Cookbook Reviews Part Two

Part two of my cookbook reviews includes 6 more cookbooks. Like part one just click on the title and it will take you to Amazon to check out each book and more reviews.  I am giving away an extra copy of The New Southern Table by Brys Stephens.  All you have to do is leave a comment. One comment per person please. I will pick a winner on July 18th.  Feel free to share this giveaway with your friends.


The Modern Kosher Kitchen by Ronnie Fein

Years ago when I had my first real job I worked with a young woman my age. Her mother was in town and she asked me to come to dinner. I had my first experience with a Kosher meal and I enjoyed it very much. But for me it seemed a bit too complicated to fix again.  Then I received  Ronnie Fein's cookbook to review.

This is not what I had those many years ago.  This is hip kosher food that anyone can make. The BLTS with Arugula and Basil-Mayo are to die for and yes you heard me right BLTS made with beef bacon, yum.

I am looking forward to making the Blueberry Soup, Kale and Potato Gratin, Seared Cod with Pan Salsa, Roasted Salmon with Dukkah, Garlic, Orange and Mint, Grilled Cheese, Egg, and Avocado Panini with Sriracha Mayo, Cajun Fried Fish Sandwich with Lime-Pickle Mayo and Beef Bacon, Tomato and Mushroom Pasta just to name a few of the fantastic recipes in this book. Who am I kidding I want to make every recipe in Ronnie's book.

This is a beautifully written cookbook, filled with fantastic photos, recipes that anyone can whip together.

The New Southern Table by Brys Stephens

Wonderfully written with beautiful photographs. This is a new twist on Southern Dishes. I love southern cooking and Brys Stephens puts a wonderful spin on these recipes.  My favorites include Squash Tempura with Soy Dipping Sauce (my families favorite), Chicken, Collard and Country Ham Saltimbocca, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Country Ham, Pecans and Avocado and Pecan and Herb-Crusted Pork Chops.  For Thanksgiving I'm looking forward to making the Sweet Potato Gratin instead of the same old candied yams.

It is rare that I find a cookbook that I want to make every recipe and The New Southern Table did not let me down.

Global Meatballs by Adeline Myers

Growing up I knew of two different meatballs Italian and Swedish. It wasn't until I received Adeline Myers Global Meatballs that I found out there were so many different ways to make meatballs. Of course other countries are going to have their version of meatballs, but I never thought about it. I am in Meatball Heaven!

I am going to be busy making meatballs....Chorizo and White Wine Tapas Meatballs from Spain, Lion's Head Meatballs from China, Lemongrass Pork Meatballs from Cambodia, Poached Meatballs in Caper Cream Sauce from Germany, Orange Duck Meatballs from Australia and to Quick Potato, Corn and Tuna Fish Balls from Australia. With over 100 meatball recipes it will be hard to decide which one you are going to make first. For me it will be the Crunchy Wild Shrimp Balls from China.

Whole Grain Baking Made Easy by Tabitha Alderman

Whole Grain Baking Made Easy takes baking to a whole new level. I mainly use white and wheat flour and occasionally the almond flour. I'm looking forward to trying other grains in my baking. I found this cookbook very helpful, loved the photographs and recipes.  Some of the recipes that caught my eye are Cornmeal pancakes with Cinnamon Honey Butter, Cheese, Chive and Black Pepper Scones, Spelt Sourdough, Almond Butter Cookies, Mediterranean Olive Oil Bundt Cake and Jupiter Cake.

This cookbook is full of useful information perfect for the beginner home baker.

Surprise Cakes by Marsha Phipps

Well written, a lot of tips and techniques along with beautiful photographs.  Eye popping cakes to wow your family and friends. Some of my favorites are Striped Swiss Roll, The Zebra Cake would delight any teen, The Neapolitan and Ombre Cakes are elegant and perfect for a bridal shower, and The Berry Explosion is simply stunning no wonder that was the cake used for the cover. I am in awe of Marsha's talent and look forward to trying my hand at Surprise Cakes.

Artisan Cake Company's Visual Guide to Cake Decorating by Elizabeth Marek

Great book for information and inspiration. Beautiful photographs of cakes that are a work of art.  Basic cake recipes to get you started on your own creation. Information on troubleshooting your cakes and variations of flavor. There is a section dedicated to frostings and fillings. This book has it all baking, stacking, texture, color, many step by step techniques.  I took a series of cake decorating classes over 25 years ago and I find this to be the perfect guide and reference book that I will go to time after time.

Note: I was given a copy of the above books by the publisher to review, all comments are my own.

Cookbook Reviews: Part One

Here are 7 Cookbook Reviews all on Healthy Eating/Recipes. There is something for everyone. If you click on the title it will take you to Amazon so you may check them out further and read other reviews.

The Easy Vegetarian Kitchen by: Erin Alderson

If you have been considering becoming a vegetarian this is an excellent cookbook to start your journey. The recipes are easy and ingredients  you will find in your local market.  I am no way a vegetarian, I am a runner and I have found eating vegetarian the day before I run (I run every other day) has been great for my running and my system.

