November 2022 Cookbook Reviews

 

Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie by Rosie Mayes

I really liked Mayes previous cookbook I Heart Soul Food, but I didn't like this one as much. It felt like almost all the recipes were the stereotypical SUPER unhealthy soul food recipes. Like LOTS of fried stuff and several recipes with 3-5 different kinds of cheese. Don't get me wrong - I love fried food and cheese! But, when the whole cookbook is like that it felt like I was going to gain weight from just reading all the recipes. There were definitely a few recipes I'd like to try, but I would say save these recipes for special occasions or when you have a crowd to feed.

Delicious Gatherings by Tara Teaspoon

I liked Tara Teaspoon's previous cookbook, so I wanted to check out this one. This one is more geared toward celebrations/holidays. The first section of recipes is "gather-around dinners" and has 5 full menus for specific types of celebrations. Then the rest of the recipes are organized by the normal categories like sides, main dishes, breakfast, and sweets/dessert. There are definitely several recipes I'd like to try from this one. I'll keep my eye out for future cookbooks by Teaspoon for sure.

Milk Street: Cook What You Have by Christopher Kimball

I've liked some of the other Milk Street cookbooks, so I was interested to check this one out too. I really like the premise that cooking doesn't have to be complicated with tons of exotic ingredients - you can Cook What You Have. The recipes are organized by the staple item like bean, chicken, eggs, etc. I also liked that most of the recipes include options like add this spice OR that one, giving more options for what you might already have at home. Overall, looks like a solid cookbook with lots of options for quick, easy meals.

Listen to Your Vegetables by Sarah Grueneberg 

While I am not a vegetarian, I do love vegetables and am happy to eat a veggie-focused meal. Sarah Grueneberg's love of vegetables came from spending time on her Grandparent's farm in Texas during her summers growing up. Then when working in restaurants her love was revitalized because you want to showcase the best quality ingredients and when vegetables are at peak ripeness you want them to shine. The recipes are all organized by vegetable and include an introduction for each one - how to best source it, etc. There were several recipes I'd like to try. I also really loved that in the Introduction she included a section called "A Love Letter to Bees" highlighting the importance of bees with food. Overall, a beautiful cookbook with lots of great photos.

Go-To Dinners by Ina Garten

I've really come to love Ina Garten and use several of her recipes all the time. So, when I saw she had a new cookbook coming out I knew I wanted to check it out. Go-To Dinners was partially inspired by the recent COVID pandemic when Garten wasn't throwing dinner parties, but rather cooking smaller meals for her and her husband. The recipes are organized by categories like drinks & appetizers, light dinners, vegetables & sides, etc. There are lots of great pictures and tips for what you can make ahead, what freezes well, etc. There are several recipes I'd like to try, so another great cookbook by the Barefoot Contessa.

Savory Baking by Erin Jeanne McDowell

This is a cookbook I might have to buy! While Erin McDowell loves sweets and as a baker makes plenty of them, she also likes the savory side of baking. And that is what this whole cookbook is about. There are seven chapters of recipe categories like easy and essential bakes, breads, pastries, etc. Each recipe includes lots of helpful tips, variations you can do with that recipe, and also a few sweet bakes thrown in as well. I could definitely see this cookbook being one you would refer back to over and over. There are TONS of recipes I'd like to try! If you are interested in more savory baking or just want to change things up a little from sweet to savory this is definitely a cookbook to check out!