Cherry Bombe by Kerry Diamond & Claudia Wu: A Cookbook Review

Title: Cherry Bombe
Author: Kerry Diamond, Claudia Wu
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Publish Date: October 10th 2017
Source: Blogging For Books
Buy It: Amazon

It's the first-ever cookbook from the team behind Cherry Bombe, the hit indie magazine about women and food, and the Radio Cherry Bombe podcast. Inside are 100+ recipes from some of the most interesting chefs, bakers, food stylists, pastry chefs, and creatives on the food scene today, including:

Mashama Bailey, chef of The Grey Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Melissa Clark, New York Times columnist and cookbook author Amanda Cohen, chef/owner of Dirt Candy Angela Dimayuga, executive chef of Mission Chinese Food Melissa & Emily Elsen, founders of Four & Twenty Blackbirds Karlie Kloss, supermodel and cookie entrepreneur Jessica Koslow, chef/owner of Sqirl Padma Lakshmi, star of Top Chef Elisabeth Prueitt, pastry chef and co-founder of Tartine and Tartine Manufactory Chrissy Teigen, supermodel and bestselling cookbook author Christina Tosi, chef and founder of Milk Bar Joy Wilson, of Joy the Baker Molly Yeh, of my name is yeh

The Cherry Bombe team asked these women and others for their most meaningful recipes. The result is a beautifully styled and photographed collection that you will turn to again and again in the kitchen.

In this cookbook you are taken through many different culinary recipes. Most of which weren't really for me. The photos were gorgeous and the recipes well laid out and descriptive. However, when we got down to it, nothing really jumped out at me as in saying "MAKE ME!". However, once I got to the desserts, there were a few things that stood out that I could see making in a everyday average american home. A few to name were the Best Friend Cheesecake and the Sweet Potato Pie. I, for one, may not have enjoyed the recipes in this book since they weren't really for me or my family, but I'm only one person, so these might just be for you. 

Ending Thoughts:

The cover was gorgeous and the photos add a great touch. I also liked how it tells you everything that you will need utensil and small appliance wise.

Editorial director of @cherrybombemag and host of Radio Cherry Bombe. Food + feminism. Currently on tour for Cherry Bombe: The Cookbook

Find Kerry: Twitter

CLAUDIA WU is the co-founder and creative director of Cherry Bombe, and runs a creative consulting and design studio. Previously, she was art director at V and Visionaire magazines, design director at Index Magazine, and founded and published Me Magazine.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. ***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads. ****Author photo obtained through author website.

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Queso! by Lisa Fain: A Cookbook Review

Title: Queso!
Author: Lisa Fain
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publish Date: September 26, 2017
Pages: 144
Source: Blogging For Books
Buy It: Amazon | B&N

Queso (aka chile con queso) is a spicy, cheesy, comforting cult favorite that has long been a delicious addition to any party, barbecue, or family gathering. This appealing and accessible book features a mix of down-home standards and contemporary updates, from historical, regional, and Mexican quesos to vegan and dessert quesos, including Chile Verde Con Queso, Squash Blossom Queso Fundido, Fajita Queso, Cactus and Corn Queso Poblano, Frito Salad with Queso Dressing, Pulled Pork Queso Blanco, and Sausage Queso Biscuits. Whether you’re relaxing with friends, having a few people over to watch the football game, or entertaining a hungry crowd, queso is the perfect party food for good times.

Queso? Did someone say queso? As in cheese?? Holy crap, this cookbook was full of TONS of yummy goodness. In my house, if someone says cheese, we all come running, especially my littles. And the youngest being only a year and a half now, you can hear his little feet just padding away on the hardwood floors right behind his big sister.

I have not tried all of these recipes yet, but have tried two. The Boudin Queso (since we are in Louisiana) and the Bean Dip Queso. Can I just say, WOW? These were so packed full of flavor that our taste buds were hankering for more. I mean, most people just do the tried and true Rotel queso and some have tried it with chili, but these will knock any of your old run-of-the-mill-queso right out of the ballpark. I think we are going to try the Chicken Fried Steak with Queso gravy next.

What do you think you are going to try? Oh, you haven't gotten your copy yet? Well what are you waiting for? RUN and get you one.

LISA FAIN is a seventh-generation Texan. When she’s not on the hunt for chile peppers, she writes and photographs the popular food blog Homesick Texan. Author of The Homesick Texan’s Family Table and The Homesick Texan Cookbook, Lisa is recognized as a queso authority by Food + Wine, Saveur, and The Dallas Morning News.

Find Lisa: Website | Twitter 

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads. 

