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Posts Tagged ‘Cookbook’

About the book:
With gigantic vats of churning chocolate, desserts like their famous chocolate pizza, and 12 varieties of hot chocolate served in custom mugs, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man has turned their line of hip, colorful themed restaurants into an international sensation.

Chocolate: A Love Story is a vibrant new cookbook that includes 65 original recipes narrated in the quirky, captivating voice of Max Brenner, the restaurant’s visionary founder and “bald man.” Bold original illustrations inspired by Art Deco poster graphics, full-color photographs, easy-to-follow, delicious recipes, and a serving of Max’s unique vision for spreading “chocolate culture” around the world make this book a must for every chocolate lover.

My Thoughts…

I adore this book because it’s a mix of my two most favorite things chocolate and art! I myself have not ventured so much as to make lots chocolate filled dishes in my own kitchen but after browsing through this book, I just may give it a shot soon. I love the names of the recipes because they are so not typical! You’ll find recipes titled “The adult and child chocolate buger joint venture, The eternal chocolate bliss Indian lassi, Recipe 66 ( the book features 66 recipes…the name is only suitable!), and so many more! I appreciate  the individuality of Chocolate: A Love Story and applaud the author on making his book so much more different by featuring illustrations by Yonatan Factor. This cookbook is so much more than typical and while it would make the other cookbooks in your kitchen jealous, it could also be featured on your living room coffee table!

I think this book would make a wonderful gift this Holiday season, especially to those whom really appreciate all types of art forms because as we all know cooking is one in it’s own!

You can learn more about Max Brenner here. You can purchase the book at Amazon for about $20.00!

About How to Roast a Lamb…

A rising star in the food world, Michael Psilakis is co-owner of a growing empire of modern Mediterranean restaurants, and one of the most exciting young chefs in America today. In How to Roast a Lamb, the self-taught chef offers recipes from his restaurants and his home in this, his much-anticipated first cookbook.

Jane Doiron’s cookbook “Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms” is definitely a cookbook for all families. I recall a time when I could’ve use the recipes and helpful information found in make-a-head meals desperately. The time of which I speak is when I gave birth to my first daughter. Both my husband and I were worn out from lack of sleep and just getting into the swing of things. I was recovering from having my daughter and on top of that working on properly nursing my child on top of pumping. I didn’t even want to think about venturing off to make a meal and whatever I did make had to be quick and fast. My husband with his lack of sleep and his 12-14 hours days, lovingly came home, nurtured my daughter and I, and somehow pulled off a meal. I’m really thankful for such a wonderful and at the time very worn out husband.

I know without a doubt, that when our next child comes into the picture, I’m going to have several months worth of meals ready to go in the fridge and freezer. I have resources like  Jane Doiron’s cookbook “Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms” to see to that.

In this fantastic cookbook, you’ll find the following sections: Introduction, Helpful Tips,  Appetizers, Breakfast and Brunch, Dessert, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Soup, Measurements Equivalents, and an index of all the recipe.

I really appreciated the helpful tips section as I learned many new things! Did you know that they make buttermilk in a powder format? I had no idea! Knowing this, I can make more recipes I love when I want to without having buttermilk going bad in my fridge!

Most of all the recipes found in this book tell you what you can do to prepare most if not all of it a day ahead. I found the recipes that featured freezing directions to be the most helpful to myself! I have not tried any of the recipes this yet but there are so many tasty selections to choose from. Next week I’m probably going to try the pumpkin pie recipe out and freeze my pies to cook later! I recall helping my own mother the day before Thanksgiving and being nearly worn out on Thanksgiving Day due to all the cooking and cleaning of the house. If things like pies and casseroles can be frozen and taken out to cook on the day when you need them, so much rush, stress, and anxiety can be lifted so you can enjoy your time with family and friends. That is of course unless the kitchen is your stress free safe haven. Whatever the case may be, I really encourage everyone to pick up Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms, you won’t be sorry!

If you’d like to purchase this cookbook, you can find it at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com for about $16.00.

Win It!

Jane has generously offered a copy of  Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms for giveaway to one of my readers! Read the rest of this entry »

JACK DANIEL’S
THE SPIRIT OF TENNESSEE
COOKBOOK
Author: Lynne Tolley & Pat Mitchamore

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc (Oct 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595553010
• ISBN-13: 978-1595553010

SYNOPSIS
The rich tradition of country cooking, the distinctive taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and the heritage of rural America are all elegantly captured in Jack Daniel’s The Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook. Included are more than 350 recipes, stunning full-color photographs, and stories of the people, places, and traditions of Middle Tennessee.

