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Cooking with Judith: Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating
This book is pretty much a love letter to food and the joy of sharing it. Judith Briles lays out recipes that run from appetizers like bruschetta and chicken salad boats to soups like corn chowder and French onion, plus sides, salads, pasta, quiche, desserts, and more. She isn’t trying to be some fussy gourmet. Instead, she invites you into her kitchen with a kind of “let’s play with food” attitude. She talks about keeping baguette slices in the freezer, making up recipes on the fly, and calling her friends over to be taste-testers. It’s casual, approachable, and definitely centered on comfort food with a little flair.
Reading it, I felt like I was flipping through a neighbor’s well-loved recipe notebook. It’s not intimidating. The directions are clear, and the ingredients are normal, which I love because I hate chasing down some obscure spice I’ll use once and never again. Judith’s little stories tucked in with the recipes gave me a smile, like the time her guest asked to buy chicken salad boats straight from her fridge. Those personal touches made the book feel warm and lived-in. Honestly, it made me hungry just sitting there with it. Her enthusiasm for food is contagious, and I appreciated that she didn’t try to pretend everything was perfect. She admits some dishes needed tweaks, and that honesty was refreshing.
One of the things I really enjoyed flipping through was the photos. Each dish had this polished, professional look, yet it still felt like real food you could actually make at home. The pictures gave me a clear idea of what the finished plate should look like, which made me even more excited to try the recipes myself. It’s the kind of visual nudge that makes you want to head straight to the kitchen.
Cooking with Judith is perfect for people who love to cook for friends, host casual get-togethers, or just want some easy, flavorful recipes that feel homemade and real. If you’re the type who enjoys chatting in the kitchen with a glass of wine while the oven does its thing, this one’s for you.
Pages: 106 | ASIN : B0DVNHFPG9
Literary Titan Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall: Conversations With Curious Caroline by Charles DeLisi
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
From Tuscany With Love
From Tuscany with Love is a heartwarming blend of memoir and cookbook, weaving together memories of an immigrant childhood with the rich, comforting flavors of Italian cuisine. Lauretta Avina takes us on a deeply personal journey from the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Gilroy, California. Along the way, she captures the bittersweet reality of leaving behind one home to build another, tackling cultural clashes, language barriers, and the aching desire to belong. Sprinkled throughout the book are family recipes that act as emotional anchors, tying past and present together through food.
What I love most about Avina’s writing is how vividly she brings her past to life. She doesn’t just tell us about moving to America, she makes us feel it. The moment she describes her father kissing the ground upon arrival in the U.S. speaks volumes about the immigrant experience, full of both hope and sacrifice. Her struggle with identity is raw and relatable, especially when she recounts being taunted at school, called slurs, and feeling ashamed of her heritage. These memories aren’t sugarcoated, but neither do they come across as bitter; instead, they are told with a quiet resilience, as if she’s finally making peace with the little girl who just wanted to fit in.
Avina’s voice is strongest when she talks about home, but not just Tuscany, but the home she found in unexpected places. The summers spent in Italy, where she could finally relax and be herself, are some of the most touching parts of the book. You can almost taste the nostalgia in her words, especially when she describes the smells of freshly baked Buccellato or the festive magic of Christmas in Lucca. The recipes aren’t just thrown in as an afterthought; they’re memories in edible form, a way to keep traditions alive across time and distance. When she shares the story behind Befanini cookies, connecting them to the legend of La Befana, it’s clear that food is more than just nourishment, it’s a piece of history, a way to hold onto identity even when everything else is changing.
The book offers a unique blend of storytelling and recipes, creating an experience that feels both personal and immersive. The narrative is so powerful that the transition to recipes can be surprising, almost like stepping into a new chapter of her journey. Her father’s story is particularly intriguing, and I found myself wanting to learn even more about his experiences. The later chapters move quickly, reflecting the momentum of her journey. The book starts with deep emotional resonance, and while the ending moves at a brisk pace, it leaves the reader with a lasting sense of warmth and appreciation for Avina’s incredible story.
