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Cooking With Judith
Cooking with Judith is a warm-hearted cookbook from Judith Briles, who is less about fussy culinary rules and more about flavor, fun, and feeding people with love. The book walks through an impressive list of comfort food recipes, from cheesy crostinis and zesty soups to sweet treats like Kahlúa cake and baked pears. The tone is chatty and welcoming, with personal stories tucked between ingredient lists. Briles isn’t afraid to break rules, get messy, or adjust a recipe on a whim. This is a peek into the kitchen of someone who truly enjoys making people happy with food.
Judith’s writing is casual, quirky, and kind of addictive. She doesn’t pretend to be a professional chef, which actually makes the book feel more real and usable. Her voice jumps off the page and reminds you this book was written by someone who actually cooks, not someone trying to impress a food critic. The recipes themselves are solid. Some are simple classics, and others are fun twists with a personal flair. The Chioppino, for example, had me planning a dinner party before I even finished reading the recipe.
At times, the measurements were a little loosey-goosey. “A glob of mayo” and “adjust to taste” work great if you have some experience, but I feel that beginners might wish for more specifics. That said, I found it refreshing. It gives permission to play, to experiment, to mess up, and still serve something amazing. The little asides like freezing baguette slices or using Costco shortcuts made this feel like advice from a savvy home cook, not a textbook. The layout is friendly, the stories are sweet, the accompanying images are high-quality, and the love for food is front and center.
This book is a gem for people who cook from the heart. It’s ideal for folks who like to feed family and friends, who don’t mind a little improvising, and who believe food is meant to be shared. If you want joy in your kitchen and recipes that come with a side of laughter, Cooking with Judith belongs on your counter.
Pages: 106 | ASIN : B0DVNHFPG9
The Kitchen and the Studio
The Kitchen and The Studio: Memoirs of Food and Art by Mallory M. and John A. O’Connor is an alluring read. As the title implies, it combines a cookbook, an art book, and a memoir detailing the couple’s long and storied marriage. These elements are expertly blended to form a book that contemplates love, family, friendship, and the meals that bring us together.
We follow Mallory and John from their first meeting in a UC Davis art class in 1960 through moves, career changes, and heartaches over the next 60-plus years of their life together. Along the way, they share stories of the fascinating people they befriended and, of course, the food they shared with those people.
The book is beautifully illustrated, with stunning landscapes and still-lifes peppered throughout, along with photos and documents from the couples’ prosperous lives. Much of the art is by the co-author himself, though there are also some lovely pieces by the couple’s many friends in the field. I thought it was a nice detail that, rather than photos, many of the recipes are accompanied by paintings of the dish in question, bringing a personal touch you don’t often see in recipe books.
As someone interested in food history, this book was a fascinating resource. Coming from the perspective of one couple and how food has been a part of their own story and journey over the past 60 years, it tells a very personal story. In addition, the authors made sure to include some historical background for many of the dishes, which was incredibly enlightening.
The recipes sound delicious and include some more exotic ingredients that the standard household may not always have in stock. Readers may have to make adjustments when attempting to replicate these menus to take into account ingredient availability. This is one area I would have loved to have seen in this book, some substitution options for hard-to-find ingredients, just to make the dishes more accessible. That aside, this collection offers readers a chance to expand their cooking repertoire and experience something they might not have thought of trying. The authors have included in this informative book some helpful resources for those looking to experience the dishes for themselves, including a wine list and some information on small businesses that make quality ingredients.
The Kitchen and The Studio: Memoirs of Food and Art is a highly original presentation of food history and personal memoirs. The authors clearly have enjoyed their life together and share their passion for cooking with friends and family. The stunning artwork and poignant reflections make it an unforgettable read.
Pages 412
We “Flipped The Script”
Food As A Prescription is a handbook for those that wish to alter their diet due to food allergies or for anti-inflammatory health benefits. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When you go through a traumatic experience and come out better on the other side it is quite significant. It makes you want to shout about that experience from the rooftops so others who are suffering in similar ways know they are not alone and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That said, changing something as fundamental as your diet can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Food As A Prescription eliminates the confusion and guesswork of evolving into a “restrictive” diet. We wrote this book to enlighten and empower others, as well as ensure they find a path to success as they embark on their own journey.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about food allergies?
The most common misconception is that nothing will ever taste good again and that it will be impossible to go out and enjoy life the way you did prior to changing your diet. While there are always challenges in life, nothing could be further from the truth. We have personally found all sorts of new ways to approach food that not only allow us to eat within our parameters, but also introduced us to wonderful new things to enjoy. People typically concentrate on what they can NOT eat, but we “flipped the script” to concentrate on what we CAN eat. These common misconceptions eventually led us to create LOCA Foods Inc, where we provide foods free from gluten, dairy, soy, and corn, yet they are still amazing in flavor and texture. Our company motto is “All We Do is Delicious”!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Mindset matters! While modern medicine is great at setting bones, it still takes a predominantly generalized approach to most health and wellness. If you are struggling to be heard, some of our best advice is to never give up and always be your own advocate.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Our next book, All We Do is Delicious, is a cookbook which will focus on delicious recipes free from gluten, soy, corn, and/or dairy. At the moment we are currently focused on getting our online bakery up and running smoothly. We plan for All We Do is Delicious to be available before the end of 2023. You can follow us online via Facebook and Instagram (@LOCAFoodinc), where we will announce updates for the book, or visit our website, LOCAfoodsinc.com, to get a handful of our favorite recipes for free right now.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Have you or a loved one been prescribed a dietary change because of autoimmune issues, skin irritations, or digestive complications? Or, do you simply want to live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle?