***Author photo obtained through author website.

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Holiday Cookies: A Cookbook Review

Title: Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season
Author: Elisabet der Nederlanden
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Baking, How-To
Release Date: September 5th 2017
Source: Blogging For Books
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

From Icebox Pinwheel Cookies to Red-and-White Meringue Kisses to Apple Cider Caramels, find new inspiration for the best of seasonal baking with Holiday Cookies.

This instant holiday classic is packed with 50 recipes, each gorgeously photographed and meticulously tested, along with dozens of decorating and packaging ideas. Filled with reimagined favorites like Giant Molasses Spice Cookies and Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies; confections like Peppermint Bark, Smoked Almond and Cacao Nib Brittle, and Dark Chocolate-Hazelnut Fudge; and detailed instructions for gorgeous gingerbread houses, cookie place cards, and edible ornaments, this is a cookie book like no other. Because the recipes are easy to scale up or down, Holiday Cookies is perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, and just enjoying throughout the season. From a veteran baker and recipe developer, each cookie in this collection is guaranteed to be a stand-out, and destined to become your new Christmas classic.

Oh. My. Goodness! Can we say YUM?!! I am a complete fanatic of all things cookies. Cookies are just the ultimate sweet treat and the easiest and quickest thing to grab on the go when you have that sugar craving. I have recently been making all things cookies and found that you can even freeze most cookie dough and save for up to 3 months in your freezer. How handy is that!?

This book definitely did not let me down. So many yummy recipes and so little time. Even though this says holiday cookies you can bake these little awesome sweet treats any time of the year. Maybe even add different flavoring to some to make it more festive for any time of the year. 

I am anxiously awaiting my paycheck so I can go buy ingredients to get started on at least 4 of these little bad boys. Will definitely be making plenty for the holidays and even give as little gift baskets. Nothing says the holidays like something baked with love!

ELISABET DER NEDERLANDEN is a passionate professional baker and a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has worked as a food stylist and professional recipe developer/tester for commercial, advertising, and packaging projects. In addition, she has managed recipe testing and food styling for more than 30 cookbooks.

Find Elisabet: Website

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Cookbook Review: Cuba! by Dan Goldberg, Andrea Kuhn & Jody Eddy #cookbook #bookreview #5star

Title: Cuba!
Author: Dan Goldberg, Andrea Kuhn, Jody Eddy
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Cooking, ethnic, how-to
Release Date: September 20th 2016
Source: Blogging for Books
Purchase: Amazon

Packed with 75 approachable and delectable recipes for classic Cuban dishes; essays on Cuba's culture, history, and politics, and hundreds of breathtaking photos, ¡Cuba! offers readers a unique opportunity to dive into the food and culture of this vibrant country.

As the borders of Cuba continue to relax, more and more tourists are flooding in and finding a country rich in history and steeped in tradition. Award-winning photographer Dan Goldberg has been visiting and photographing Cuba for almost a decade. Fascinated by its people, their kitchens, and the endlessly delicious food they create, Dan has managed to capture passion and vibrancy of this incredible country. Along with his co-authors, food writer Jody Eddy and stylist Andrea Kuhn, Dan brings the best of Cuban food to home kitchens with over 75 meticulously tested recipes. ¡Cuba! will set taste buds on fire and open eyes to a culture that has remained resilient and festive across generations. From Cuban-Style Fried Chicken and Tostones Stuffed with Lobster and Conch, to Squid-ink Empanadas and Mojito Cake with Rum-Infused Whipped Cream and Lime Zest, this book offers a unique opportunity to bring a little slice of Cuba home.

I decided to try out some Cuban recipes. I knew the flavor would be amazing from what some friends had told me. So when I was offered this book to review, I jumped on the opportunity. Glad that I did.

My daughter isn't one to be adventurous with her food, so I had to wait for her to go visit her dad before I could try any of these recipes. So far the only one that we tried in the book was the Lobster Roll. The taste was just simply amazing! And it was very easy to make. I wasn't able to get the fresh lobster for this recipe however, so I had bought from my grocers frozen section, but the flavor was still there. There are so many more recipes in here that I can't wait to try.

This cookbook offers many beautiful pictures and wonder stories that I feel as if that I learned some more of this culture. I highly recommend this for anyone feeling a bit adventurous.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Find the authors at their website to learn more about them.

Jody Eddy

Andrea Kuhn

Dan Goldberg

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Cookbook Review: Modern Potluck by Kristin Donnelly #cookbook #bookreview #4star @kristinconfit

Title: Modern Potluck
Author: Kristin Donnelly
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Genre: Cooking, How-To
Release Date: July 26, 2016
Source: Blogging for Books
Purchase: Amazon

Uncover the best dish

Modern Potluck is a cookbook and guide for today’s potluckers that delivers Instagram-worthy dishes packed with exciting, bold flavors. These 100 make-ahead recipes are perfect for a crowd and navigate carnivore, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan preferences gracefully. With beautiful color photographs and lots of practical information such as how to pack foods to travel, Modern Potluck is the ultimate book for gathering friends and family around an abundant, delicious meal.

