Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Save 24% Off: Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook Review & Ratings

Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed CookbookAre you looking to buy Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook. Check out the link below:

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Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook Review

I love, love, love buying cookbooks with pretty pictures and fun stories of how recipes came to be. The downside? I don't really enjoy cooking and I'm not very good at it.
I bought Bite Me (Great name for a cookbook!) at the Border's closing sale for 60% off. It definitely filled my criteria for great food pictures and there is lots of witty banter and snark by the co-authors who are also sisters. Almost every recipe comes with a story of how it was created - whether to replicate a favorite restaurant find or to bring take out home. There are also fun little random quotes throughout - called "Bite Me Bit's" - "I believe if life gives you lemons, make lemonade...then find someone that life gave vodka to and have a party" - Ron White, comedian, for example. I really appreciated the sense of humor because cooking stresses me out so it's nice to keep in mind that it's supposed to be fun.
I decided to try a few recipes and write a review rather than adding yet another cookbook to collect dust. I picked two that I was fairly familiar with (soup & shrimp), one I would love to perfect (scones) and one that seemed difficult (crackers). Here's the rundown on how I did. Your results may vary, of course, depending on your level of expertise.
Honey Baked Coconut Shrimp - Shrimp dipped in honey then rolled in a panko crumb/coconut mix and baked in the oven. Super simple and baked so it's healthier than regular fried coconut shrimp. It was slightly messy dipping in the honey then the coconut mixture but no big deal.
Nitpick - The panko crumb/coconut topping had very little flavor. I would add more seasoning the next time. The dipping sauce of apricot jam, Heinz Chili sauce and dijon mustard was delicious!
Karen's Kitchen catastrophe level: Low - I burned my finger after dipping the first shrimp in the honey (had to warm the honey in the microwave) but learned my lesson.
Final verdict: Easy - a tad messy and needed some extra zing but good.
Restorative Roasted Vegetable Soup: A soup made with roasted sweet potato, carrots, zucchini, pepper, mushrooms and rosemary - add chicken and bowtie pasta. This was SOOOO good. Tasted really rich and flavorful despite only using some rosemary when roasting the veggies. Roasting the veggies makes the process a bit longer but it's simple - just chop and pop in the oven and walk away. Come back throw it all in a pot with the broth, chicken and pasta. Done!
Karen's Kitchen catastrophe level: Low. Soup is one of the few things I can cook. Basic chicken soup anyway... and I roast veggies all the time so I felt pretty confident with this one.
Final verdict: It's a keeper.
Spot On Chocolate Chip Scones: I love scones but they seem really daunting to bake for myself. I tried one recipe last month and they came out pretty good but these....mmmmmm! I used dark chocolate chips instead of the semi sweet and O.M.G. Uh-maz-ing!
Karen's Kitchen catastrophe level: Medium. The dough is very loose and crumbly so if you don't know what your doing (me) you may overwork it and make a tough scone. Also this made a much larger batch than the previous recipe I tried and I got a little panicky working with that large of a batch of dough.
Final verdict: A definite keeper! These came out so tender and delicious. They were probably one of the best things I've ever baked. (I only bake a few times a year so that's not saying much - but still) This recipe might give newbies a little trouble until your used to the dough texture but it's well worth it.
Asiago cheese crackers: This recipe scared me the most. Crackers?? I can make crackers?? They came out really good and my hubby pronounced them a "high end cheeze-it" They look pretty much like the picture in the book but I should have cut them a little thinner so the were crispier.
Karen's Kitchen catastrophe level: Medium to high. The dough was very dry and crumbly. The recipe calls for you to mix flour, grated cheese, butter and sour cream then roll into a log and refrigerate for two hours before slicing/baking. I wasn't sure if I should add more sour cream to bind it together more or try to maybe knead it together after it was mixed. I was afraid of overworking it. It did solidify in the fridge but I had trouble cutting the dough into 1/8 inch slices without crumbling. I mushed them back together and baked anyway. I admit that I started to stress and go into panic mode but they ended up tasting really good. The thicker ones weren't as crispy obviously and had to be baked a little longer.
Final verdict: Easy with very few steps but for a cooking newbie like me I wasn't sure if I was doing it right and it did stress me out a tad but I can't complain about the finished product which tasted great. The recipe also includes a Creamy White Bean Spread that I will make today to go with the crackers.
So - I would definitely recommend this one just to read because it's fun on that level but it also includes a lot of great recipes that are quick and healthy (favoring baked over fried & with lots of fresh ingredients).
Sections are divided into Appetizers (Grab Me) Soups (Spoon Me) unDress Me (salads), Veggies (Respect Me), Pasta and Rice (Crave Me), Poultry (Gobble Me), Fish (Catch Me), Meat (Meet Me), Brunch (Join Me) and Dessert (Fork Me) so everything is covered.
I can't wait to try a few more of the recipes and see if I can push myself a little more when it comes to cooking.

