The Twinkies Cookbook by Hostess, 85th Anniversary Edition

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twinkie cookbook

 

Ah. Twinkies.

The sugar filled (and cream filled) cakes we would scream with joy to see packed in our lunchbox growing up. The dessert was one that children would trade anything in their lunch for in the cafeteria. Then came the scare of Twinkies never being around again. Thankfully they are back on the shelves and now Hostess is celebrating with an 85th anniversary Edition cookbook for Twinkie lovers.

Looking through the photos and the names of the recipes, I admit to drooling and craving a Twinkie. I might have ate one or two (or three) while also devouring the pages of this cookbook.  I learned new ways to include the Twinkie in several dessert dishes  I wouldn’t have really thought about. A few of the recipes were generic and with not much thought really, but it is including Twinkies! How are they suppose to improve on something that is already perfect?

There were a few flaws with the electronic version I received. The recipes were split up weird with half the recipe on one page, and the rest on the next. Pictures were also cut in half and split up the same way.  In my opinion, this would be better as a print book than as an electronic edition.

[sc:rate3 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

#Review – Bold: A Cookbook of Big Flavors

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17890123Bold: A Cookbook of Big Flavors
Authors: Susanna Hoffman and Victoria Wise

SUMMARY
From Goodreads

Bold is nourishing. Bold is inspired. Bold is food that means business. And Bold is big as in 250 recipes filled with big flavors to be served in big portions. From the culinary team of Susanna Hoffman and Victoria Wise who between them have authored or coauthored more than fifteen cookbooks including The Well-Filled Tortilla Cookbook and The Well-Filled Microwave Cookbook Bold brings together the beloved American tradition of delicious, plate-filling meals with the lively global flavors that infuse our culture and cuisine.

MY THOUGHTS

I am always on the lookout for my next favorite cookbook.  I am not a good cook when it comes to using creativity.  I have to have instructions to follow and if it comes in a box then all the better for me!  I love easy to prepare recipes and ones that can be made in big batches for plenty of leftovers or family gatherings.  I am also frugal in my ingredients and would rather use common ones instead of things you have to search all over town for to use one time.

When this book arrived, I couldn’t wait to see what recipes I could try.  I opened it up and was sad to see that there were no photos of the recipes! None whatsoever unless you like looking at sketches of ingredients, bowls and cooking pans.  How are we suppose to drool over a dish and actually have the craving to make the dish without a photo? I am a visual person and what I see is what captures my interest first when it comes to food.

Another thing is there are no dividers in this cookbook. You basically just go from one section to another with no division.  Yes they stick a different colored page in there with yet another sketch of what is to come, but there really isn’t any definite divider between them.

Another thing I found is this cookbook is not kid friendly in my opinion.  What kid wants to eat endives, duck legs, veal,  or leeks? So this is focused more for the adults instead of kid meals.  This also falls into the category that I mentioned above of requiring unusual ingredients to use.  While the basic ingredients are common, the main part of the recipe could be hard to find in smaller towns. I know I can’t find quail or rabbit at my local grocer so those recipes are useless for me.

So for now, I will keep looking for that perfect cookbook and recommend passing on this one if you are a wary cook like me.

MY RATING
[sc:rate2 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

500 Cupcakes by Fergal Connolly

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500 Cupcakes:The Only Cupcake Compendium You’ll Ever Need
Author: Fergal Connolly
* I received this book free of charge from Sellers Publishing in exchange for an honest review*

  • Hardcover: 360 pages
  • Publisher: Sellers Publishing, Inc. (March 1, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1569065977
  • ISBN-13: 978-1569065976

SYNOPSIS:
Once upon a time, cupcakes were only a kid-friendly party favorite. No longer! Cupcakes are now the treat of the times, at once simple and chic. 500 Cupcakes is just that: a storehouse of recipes, written in clear instructions and appealingly packaged in bright, modern colors. 500 Cupcakes from front to back provides what bakers of all levels need to produce tempting creations. The introduction provides a comprehensive look at equipment and ingredients, plus a description of the cupcake-making process, from getting started to storing and transporting the yummy results. The collection of recipes span from classic flavors and shapes to new favorites for every style and taste including recipes for alternate diets. Each recipe is written in clear language (great for the novice baker), and every one features three variations on the basic recipe (great for the experienced baker seeking new flavors). The page design is attractive, featuring over 200 enticing pictures of cupcakes in the pan and on the serving plate 500 Cupcakes really is the only cupcake compendium you ll ever need!

