Month: June 2017

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is such a fun book! It’s full of history and trivia and all sorts of fascinating recipes. It is fun to read and dream over, but I can’t seem to bring myself to actually make anything out of it. The colas and root beers tend to call for ingredients that are definitely in the hard to find category and the fruit sodas (which I was most looking forward to) are–for my taste buds–odd combinations that hold no appeal for my family.

Are you determined to make your own sodas not matter what? This is definitely the book for you. Do you love the history and interesting tidbits about things like this? You’ll love this book! If you’re a busy mom that would like to make a healthier soda for your child but don’t have time to track down hard to find items or if you don’t like funkier flavor combinations, this might not be the right book for you. Over all, I enjoyed the book. I just didn’t get the use out of I thought I would.

I received a copy of this book from Storey Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun way to look at food–you can buy the same major ingredients to cook either a Southern or a French dish. It’s all in the way you put the ingredients together!

Instead of Crab, Shrimp and Oyster Gumbo tonight, why not give Bouillabaisse a whirl? Do you normally make a Cassoulet? Try a good pot of Southern Pinto Beans and Smoked Ham Hocks for dinner! You have some trout to cook tonight. Do you want some Southern Pan-Fried Trout, or would you rather go French with Poisson au Papillote?

From pot roast to pork chops, Lemon Meringue Pie to Tart au Citron, there’s a variation to cover whatever you want to cook. Cook Southern tonight and French tomorrow night–and just have fun with it!

I received a early reader’s copy of this book from Pelican Publishing Company for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There’s nothing that is quite so satisfying sometimes as a hearty bowl of soup! I was very excited to receive this cookbook and as I paged through it the book quickly took on a porcupine effect with all the tabs I put on recipes I wanted to try!

The book is divided by region to include Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland other than the first chapter which is Great British Favourites and the last three which are Modern British, Multicultural Britain and On Our Travels. There are recipes for the basic stocks you need should you wish to make your own. You, of course, can use store-bought broths, but in my opinion you never quite get the depth of flavor.

After broths it moves to Garnishes and Accompaniments which includes recipes for things like Cheddar Chili Crisps, Rarebit Croutons, Pancetta-Wrapped Breadsticks and more. Now there is nothing like a nice, crusty bread with a good bowl of soup, and they’ve included 5 bread recipes as well.

I started with Cock-a-Leekie, the national soup of Scotland. I’ve heard of this soup for years and always wanted to try it, but somehow never got around to making it. Wow! I’ve really missed out! This would have been in my go-to stock of hearty soup recipes if I’d only known. The only thing I’d change about the recipe is that you used chicken thighs with the bone in and skin on. This gives a lovely, rich broth, but is on the oily side. If you make the soup the day before (or at least hours before) you plan on serving it you can skim the congealed fat off the top and just have the wonderful flavor without the added fat. Otherwise, it was a big hit at my house!

If you like leeks, you can’t go wrong with Leek and Potato Soup. I’m dying to try the Lentil and Bacon Soup, and I’m also excited to try the Chunky Roasted Tomato Soup when my tomatoes start ripening.

From Italian Wedding Soup, to Bubble and Squeak, Venison Hotch Potch, Cullen Skink (a Scottish fish soup) and even Sri Lankan Chicken this book has you covered in the soup department! Whether you’re looking for a light, clear soup, or a hearty, thick stew you’re sure to find a great recipe in “Great British Soups”. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from Trafalgar Square Publishing through IPG for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.