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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a busy homeschool mom, easy one-dish dinners are a blessing! I like to make nice, more complex dinners as well, but sometimes you just have one of those days that you need a quick (at least a quick prep!) dish with less clean up afterwards. That’s where this book comes in. 101 dishes for either the dutch oven, skillet or casserole.

There is a great variety with the book divided into four main sections: Soups and Stews, Skillet Suppers, Oven-Baked Suppers and Salad Suppers. You also have a variety of cuisines from Italian Wedding Soup to Louisiana Red Beans & Rice, Vietnamese Shrimp & Noodle (or Vegetable) Salad, Thai Beef Salad, Moussaka, Arroz con Pollo, Irish Stew and so much more!

I was tickled to see King Ranch Chicken as I have good memories or this dish at church potlucks growing up! New England Seafood Chowder…well, what’s not to love?! I like that you can just follow the recipe as is, or you can get creative and add even more seafood if you’d like! I really want to try the Mediterranean Seafood Stew next!

This is not high-brow, fancy cooking, but dishes that are easy to put together and tend to be family favorites. This is a great book for those nights you just need an easy meal to feed your family. Give it a try!

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

Baking! I’m not that big of a sugar person, but I love to bake, and my kids love to eat it! I do love a nice loaf of banana bread, so I started this book with the Banoffee Loaf. I didn’t want the excess sugar, so I didn’t make the Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting. The loaf itself was excellent and worth making again. However, I am going to try the Maple Banana Loaf next.

There is a nice mix of recipes in here from cakes, to cookies, brownies and so much more. Mix it up when you start your holiday baking with some Honey Roasted Cashew Cookies (oh, my!!), or give the decadent Kit Kat Brownies a go.

Struggling with what to make that child who can’t eat gluten? How about a Puffed Rice Cake that combines Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, and M&M’s into a “cake” that takes rice crispie treats to the next level! For the gluten-free adult, there are a few choices including a decadent looking Gluten-Free Black Forest Cake.

You’ll find classic flavors throughout the book, as well as some new combinations such as Strawberry Basil Cake, or Lemon Thyme Loaf with a Yoghurt Drizzle.

Recipes are clearly stated and easy to follow, so anyone can make delightful desserts that are sure to please! This is a great baking book for the sweet-tooth in your life.

I received a copy of this cookbook from IPG for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying this book is absolutely beautiful!! Gorgeously bound with a sewn binding, ribbon bookmark and gorgeous photos, this book is a feast for the eyes!

I started with a simple French Bread. I didn’t want a fancy, flavored bread. I just wanted a classic bread to go with a classic meal, so I started with Pain Methode Directe (Bread, direct method). Imagine my surprise when it took me through shaping it and then…nothing!! You turn the page and it’s the recipe for a poolish dough. The only bread in this cookbook that uses the direct method is a Traditional Walnut and Raisin Loaf–NOT what I was looking for. I went ahead and used the directions for that as far as cooking temperature and time and the bread turned out okay, but I was disappointed. There is a Country Bread recipe (that uses a poolish), but not a single baguette to be seen. How can this be a book called “The French Baker” with not a baguette to be seen?!

I have to say, the book was completely redeemed with the recipe for Biscuits au Chocolat, aux Amandes et aux Pistaches (Chocolate, Almond and Pistachio Biscuits [Cookies]). Oh. My. Word. These things are heaven in your mouth!! Seriously, I could sit down and eat the entire pan by myself, and I’m not a sugar person. I would usually much rather have some good bread or cheese over sweets, but these are mind-blowing!! Deep, dark chocolate with almonds and pistachios make up the most addicting, diet-killing sweet bites that keep you coming back for more!

There is much to love in this book. When you think baker, thing sweets such as pastries and you’ll be in the right mindset for what this book actually is. Very little bread, but a host of delectable sweet treats for the child in you. After I got past the bread disappointment, I did thoroughly enjoy the book and would recommend it to others (for the cookies if nothing else!! lol).

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bella Sicilia!! Of all places on earth, this is the one dearest to my heart. I love the place, I love the people and I love the food–all of which makes this the perfect cookbook for me!

Arancini–these delicious fried rice balls quickly became a favorite of mine, and no trip was complete without one. Yes, I wanted gelato and cannoli and my favorite cheese, but this simple street food became a favorite taste of Sicily. I have tried making them once before and they didn’t turn out great–not bad, but not great. These were an utter delight!! I found myself transported back to the little snack bar outside of the ruins in Agrigento where my husband and I got these for lunch following a morning of exploring the beautiful ruins. He prefers the ragu filled, while I always opt for the cheese and prosciutto. I only made the prosciutto this time, but I plan on making the ragu ones as well next time just for him.

