Review Alice's Tea Cup cookbook by Haley Fox, Lauren Fox

Alice's Tea Cup Cookbook
Authors Haley Fox, Lauren Fox
Cookbook Hardcover
Requested from NetGalley
Webiste

The delightful sisters and owners of Alice's Tea Cup share nearly one hundred recipes from their charming and wildly popular Manhattan restaurants

For almost ten years, Alice's Tea Cup has been a destination in New York City for locals and tourists alike who crave a scrumptious afternoon tea without airs or pretension. Haley and Lauren Fox learned at an early age that tea was more than just a beverage—it was an event to be shared and protected—and they divulge their tea-making philosophy and dozens of delectable recipes in this beautiful cookbook.
Embodying the mantra "tea turned on its ear," Alice's Tea Cup serves up unique twists to traditional Victorian tea fare, including:
Savories—Lapsang Souchong Smoked Chicken Salad and Cucumber Watercress Sandwiches with Lemon Chive Butter
Baked goods—Banana Nutella Cake and Mint Black Bottom Cupcakes
Sweet treats—Alice'S'mores and Queen of Tarts
Tea selections—from African Dew to Rooibos Bourbon

Specialty drinks—Alice's Tea-jito and Ginger Mar-tea-ni
And of course Alice's world-famous tender, moist scones—including nineteen versions, from pumpkin to peanut butter and jelly to ham and cheese

Haley and Lauren also show you how to throw a personalized "Curiouser and Curiouser" tea party with household props and offer lots of other ways to celebrate with tea and festive food. From salads to scones, pancakes to cupcakes, afternoon tea to evening mar-tea-nis, this fabulous cookbook lets you enjoy Alice's mouthwatering recipes without leaving home
 

My Review
Rating-

I requested this cookbook for the scones and baked goods. I do like tea and their selection is very good, I just don’t drink that much of it.
I have prepared the chili, the Vanilla Cake with Butter Cream icing and Lemon poppy seed scones. My family and I loved it all so far. The recipes were easy to make and the instructions is very easy to follow. The only complaint I have is there is not enough pictures. Over all I loved the flow of the cookbook and the recipes so much I will be buying it next month. One word of caution as you look at the cookbook and website you will want to pack and leave for New York right away, at least I did;) You can go to Alice tea cup’s website and order this cookbook, tea and gifts.

Some of the contents inside the cookbook
For tea, there is a section for tea parties, the basic brewing for tea and more.
For baked goods there is scones and brunch recipes, cookies, cupcakes and cakes.
For other recipes, there is Sandwiches, soups and Salads.
For one sample recipe you’ll have to visit my blog.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ stick of unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 tablespoon plus ¼ teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 ¼ buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ cup of heavy cream (for brushing)
¼ coup of sugar (for brushing)

1.Preheat oven to 425
2. In large mixing bowl, combine the four, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. With clean hands, work the butter into the dry mixture until it is thoroughly incorporated and has consistency of fine breadcrumbs. Add 1 tablespoon of the zest and the poppy seeds, and mix until the zest and poppy seeds are evenly distrusted
4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the buttermilk and vanilla extract into the well. Combine the ingredients until all the dry mixture is wet, but do not knead!
5. Turn mixture onto a floured surface and gather the dough together. Gently pat the dough to make a rectangle about 1 ½ inches think. Using a dough cutter, cut the scones into wedges measuring them about 3 ½ x 4 inches, and lay them on a nonstick baking sheet. Gather the remaining dough together lightly to cut out more scones- just don’t knead the dough too much.
6.Stir the remaining ¼ teaspoon lemon zest into the heavy cream. Brush the top of each scone liberally with this mixture, and the sprinkle with sugar.
7. Bakes the scones for about 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Here is a couple of pictures one is of the scones above the next one is the Vanilla Cake with Butter-cream Icing, my icing may be lighter in color because I didn't use as much chocolate cocoa.

