow night.
I'm looking forward to making many more breads from this book.
Pretty Delicious: Lean and Lovely Recipes for a Healthy, Happy New You
By Candice Kumai
Rodale Books - 2011
Although I didn't watch, Candice Kumai was on the first season of Top Chef. I was intrigued with this book for it's low fat, healthy aspect, since I'm trying to loose weight and get healthier. Candice is also the host of Lifetimes Cook Yourself Thin and has a couple of other cookbooks out.
This book is a bit busy with lots going on the pages. Usually that bothers me but for some reason it seems to work in this book. It also has a girly feel which begins right on the dust jacket with part of an arm covered with pearls and a pink bracelet. The hand is reaching for some pancakes which are sitting on a pink cake stand. There are lots of gorgeous photos through out the book. All the pages have a border of what looks like flowers and sometimes lace. The book has hints and tips on almost every page along with a recipe and some background for the recipe. Most recipes include an ingredient she calls Foods with Benefits and is noted in the background section before each recipe as FWB. Nutritional info is also included with each recipe.
At the beginning of the book she has information on slimming ways to stretch food and save calories and cash, her Foods With Benefits Philosophy, Rules to cook by, Tips for staying slim and rich, and steps to shinny success. In addition to great sounding healthy recipes she devotes a chapter to Skinny Sweets and Splurges, which she notes is just for once in a while, and a chapter to The Pampered Pantry, with recipes for healthy hair, skin and nails.
So far I've tried three recipes, Chinese Chicken Salad Chop Cups, Asian Almonds, and Spicy Salmon Burgers with Creamy Chili Sauce. All were delicious. The Asian Almonds are especially addictive. My son and daughter in law tried the cover recipe, Pumpkin Pie Pancakes with Apple Butter and I hope to try that one soon too, as they said it was delicious. I'm looking forward to many more healthy delicious meals from this book.
Candice Kumai cooks with real food and keeps calories and fat to a minimum. She's found a delicious way to feed your food cravings while eating healthy. If you're on the look out for recipes that fit that bill then this is a book you should check into.
Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy
By Robin Miller
Taunton - 2007
I really enjoy watching Quick Fix with Robin Miller on the Food Network. Although I don't always agree with some of the things she prepared ahead of time, for instance pasta and rice. They only take a few minutes to prepare and taste so much better when freshly made in most cases. I do find some of her ideas helpful though. One of those is to prepare extra of whatever you're cooking, like chicken, fish, beef or pork, to use in more than one dish later in the week. Robin calls this morphing.
There are a few color photos in the center of this book. Recipes are written in green and a brownish color. I like the information she includes with each recipe. In the side bars she also includes things like good health notes, quick fix notes, storage savvy, ingredients notes, variations, time saver tips and quick fix it your way tips. If you have a busy lifestyle but still want to put delicious meals that are easy to prepare, on the table for your family I think you'd also like this book.
Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals: What to Keep on Hand, What to Buy Fresh for the Easiest-Ever 30-Minute Meals
By Rachael Ray
Clarkson Potter - 2006
We like Rachael Ray's recipes and have tried many we've saw on her show. This is the first cookbook of hers that I added to my collection. I got it by sending in Nabisco points and paying for shipping.
It's had handy shopping lists in the back of the book. This one is supposed to be for busy cooks to zip in the grocery store, pick up a few items and hit the express lane and get home and cooking.
Rachael Ray's Look + Cook
By Rachael Ray
Clarkson Potter - 2010
This is one of my favorite Rachael Ray books. I love that it has over 600 photos with the 100 main courses in pictures. Then it has 125 more 30 minute meals, sides, sauces and what she calls yum-o menus that don't have pictures. I have marked so many recipes to try from this one since I won it from a blog giveaway. It's autographed by Rachael too.
Recipes for the Good Life
By Patti LaBelle, Judith Choate, Karen Hunter
Karen Hunter - 2008
This is a fun colorful book with several mouth watering color photos. Patti's take on living the good life refers to eating healthy most of the time and living life to the fullest. She says you don't have to have money to live the good life but it does make it easier..
The book starts off with an introduction to the good life followed by Miss Patti's perfect pantry and then setting the right mood for the food. Next are the recipes.
Through out the book Patti shares personal stories and cooking tips.
Many of the recipes call for things from Patti LaBelle's Good Life product line. These include her all natural pepper products and blended seasonings. I haven't seen these in stores but she does give you a web site for more information.
http://www.pattilabellefoods.com/
I'm sure you can substitute whatever similar brand you have on hand, which is what I did.
