Category Archives: Cookbooks

From The Farm House Kitchen

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Stoltzfus, Dawn. And Falb, Carol. From The Farm House Kitchen. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2018.

SUMMARY:
With over 150 recipes featuring farm-to-table recipes, the included dishes are organized into seasonal fare (spring, summer, fall, winter) as well as categorized into different meal options (main dishes, sauces, sides, salads, snacks and desserts). Bonus “natural living” recipes are included along with helpful hints, room for notes, and simple, wholesome, natural messages scattered throughout. Presented in a spiral-bound, thicker-covered book format, this new cookbook, Farm House Kitchen, definitely serves the purpose in any home.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Cozy, comforting, and delicious meals are included in this farmhouse genre cookbook, originating from a Mennonite kitchen. With most recipes using many natural ingredients as well as pantry-ready items, though simple, the resulting menus are hearty and nutritious. Not using all of the recipes due to my eating lifestyle, I certainly did find enough to keep it amongst my cookbooks in my kitchen. Loving the ease with which this book can be used, it opens flat on my counter and is quite sturdy without being heavy. Overall, a very nice book!

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of From The Farm House Kitchen from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

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POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand

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Ricker, Andy. With Goode, JJ. POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand. New York, USA: Ten Speed Press Publishing. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Opening his first restaurant in Portland, POK POK, as well as several others, and a 2011 James Beard winner for Best Chef Northwest, cookbook author Andy Ricker shares drinking food (appetizers worthy of accompanying drinks) in his new book, POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand. With relevant introductions to each recipe, well explained and organized directions and associated photographs, anyone interested in food from Thailand will find plenty of ingredients and variations to satisfy a palate.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though I have absolutely no knowledge or experience with Thai food, I still found this book to be acutely organized and quite interesting with the stories and prefaces before each included recipe. Worthy of being presented as a gift to someone appreciative of Thai food, this current cookbook is definitely something to consider for the right receiver. Maybe not ready to venture into making my own Thai food yet, after reading this book, I am surely more open to seeking out a restaurant to try such a menu and am certainly more knowledgeable about the ingredients and culture. Well done!

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

A New Way To Dinner

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Hesser, Amanda. Stubbs, Merrill. Food 52: A New Way To Dinner: A Playbook of Recipes and Strategies for the Week Ahead. New York, USA: Ten Speed Press. 2016.

anewwaytodinner

SUMMARY:
With busyness surrounding us everywhere, everyone could use some help…especially when it comes to dinner. Authors and co-founders of Food 52, Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, set up dinner for each week with seasonal favorites, a grocery list, full weekday meals, complete recipes and accompanying photographs. With the premise of making a week full of meals on the weekend before, there are also informational tidbits, personal stories, additional recipes for the included ingredients and cooking helps. Printed on sturdier paper in a well organized manner, A New Way To Dinner may make life a bit easier and definitely more delicious…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
What a useful cookbook! With fresh recipes according to seasons, Food 52: A New Way To Dinner is a beautiful book sharing the necessities of cooking for the week on Sundays. Following the full menus is easy with creative recipes full of inventive recipes yet common fare. Perfect for busy families, traveling couples or retired seniors, it would make a wonderful gift as well as kept for personal use. Ease and innovation paired.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of A New Way To Dinner from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

5 in 5 For Every Season

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Symon, Michael. With Trattner, Douglas. May, Jennifer (Photography). Michael Symon’s 5 in 5 For Every Season: 165 Quick Dinners, Sides, Holiday Dishes, and More. NY: USA: Clarkson Potter/ Publishers. 2015.

SUMMARY:
5in55 fresh ingredients + 5 minutes of heat= 165 recipes…that just about sums up the new cookbook by co-host of The Chew, author and chef, Michael Symon. Through trips to the farmer’s market, a little bit of time, cost-saving strategies and fresh recipes, 5 in 5 For Every Season makes home-cooked meals from scratch, a cinch. Using ingredients in season and a touch of creativeness, this cookbook will help most anyone succeed in mastering delicious, healthy, attainable meals.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Always looking for quick, interesting, and tasty meals for my family, I was excited to try Michael Symon’s new book. Already a fan of his show as well as a frequent patron of farmer’s markets, this book brought those together for me and proved to be a success. Upon first perusal, the pictures grabbed my attention, closely followed by the easy yet satisfying recipes. An added bonus- the easy ability to exchange ingredients should one not be a favorite, with the result just as appetizing. Included is a section on holiday cooking, perfect for the upcoming holiday meals. For my family, 5 in 5 For Every Season definitely was an inspiring find to cook often and enjoy further!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of 5 in 5 For Every Season from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

With Love from a Country Kitchen

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Strain, Deb. With Love from a Country Kitchen. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2014.

SUMMARY:
countrykitchenAdorned with brilliantly colored kitchen paintings, With Love from a Country Kitchen also contains delicious family recipes arranged by season. Scattered in between the recipes and paintings are numerous quotes and Bible verses. A perfect addition to a cookbook collection or a beautiful gift, this book would also be appreciated on display in a kitchen. Though not long in length, it is the perfect giving size.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Gorgeous paintings are the highlight of this book. The simple, family-favorite recipes which accompany the paintings are just as palate pleasing. Some of the recipes were new to me while others added a new twist to a tried-and-true recipe of mine already. Perfect as a gift for newlyweds, new neighbors, or even yourself, this cookbook is sure to delight. The book also includes blank pages at the end for personal favorite recipes to be added while a presentation page opens it. My favorite painting was included on the last page of coffee and blueberry muffins…scrumptious!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of With Love from a Country Kitchen from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

Bountiful Blessings Cookbook

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Bountiful Blessings Cookbook. Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing. 2013.

SUMMARY:
cookbookJust in time for fall as well as Thanksgiving, the Bountiful Blessings Cookbook is full of over 700 robust, hearty, comfort recipes guaranteed to fill-you-up yet leaving you satisfied. The recipes range from Appetizers (Hot Spinach Balls) to Breads (Jalapeno Corn Bread) to Breakfasts (Breakfast Granola) to Main Dishes (Chicken Enchilada Casserole) to Vegetables (BBQ Green Beans) to an extended section on Desserts (Lemonade Pie, Easy Jelly roll, Cinnamon Coffee Bars). Containing only a few ingredients, the main emphasis rests on “old-fashioned” and “down-home” cooking.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
This cookbook is reminiscent of Sunday dinners shared with family. The recipes pair nicely with each other, providing a full menu (with extra dessert-yeah!). Though not overly fancy, the “feel-good” recipes will be perfect for fall days, busy activity-filled days, and unified family meals. The only thing I found missing were pictures of the completed recipes. I am sure my family will thank me once again for reviewing a cookbook!

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Bountiful Blessings Cookbook from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for my honest review*