MY TAKE:
Close your eyes and think of your favorite cupcake. I’ll wait a second. Now imagine having it in a cookbook with easy to follow instructions and color photos. In this book there are over 500 recipes for cupcakes. I love having them all in one book. Now when my daughter says that she needs some treats for a school party I can whip some up with easy directions. Some of the cupcakes featured are:
Oatmeal Muffins Pop Rock Cupcakes Crisp Rice Cupcakes Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Plus each recipe has a color photo to show you decorating techniques. This book has kinds I never would have thought of. At the beginning of the book it also has a section on the tools you will need to make perfect cupcakes, baking tips, decorating tips and serving ideas for gifts. I made the classic vanilla cupcakes to try out how easy the recipes are and this is great for a beginning level dessert cookbook. Great for a teen and great to have on hand for fast party cupcakes.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

How To Roast A Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking

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How To Roast A Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking
Author: Michael Psilakis
*I received this book from Hachette Books free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 28, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316041211
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316041218

SYNOPSIS:
A rising star in the food world, Michael Psilakis is co-owner of a growing empire of modern Mediterranean restaurants, and one of the most exciting young chefs in America today. In How to Roast a Lamb, the self-taught chef offers recipes from his restaurants and his home in this, his much-anticipated first cookbook.

Ten chapters provide colorful and heartfelt personal essays that lead into thematically related recipes. Gorgeous color photography accompanies many of the recipes throughout.

Psilakis’s cooking utilizes the fresh, naturally healthful ingredients of the Mediterranean augmented by techniques that define New American cuisine. Home cooks who have gravitated toward Italian cookbooks for the simple, user-friendly dishes, satisfying flavors, and comfortable, family-oriented meals, will welcome Psilakis’s approach to Greek food, which is similarly healthful, affordable, and satisfying to share any night of the week.

MY TAKE:
I am by no means a cook. If it doesn’t come in a box, can be delivered from a nearby restraunt, or be a wonderful desert, then I am scared to try it. Usually I stick to making sweets. They are easy and yummy. If you are not familiar with some of the Greek ingredients, then I highly recommend you look into them first. These recipes are complicated if you are a beginner in the cooking area. The book did have some wonderful memories that the author shares and he does explain the process of the dish thoroughly though. If you have the time and the patience then this book would be a wonderful cookbook on your kitchen shelf. Here are some examples of the recipes you will find in it:
Braised Rabbit and Quail
Stuffed Baby Eggplants
Orange-Braised Snails
Lobster Broth
See, these even sound complicated to me. They seem to be more of the ritzy dishes instead of dishes you would fix every day for your family. If you are a serious cook and enjoy the Greek ingredients, then give it a go. I for one will stick to ordering pizza and making brownies.

MY RATING:


A Decent Read.
Has Some Drawbacks Though.

PETITE SWEETS by Beatrice Ojakangas

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Petite Sweets: Bite-Size Desserts to Satisfy Every Sweet Tooth Author: Beatrice Ojakangas
*I received this book free of charge from Sellers Publishing in exchange for an honest review*

  • Hardcover: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Sellers Publishing, Inc. (September 21, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416207732
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416207733

SYNOPSIS:
For the home cook who wants to follow the huge trend toward small-bite desserts, here’s a collection of recipes for everybody’s favorite indulgent desserts prepared in miniature portions. From a shot glass of velvety chocolate mousse to an itty, bitty key lime pie, these miniature dishes are perfectly satisfying when you’re craving just a bite of something sweet at the end of the meal.

MY TAKE:
OMG! These recipes are to die for! Just looking through this book will make your mouth water and more than likely you will gain 5 pounds just from reading the recipes! These recipes are easy to follow, taste yummy and perfect for little servings for parties or kids. I found that the Creme Brulee and the Crispy Cream Puffs are my favorite. I will be making alot of these treats for my children’s classroom parties and for the holiday sweet tooth my family always has. Perfect for beginner cooks and family time cooking around the holidays and all year long.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!