Rick & Lanie's Excellent Kitchen Adventures: Chef-Dad, Teenage Daughter, Recipes, and Stories
By Rick Bayless, Lanie Bayless
Harry N. Abrams - 2006
When I hear the name Rick Bayless I immediately think of Mexican food. This book written with his daughter Lanie contains not only Mexican recipes but also other recipes from the Bayless family's traveling cooking adventures and some of the recipes Rick grew up with in his home state of Oklahoma. Not only is this a fun book to cook from it's also a foodies dream book to read. Both Lanie and Rick give their take on how they remember the cooking adventure. At the beginning of each recipe each of them gets a turn to tell you about that particular recipe. Besides Mexico with a side trip to Peru you get recipes and stories from Oklahoma, France with side trips to Italy and Ireland, Morocco - starting in southern Spain, and Thailand with side trips to Japan and Hong Hong.
When I got this book I could barely put it down until I'd read it from cover to cover. Even the introduction is fun to read. In the intro you learn how they came to write the book and that it took several years to finish. As they traveled to many countries they cooked with families and ate in restaurants. When they tried to recreate the recipes at home they kept in mind ingredients that were easily found in the US. For recipes used in the book they used ones family and friends really liked. They also wanted the recipes to be clear enough so that almost anyone could recreate them in their own kitchens. There is also a note from Lanie about the pros and cons of growing up in a restaurant and having a famous world chef as a father. From Rick there is a sidebar about cooking with teens.
I love the ways the recipes a laid out. Titles of the recipes are in colored ink then the notes and recipes are in black ink. Each recipe starts off with Rick and Lanie giving you their thoughts about the recipe. Next you get a green box with white ink telling you what to do first. After that are the instructions and on the side the ingredient list. In each section you get things like cool things to buy in the type of store the section is about, music to play at parties you might have featuring recipes from that section, and tips and hints about using some ingredients from that particular country that might be new to you.
This book would be excellent for teens, beginning cooks, experienced cooks who want to try some new to them cuisines, fans of Rick, and foodies who love to read about traveling and cooking.
Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue
By Carla Fitzgerald Williams
- 2003
If you like rotisserie chicken and want some great recipes to use them in then this is the book for you. Most of the recipes are quick and easy. I got this one at the LA Times Book Festival several years ago and got it signed by the author. She was a very nice lady.
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes
By Sandra Lee
Wiley - 2006
On the front cover it says "All new bonus chapter: Easy Oven-baked One-dish meals". The type is easy to read, black ink, with names of recipes, serving sizes, prep and cooking times in tan.
I know some people don't care for Sandra Lee, nor her Semi-homemade way of cooking but her recipes can be a life saver for many people today- those on a budget, busy Mom's and working families.
Although not a big fan of Sandra's way of cooking myself, I do enjoy some of her recipes from time to time. I didn't enjoy her old show with the table scapes that much, but I really enjoy her new Money Saving Show.
I enjoy using my slow cooker as it's so nice to come home from work to a simmering meal. Also with a slow cooker you don't heat up the kitchen in the summer.
Included is information on choosing a slow cooker, how to adapt some of your own favorite recipes for use in a slow cooker, and even easy entertaining from your slow cooker.
If you're partial to photos in your cookbooks this one has a color photo of every dish. Each recipe suggests the size of slow cooker to use and includes prep and cooking times. As with all her recipes she often uses canned and pre-packaged ingredients to make the recipe easier and faster on the cook.
Sara Foster's Casual Cooking: More Fresh Simple Recipes from Foster's Market
By Sara Foster, Carolynn Carreño
Clarkson Potter - 2007
Since I live in NC I hope to someday visit one of Sara's Foster Markets. This book is loaded with recipes that look and sound great. She calls them simple recipes but the photos of the finished dishes look amazing. This is a fun book to read, look at and cook from.
Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen
By Sara Foster, Lee Smith
Random House - 2011
The book is not only filled with delicious sounding southern recipes it also has gorgeous photos, as well as tips, hints, and stories from Sara. There is also a full page called Sidetracked in several places though out the book about a different southern restaurant or diner that is a tried and true place to eat a great southern favorite of one kind or another. Some of the states included are Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, New Orleans and of course NC since Sara lives in Durham. It's quiet thick with almost 400 pages. I'm enjoying reading and cooking and have so many more recipes marked to try.
Sara gives her own twist to southern cooking and I found it funny that she says while she thinks nothing of adding things like chipotle chilies, soy sauce, and fresh mozzarella to Southerner dishes her grandmother would say they have no business in southern food. Sara also says no matter how far she strays, southern cooking is her home base. I love the subtitle on this book: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal. If you love southern food with a modern updated twist then this is a book you'll want to read and cook from.
