November 2016 Cookbooks

Learn to Cook 25 Southern Classics 3 Ways by Jennifer Brule

I would never have thought I would be so impressed with a Southern cookbook written by someone who is NOT Southern, but I am! Jennifer Brule grew up in Columbus, Ohio and has lived with her family in Switerland and England, but for the last 10+ years she's lived in the South. Her parents were foodies before that was a thing, so she grew up in a family centered on food and cooking. It's no surprise that she went to culinary school and now teaches cooking. She was inspired by both her own global food travels and now living in the South to take 25 Southern Classics and give them 2 additional preparations. Each dish has a classic, contemporary, and international recipe. There were SO many recipes I want to try! This is a great twist on a more traditional Southern cookbook, while still paying homage to all the great Southern Classics. This might be one I have to buy!

How to Celebrate Everything by Jenny Rosenstrach

I loved Rosenstrach's first book, Dinner, a Love Story, based on her blog of the same name. And I like the idea of this book about celebrating more and creating family rituals and celebrations, but there weren't as many recipes that I'd like to try in this one. I also felt like it could have almost been 2 books - one with the recipes and one with the stories behind her family's rituals and celebrations. I like her stories a lot, but when I'm looking at a cookbook I don't want to stop for long stories before each few recipes. It makes sense, but I would have more preferred two separate books or at least all the stories in the first half, then the recipes all together in the second half. Overall, still a good cookbook with a unique theme.

Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard

I wasn't familiar with Vivian Howard before finding this book, but I love a good Southern cookbook. I liked how she organized the book not by type of recipe, but by the main ingredient - everything from okra to eggs, peaches to pecans. At the beginning of each chapter/ingredient Howard gives a few page introduction to that ingredient from her past or perspective. Howard grew up in the small town of Deep Run, NC and couldn't wait to get OUT. But, eventually she and her husband come back and decide they want to raise their family there, so they open a restaurant in Kinston, NC. Most of the recipes in the book are ones Howard has created for their restaurant - some old family recipes and some revamped Southern classics. Overall, it's a good cookbook, but it's HUGE, so it was kind of overwhelming to get through. There were a few recipes I'd like to try and I'd also like to check out her episodes of A Chef's Life on PBS.

Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends by Jane Green

Jane Green is one of my favorite authors, so when I got an email that she was doing a Kickstarter campaign to fund a cookbook I definitely wanted to get it. The cookbook is beautiful with great photos and her goal is to have recipes that are simple and easy, but look much fancier. There are definitely recipes I'd like to try. I'm just as happy with Jane Green's cookbook as I am with her novels, and I look forward to more of both from her in the future.

Homestead Kitchen: Stories and Recipes From Our Hearth to Yours by Eve and Eivin Kilcher

I'm a big fan of the TV show Alaska: the Last Frontier, so when I heard that Eivin and Eve were writing a cookbook I knew I would buy it. While I'm not trying to live the complete homesteading life of the Kilchers, I do try to grow my own food and make food from scratch. Sourcing food from quality and humane sources is important to me. This book is full of not just recipes from Eivin and Eve, but also writings about their views on food which I really appreciate. They are up front that not every ingredient they use will be available for the average home cook, but any of their recipes could be edited with ingredients you like and/or are available in your area. I was really impressed with this cookbook - both the recipes and the other content. If you're a fan of the Alaska: the Last Frontier TV show, it's definitely worth checking out this cookbook.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: a Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond

I love the Pioneer Woman's food, so this cookbook doesn't disappoint. I've had this cookbook for a few years since it came out, but only just now got around to really reading through it. I like that it's divided up by holidays instead of the traditional appetizers, entrees, etc. I also really like that each recipe has LOTS of color pictures of each step of the recipe. That way you can make sure as you're going that it's looking like it's supposed to. There are definitely lots of these recipes I'd like to try. If you're a fan of the Pioneer Woman definitely check this one out.