Tag Archives: Food Photography

Meal Planner

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Shull, Shay. Mix & Match Mama Meal Planner: Your Weekly Guide To Getting Dinner On The Table. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2018.

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SUMMARY:
In a beautifully photographed new cookbook by author and blogger Shay Shull, Mix & Match Mama Meal Planner is chock full of delicious recipes, efficient shopping lists, streamlined directions and personal tidbits. In a convenient size with thicker covers, glossy pages, and an attached elastic bookmark, this cookbook is arranged by seasons and makes getting dinner on the table a breeze.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Honestly not believing I would like this book as much as I did, I was so much more than pleasantly surprised. Organized by days of the week, with enough weeks to cover a month of meals, the included pantry essentials section and detailed yet manageable shopping lists saves tons of time. Filled with simple, delicious, creative, doable, and family friendly recipes, the corresponding photographs of each recipe takes this book over the top. With meals that are sure to please many different palates, the ingredients are also easy to switch if necessary.  Pumpkin Rigatoni, French Onion Joes, Grilled Shrimp Tacos and Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are only a few of the favorites so far. Definitely a cookbook I will use a lot and recommend often, I am thrilled I gave this new cookbook a chance.  Love it!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Mix & Match Mama Meal Planner from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

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Chloe Flavor

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Coscarelli, Chloe. Chloe Flavor: Saucy, Crispy, Spicy, Vegan. New York, NY: Clarkson Potter/ Publishing. 2018.

SUMMARY:
As the first vegan chef to take the coveted top prize on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, author, chef and entrepreneur Chloe Coscarelli  serves ups delicious, vegan, spicy, saucy and crispy recipes in her newest cookbook, Chloe Flavor. Beginning with an introduction of commonly used vegan ingredients, this stunning cookbook also includes recipes for breakfast, snacks, sides, soups, salads, sandwiches, bowls, drinks, and of course, dessert. Filled with gorgeous photography of each dish, personal testimonies and stories add to this impressive new cookbook.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Wow! Visually beautiful and appetizingly delicious, Chloe Flavor is now one of my very favorite and savored cookbooks. Personally trying to follow the healthy lifestyle more closely, I truly never thought vegan could be so enjoyably tasty! With a few family favorites already from this book, Fiesta Taco Bowl, Cranberry Sauce, and Firehouse Chili with Corn Muffins are some of the most favored. An easy, doable and inviting introduction to healthy vegan menus, I highly recommend this remarkably delicious cookbook.

RATING:
5+ (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Chloe Flavor from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Sweet Potato Soul

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Claiborne, Jenne. Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes for the Southern Flavors of Smoke, Sugar, Spice, and Soul. USA: Harmony books. 2018.

SUMMARY:
Mixing vegan with Southern cuisine in her new cookbook, cooking instructor, blog creator, and vegan chef, Jenne Claiborne, proves taste, soul, health and tradition can truly be combined. Named after her blog and YouTube channel, Sweet Potato Soul shares recipes, knowledge, personal stories and a bit of spiciness. Recipes for breakfast, salads, soups, sides, sauces, mains, desserts and drinks are included in a well organized manner. Coupled with beautiful photography, diners won’t miss the meat at all!

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Surprised to find such a tempting cookbook filled with vegan recipes, it was perfectly pleasing both visually and content-wise. Already being mindful of what I eat and heading towards a more vegan lifestyle, I was thrilled to find the recipes easy to prepare, the ingredients easily accessible, the information helpful and the meals nourishing, healthy and delicious. Favorites already, Sweet Potato Hummus and Sweet Corn Succotash are Southern and so delectable- they will be staples in our house from now on. So enjoyably appetizing!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Sweet Potato Soul from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

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*

Queso!

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Fain, Lisa. Queso! Regional Recipes for the World’s Favorite Chili-Cheese Dip. New York, USA: Ten Speed Press Publishing. 2017.

SUMMARY:
With over 55 recipes in this chili-cheese collection, Queso! is a spicy cookbook surrounding the deliciousness of cheese dips. Beginning with necessary information on the different chili peppers and cheeses, this convenient sized cookbook then progresses to numerous recipes celebrating queso. Complete with a brief introduction to each recipe, readily available ingredients, simple to follow directions and beautiful photography throughout, author and James Beard Award winner Lisa Fain has created a highly use-able and do-able specialty cookbook.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a fan of chili con queso but stuck in a rut preparing it only one way, Queso! has definitely changed that predicament. With seriously mouth-watering recipes (San Antonio Chili con Queso, Brisket Queso, and Macaroni & Cheese with Green Chili Queso Blanco) grouped into 5 different themes, I found so many new queso ideas to try and share. Making the quesos to accompany a family dinner or bringing to a get-together of friends, Queso! is sure to make popular and tasty treats for all…just be sure to be ready to make more! Yum!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Queso! from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Sweet Potatoes

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Heck, Mary-Frances. Sweet Potatoes: Roasted, Loaded, Fried, And Made Into Pie. New York, USA: Clarkson Potter/ Publishers. 2017.