Sara's Secrets for Weeknight Meals
By Sara Moulton
Broadway - 2005
I used to enjoy Sara Moulton's, Cooking Live and Sara's Secrets on the food network. I've had this book awhile and am just starting to catch some of the PBS shows that feature recipes from this book.
In this book Sara shares her secrets and recipes for getting good, healthy meals on your table during weeknights when many of us are tired after a long day's work. She also gives you tips and lists for stocking your pantry for ease of preparing recipes in the book. There are gorgeous color photos and the print is green and brownish but still quiet easy to read.
In most of the recipes she gives you suggestions for substitutions for many ingredients to suit your families tastes or what you might already have on hand. Most ingredients can be found at your local super market but for those few rare harder to find ones she lists mail order sources.
After the introduction she has a chapter called How to Use this book, where she gives a brief description of each chapter as well as suggestion on how to get your weeknight meals to the table faster. Then comes a chapter on Stocking your pantry. This is followed by chapters called: Basics; Soups for Supper; Entree Salads; The Substantial Sandwich; Breakfast for Dinner; Poultry; From the Meat Dept; From the Sea; Vegetable Plates; Shop and Serve; Just Open the Pantry; Cooking Ahead; Side Dishes Take Center Stage; Quick Sauces; Easy Desserts; Sources; and finally the Index.
Sara lists hands on and total prep time for every recipe. There are more than 200 recipes included and if you consider all the ingredient substitutions that can enhance and change a recipe, there are really many more than that. I love reading what the book cover refers to as Sara's warm, and friendly head notes" that are included in the recipes.
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea: Recipes and Tales from a Southern Cook
By Martha Hall Foose
Clarkson Potter - 2008
I love this book. Just the name of it and the photo on the cover drew me in. It's a wonderful book to read as well as cook from. I sure enjoy cooking from this one.
Seasoned in the South: Recipes from Crook's Corner and from Home
By Bill Smith
Algonquin Books - 2006
his is a small, seasonal book divided into Fall, Winter, Spring and summer.
It utilizes the foods of each season just as they do at the Crook's Corner
restaurant, located in Chapel Hill, NC, where many of these recipes are served.
I haven't had the pleasure of eating there but I have heard many good things
about this restaurant and it's on my someday places to eat list.
I wish I could say I have this one in my collection but it is one I checked
out from the library. It is on my wish list though and in the mean time I've
copied a few recipes I want to try. His version of Fried Green Tomatoes,
Honeysuckle Sorbet, and Green Tabasco Chicken sound like dishes our family would
really enjoy tasting.
Bon Appetit Magazine called Crook's Corner, " a legend", and Travel and
Leisure Magazine called it, " country cookin' gone cool". Delta Sky rated it
"the best place to eat in Chapel Hill, in NC and possibly on earth."
Bill Neal was the first chef there in 1982 and was there for several years. He
also has several wonderful southern cookbooks available and I have a few of his.
For more than a decade Bill Smith has resided over the kitchen. While there he
has reinvented Southern Classics and also offers imaginative interpretations of
bistro fare.
He puts together traditional and classic southern dishes with his own unique
style. He includes some information about each recipe, such as who he got it
from, what he based it on, or how it came to be. He also includes commentary
about when and where he first acquired a taste for a certain food and a little
about people who have worked or eaten at the restaurant.
Semi-Homemade Money-Saving Slow-Cooking: 128 Quick-to-Cook Meals
By Sandra Lee
Wiley - 2009
I got this one recently from Paper Back Swap. I enjoy using my slow cooker, especially during the week when I can put things in the cooker before I leave for work and return to a nice hot meal. Since I'm always on a budget being money saving meals helped me to place this book on my wish list.
In the beginning of the book Sandra gives you hints, tips, and information about cooking in a slow cooker, as well as how to choose the best one for the job you want to do. She tells you about cuts of meats, flavor enhancers, cooking with wine, even baking, and sizes of slow cookers.
I know many people think of mixes, cans and prepackaged foods when they hear Sandra Lee's name but she uses lots of fresh and frozen ingredients in many of these recipes. She does use shortcuts and often some mixes, cans or prepackaged items in addition to the fresh ingredients.
There is a beautiful photo for every recipe. After the name of the recipe at the top she gives you prep time, cook time, slow cooker setting (high, Low), standing time, and makes (how many servings).
I have picked out several recipes to try including some calling for frozen seasoning blend. I wasn't sure what that was so I went to one of the web sites listed in her book, www.sandralee.com or www.semihomemade.com and searched around there a bit. When I didn't find what I was looking for I clicked on contact and asked. I received an answer in a couple days that it's a combination of frozen vegetables. There are two brands she suggests Pictsweet Seasoning Blend or McKenzie Seasoning Blend.