From Tuscany with Love is a beautiful, heartfelt read that would appeal to anyone who enjoys immigrant stories, food memoirs, or simply a good dose of nostalgia. If you love books that transport you to another place and where tradition and memory come alive with every turn of the page, this one is worth savoring. It’s perfect for food lovers, second-generation immigrants, and anyone who has ever felt caught between two worlds.
Pages: 194 | ASIN : B0DVJ8QGWQ
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Enough Is Enough: An Addict’s Guide to Self In-Power-Ment
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
How to be a BAD cook: The Ultimate Quick Guide
“How to be a BAD Cook” is a refreshingly irreverent take on the traditional cookbook. From the outset, it’s clear that this isn’t your typical guide to culinary excellence. The book sets itself apart by not only embracing the mishaps and mistakes that often haunt the kitchen but also turning them into an art form. It’s an entertaining read, filled with recipes that delightfully defy culinary norms. Each recipe is a fun exploration of how to master the art of bad cooking, making it a hilarious companion for anyone who has ever struggled with a recipe or botched a dinner party and a testament to the author’s ability to find beauty in the unexpected.
One of the book’s strongest suits is its playful writing style. The author’s casual and witty tone makes even the most mundane kitchen blunders seem like deliberate, avant-garde culinary decisions. The sections are sprinkled with humorous anecdotes and sarcastic tips that make you chuckle at the absurdity of intentionally ruining a dish.
What I particularly enjoyed about “How to be a BAD Cook” is its unexpected educational value. While the recipes are designed to make failures into meals, they actually shed light on the common pitfalls of home cooking. By showcasing how things can go wrong, the book inadvertently teaches readers what to avoid in their culinary endeavors. It’s a clever way to impart kitchen wisdom wrapped in a package of humor and satire. This book doesn’t just make you laugh, it also empowers you with knowledge to avoid these kitchen mishaps in the future.
“How to be a BAD Cook” is perfect for anyone who loves cooking but isn’t afraid to laugh at their mistakes. It’s an ideal gift for novice chefs, kitchen klutzes, or anyone who enjoys culinary humor. If you’re looking to embrace the lighter side of cooking and learn a lot along the way, this book is a must-read. It’s a celebration of culinary chaos that turns every burnt cake and failed soup into a meal ready to serve.
Pages: 102 | ASIN: B0D25S5CLV
Reap The Benefits
The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking is a collection of recipes that will demystify gluten-free cooking and show readers that it can be affordable and taste great. Why was this an important book for you to put together?
The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking was written because it occurred to me that if changing the way I ate was beneficial to me and my daughter, then it could also help other people reap the benefits by eliminating gluten in their diet. I wanted to share what we experienced. No more bloating, no more fatigue, increased happiness, and losing weight.
What is your one “go-to” recipe in this cookbook that you could not live without and why?
My one go-to recipe is the Pasta with Colorful Sauteed Vegetables. I love one-pan or one-pot meals, and it is a versatile and mouthwatering dish. You can add a protein like shrimp or chicken or just make it with the vegetables as a vegan dish. I always add more vegetables to this dish for leftovers during the week.
Moving to a gluten-free diet can be challenging. What is one thing you would tell your readers to offer them encouragement when they feel overwhelmed?
When beginning a gluten-free diet, remember to always take baby steps. Try cooking at home, because you’ll have more control over what you eat. It’s more affordable and you can choose healthier ingredients. If you’re not sure what foods are raising havoc with your digestive system, I recommend having a food test done. Slowly, you can eliminate from your diet anything with rye, barley, wheat, or, in my case, also corn. You’ll be amazed with just a few tweaks of how good you feel. If you fall off the wagon, like I did when I first started, it’s OK. There’s always tomorrow!
Do you have future cookbooks planned? If so, what can readers expect in your next volume of recipes?
I have another cookbook that I am working on right now which I’m so excited to share with you. It will be a gluten-free food and cultural experience. The book will include recipes from countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and explore their vast cuisine flavors and traditions, along with wine pairing.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Ever since humans started farming, one particular type of grain – consisting of the wheat, barley, and rye varieties – rose to high prominence.
Fast-forward to modern times, and you’ll find that these grains have become popular across the globe, especially in their millions of ground, kneaded, and baked avatars.