Making changes in something as fundamental and important as your diet can be overwhelming, but it does NOT have to be!
Food As A Prescription is THE perfect guide for those who need to change their diet for a healthier life! This best-selling handbook will enlighten, empower, and support you on your gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, and/or dairy-free journey. Filled with tips, tricks, recipes, and recommendations. Food As A Prescription, will help you focus on what you’ll gain in life and help you eliminate the stress of living with modern-day food allergies.
Nyam Thyme
If you are relatively new to exotic cooking, Nyam Thyme is the book for you. Author chef Jacqui Francis provides the reader with primarily healthy recipes that are easy and quick to prepare.
Author Jacqui eloquently describes foods and drinks in her cookbook which transported me to a tropical oasis with rum and jerk ribs. I enjoyed the Jamaican traditions that the author shares with us in her book making this a personable read.
I appreciated that the author included images of the spices so that I can easily purchase these items either in-store or online. Chef Jacqui also provides images of the recipe itself as well as an image of the finished product making this a colorful read that is sure to make you hungry.
The author provides recipes for soups, salads, meats, drinks, and much more. I felt like I was in the kitchen with my mother learning her recipes. I love salt, but Jacqui recommends no salt on several recipes, and she is absolutely correct, no salt is necessary as there is already so much flavor.
The drinks section is a fun chapter because the author provides dishes to pair with the dishes which is great if you are hosting a dinner party. My favorite section, of course, is the desserts! The bread pudding recipe looks and sounds delicious. I also must point out that Chef Jacqui adds her personal touch to each recipe down to the name of the recipes.
I highly recommend Nyam Thyme as chef Jacqui Francis provides you with all the tools necessary to serve dinner, drinks, and desserts. I enjoyed the fun facts about Jamaica at the end of the book as I was able to learn more about people and places. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who is on the lookout for some new recipes to impress their friends with! Have fun trying some great new dishes!
Pages: 100 | ASIN : B09GPFHG3N
Food As A Prescription
Food As A Prescription is an essential book for anyone conscious about what they consume. Authors Anthony and Staci Lo Cascio write in-depth about food and how we should consume it to work effectively in our bodies. In the book, the authors go into detail about the nutrients each food provides. This handbook will help readers make the change to an anti-inflammatory diet, be it for medical reasons or just a desire to be healthier.
In this educational book, readers will learn about healthy eating habits, allergies, food intolerances, and much more. The authors provide crucial knowledge about food consumption and the impact it has on the body. The authors speak from research and experience, giving readers their life-changing advice on how to gradually improve their health while still being able to enjoy their favorite foods.
One of my favorite parts of this informative book is that the authors share different foods you can eat so as not to have a bland diet. They show that living healthy is not boring and provide delicious recipes in the book. The recipes are simple, straightforward, require few ingredients, are healthy, and taste good. Readers will gain the confidence they need to make meals from scratch. My favorite section was how to make staples for your pantries like All-Purpose Flour Mixture, pancakes, homemade dressing, dry rubs, and even chocolate chip cookies. In other chapters, readers will find helpful information such as food diary examples, safely eating out, and what a change in lifestyle can do for your health.
One important tip from the book is on reading the ingredients of everything. The authors advise that if you are not able to pronounce an ingredient, Google it or don’t buy. The authors are honest and upfront about why they chose this lifestyle and what made them decide to write this book, and I found their view to be refreshing.
Food As A Prescription: A Handbook for Those Currently On or Prescribed a Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free and/or Dairy-Free Diet is an illuminating book for those that are faced with making drastic dietary changes in their life. This book offers information on how food impacts your health and teaches readers how to integrate changes into their life without feeling the loss of a food group, leading to longer and more lasting health changes.
Pages: 79 | ASIN : B092312HHT
TRAVEL 911
Travel 911: A Health Guide For Adventurers is for those that want to globe-trot or even travel locally in style. Dr. Yvett McQueen talks about travel in an exciting way, making one fantasize about the trips they plan on taking. In this informative book, Dr. Yvett McQueen highlights the benefits of traveling and discusses in depth how travel and adventure are great for your body, mind, and soul. As a global traveling physician, Dr. Yvett McQueen understands that traveling involves more than just packing your bags and booking your ticket. She is direct in her language and gives a step-by-step guide that provides readers with the tools to turn travel dreams into a reality.
