★★★★

The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook by Sara Mellas
out June 2, 2020
ISBN: 9781647390327
Paperback: $12.99 / Kindle: $0.99 / Free on Kindle Unlimited

★★★★★

Sugar Detox in 10 Days: 100+ Recipes to Help Eliminate Sugar Cravings by Pam Rocca
out May 5, 2020
ISBN: 9781646117529
Paperback: $15.29 / Kindle: $6.99

★★★★★

Quick and Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook: 30-Minute Recipes to Get Started in the Kitchen by Eileen Kelly

out April 14, 2020
ISBN: 9781646119073
Paperback: $9.99 / Kindle: $6.99

When I first saw this cookbook, I had a quick flash of stuck-up "I probably already know how to make all of these things" feelings that were totally misplaced. 

These are excellent base recipes, and some even come with a number of recommended variations. Before you can get started making more complex dishes, you need a good understanding of basics, and this is it.

With the crazy run on grocery stores that we've seen lately, I'm sure I'm not the only one at home trying to Frankenstein together some meals with what's left. After my initial read-through of this book, I've found myself coming back to it a few times for ideas on what to make with what we have, and it's been a great help to me so far.

If you are exceptionally well-trained in the kitchen, it may not be for you. But for someone like me, a young-ish working mom trying to throw something together using what I have, it is perfect. Highly recommended.

received from the publisher for review purposes. I get lots of books from publishers; I only post about the ones I enjoy.

★★★★★

The Easy Filipino Cookbook: 100 Classics Made Simple by Roline Casper

out March 24, 2020
ISBN: 9781641526289
Paperback: $15.99 / Kindle: $0.99

I'll admit that I am not especially familiar with the Philippines and that I had very little idea, going into this book, what Filipino food would look like. It's for that reason that I eagerly snatched up this advanced reader copy when it was offered.

Chef Roline Casper is a classically trained chef and restaurateur who grew up in the Philippines, and right away she explains how the history of trade and conquest has created a very unique cuisine there with influences from neighboring nations as well as parts of the Europe and North America. As a result, some of these recipes look a little familiar to my American eyes, but also a little different -- Sweet Spaghetti, made with banana ketchup; Fried Chicken with a hit of soy sauce; or chicharrones, for example.

The recipes look delicious and accessible in that rarely are difficult-to-find ingredients used, and when they are, they can often be substituted if needed.

I'm excited to try some of these.


arc received from the publisher for review

I'm always excited to try new cookbooks, and now that I'm staying inside for the next two weeks (just to be safe!) it's a good time to experiment in the kitchen.

Thanks to Rockridge Press for sending me these to review. Their books often are part of Kindle Unlimited, and the ebook versions tend to be very inexpensive.

---

★★★★★

Modern Scandinavian Baking: A Cookbook of Sweet Treats and Savory Bakes by Daytona Strong

out April 14, 2020
ISBN: 9781646116188

This is the kind of book that makes me wish I was part of some sort of ladies book club that we all brought treats to, because this is the kind of book you want to bake through with some girlfriends.

The sheer amount of potatoes and sugar in these recipes filled my heart with glee.

Bonus: A typical American home baker probably has 95% of the ingredients you would need for all of these recipes. A good book for a quarantine.





★★★★★

French Cooking for Beginners: 75+ Classic Recipes to Cook Like a Parisian by François de Mélogue

out March 31, 2020
ISBN: 9781646115891

I have two conflicting feelings about this book.

1. Classic French cuisine does not look appealing to me. I come from southern American cuisine on both sides and, at heart, I would really rather just eat fried meat on a biscuit with some sort of savory and sweet sauce dumped on top. (But I know that sort of thing is not conducive to a healthy digestive system so I keep that at a minimum...)

I digress.

2. I want to be the kind of person who knows how to make these recipes. I want to invite family and friends over and make, say Hanger Steak with Béarnaise Sauce (page 106) and Chocolate Pots de Crème (page 145). I speak French, and I want to introduce my dishes in the proper accent like I make this every Thursday.

So... I probably will not get much traction from this book, but that is personal preference and not indicative of the quality of the book. I will most likely learn a handful of these and gloat about it.

You should, too, bien sûr.



★★★★★

Clean Eating Cookbook for Weight Loss: 28 Days to Kick-Start a Healthy Lifestyle
by Nikki Behnke

out March 31, 2020
ISBN: 9781646114726

This is kind of a cookbook/journal two-in-one. While it is certainly a cookbook, it's also a kickstarter guide to a healthy lifestyle.

It's a great resource for meal planning and exercise planning, and it is looking pretty tempting right now. I want to start it, but, I mean, I just got that big Scandinavian bread bible up there, so...

I highly recommend the recipes themselves, which constitute the second half of the book. I don't know who Ms. Behnke is, but she gets me. It may be clean eating, but it's by no means just a list of different things to blend with kale. Recipes look delightfully flavorful, and I'll almost certainly break out one tomorrow.

Highly recommended.