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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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If you love bbq or cooking with fire, you’ll love More Braai the Beloved Country! From open fire cooking to direct and indirect and even sides both from the fire and from the kitchen, this book covers the classic aspects of South African braai cooking.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich…let’s just say this will take your lunch sandwich to a whole new level! Instead of tacos, why not try Mexican Chicken Wrap Party? Chops, steaks sosaties, chicken and so much more fill the pages. Instead of chicken pieces, why not try a Spatchcock Chicken for a change? Lift your normal ribeye with a lovely coffee rub!

Sides come into their own here, whether its a basic recipe for Potato Wedges with Homemade Tomato Relish or the more sophisticated Melted Brie on a Plank. Caprese Salad is spiced up with olives, avocado and red onion. In the mood for a snack? Definitely try the Nuts for the Braai! These spiced almonds will keep you coming back for more.

I’ve enjoyed this book so much, I’m taking it to my sister who lives in Botswana which just borders South Africa to the north. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it, too!

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

Just wanted to check in and let everyone know why I haven’t been posting lately.  I took my oldest daughter on a missions trip to Botswana, Africa!!  We’ve been here three weeks and are heading home in a few days.  I’ve got some great cookbooks at home that arrived while I was gone, so I can’t wait to start cooking and reviewing them for you!!

In the meantime, enjoy a couple of photos from Africa!  Happy Cooking!!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–I love the cookbooks from the National Trust! Once again, they’ve released a great cookbook! My third daughter absolutely LOVES baking, and I’m pretty sure this is going to become a favorite of hers as well.

The book is separated into categories:

• Introduction
• The Basics – classic, simple recipes such as sponge cake and buttercream frosting
• Traditional Favourites – Victoria Sponge, Easy Fruitcake and more
• Regional Cakes – Bath Buns, Welsh Cakes, Cherry Bakewell Tarts, etc.
• Scones & Slices – Sweetmince Squares and Ginger & Treacle Scones to name a couple
• Teabreads & Loaves – Herb Bread, Date & Walnut Loaf, Chelsea Buns, etc.
• Bite-Size Treats – Macaroons, Eccles Cakes and so much more
• Fun for Little Ones – Jam Doughnuts and Chocolate Chip Shorbread to name two
• Savoury Treats and Breads – goodies such as Cheddar Rosemary Bread & Boxty
• A Lighter Bite – Gooseberry Fool, Custard Creams, Maple Cloud Biscuits, etc.
• Sweet Somethings – jams and preserves
• Tips & Techniques

I found this book well put together, easy to cook from and the recipes utterly delightful. I’m sure we’ll be cooking out of it for years to come!

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Fall is on its way, and with it you are already seeing pumpkin everywhere. I get a little fed up with everything being “pumpkin spice” flavor, but I do like cooking with pumpkin in the fall.

I love that this book is not just focused on your classic pumpkin dishes, but includes international dishes such as Caribbean Black Bean Pumpkin Soup, Afghani Sweek Pumpkin (Kadul), Italian Pumpkin Soup with Crushed Amaretti Cookies, Armenian Lamb Stew and more.

Give the Chocolate Pumpkin Cake a try! You don’t taste the pumpkin, but it makes it a little healthier option, and is so moist! I like the twist in Banana-Pumpkin-Nut Bread.

This is a great cookbook for pumpkin lovers everywhere. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to recommend it.

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do not have much experience cooking Spanish food, but this book gives me confidence that I can do it! I love a book from another country that doesn’t overwhelm me, but makes me want to dive and and start cooking.

From simple recipes such as Champinones Gratinados (Mushroom Gratin with Ham Mayonnaise) to longer, more involved recipes such as Cordero al Chilindron (Slow-Cooked Lamb and Pepper Stew), this book is sure to please! The photos are gorgeous and my mouth waters just looking at them!

I’ve seen some reviews complaining about the length of time of some of the recipes, but many of those few recipes requiring more time, most of it is just left on the stove to simmer, possibly checking it time to time. For instance, Carne Gobernada (Beef Stew), cooks this way, but after the initial cooking, there is very little to do for the next couple of hours. It’s easy to work on other things just popping into the kitchen a few times to make sure you don’t need more liquid. Longer cooking times do not negate the title of ‘Simple’.