The Southern Living Party Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Gathering by Elizabeth Heiskell

Title: The Southern Living Party Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Gathering 

Author: Elizabeth Heiskell

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cookbook

Length: 368 pages 

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Laurie 

Say “hello” to the modern-day reinterpretation of the best-selling Southern Living cookbook of all time, 1972’s Southern Living Party Cookbook.

This new essential guide to entertaining is divided by occasion, offering a fresh lineup of menus and ideas for every celebratory scenario life serves up from What Can I Bring? Author, Elizabeth Heiskell, In this update to the best-selling book of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ era, Elizabeth’s tell-it-like-it-is voice provides a twist to the classic Southern advice that is a refresher for entertainers of any age or experience. Packed with delicious recipes from the original book like Smoked Salmon Canapes, Hot Cheese Squares, and Brandy Alexanders, the book also includes popular picks from the current pages of Southern Living as well as Elizabeth’s treasured recipe box. The Southern Living Party Cookbook is an entertaining handbook loaded with lifestyle tips and hilarious Heiskell stories, along with lush photography to help you get the look from table setting to plated dish. 

This cookbook is not only great for entertaining and parties, but it’s also excellent for everyday use.  

Each chapter offers you a different party and at the beginning of the chapter, you get a picture of a decorated table so you can grab some inspirations off of that and then you dig into the recipes for that party. You have parties such as Graduation Coffee, Welcome Tea, Tailgating, Thanksgiving dinner, Garden Club Luncheon, Impress the boss and many more party choices.

Now, as I said this cookbook can also be used every day, but with the majority of these recipes severing 10 and up all you have to do is cut the recipes in half as I did. So, far I have made the Chocolate –Bourbon Pecan Pie and The Cowboy Bean and loved both of them.  

Great images, easy to follow recipes what more can anyone ask for.

Take this from someone who has way too many cookbooks and cooking magazines, this cookbook would be an excellent addition to your ever-growing collection.  

Cookbook review: The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories by Maggie Adams

Title: The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories 
Author: Maggie Adams 
Length: 266 paperback
Source: Author requested review
Gere: Cookbook
Review by Laurie 
Rating: 5 





You asked for it - You got it! The feisty, no-nonsense mother, Ginny Coalson, of those wild Coalson Brothers has put together a cookbook featuring the fabulous recipes found in The Tempered Steel Series along with stories of the boys growing up! PLUS, some author friends and family have contributed to the scrumptious fun as well.

It's a must have if you love the series, and a great introduction to it if you like to collect down-home recipes that add a heaping helping of love and leave out the calories. 

Review

No matter if you a fan of The Tempered Steel series or not, this cookbook will fit anyone cookbook shelf.

Maggie Adams not only gives you recipes, she also gives a glimpse of characters in the series, how cool is that!

There are appetizers, soups, salads, bread and baking, side dishes, breakfast favorites, main dishes, chicken, pork, seafood, and dessert.  There is pasta, stews, canning recipes, Chinese, home-style favorites and much more.

I was very pleased with the recipes I made and was happy how easy they are explained. There are some images, but not images for every recipe.

I recommend this cookbook for any cook or baker. 

Cookbook review of Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes for One-Pan Meals for Any Time of the Day by Lucy Vaserfirer

Title: Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes for One-Pan Meals for Any Time of the Day  

Author:Lucy Vaserfirer

Source:Netgalley

Genre: Cooking

Rating:4

Reviewed by: Laurie  

The cast-iron renaissance is heating up, and Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook is here to show you how to make the most of these great pans!

Modern cooks are realizing that grandma's had it right when she cooked with the big cast iron skillet. Cast iron has the incredible ability to spread heat quickly and evenly to create a crispy, seared surface that locks in freshness and flavor.

Author Lucy Vaserfirer knows how to work magic on cast iron, and in Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook she shows you how to prepare more than 150 recipes that are definitely not the kind of fares your grandmother cooked up. You'll get to see how to cook up vegetables (something previously thought to not be possible on cast iron); see how cast iron is the perfect vessel for cooking all types of fish and shellfish; and even how you can use your skillet for baking.