The only recipe that didn’t turn out right was the Baked Ricotta with Onions and Rosemary. The pictures showed a nice dark brown, crusty look. Mine never got beyond a very pale tan, but that could have been due to the type of ricotta I had. It is very different in Sicily.

Sicilian Chips (roasted potatoes with onions, tomatoes and oregano) are simple to make, and are a delicious side for your meal. I left the tomatoes out as I have some that don’t care for them roasted, but I think I would enjoy having them. I’ll have to make it again and include the tomatoes this time. Orange & Fennel Salad is an absolute classic. It makes a nice light lunch with some crusty bread and a little cheese, or is a delightful side with something like roast chicken or fish.

I am absolutely delighted to find a recipe for Pistachio Pesto in here!! I bought a jar while we were in Agrigento and we loved it! Just mix it into some simple angel hair pasta for a delightful dish. I cannot wait to make it!

If you are gluten free, don’t despair! This book actually has Gluten-Free Focaccia AND Gluten-Free Fresh Pasta recipes!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and it quickly and easily made it onto my absolute favorites shelf. I found myself reliving my times in Sicily with each bite, and I know I’ll cook from this book over and over. I am happy to give it my highest recommendation!

I received a copy of this book from Hardie Grant Books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Classic Irish cooking at its best! There is a lovely array of classic Irish recipes to choose from. I started with an old classic–Irish Soda Bread. It was a huge hit! It’s easy to make, though the amounts seemed somewhat out of whack. 3 c of flour to 2 1/2 c of buttermilk do not make a dough that you can shape into a round cake, much less cut a cross in! I had to add a LOT more flour, and then cook it much longer as it was a larger loaf at that point, but otherwise it turned out well.

Irish Stew. Ah! It’s a classic. It’s comfort food. It’s delicious!! Easy to make, it’s sure to delight the family! Baked Eggs with Spinach makes a nice change for breakfast. It’s delicious and somewhat healthy as well!

There are many more recipes I want to try from the Beef and Mushroom Pie to Venison Pasties (now that I have venison in my freezer. Yay!), the classic Queen of Puddings and Potato Soup with Salmon and Chives to name a few. There is much to love in this cookbook, and I’m happy to recommend it.

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a delightful little cookbook! While the cookbook is small-ish in size, it’s large in content! There is so much to cook and love within the covers of this book.

I started with Venison Casserole as my husband is a hunter and was able to get a deer to stock our freezer. The recipe doesn’t call for it, but I soak my deer meat in tomato juice for a minimum of 12 hours, or up to 2 days. It tenderizes the venison and lessens the gamey flavor (as does the removal of all “silver skin”). From that I proceeded with the recipe. The one thing I did differently from the recipe, is I added potatoes to make more of a stew. It was delicious!! The flavor was wonderful, and the venison absolutely melted in the mouth!

It is the time of year for soups and stews, and there are many to choose from including a favorite of mine, potato and leek. Cheese dishes abound (this is a French cookbook, after all!), and many classic dishes can be found here.

From Soups to Hors d’Oeuvres, Eggs to Cheese, Pates and Terrines, Poultry, Meat and Game, Vegetables and Desserts & Baking, there is definitely something for everyone. There’s even a recipe to make your own puff pastry! If that’s a bit more than you want to take on, give the Madelines a try, they’re easy and tasty!

If you’re in the mood for a taste of France, give this cookbook a try. I’m sure you’ll find plenty to love!

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not a fan of sushi, but one of my daughters loves it! However, she is not a fan of raw fish, so this is the perfect cookbook for her–vegetarian options that she can make herself. She loves it! From making the perfect sushi rice, to equipment, techniques and step-by-step instructions, sauces and condiments, everything you need to make great vegetarian sushi is covered in this book.

This book is not just about sushi, though. Soups, appetizers, salads, pickles and more make up a book full of innovative flavors to tempt your taste buds. There are even dessert recipes!

Whether you are vegetarian, or just want to mix it up a little, there’s something in this book for everyone. Gather some ingredients, get the family around the table and have some fun making sushi tonight!