This was a beautifully put together cookbook full of recipes and photos for almost every recipe. The recipes have many different ranges from dips to salads to main dishes and cocktails. However, when I view this book, I don't see "potluck". What I see is every day meals, some expensive to make and others maybe not so expensive. When I was growing up, a potluck involved meatballs, salads, brownies, just things that were simple and not so expensive to make. I don't think potluck when I see things made with lamb and the like.

So, while this book really isn't for me and my family, maybe its right up your alley.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Kristin Donnelly is a food writer and recipe tester and developer. Before launching her career as a freelancer, Kirstin was an editor at Food & Wine for eight years, writing about healthy eating and wine pairing. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their daughter.

Find Kristin: Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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Cookbook Review: Home Cooked by Anya Fernald & Jessica Battilana #cookbookreview @anyafernald @jbattilana

Title: Home Cooked
Author: Anya Fernald & Jessica Battilana
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Genre: Cooking, How-To
Release Date: April 5th, 2016
Source: Blogging for Books

A recipe collection and how-to guide for preparing base ingredients that can be used to make simple, weeknight meals, while also teaching skills like building and cooking over a fire, and preserving meat and produce, written by a sustainable food expert and founder of Belcampo Meat Co.

Anya Fernald’s approach to cooking is anything but timid; rich sauces, meaty ragus, perfectly charred vegetables. And her execution is unfussy, with the singular goal of making delicious, exuberantly flavored, unpretentious food with the best ingredients. Inspired by the humble traditions of cucina povera, the frugal cooking of Italian peasants, Anya brings a forgotten pragmatism to home cooking; making use of seasonal bounty by canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, salt curing fish, simmering flavorful broths with leftover bones, and transforming tough cuts of meat into supple stews and sauces with long cooking. These building blocks become the basis for a kitchen repertoire that is inspired, thrifty, environmentally sound, and most importantly, bursting with flavor. Recipes like Red Pepper and Walnut Crema, Green Tomato and Caper Salad, Chickpea Torte, Cracked Crab with Lemon-Chile Vinaigrette, Veal Meatballs, Anise-Seed Breakfast Cookies, and Ligurian Sangria will add dimension and excitement to both weeknight meals and parties.

We all want to be better, more intuitive, more relaxed cooks—not just for the occasional dinner party, but every day. Punctuated by essays on the author’s approach to entertaining, cooking with cast-iron, and a primer on buying and cooking steak, Home Cooked is an antidote to the chef and restaurant books that leave you no roadmap for tonight’s dinner. With Home Cooked, Anya gives you the confidence, and the recipes, to love cooking again.

For me, this just was not the book for me. I had had such high hopes for this one, thinking that it would be like things grandma had made, but this definitely was not anything like grandma made. With recipes containing hearts, tongue and squid, I must say that I have to pass on this one. However, the photos in this book were amazing and detailed the food wonderfully. The recipes were written wonderfully as well.

While this book may not be for me, it just may be up your alley. Why not give it a try?

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Anya Fernald is a sustainable food expert and the co-founder and CEO of Belcampo. She has appeared as a judge on the Food Network's Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef.                                                                                                                                                                                                       Find Anya: Website | Twitter

Jessica Battilana writes about food and the people who make it. A former cheesemonger, caterer and private chef (and East coast transplant), she now lives in San Francisco and spends her days chronicling chefs and restaurants, developing and testing recipes and otherwise messing around in the world of food. Potatoes are her desert island food, and she always chooses chocolate over vanilla.                                                                                                                                                                    Find Jessica: Website | Twitter

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Cookbook Review: Country Cooking from a Redneck Kitchen by Francine Bryson & Ann Volkwein #4star #bookreview #cooking @francinebryson

Title: Country Cooking from a Redneck Kitchen
Author: Francine Bryson & Ann Volkwein
Publisher: Potter Books
Genre: Cooking, How-To
Release Date: March 29, 2016
Source: Blogging for Books

Few people know that national pie champion Francine Bryson got her start on the cooking contest circuit at age sixteen with a savory stuffed pork loin—that won first place. In Country Cooking from a Redneck Kitchen, Francine invites you into her home to share recipes for everything that graces her Southern table: chicken dinners, savory pies, Sunday suppers to serve the preacher, make-and-take casseroles, dips and other redneck whatnots, backyard barbecue favorites—and, of course, three chapters devoted to her celebrated baked goods, including her most-requested holiday sweets. Feeding people is what Francine loves to do, and here are simple instructions for 125 dishes with 60 color photographs to help you to bring her Southern charm to your table.