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook is loaded with recipes that keep up with specialty diets like paleo and no meat, and even includes unique ways to bring your cast iron directly to the table as a serving vessel. So don't wait, just because your grandmother swore by her cast iron doesn't mean it's boring!

This book works for great for a beginner and an advance cast-iron cook. The first part of the book introduces you to how to care and use your cast-iron then comes the great recipes from breakfast to dessert this cookbook will give you a recipe for every meal.

Let me just say the biscuit recipe alone is totally worth the kindle price that is how amazing they were. I am not a newbie to cast-iron and have backed several different recipes of biscuits in my cast-iron but nothing like the amazing taste of these.  

Recipes are easy to follow the only downside to the books was it just needed more pictures of the finished products. 

Cookbook review of Thinner in an Instant Cookbook: Great-Tasting Dinners with 350 Calories or Less from the Instant Pot or Other Electric Pressure Cooker by Nancy S. Hughes

Title: Thinner in an Instant Cookbook: Great-Tasting Dinners with 350 Calories or Less from the Instant Pot or Other Electric Pressure Cooker 

Author: Nancy S. Hughes

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cookbook

Review by Laurie 

Rating: 3

Team up with your Instant Pot (or any other brand of electric pressure cooker) to control or lose weight with the quick, delicious, and waist-conscious recipes of Thinner in an Instant.

There are loads of Instant Pot cookbooks. However, almost all are filled with rich recipes that taste decent but deliver a nasty caloric punch right to your waistline.

Here's a tasty and good-for-you alternative. In Thinner in an Instant, Nancy S. Hughes, one of the most-respected and best-selling cookbook authors in the US on health-related topics, offers up the first and only book that will help you watch or lose weight by cooking with an electric pressure cooker.

Each recipe maxes out at 350 calories per serving and comes with a complete nutritional analysis, including calories, fats, cholesterol, salt, and other information that is important to you if you are a health-savvy or weight-conscious cook—or if someone you cook for needs help losing a few pounds.

These are soul-satisfying dinners that won’t leave you hungry: Beef Burgundy on Sweet Potato Mash, Seafood Gumbo, and Greek Lemon Chicken with Asparagus, to name just a few. Plus, there are delectable, yet lo-cal, desserts, like Upside Down Chocolate Crusted Cheesecake and Lemon-Berry Bread Pudding, to round out the meal.

At last, weight-watching and calorie-conscious cooks and eaters can enjoy the speed, convenience, and ease-of-use of the Instant Pot and its cousins

** spoiler alert **
The nutrition facts for each recipe is great, the recipes are very easy to follow and I also like the tips in the front of the cookbook, but there are only 50 recipes and none of the recipes have images. 

Now, my biggest problem is the sodium content in each recipe, a lot of the recipes has over 500 milligrams of sodium and for someone wanting to watch their sodium intake this something, you’ll have to consider before buying.
If you are new to pressure cooking and you are just concerned about cutting a few calories than this cookbook would really work for you, there are quite a few great recipes from Sandwiches and Wraps, One-Dish Suppers, Main-Courses, Sweets and Desserts and more. 

If you are like me and have way too many cookbooks on hand now and are really watching your sodium intake, I would suggest looking at more cookbooks like this one before you decide to get this one, even if you have to pay a bit more for it. 

Cookbook review of The Keto All Day Cookbook: More Than 100 Low-Carb Recipes That Let You Stay Keto for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner by Martina Šlajerová

Title: The Keto All Day Cookbook: More Than 100 Low-Carb Recipes That Let You Stay Keto for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner  
Author: Martina Šlajerová
Genre: Cookbook
Source: Netgalley
Reviewed by Laurie
Rating: 4

In The Keto All Day Cookbook, best-selling author and creator of the KetoDiet blog Martina Slajerova compiles her best recipes for every meal of the day (even snacks)—plus 17 new ones, accompanied by nearly 40 gorgeous new photos—to help you stay the keto course, deliciously!