SUMMARY:
As one of the more nutritious items on the menu, there is no limit to the many ways sweet potatoes can be prepared. Organized into a nice sized cookbook, Sweet Potatoes is filled with delicious and creative ideas for sharing sweet potatoes. From the perfect sweet potato french fries to soups, side dishes, main courses, breads and even desserts, there are plenty of recipes sure to please any sweet potato connoisseur. Complete with a sweet potato primer (filled with lots of information about the basic sweet potato including types, sizes, complementary seasonings, and preparation), as well as a personal introduction to each recipe, easy to follow directions, and accompanying photographs of most recipes, Sweet Potatoes is a wonderful addition to any cookbook collection.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a huge sweet potato fan, I was thrilled to find a book which contained several new ways to prepare and serve a favorite dish. Sweet potato burgers, Cobb salad, Braised sausage with sweet potatoes and Twice-baked sweet potatoes are just a few of the many new recipes I found within this cookbook. Finding an easy and successful way to make crispy and tasty sweet potato fries was priceless!  Definitely a great gift for anyone who loves sweet potatoes, the new cookbook by food writer, recipe developer and chef, Mary-Frances Heck, will get lots of use in my kitchen.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Sweet Potatoes from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

The Sugarsmart Cookbook

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Varozza, Georgia. The Sugarsmart Cookbook. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Designing a cookbook around being sugar-smart as a way to eat healthy and lose weight, author Georgia Varozza shares her reduced sugar, simple yet delicious recipes in her new cookbook, The Sugarsmart Cookbook. With recipes for lunches, main dishes, soups, salads, breads and even desserts, this convenient spiral-bound cookbook containing almost 200 recipes includes common ingredients, easy to follow directions and a beneficial recipe index.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Always on the lookout for new healthy recipe ideas, I thought The Sugarsmart Cookbook would be a perfect addition to my cookbook collection. With inviting recipes using minimal sugar as an ingredient, though not necessarily new, the creative combination of ingredients will put a different twist on some of our already favorite menus. Only wishing for nutritional information and accompanying pictures to be included, these recipes are easily adaptable to personal preference or dietary concerns and will definitely have a place on my kitchen shelf.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies
*I received a complimentary copy of The Sugarsmart Cookbook from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

Holiday Cookies

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der Nederlanden, Elisabet. Scott, Erin (photographer). Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season. USA: Ten Speed Press. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Professional recipe developer and food stylist, Elisabet der Nederlanden, shares fifty new and updated recipes for holiday cookies. Complete with beautiful photographs of each recipe as well as decorating tips and packaging ideas, Holiday Cookies showcases such favorites as Triple-Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies along with Cinnamon-Sugar Palmiers and Espresso Thins. With personal introductions, lists of needed ingredients, and easy to follow directions for every recipe, the decorating section only enhances this special seasonal cookbook.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though marketed as a holiday cookie book, I believe this fun cookie cookbook could actually be used year-round to make delicious cookies. Finding recipes to use any time of the year, I did appreciate the section on recipes for cookie exchanges. Perfect as the baking season approaches, I always delight in new cookie recipes for Christmas get-togethers, while my family enjoys the new creations for dessert. Coupled with attractive photographs, this is definitely a book which I will use this coming season and beyond.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Holiday Cookies from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Mix & Match Mama Simmers

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Shull, Shay. Mix & Match Mama Simmers: Slow-Cooker Creations Your Family Will Love. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2017.

SUMMARY:
As a successful blogger and cookbook author, Shay Shull adds another book to her list. Full of delicious recipes for the slow-cooker and coupled with scrumptious-looking photographs of each, Mix & Match Mama Simmers is filled with family-friendly ideas made easy. Created to help during the busy time surrounding dinner, this delightful cookbook features chicken and pork recipes, as well as soup, dips and desserts- all designed for the slow-cooker.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though not necessarily fancy, the recipes in this beautiful little cookbook are definitely tasty and useful. With ingredients found in most pantries and pleasing to most family members, the idea of making these dinner favorites in a slow-cooker is even more enjoyable. I really appreciated the ease of substituting and/ or adding elements according to personal preference and dietary decisions. Easy to follow directions, quick to assemble ingredients and supper ready when everyone walks in the door…priceless!

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Mix & Match Mama Simmers from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

The New American Heart Association Cookbook

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American Heart Association. 9th Edition. New York, USA: Harmony Books. 2017.

SUMMARY:
Would you like to be healthy? Eat correctly? Feel better? The American Heart Association makes it easier in their newest updated cookbook. Full of more than 800 recipes divided into categories such as snacks, soups, salads, seafood, meats, vegetables, breads, and desserts, the cookbook opens with heart healthy guidelines and tips. Complete with a list of ingredients and easy to follow, condensed directions, each recipe also includes nutritional values per serving. Packaged in a thick hardcover book, delicious and healthy menus are definitely possible.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Knowing and trusting the American Heart Association name, I was very interested in the newest edition of the cookbook. With simple yet delicious recipes, the only thing missing was pictures. Appreciating the nutritional sense included at the beginning of the book, this cookbook leaves no doubt as to the health of the recipes. Already watching my family’s diet, The New American Heart Association Cookbook only makes it easier and much more enjoyable. Absolutely a book to keep and share, this new edition updates tried-and-true past recipes mixed with new ones. With a focus on quick and easy methods and menus, there is something healthy for everyone. Sure to become a staple in American kitchens as healthy lifestyles emerge.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The American Heart Association Cookbook from Blogging For Books for my honest review*