Dr. Yvett McQueen covers some important topics such as: what to pack in your bag, preparing for long trips, how to handle fever or other illnesses, skin problems, water accidents, and much more. However, the author adds a personal touch that makes the book more conversational and less of a how-to instruction manual when talking about these topics. Dr. Yvett McQueen includes in her educational book details about her own personal experiences and encounters, making the information feel more genuine.
Some examples of the information that the author goes into detail about are as follows. Travel tips like avoiding jetlag rather than just dealing with it when you arrive at your destination. There are maps included of areas known to have high cases of Malaria, what you need to do to protect yourself, or should you contract it, what to expect and what treatment to seek out. Finally, there are illustrations provided through this informative book to help explain techniques or examples of what to look for with an illness.
Travel 911: a Health Guide For Adventurers will reignite your love for travel. Travel adventures will find this helpful book, and those just stepping out into the world of travel will find security in having this how-to manual at the ready, written in terminology that is easy to understand.
Pages: 106 | ASIN : B096T5LVLB
The Gentleman’s Guide to Cooking
Who knew cooking would be so much fun, even for those that do not love cooking? In The Gentleman’s Guide to Cooking, Randy Motilall shares exciting and interesting ways of cooking. The author uses a variety of recipes to show his culinary skills. Have trouble making your favorite chicken curry? Bacon-wrapped shrimp? Peruvian Lomo Saltado? Or even Brazilian Cheese Bread? Randy Motilall has got you covered. The author guides readers through creating a satisfying meal and teaches readers the importance of experimenting with different cuisines of the world.
Randy Motilall not only teaches the reader how to make delicious foods, but he also shares tips on table etiquette. Many people are not aware of how to properly set the table for an elegant meal. Setting the table is the first thing your guests see and the backdrop to showcase the prepared meal. The author guides you on where and how to place the dinner plate, soup or salad bowl, wine glasses, various forks, knives, table napkin, salt shaker, among other things. In addition, there is an illustration of how to place different cutlery and how to use them. Finally, the author has categorized the various meals so readers will have distinct recipes for appetizers, drinks, bread, salads, soups, sides, entrees, desserts, what to have the following day, and extras. Every meal the author writes about is accompanied by pictures, encouraging you to try them out. The text combined with the beautiful images of the recipes made reading this book a wonderful experience.
After reading this book, cooking does not appear tedious at all. The foods shared in the book can take as little as 20 minutes for some. You can make a meal for one or a group, and it will still be delicious. With The Gentleman’s Guide to Cooking, you will feel like you have stepped into kitchens in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and many other parts of the world. The recipes are excellent, and the author shares personal stories and insights with the reader as he talks about the foods.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Cooking is filled with engaging language and humor. With this book, Randy Motilall may have targeted a specific demographic, but it can be recommended for anyone who enjoys spending their time in the kitchen preparing meals. In addition, readers who enjoy cooking, want to learn about cooking, and just love all things food will find the information and stories in this book and the recipes refreshing.
Pages: 176 | ASIN : B08XYV163C
Sassy Food
Enlighten yourself to the world of growing produce with Ja-ne de Abreu’s Sassy Food! With the 2020 pandemic threatening Abreu’s and her mother’s access to food, she opted to take matters into her own hands by growing her own produce. On her journey to being self-sustaining, she found friends with the same interest – that’s how the Sassy Food Farms collective was born. Abreu wants to share her knowledge with us in an effort to encourage people around the world to connect with The Earth and grow their own food. I must say, she did a fantastic job at convincing me!
I thoroughly enjoyed Abreu’s simplistic but upbeat writing style. It made taking in the mass amounts of information easier. The highly detailed section on microgreens and sprouts fascinated me. I never realized there were so many variations! She gave us the essential knowledge to begin our gardening journey with a hint of hippie-esque wisdom.
She further showed the importance of connecting with the earth during this tough time in the various photos strewn throughout the book. I appreciate the artistic approach to the subject matter. The cute graphic designs were also a fantastic touch. I feel that the visual representation drove home the message she was trying to convey excellently.
The final chapter, Food is Music, featured easy-to-make recipes that I can’t wait to try – especially the smashed potatoes and ice cream! It was the perfect conclusion to an already well-formatted and organized gardening book.
I also appreciated Abreu’s sentiment on learning about how different cultures consume the foods that you intend to grow. I guess you could call this another one of her many hippie-esque pearls of wisdom in the book.
I adored the clever chapter titles. A few of my favorites, besides Food is Music, include Playful Propagation, Cheerful Cultivation, and Thrilling Trees & Fantabouls Fruits. These titles show Abreu’s passion for the book’s subject matter.
Sassy Food is the epitome of a non-fiction instructional read that makes the seemingly mundane interesting. Despite being a beginner to intermediate level guide, Abreu still offers a plethora of information you may have not heard before. It’s a great book to have on the shelf to grab for quick referencing.
Pages: 170 | ASIN: 1736295411
LITERARY TITAN 