Keto is the top-trending supportive diet. Bolstering its reputation is research that strongly suggests that a keto diet may help reverse diabetes, obesity, cancer, and the effects of aging. However, in order to reap the benefits, you need to stick to the keto plan at every meal. That can be challenging when eating breakfast during your commute or figuring out what to eat for dinner after a long day. And what to do about lunch? Especially when your lunch "hour" maybe 10 minutes at your desk. With Keto All Day you won't be tempted to blow your keto diet on a carb-filled snack or a processed convenience meal simply because you are tired, rushed, or just don't know what to prepare.

Enjoy tasty, flavorful recipes for snacks and meals, such Breakfast Egg Muffins, Pizza Waffles, Carrot Cake Oatmeal, Southern Duck Deviled Eggs, Eggplant Parma Ham Rolls, and Taco Frittata. Keto All Day even has recipes for delicious drinks and desserts, including Cookie Dough Mousse, Boston Cream Pie, and Raspberry Lime Electrolyte Cooler.

Reap the benefits of the amazing keto diet in a delicious way with Keto All Day.

After watching the video on Netflix about the Keto diet, I wanted to see how easy or hard it was to live off of this diet, I must say even as easy as this cookbook gave instructions, there is no way, I could do it daily. I guess I am a huge grain eater. LOL

Martina Slajerova knows how to make recipes easy to read and follow, each recipe is very detailed and explained very easy, so anyone could follow and the book has great pictures.

Now, as for the diet itself, there are ingredients in here I have never heard of or even seen before in my lifetime and that is saying something because I have always used harder recipes with ingredients that made me Google or look up in books, but quite a few of these are just really questionable. I am sure Amazon has every ingredient that is offered in this cookbook, but the thing is I am not an online grocery shopper so if my local Kroger doesn’t carry the ingredient then it’s a no go for me and some of these ingredients are not at my local market.

I would definitely recommend this for experienced Keto cooks.

