Book Journey

I loved reviewing this cook book!  The recipes were easy to follow and  delicious! ~ Sheila

Make Ahead meals are not just for Moms who work outside of the home. It’s a way of cooking that helps all families, big and small. It all comes down to a little planning. Make a meal or two in advance when you have some extra time. Then you’ll be rewarded with quick, delicious home-cooked meals when you really need them!

I met Author Jane Doioron through Book Blogs.  We started chatting back and forth about books and she shared with me that she was the author of a cook book and asked if I would consider reviewing her book.  I had never reviewed a cook book before and had to wonder how I would go about doing that….

no characters….. but ingredients

no plot….  but the act of bringing all the ingredients together to create something else entirely….

a conclusion?  Well…. yeah… the overall ending product.

When the book arrived I realized it was actually easy to review a cook book, just dive in and try out some of the recipes.  I had company coming for dinner on Saturday so the timing was perfect!  I made the Crab Melts appetizer (page 5) and the Pumpkin Bread (page 45).

The Crab melts called for Kraft Old English Cheese Spread which I could not find so chose a cheese spread from our grocery store that I believed to be close to the same as what was called for.  These appetizers were not only easy to make but they were delicious and a crowd pleaser!

The Pumpkin Bread was a big recipe and smelled so good with all the spices in it while I mixed.  I made it is a cake pan and cut it into strips that were also delicious and everyone enjoyed with our meal.  I had enough of this recipe left to bring to the tailgate party we had a t church today.  (Jane says in her recipe that this can be split into three loaves and then froze up to two months).  When I make it a again I think I will do that to have it handy for the upcoming holidays.

What I really enjoyed about the recipes is that they are easy to follow and the ingredients were many things you would have on hand anyway.

Jane was so wonderful to let me review her book and she also sent me an additional copy to give away!  (Thank you Jane!)

To sign up for a chance to win this wonderful book:

1 entry by commenting here on a favorite recipe you have

Earn a second entry by blogging or twittering about this giveaway

a third entry can be achieved by commenting on any other non giveaway post here

That’s it – have fun!

Giveaway ends on October 20 – US and Canada entries only please and no po box numbers

**  See another wonderful review of this book and another chance to get in on winning this book

here are Chocolate and Croissants

I received this book and the giveaway copy from the author, Jane Doiron

A beautiful book filled with  great cocktail recipes for home entertaining.  ~  Sheila

Meyer has long been a hero to New York City restaurant goers via his eclectic and acclaimed eateries—the upscale Gramercy Tavern, exotic Tabla and low-down Blue Smoke and Shake Shack. Now, perhaps in a nod to the economic climate, Meyer befriends the stay-at-home crowd with an excellent guide to the affordable luxury known as the artisanal cocktail. Resisting the capitalistic impulse to crank out a book representing each of his establishments, he instead pulls recipes from all of them, 140 in toto, providing enough martinis, highballs and infused liquor to withstand any recession. He stacks the drinks into five different categories. Favorite Classics (old-fashioned, Negroni and such); New Classics like a Pomegranate gimlet and a modern martini with cilantro-infused gin; Inspired Flavors such as the Kachumber Kooler (a favorite at Tabla made with muddled cucumber, cilantro and chili pepper); Elegant Sips, where Champagne and sherry make their presence known; and Casual Libations for the beach, the backyard or the mojito-fueled dance party. And because no one should have too many blood orange margaritas on an empty stomach, Meyer concludes with a chapter of Bar Fare. The kick from his five-spice cashews, Thai trail mix and hot garlic potato chips all require that a tall glass of ice water be added to the evening’s drink list.

My husband I are not real big on the mixed drinks and due to our busy lifestyle as business owners, we really dont entertain at home often either.  Last night we did however have friends over to grill out on the deck and I thought this may be an opportune time to try out a recipe  in this beautiful book.

I decided on the Strawberry Ginger Mojito on page 165.  It looked easy enough and I did not have to pick up too much.One of the ingredients it called for was bottled ginger.  The book said I could find it in a well stocked grocery store or in a natural foods store.  Our groceries stores did not carry it and neither did our two local natural foods stores…. so my recipe quickly became Strawberry Mojito.   This made a beautifully red in color beverage, with a nice crisp strawberry taste – not strong tasting which is always a plus for me.  Garnished with a strawberry the drink was a hit and I would make it again.

This book is loaded with beautiful pictures and I did not notice until after the get together that the final chapter is all on snacky foods to go with the drinks.  I wish I would have seen that earlier!  Now I know I have to dive back in to try the five spice cashews, thai trail mix and the tequila lime shrimp.  Yum!

This book would make a wonderful gift.

This book was sent to me by Hachette Book Group