I have already made the Herbed Omelet and it was delicious, a lot of flavor and filling. I appreciate when a cookbook gives recipes by the season. Besides giving you a basic recipe it also gives you four more by the season. Many of the recipes are done this way. I'm looking forward to making the Homemade Ravioli, the fall recipe is Pumpkin with Crispy Sage, one of my favorite combinations.

You will find everything from Breakfast to Desserts in this cookbook.

Green Foods For Men by Michael De Medeiros

If you are a Man....get this book.  If you are a Woman....Get this book.  It has taken my husband and I to be on the other side of 50 to figure out we needed to change the way we eat and this book is very helpful.

In alphabetical order it takes a "green" food and lays everything out for you....You Need to Eat This and the reason whether it's for stronger bones, fuller hair, better sex, bad breath just to name a few it's all there in black and white. Nutritional Information, simple and straight forward. Tips on storing and preparing. Recipes, not a lot but they are good recipes. (I'm buying some artichokes, Garlic Dijon Artichokes) Also there is a section of "Add Ins" adding these Green Foods into your recipes/prepared foods, ex. soups, breakfast, etc

If that isn't enough reason to go Green, a 7-day cleanse, 30-day green challenge. I found this book to be an excellent read and reference book to keep at your finger-tips.

Superfoods at Every Meal by Kelly Pfeiffer

This is the first cookbook that I have from Kelly Pfeiffer and I see it will not be my last. Thumbing through Superfoods at Every Meal are the stunning photos. Every recipe I would make, they are easy, accessible products at my local grocer and I'm even willing to re-try food I'm not crazy about (like Quinoa, not a fan) but that Quinoa Fiesta Wrap is changing my mind.

I have already made a grocery list to make the Smashed Berry & Balsamic Kale Grilled Cheese, Walnut Crusted Sea Scallops, Tuscan Kale Soup and Pad Thai Sandwich. From Appetizers to Desserts this cookbook covers everything I'm looking for.

This cookbook is perfect for my husband and myself and our active healthy lifestyle we are creating for ourselves with running, walking and hitting the gym.

Paleo Grilling by Tony Federico and Chef James Phelan

Honestly I am not familiar with the Paleo diet, my first thought, oh great another diet cookbook. I had to Google Paleo to see what I'm dealing with. In simple terms.....back to basics.....no processed food.  I'm sure it's a lot more than that, but that is what I got out of it.

This book is much more than that.  It starts with the meat, which peaked my interest I've been seriously rethinking where I get my meat. I want to know where it's coming from and I don't mean the market but the farm/ranch, Paleo Grilling addresses this and resources. Next is a section on grills, tools, pantry and meat cuts.

On to the recipes, there is a very nice selection of sauces, rubs and marinades. As I go through the pages I am really loving the no processed food. One marinade that caught my eye is the Asian Pear BBQ Marinade. Flipping through this book, I'm placing flags on almost every recipe. Mojo Pork Shoulder, Pulled Chicken Stuffed Peppers, Grilled Swordfish with Jicama Mango Slaw, Grape Leaf - Wrapped Grilled Trout, Citrus Grilled Quail, Double Bacon Bambi Burgers (snickering as I'm typing this watching 3 deer walked across my backyard) and dessert is not left out of this cookbook Chunky Chocolate Banana Pops, Watermelon Mojito Freezer Sobet. Eating healthy just got exciting.

The Einkorn Cookbook by Shanna and Tim Mallon

Beautifully written cookbook with equally beautiful photographs. The recipes look simple enough with a clear understanding and a nice range of recipes.

Recipes that I would love to try are: Decadent Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffles, Ricotta Vegetable Quiche, Marble Rye Bread, Simple Homemade Tortillas, Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce, Spicy Salmon over Cilantro Lime Einkorn, Maple Ginger Shortcakes, Spicy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies and Waffles Bowls.

The only reason I gave it 3 stars is the accessibility of getting the ingredients. I live in a small town surrounded by small towns, my only options a 3 hour one way drive to the big city or mail order and shipping costs can add up.

Super Paleo Snacks by Landria Voigt

Well written, easy ingredients you will find in your local market, simple delicious recipes. 

I love having snacks in the house that do not come out of a bag or box. If you feel the same way this is a must cookbook. With recipes like Supersmart Bars, Chocolate Almond Squares, Silver Dollar Banana Pancakes and Chocolate Chia Workout Bars you can not go wrong. I also like that there are recipes for those days I want a light meal, Bacon Cauliflower Soup, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sliders, Butternut Squash Fritters and Chocolate Banana Smoothie. Happy Healthy Snacking.

Fermented Foods for Health by Deirdre Rawlings

A lot of good information in this book with regards to Medicinal Magic of Fermentation and Putting Fermented Foods to Work.  However, this book will not be for everyone, but those who need to change their diet for medical issues will benefit greatly. There is even a meal plan for repairing your metabolism. For me some of the ingredients are not available at my local market (I do live in a small town).

Recipes that I was interested in are: Anti-Inflammatory Apple and Juniper Berry Kraut, Prebiotic Vegetable Medley Kraut, Fermented Mango, Cinnamon and Peach Chutney and Strengthening Herbed Corn Beef.

This book is well written and nicely photographed.

Please note: I received this books from the Publisher to review, all comments are my own.