The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories: as told by Ginny Coalson (Tempered Steel Series 8) Maggie Adams

~~~Brand New Release~~~

The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories: as told by Ginny Coalson (Tempered Steel Series 8)
Maggie Adams

Release Date: November 14, 2017

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2B6SzPd

Book Synopsis:
Since the Coalson brothers first appeared on the publishing scene in 2014 in Whistlin' Dixie, readers and fans have been asking about the wonderful food Mama Ginny Coalson served at their Sunday dinners. Well, never one to disappoint my fans (I hope), I made your wishes come true (and Ginny's too, as she was working on a cookbook for a fundraising effort).

I gathered all the food talked about in the Tempered Steel Series, added some of my own plus friends, fans, and other authors, to make The Coalson Family CookBook of Memories a truly down-home cookbook. It's filled with yummy comfort food, warm friendships, and even some short stories of the brothers growing up, told by Mama Ginny, herself. Oh, and like any good friend, I left out all the calories and guilt!

I hope you enjoy the cookbook and the memories from a woman everyone would be happy to call "Mama."

About the Author:
Maggie Adams is an Amazon Best Selling contemporary romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, on November, 2014 and then again at #61 in 2016. Since then, she has consistently made the Amazon best seller 5-star list with Leather and Lace, Something’s Gotta Give, Love, Marriage & Mayhem, and Forged in Fire. She is also the recipient of the Dayreader Review’s Best New Series Award for 2015. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into International recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK.

When she's not writing, she enjoys traveling (usually just to the grocery store), dancing (around the kitchen to avoid cooking) and relaxing with her family (aka taking a nap while watching a movie). She loves to chat, so feel free to look her up!

http://www.maggieadamsbooks.com - website
https://www.facebook.com/maggieadamsbooks - book page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggiesminxes -fan club page
https://www.amazon.com/author/maggieadams - author page
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9867300.Maggie_Adams - goodreads
https://twitter.com/AuthrMaggieAdms - twitter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-adams-006a8b142/ - LinkedIn
https://www.pinterest.com/maggiesminxes/- Pinterest
https://www.instagram.com/maggieadamsbooks/ - instagram

Junior's Dessert Cookbook: 65 Recipes for Cheesecakes, Pies, Cookies, Cakes, and More by Alan Rosen, Beth Allen

Title: Junior's Dessert Cookbook: 65 Recipes for Cheesecakes, Pies, Cookies, Cakes, and More
Author: Alan Rosen, Beth Allen
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Cookbook
Format Hardcover 176 pgs.

What would life be without dessert? With this book, you’ll never have to find out. Junior’s Restaurants, the landmark chain with four locations on the East Coast, are nationally known for their award-winning cheesecakes. But Junior’s has perfected other confections, too; here, more than 30 full-page, four-color photographs showcase 65 fabulous desserts. Authors Alan Rosen and Beth Allen present scaled-down kitchen-tested recipes so bakers can create their own restaurant-worthy delights. Never-before-published recipes include sundaes, ice cream sodas, pies, black ‘n whites, cheesecakes, layer cakes, and cookies. A chapter on slimmed-down sweets will appeal to calorie-counters. Along with entertaining family tidbits, sidebars on “The Junior’s Way” help bakers achieve great results, making Junior’s best-loved recipes feel right at home in any kitchen.

This Juniors dessert cookbook has more than just cheesecakes. Oh yeah, were taking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, soda fountain deserts and lots more. Heck, there are even sugar-free recipes. I was in heaven just looking at the pictures. I am the proud owner of two Juniors cookbook at this time and I love them, so when I seen this one I just had to have it. I love how easy the book flows and how simple the steps are to follow. I also loved the addition of a chapter called. What to do if your dessert is not perfect. This chapter gives you good hints if your recipe doesn’t look like it should.

Here’s a fact. When I bake a Juniors cheesecake it’s totally gone in two days, with exceptions of holidays then it’s gone in one day.

I recommend this cookbook to any dessert lover. 

Review Treasured Amish and Mennonite Recipes: 600 Delicious, Down-to-Earth Recipes from Authentic Country Kitchens by Mennonite Central Committee

Title: Treasured Amish and Mennonite Recipes: 600 Delicious, Down-to-Earth Recipes from Authentic Country Kitchens
Author: Mennonite Central Committee
Source Netgalley
Genre: Cookbook

The Pennsylvania Dutch are known for their unique traditional foods—recipes that reflect their German heritage and agricultural roots. Experience PA Dutch cooking with the authentic Amish and Mennonite recipes found in the pages of this cookbook. Inside, are recipes for everything from apple butter to chicken pot-pie, ham loaf to classic mashed potatoes. The book is also filled with interesting facts and fun stories about many of the recipes, sure to surprise and delight any cook. Bringing these delicious recipes into the kitchen will please any family!