Oh yes, bread… bread of all kinds, shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. You can’t outrun this culinary staple, for it haunts every kitchen, cuisine, restaurant, fast-food chain, and roadside stand, lurking in bread doughs. You can also find it plaguing your small intestines in the form of gluten. Normally, this protein is not that big of a deal, but when you have gluten intolerance, it can wreak havoc in your body by:
*Making you double over with unbearable pain
*Giving you bloating, with its accompanying problems of constipation or diarrhea
*Triggering skin rashes, headaches, nausea, and unintentional weight loss
And if you have celiac disease – in which your small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten – consuming such foods can reduce your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Sadly, modern science does not have an answer to what causes gluten intolerance, but that doesn’t mean there is no way to dodge this pesky protein.
Not only can you make food WITHOUT having to rely on anything wheat or gluten-related, but you can also make it so delicious that you will have a hard time keeping yourself from second and third helpings.
Within this magical ride to gluten-free cooking, you will discover:
*20 easy-to-prepare recipes to enjoy an enhanced and energetic lifestyle
*Detailed ingredient lists and clear instructions with added suggestions and dairy-free options
*The gluten-free way to start every day – breakfasts so good, you’ll never say never!
*How each home-cooked meal is a doorway to better digestive health, mood, and focus: a gluten-free mind and body leads to a disease-free life
*Fulfilling lunches to make easy yet exquisite meals – grab your herbs, veggies, shrimp, chicken, and pasta to whip marvels that make your tastebuds do the tango!
*Mouth-watering dinners you simply cannot do without!
*How to maximize the benefits of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to make your dishes aromatic, delicious, and healing
And much more.
Adopting a gluten-free diet is your ticket to a new way of living – you’ll feel like you’ve been born again from within. Mix it up with your favorites, add a dash of your chosen spices, put on your preferred playlist, and cook to your heart’s content. You’re creating magic with each recipe, after all. And who doesn’t want to eat healthily without having to sacrifice any taste?
Adopt a tasty way to live a gluten-free lifestyle: scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now.
The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking : 20 Home-Cooked Meals Made Easy
Culinary exploration often presents itself as a source of delight for some, while for others, it can manifest as a cumbersome task. Yet, envision uncovering an entirely novel realm of gastronomic possibilities that not only tantalize the palate but also impeccably accommodate distinct dietary conditions. The genesis of this remarkable cookbook finds its roots in the author’s personal odyssey. Julia Matto embarked on a profound culinary mission following her daughter’s diagnosis of food allergies and gluten sensitivity. Within the pages of this volume, she unfurls a collection of delectable gluten-free dishes that also feed a passion for taste and health. Through her narrative, Matto expounds upon the various virtues of embracing a gluten-free regimen, shedding light on the transformative impact it can wield over holistic well-being.
For those like myself, who harbor a penchant for pancakes, the array of inventive methods to elevate this breakfast classic will undoubtedly evoke enthusiasm. The book, enriched by alluring recipes and Matto’s insightful musings, infuses a palpable zest into the act of culinary exploration. Unveiling a surprising revelation, it contradicts the notion that adhering to a gluten-free lifestyle entails exorbitant costs. This cookbook provides readers easily executable recipes, utilizing commonplace pantry staples—thus dismantling the misconception that gluten-free living demands fiscal extravagance. Every facet of this book has been meticulously curated to cater to discerning tastes. From the carefully curated menu, which bears the esteemed endorsement of chiro-nutritionist Dr. Ashton Caskey, to the impeccable editing, text formatting, and visually arresting imagery, no detail is overlooked. The book’s structural organization, thoughtfully divided into three sections addressing the principal meals of the day, ensures a ceaseless fount of mouthwatering inspiration for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking transcends the boundaries of a mere cookbook, morphing into a vital lifeline for individuals traversing the realm of gluten sensitivity or standing as champions for such individuals. When the culinary conundrum beckons, and you seek to appease your own hunger or that of cherished companions, let this volume stand as your steadfast confidante—a repository of culinary wonders that affirm the harmonious coexistence of taste and well-being.
Pages: 73 | ASIN : B0C9DYCJ94
LITERARY TITAN 