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All you need to know about cheesecakes! This book is full of amazing recipes and great techniques for creating perfect cheesecakes. There is a dazzling array of flavors from classic to Honey Ricotta Illinois Prairie Cheesecake with Candied Blood Oranges or White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberries and Nutella and even Cheesecake Dippers–whole slices of cheesecake frozen and dipped in chocolate. There are even recipes from the old Eli’s the Place for Steak restaurant.

I love that there are multiple recipes for crusts, batters and finishing touches, but it’s a bit awkward having to flip through the book for the various stages of the cheesecake. I would much prefer having everything together.

If you’ve ever visited–or wanted to visit–Eli’s, there is a great section on the history of the restaurants as well as the owner.

This is a great place to find just about any cheesecake you’d like to try. Other than the various elements of each cheesecake being scattered through the book, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the quintessential cheesecake bible and I highly recommend it.

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m in love!! I love Italian, and I love street food, so I was sure I’d enjoy this book. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so spectacular!

My local Kroger was running a Taste of Italy promotion, and I found buffalo mozzarella–not something I normally run across in Tennessee! I snagged that and some good prosciutto and headed home to surprise my girls with a great Italian lunch. We made Crescentine, a pan-cooked flat bread that actually calls for it to be split and filled with a soft cheese (buffalo mozzarella is the first suggestion) and cured meat such as prosciutto. Oh, my!! It is absolutely amazing!! To give you an idea how wonderful (and easy!) it is, we made them three days in a row! Well, two days with meat and cheese and the third day I let them fill them with Nutella. I’m sure you can imagine the hit those were! I know we’ll be making these often. It takes about an hour and a half start to finish, but most of that time is the dough rising, so it’s really a pretty quick, easy meal.

I tried my hand at Pannelle (chick pea fritters). My husband and I had them on the streets of Palermo and I really enjoyed them. I’ve tried them once before, and I’m now convinced that there is a knack to pannelle, and I don’t have it. They were a dismal failure, but as I’ve failed at them before, I’m not going to blame the book!

Pizzettes (mini pizzas), on the other hand, were another huge hit. Easy to make, and while the book gives you several options for topping them, you could top them with just about anything.

There are tons more great recipes in this book. I’m looking forward to Castagnole di Ricotta (Sweet Ricotta Balls) soon, and gelato as well. I plan on making the gelato next week as my girls and I do a week long unit study on Italy! My two absolute favorite flavors of gelato that I alternated between on my trips to Sicily were pistachio and bacio which is a chocolate hazelnut. This book has Gelato alla Nocciola e Cioccolato con Pistacchi Salati (Hazelnut, Chocolate and Salted Pistachio Ice Cream) that combines both of my favorites. I can’t wait to try it!

If you love Italian food or street food–and especially if you love Italian street food!–this would be the perfect book for you. The recipes are easy to follow and the food is to die for! This book has easily made it on my favorites/”don’t touch or I’ll break your hand” shelf! Give it a try, I’m sure you’ll love it!

I received a copy of this book from Smith Street Books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bread, bread, beautiful bread! I’ll take bread over sweets most of the time, so this book just called to me. This 15th anniversary edition of Peter Reinhart’s classic book contains updates and new recipes and is everything you think it would be…and more!

When I opened to the index I immediately saw Pane Siciliano and knew that would be my first bread. I love Sicily and its breads and I could not wait to try this one! It is a semolina bread which is just a classic Sicilian flavor. I followed the recipe exactly and at the end of day two I had three beautiful loaves on two pans. The recipe states that you can cook them at that point, but that (in the author’s opinion) they are better if proofed in the refrigerator overnight and baked on day three. To test this theory, I cooked one loaf immediately and proofed the other two overnight. I would have to disagree with the author on this one. There was very, VERY little difference either in the blisters on the crust or the flavor. Frankly, I didn’t find enough difference to warrant the extra day, so I will probably just bake on day two from now on. I have to say, the flavor took my right back to the streets of Palermo and breaking open a fresh, warm loaf and letting that flavor burst in your mouth.

There is a delightful array of breads in this book from a classic French Bread to Challah, Ciabatta (another favorite of mine!!) and even English Muffins. The breads vary from one day to three days with a nice range so you can choose a recipe based on the time you have as well. There is a lot of technical information in this book that explains the whys and wherefores of baking bread. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

If you love bread, then I highly recommend this book. It is a bread-lover’s dream!

I received a copy of this book from Ten Speed Press through the Blogging for Books program for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.