Learn a little on the Amish ways and cook like them too. This cookbook is full of wonderful gut sticking food (Oh yeah, that’s right up my ally LOL.) So let me say up front if your watching your weight this one wont be for you. You get everything from punches and drinks to soap making. You will also find some recipes for European dishes and for a huge crowd of 200. There’s something for everyone in this book.

The Amish are know for the new craze Whoopie pies. I have had them years ago when I went to the Amish in Ky and always wanted to make this and now I can.

The only downside is there are no pictures of the recipes but the recipes makes up for it. I recommend this cookbook to any cookbook lover. I know it will be going on my cookbook shelf when it comes out.

Cookbook review: The Irish Granny's Complete Cookbook By Gill Books

Title: The Irish Granny's Complete Cookbook

By Gill Books

Genre: Cookbook
Source: Publisher request
Rating: 5
Reviewed by Laurie 

Combining recipes from the bestselling Irish Granny's Pocket Recipe Book, Pocket Irish Potato Recipe Book and the Irish Granny's Pocket Farmhouse Kitchen, this large-format cookbook is your complete guide to traditional Irish cooking.

Granny has selected her best, most popular recipes to create the ultimate recipe book, something that belongs on every kitchen shelf. Let her teach you all you need to know about delicious, nutritious country cooking.

Includes traditional recipes like soda bread, Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, and the best recipe for scones.

The Irish Granny’s Complete Cookbook will have you cooking or baking up some wonderful recipes of scones, stews, bread, side dishes, main dishes, and biscuits which we American's call cookies.

You’ll find amazing deserts like butterfly cakes, Guinness chocolate cake and so much more. Each recipe offers an image and clear instructions. The downside for American’s is the oven recipes give gas temperature settings so, for those of us that have convection ovens, you’ll have to adjust. The Roasted Potatoes with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan are my favorite along with Buttermilk Scones.

Grab yourself a copy and transform your meals to amazing Irish dishes.

Review Clinton St. Baking Company

Title: Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook: Breakfast, Brunch, and Beyond from New York's Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant
by Neil Kleinberg, Diana H. Lahman, Michael Harlan Turkell
Source: I bought this book
Genre: cookbook
Format: Hardcover
Website 

The Clinton St. Baking Company is one of the hottest brunch spots in a city obsessed with brunch. A tiny thirty-two-seat eatery on Manhattan's trendy Lower East Side, the restaurant draws long lines of customers who come from far and wide to sample fresh-baked goods, hearty omelets, sugar-cured bacon, and light-as-air pancakes with maple butter.
In the Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook, owners DeDe Lahman and Neil Kleinberg share more than 100 treasured recipes that have made their restaurant a sensation. Learn the secret to their house-made buttermilk biscuits and tomato jam, irresistible muffins and scones, delicious soups and sandwiches, and their decadent, eye-catching desserts. Helpful techniques, like Neil's patented omelet "flip and tuck," and gorgeous color photographs throughout will have readers cooking like pros in no time, and sharing the delicious results.

My Review
Rating-

I seen this cookbook from another blogger named bookhounds  (Mary )and just had to try it. It has become one of my favorites to use, I loved it! I have found several recipes that worked out wonderful for me and my family. I love all the pictures and little notes they give you. There are recipes for Biscuits, Muffins and Scones, Eggs, pancakes, soups, Sandwiches, fried chicken, sides, condiments, desserts and drinks. The eggs section OMG! I was in need of getting out of the same old way to make eggs and this book helped me do that. This would make an excellent addition to anyone’s cookbook shelf.

Review Home Baked Comfort by Kim Laidlaw

Home Baked Comfort (Williams-Sonoma): Featuring Mouthwatering Recipes and Tales of the Sweet Life with Favorites from Bakers Across the Country

by Kim Laidlaw

Source: Netgalley
Click here for a peek: http://www.weldonowen.com/food-drink/baking-desserts/home-baked-comfort

Fine Cooking Cookies: 200 Best-Ever Recipes for Cookies, Brownies, Bars & More by Fine Cooking Magazine

Title: Fine Cooking Cookies

Author: Fine Cooking Magazine 

Source Netgalley 

Genre: Cookbook

Name your cookie! Shaped, drop, bar, roll and bake, or slice and bake, they all get professional treatment and triple testing from Fine Cookingmagazine, the most trusted name in cooking. This fresh batch of more than 200 amazing recipes will inspire great baking. From classic favorites like snickerdoodles and chocolate chunk to more sophisticated treats like biscotti and fruit bars, there’s something for every occasion. Bakers will roll out these sweets for the holidays, for dessert, or just to fill up the cookie jar. Also includes Fine Cooking’s signature style of tips and secrets from the pros, step-by-step photos to help master techniques, ingredient profiles, and shortcuts. For anyone who wants to bake like the best, Fine Cooking Cookies has all the right ingredients. 