Spanish Made Simple is an impressive book, both in looks and results. I may have received this book to review, but that does not influence me. I’m very happy on my own to recommend this book!!

I received a copy of Spanish Made Simple from Chronicle Books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I try to eat healthy, but I fail miserably way too often. I love books like this that give you great, easy recipes to incorporate fruits, vegetables and herbs into your baking.

The Harvest Baker gives you 150 sweet and savory recipes celebrating fresh produce, and it’s a winner! Don’t make boring popovers again, spice them up with Herbed Parmesan Popovers! Tweak your biscuit routine with either Sweet Potato Buttermilk Biscuits or Mashed Potato Biscuits. There’s even a recipe for Everything Biscuits, combining your the flavors of biscuits and the everything bagel.

Yeast breads come into their own with everything from Great American Potato Bread to Shaker Fresh Herb Bread with Walnuts, Herb and Veggie Flourpot Bread, Mushroom, Spinach and Blue Cheese Stuffed Baguette and so much more.

Pizzas get a new spin with flavors such as Potato Bacon and Blue Cheese Pizza, Roasted Cauliflower Pizza or Roasted Winter Squash Pizza. There are also great calzone recipes as well as stuffed breads.

Pies get a new look with flavors such as Zucchini Taco Pie, Creamy Buffalo Chicken, Tomato and Corn Pie, and Collard, Quinoa and Sausage Dinner Pie with Sesame Seeded Crust, to name a few. Don’t miss the Spiced Beef Pot Pie with Winter Vegetables!

The Harvest Baker is a treasure trove of recipes to delight both the baker, and the fresh produce lover. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did!

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lisbon makes you want to pack your bags and head to Portugal! Gorgeous photography, delightful recipes and lovely tidbits about the area spark the imagination and desire to experience all the sights and flavors for yourself!

From Pesticos (similar to Spanish ‘tapas’) such as Woodpecker Pork or Beef, Green Eggs or Chorizo Rolls to Sides & Soups, Salads, Fish & Seafood, Meats, Sauces and Preserves, Sweets and Desserts & Drinks and Nibbles, this book has got you covered!

I really like that Lisbon has the recipes to make ingredients yourself such as Queijo Fresco (Fresh Cheese) that is also used in other recipes in the book or Piri Piri Sauce, Piri Piri Oil, Pepper Pastes and more.

Lisbon is a lovely, beautifully made book that pulls you in and delights and senses. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to recommend it to anyone!

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nut butters are all the rage today, but there’s so much more to them than just making a great sandwich! Get great recipes to take your nut butters farther than just a simple sandwich.

The book starts with information about the different nuts and diy to make your own nut butters, both simple and flavored. From there it branches out into great recipes using different nut butters. From Baked Pecan Brioche French Toast (oh, my!) to Protein Balls, Pesto Crusted Fish, Roasted Veg with Nut Butter Pesto, Three Nut Brownie and so much more. Don’t miss the Nut Butter Ice Cream!

Add a healthy spin to great desserts with simple nut butters. You’ll be glad you tried it!

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never visited Tuscany. I’ve never stayed further north than Sicily, but this gorgeous book with its delicious recipes transported me to a place I’d love to spend some time getting to know! With classic Italian simplicity, dishes such as Pane e Pomodoro con le Acciughe (Toast with Tomatoes and Anchovies) or Tagliolini al Limone (Lemon Tagliolini) dance on the palate. If you want more complexity, try the Caldaro Dell’Argentario (Argentario Fish Stew)–I confess to skipping the baby octopus!

From salads to meats, pastas to sweets, this book is loaded with dishes that call to you from the coasts of Tuscany. Some cookbooks are filled with gorgeous photography, but the recipes leave something to be desired. Others have delectable dishes, but little to no (or very poor) photography. Beautiful and delicious, this book combines the best of both worlds, and I’m happy to recommend it.

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great cookbook for pepper lovers!! All the information you would want on peppers, and lots of recipes as well. Try the Big Tamal Pie Filled With Chicken in Chile Ancho Adobo!

If you want to grow peppers, all the information you need is here. Just want to be able to identify them? This book has you covered.

If you love peppers, I highly recommend this book!

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