My Thoughts…

Being from the south, I appreciate the JACK DANIEL’S THE SPIRIT OF TENNESSEE COOKBOOK quite a bit. Nothing say southern hospitality like a home cooked meal from the heart. This  book is   full of stories about Lynchburg, TN which is the birth place of Jack Daniel’s Distillery featuring photos that are historic as well as contemporary. I’m proud to say that after reading through this book that I learned more about southern culture being that I was born and partially raised in the deep south myself.

Be warned that this cookbook is not to be read on an empty stomach, I know I was completely hungry and my mouth was about watering as I flipped through the various Appetizers, Soups & Salads, Vegetables, Breads, Entrees, Outdoor Cooking, Desserts, Cakes & Pies, and Accompaniments. I found a biscuit recipe in this book that I’ve been making for my own family for years thanks to my own southern roots!

If you decide to pick up this book, you’ll find as I did  that not all recipes in this book call for Jack Daniels Whiskey. For instance a recipe in this book called “Outside Burgers” which my husband and I threw together contained no alcohol at all. Thrown together, that’s the best phrase I have because most of the recipes you shouldn’t have to look much further than your own pantry to make a delicious foods, that is  minding that you are already cultured and a have a taste for southern foods.

Real people, easy to make meals, and a bit of southern heritage…it’s doesn’t get much better than that. This cookbook would make a wonderful addition to any kitchen and a fantastic gift to give around the Holiday season!

I received JACK DANIEL’S THE SPIRIT OF TENNESSEE COOKBOOK for free to review from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The History of Gooseberry Patch…

Gooseberry Patch was started 25 years ago in Delaware, Ohio  by two moms, next door neighbors in fact, whom were looking for a way to do what  they loved and stay home with the kids too.

Both sharing a love of home-cooking, vintage kitchenware & antiques and making memories with family & friends, after many a conversation over their backyard fence, Gooseberry Patch was born.

Goose Berry thus has grown into an amazing mail order company that spotlights many people who love cooking, decorating and creating!

My Thoughts…

I recall when I first received my very first Gooseberry Patch cookbook. My mother-in-law lovingly gifted me “Welcome Home For The Holidays” my second Christmas in being welcomed into their family. And now, thanks to the good people over at Gooseberry Patch, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on one of their newest holiday cookbooks called “Christmas with Family & Friends”.

I had such a good time browsing through this cookbook and  it’s many features which include;

• Over 200 recipes that are perfect for the holiday season!
• Many useful Holiday craft ideas and tips!
• An entire chapter dedicated to Homemade Memories!
• 224 pages
• A beautiful illustrations and a full color  hard back cover
• It’s 9-1/4″ x 6-1/2″ which makes it perfect to display with most other cookbooks
• Chapters include Homemade Memories, Breakfast & Brunch with Friends, Home for Christmas Dinner, Festive Family Desserts & more…

I could not wait to make a recipe from “Christmas with Family & Friends and decided that since I have such a sweet tooth that I would start my search in the Cookies & Cocoa section. It didn’t take long before I decided to make the Gingerbread Men cookie recipe. I enjoy making Gingerbread during the Holiday season and have made this my families tradition.

I loved how my Gingerbread Men cookies turned out! The taste wasn’t too much and I loved the variation of using white sugar instead of the brown I usually use.  This slight change made the flavor be subtle at first and then fills your taste buds with such flavorful delight.  I had fun decorating my cookies with frosting and am looking forward to making this recipe again during this Holiday season!

Cookbooks are very special, as this sort of gift can be passed down to my children and my children’s children.  It also is a gift the keeps on giving long after the Holidays are over! I am very grateful for the people over at Gooseberry Patch for putting together such a heartfelt cookbook to share with us.

Gooseberry Patch offers many types of gifts perfect for every member of the family, even the kids! Why not check them out this Holiday Season?

For the latest news and updates, you can follow Gooseberry Patch on Facebook! They often share great thoughts, recipes, special giveaways and more! You can also join their e-newsletter found on their website!

Win it: Gooseberry Patch has offered one of my readers a $25.00 Gift Card to spend at their store!

To Enter: Visit Gooseberry Patch and let me know another product that you might like or someone else you know!

Extras:

1. Add me to your blogroll or add my button.
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3. Blog it, link back to this post. (2 extra)
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5. Friend/Fan @ Facebook
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7. Sign up to win giveaways at Janet and Kristinia’s blogs..( let me know which ones)
8. Follow on Twitter @erinlowmaster & Tweet (daily entries available)
9. Email a friend about this giveaway. (Leave name of friend)

Tweet: (copy/paste)

RT: Win a 25.00 Gift Certificate to Gooseberry Patch! 11/30@erinlowmaster (add url)
This Giveaway is only open to U.S and Canada

Giveaway running till 11/30/09 . Winners will be notified shortly afterward by email. Please respond within 48 hours or you forfeit your prize to another participant.

Disclaimer: I was sent a cookbook to review from Gooseberry Patch . This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.