Contributors include Deborah Madison, Abby Dodge, Molly Stevens, Susie Middleton, Alice Medrich, Rose Levy Beranbaum, Nicole Rees, and Flo Braker

It doesn’t matter if you a baker for the holidays or just someone who bakes from time to time this is a great addition for you cookbook shelf. I really enjoyed the recipes I tried and I loved how easy they are explained. I also like the tips and little make ahead help, which this cookbook offers. The only downside for me was I wish they had more pictures but you can’t have it all sad to say LOL..

You get everything from classic cookies to shortbread, bars, fudge and biscotti, just to name a few. You also get a little of nutrition facts about each recipe so you know what you’re eating. A little note for new bakers, some of these recipe are not quick but if you take your time the end result is great and you’d pound that you did it.

My overall impression of this book is it will be on my cookbook bookshelf as soon as it comes out.

Review Taste of Home Comfort Food diet cookbook

Title: Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet
Genre: Cookbook
Website

A follow up to the best-selling original, this second volume of Comfort Food Diet Cookbook offers 416 new family friendly recipes for hearty all-time favorites with fewer calories than expected. In addition to hundreds of recipes, the book consists of testimonials and photos from actual dieters, a six-week meal plan, notes on exercise, tips on making healthy food choices, and more. Realistic portions combined with exceptional taste put pleasure back in healthy eating without sacrificing quality or satisfaction. After all, the Comfort Food Diet is about what people can eat, not what they have to give up.

My review
rating-

I was very impressed with this cookbook. I have tired these diet cookbooks before and I was not able to find any good recipes, but I found a lot of recipes in this one. The first of the book is full of tips and ideas on who to lose weight. There is even a 6 week daily planner to help you get started filled with foods that are in this book, very easy to use. I cooked a few recipes this weekend and my family loved them. I found them easy to cook and I also loved that just about every recipe has a picture. The only downside was of course, was there isn’t a lot of desserts, should have known LOL. Every recipe has the calories and the nutrition facts so you just can’t go wrong if you follow them.

Sample of one I cooked this weekend
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean) (I don't eat beef, so I used ground turkey)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (28 ounces) Hunt’s® Original Diced Tomatoes, undrained
2/3 cup frozen corn
1 can (8 ounces) Hunt’s® Tomato Sauce
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, chilies, cumin, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
Drain macaroni; add to meat mixture. Stir in cilantro and heat through. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups equals 224 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 567 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 19 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch.

ARC Review Quick-Fix Southern: Homemade Hospitality in 30 Minutes or Less by Rebecca Lang

Quick-Fix Southern: Homemade Hospitality in 30 Minutes or Less
Author: Rebecca Lang
Source:Netgalley
Genre:Cookbook
Buy amazon

In Quick-Fix Southern, Rebecca Lang, cookbook author and contributing editor for Southern Living magazine, promises homemade hospitality--Southern style--in 30 minutes or less. Lang dishes up 115 recipes grouped in 10 themes ranging from Rise and Shine breakfasts to Sipping on the Screened Porch beverages, Girls' Night In party pleasers, and Southern Sweets desserts. In addition to photography, the book features cooking and preparation time for the effortless recipes.

The ultimate goal of Quick-Fix Southern is to present novice and experienced cooks with authentic homemade dishes reflective of New South cuisine that are delicious, fast, and easy to prepare. From Three Cheese Grits, Peach Yogurt Parfait, and Spiked Lemonade and Lime Mint Juleps to Fried Green Tomatoes and Roasted Tomatoes and Parmesan Grits, Benne Seed Sugar Cookies, and Lazy Girl Berry Cobbler, the delectable flavor combinations offered up inside Quick-Fix Southern transition to any setting. So, whether you're cooking up a side for a church potluck or preparing a main course for Sunday dinner or a Sunday spent at a sporting tailgate, Quick-Fix Southern promises to be your go-to guide for every occasion.

My Review:
Rating-

This is a good cookbook to have on your cookbook self if you like southern cooking. I live in the south, so I must confess this is very much how I cook. I tried some of these recipes and a couple didn’t fly with me or the family, I had one went over very well, it was the slow cooker pot roast, I used pork instead of beef and it turned out very tender and tasted wonderful. My biggest disappointment is there are no pictures, other than what’s on the cover. You can find 115 recipes from sweet tea to southern deserts. I myself will be buying this one, so I can try more recipes in the future.