I grew up in the north, Michigan to be exact. I moved to the south in 2002 and started my southern trek between three states, starting in Texas, then Louisiana to Mississippi and finally back in Louisiana. I have been trying different southern foods, just trying to find the perfect southern food. I have learned how to cook different southern foods from friends parents as well. When I saw this book was up for review, I decided to give it a go and see what kinds of food that I haven't tried that might sound appealing. 

There are so many appealing recipes in this book, that I must say, I can't wait to try almost all of these. With Blueberry BBQ sauce to Blackberry Pecan Bread, to Squirrel Pot Pie (yes, you heard that right). Just so many options to try. There is definitely something in here for everyone.

The book is easily readable and understandable. With beautifully photographed recipes and well put together. I highly recommend this cookbook.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Francine Bryson is the author of the bestselling Blue Ribbon Baking from a Redneck Kitchen, a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award finalist and Okra Pick. She has won more than 200 local and national baking competitions and was the runner-up and crowd favorite on CBS's The American Baking Competition. Bryson, a member of the American Pie Council, lives with her husband in Pickens, South Carolina.

Find Francine: Website | Twitter

Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food-and-lifestyle writer based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous collaborations include The Neelys’ Celebration Cookbook, The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Salads (with Andres Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.

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Cookbook Review: Tasting Rome by Katie Parla & Kristina Gill #4Star #bookreview #cooking @katieparla @kristinagill

Title: Tasting Rome
Author: Katie Parla & Kristina Gill
Publisher: Clarkson Potter Books
Genre: Cooking, How-To
Release Date: March 29th 2016
Source: Blogging for Books

A love letter from two Americans to their adopted city, showcasing modern dishes influenced by tradition, as well as the rich culture of their surroundings.

Even 150 years after unification, Italy is still a divided nation where individual regions are defined by their local cuisine. Each is a mirror of its city’s culture, history, and geography. But cucina romana is the country’s greatest standout.

Tasting Rome provides a complete picture of a place that many love, but few know completely. In sharing Rome’s celebrated dishes, street food innovations, and forgotten recipes, journalist Katie Parla and photographer Kristina Gill capture its unique character and reveal its truly evolved food culture—a culmination of 2000 years of history. Their recipes acknowledge the foundations of Roman cuisine and demonstrate how it has transitioned to the variations found today. You’ll delight in the expected classics (cacio e pepe, pollo alla romana, fiore di zucca); the fascinating but largely undocumented Sephardic Jewish cuisine (hraimi con couscous, brodo di pesce, pizzarelle); the authentic and tasty offal (guanciale, simmenthal di coda, insalata di nervitti); and so much more.

Studded with narrative features that capture the city’s history and gorgeous photography that highlights both the food and its hidden city, you’ll feel immediately inspired to start tasting Rome in your own kitchen.

A very tasty look into Italy's culture. This one had my taste buds watering from start to finish. I am always looking for new adventures to take my family on, and with being pregnant (in my third trimester) it makes it hard to travel to exotic and cultural locations. This is one way I can bring culture to my family, in a very delicious form...food. My daughter is still in her picky phase, but I think this has something for the whole family to enjoy, even those picky little eaters.

Tasting Rome is beautifully illustrated with amazing photos and was put together quite nicely. I, for one, cannot wait to start cooking some of these amazing recipes.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free from Blogging for Books to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

“A fantastically detailed look into Rome’s most remarkable dishes… a new classic in the Italian food library.”  —Saveur

“The kitchens of Rome come alive in this cookbook celebrating classic and contemporary dishes from today’s Roman table. In more than 85 recipes, food and travel journalists Parla and Gill bring their city’s characteristic cuisine to the home cook…[a] solid introduction to Roman cooking.” —Publishers Weekly

“This book captures the beauty of artisan food! The combination of recipes and photographs make me feel as if I am back in Rome.”—Alice Waters, chef/owner of Chez Panisse and author of The Art of Simple Food

“In a time when food trends seem to change by the hour, Tasting Rome is a delightfully devoted to tradition. This cookbook is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your dinner table and is bound to make everyone excited to sit down and eat.” —Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge

Katie Parla is a Rome-based food and beverage educator and journalist. Originally from New Jersey, she has an art history degree from Yale, a master’s degree in Italian Gastronomic Culture from the Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, a sommelier certificate from the Federazione Italiana Sommelier Albergatori Ristoratori, and an archeological speleology certification from the city of Rome.

Kristina Gill is an Italy-based food and travel photographer and the Food and Drinks Editor at DesignSponge.com, where she produces the popular In the Kitchen With and Behind the Bar columns. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Kristina lives in Rome, with her husband.

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