Semi-Homemade Weeknight Wonders: 139 Easy Fast Fix Dishes (Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade)
By Sandra Lee
Wiley - 2009
I've had some really good luck on Paperback Swap lately and that's where this one came from. When I learned about this one I almost didn't add it to my wish list, but I'm sure glad I did. I've already made two things from it and both were great - Brie Hash brown Casserole andTomato Garlic Short Ribs. The short ribs took a little longer to cook than something I'd make during the week but it makes a great weekend supper. I made mashed potatoes and sweet potato biscuits to go with and it was a great fall meal. I also made a chicken version for my daughter, Sarita and regular biscuits for the guys. I tasted of Sarita's and it was good too.
Several other recipes I have my eye on for future meals: Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce, Farm Stand Tomato Tart, Queso Blanco Skirt Steak, Chili Garlic Pancakes, Sweet Potato Cake with Citrus Glaze, Orange Almond Tea Cakes, Spinach Ricotta Tart, and Red Eye Texas T-Bone.
Things I love about this book:
Color photos for every recipe.
Recipes for easy weeknight meals, plus a few great for the weekend.
Most ingredients are easily found at any supermarket and she lists brands to help in finding them.
Some recipes call for the Garden Gourmet line of spices like my sister and I won at the Southern Women's show.
Recipes are not continued on another page.
Chapters include: Dinner Delights; Asian American; Coast to Coast; Sassy Southern Style; Taste of Italy; American Classics; Amazing Mexican; Family Snacks and Finger Foods; Comfort Food Favorites
If you're not familiar with Semi-Homemade here's the definition from the inside front cover:
sem.i-home.made
adj. 1: a stress free solution based formula that provides savvy shortcuts and affordable, timesaving tips for overextended do-it-yourself homemakers 2: a quick and easy equation wherein 70% ready-made convenience products are added to 30% fresh ingredients with creative personal style, allowing homemakder to take 100% of the credit for something that looks, feels, or tastes homemade 3: a foolproof resource for having it all -- and having the time to enjoy it 4: a method created by Sandra Lee for home, garden, ccrafts, beauty, food, fashion, and entertaining wherein everything looks, tastes, and feel as if it was made from scratch
Simple Asian Meals: Irresistibly Satisfying and Healthy Dishes for the Busy Cook
By Nina Simonds
Rodale Books - 2012
I won this book recently and it came at a wonderful time to keep my occupied while I'm healing from a fall. It's one of those cookbooks that I would love to make everything in. It has enticing photos and mouth watering recipes. I can see lots of tasty healthy meals in our future.
Smoke and Pickles: Recipes and Stories from a New Southern Kitchen
By Edward Lee
Artisan - 2013
I had read quiet a bit about this book and was intrigued. Did I really need another cookbook at this time? Was it one I'd cook from or did it contain hard to find ingredients? To help me answer these questions I decided to see if I could find it at my local library. They didn't have it but it was available through our inter library loan system, so I placed it on hold. I've enjoyed the three weeks I've been able to call this cookbook mine and now of course I know I have to have a copy of my own.
While we were in California for a few years our family fell in love with Korean food. I was surprised to find that I often thought of southern food when I was having a Korean meal. It seems Edward Lee came to the same conclusions. Koreans seem to use smoke to cook many of their meats as do us southerners (BBQ) and we love to pickle anything and everything and serve it with our meals as do Koreans (Kimchi).
I have so enjoyed reading his many stories scattered though out this book and the recipes as well. Not only does he include stories of growing up in Brooklyn and how he came to become a chef but he also shares stories of his life as a restaurant owner in Kentucky and how he came up with ideas for some of his recipes. There there are the places he explains some ingredients that everyone might not be familiar with. He often gives suggestions of things you can use instead if it's an ingredient that not everyone may be able to find easily and he give you tips on how to make these recipes successfully yourself.
The day I brought the book home I read it from cover to cover. Then I went back and read all the recipes that looked like something I'd want to cook.
His table of contents has interesting names and each chapter includes stories and recipes. They are as follows: Lamb & Whistles, Cows & Clover, Birds & Bluegrass, Pigs & Abattoirs, Seafood & Scrutiny, Pickles & Matrimony, Veggies & Charity, Bourbon & Bar Snacks and finally Buttermilk & Karaoke. One name gives you a hint as to what recipes are included and the other is about the story included. A fun read as well as fun to cook from.
Sophia Loren's Recipes and Memories
By Alison Harris
GT Publishing Corporation - 1998
This is another fun one to read as well as cook from. If you enjoy Italian then you'll enjoy this book. I picked this one up in a bargain bin at a bookstore and was so happy when I got home and had time to enjoy reading and drooling over this one.