Bite Me: A Stomach-Satisfying, Visually Gratifying, Fresh-Mouthed Cookbook Overview



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Monday, September 3, 2012

Save 21% Off: Quick & Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks) Review & Ratings

Quick and Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks)Are you looking to buy Quick & Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Quick & Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks). Check out the link below:

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Quick & Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks) Review

I have owned this book (the hardcover version) for many years now. I use it mostly to refresh my brain on some of the quicker Thai dishes I like to make.
The pictures are helpful (although the ingredients do not always match up) and the timing advice is an absolute necessity. I would say that most of the dishes come out tasting pretty authentic however some are much milder than desired.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is starting out. I just bought it for a friend of mine who is learning to cook Thai. It is still the first one I go to because of its ease when I am looking for a dish that I haven't tried before or need a refresher on.

Quick & Easy Thai Cuisine: Lemon Grass Cookbook (Quick and Easy Cookbooks) Overview



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Sunday, September 2, 2012

Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food Allergies Review & Ratings

Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food AllergiesAre you looking to buy Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food Allergies? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food Allergies. Check out the link below:

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Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food Allergies Review

I am new to gluten-free cooking, and this is the first cookbook I've bought for people with food allergies. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, and most of all, very delicious! I've fed the Pumpkin Snack Cake and the Pumpkin Muffins to friends and family who have no allergies, and they said they could not tell the difference from "normal" baked goods. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some great recipes. This book also introduced my family to a new staple in our house - quinoa. The recipe for Italian Chicken and Quinoa is so easy to make and helps me get a nutritious meal on the table in no time. Thanks to Michaela Jones for creating such wonderful food!

Make It Allergy Free: Over 100 Classic Recipes For People With Multiple Food Allergies Overview



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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Save 36% Off: Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes Review & Ratings

Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of RecipesAre you looking to buy Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes. Check out the link below:

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Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes Review

I love this cookbook! I was never really into cooking until I got hooked on Sam The Cooking Guy's show on Discovery Channel. He makes cooking unique recipes look so easy. Each week I cannot wait to see his show so I can practice making a new recipe. I heard this book was coming out and I could not wait to get it! I knew I would not be disappointed. It is a complete mirror of his show. It has Sam's warm, open and friendly personality with that hilarious Seinfeld like humor throughout the book. But the recipes are the best part! From brunch to appetizers, the main course and desserts. Wow! There are tons and tons of recipes that are so clearly written and really easy to make, yet you will blow every one away with the presentation and the amazing taste. This is a book you will be able to refer to for years to come. Thanks, Sam!

Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes Overview



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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Eating in: The Official Single Man's Cookbook Review & Ratings

Eating in: The Official Single Man's CookbookAre you looking to buy Eating in: The Official Single Man's Cookbook? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Eating in: The Official Single Man's Cookbook. Check out the link below:

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Eating in: The Official Single Man's Cookbook Review

I bought this book in 1996, and it was my introduction to the culinary arts. I truly didn't start using it until 1999, when I found myself in an apartment without roommates. This book taught me how to setup a kitchen, and provided me with the basic know-how required to make some truly delicious meals for myself. It also provided me with much needed confidence in the kitchen.
This book is a treasure, and it is truly unfortunate that it is out of print. If you are a young man, or woman, and need help learning how to take care of yourself by learning to cook this is the book for you. I've collected many cooking books since this one, and still turn to this one the most. It is the easiest and most entertaining "how to" book I have ever read.
My simple recommendation is buy the book and enjoy a wonderful introduction to becoming a true epicurean.

Eating in: The Official Single Man's Cookbook Overview



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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars & Wraps Review & Ratings

Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious and Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars and WrapsAre you looking to buy Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars & Wraps? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars & Wraps. Check out the link below:

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Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars & Wraps Review

I bought two books in Kristen Suzanne's series and while the recipes look good, I have to agree with other reviewers who've pointed out how repetitive the series format is for these books. Almost the entire first half of each book is an introductory guide to the raw vegan lifestyle. Had these books been offered at half the price they are, this might have seemed an appropriate format for a series like this. But each one of these books is nearly as costly as other, more thorough books on preparing raw vegan food. Certainly once you've spent the money to buy a few of the books in this series, you should have something that amounts to more than an intro and the last few pages of each.

Kristen Suzanne's EASY Raw Vegan Dehydrating: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Dehydrating Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Pancakes, Crackers, Breads, Granola, Bars & Wraps Overview



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