The Cookbook Junkies

Sweet Envy: Deceptively Easy Desserts, Designed to Steal the Show by Seton Rossini was released last Fall and somehow fell through the cracks. I’m not sure why it did because it is a really beautiful book with recipes and information designed to turn desserts into impressive show pieces.

Andrew saw the book on the table yesterday morning and has staked claim to the cover cake – Coconut Bliss Cake (recipe courtesy of Countryman Press and can be downloaded at the link) – for his birthday this year. For snacks, again for his birthday, he requested the Take-A-Break Bar. I’m sure more will be added to his list. We have a necessary visit to the laboratory next week – so I will be making the bars for a treat and will update the post with my photos and thoughts.

Sweet Envy is more than a baking book — while it shares unique and tasty baked goods — more importantly it offers tips to elevate your presentation with design and speciality flourishes. The chapter entitled “Show Off” contains instructions for Sugar Cookie Gift Tags, Leaf Place Card Holders and more to enhance your entertaining.

Breakfast Kebabs, Berry Honey Butter, Honeybee Cheesecake Bites (with spun sugar hives) and a Pollock S’Mores Pie are other unique examples from this interesting book. Take a look at some of the gorgeous photos on Seton’s website. Any baker would love adding this book to their collection – it’s a true inspiration.

Update: I want to add a copy of Sweet, Savory* Cupcakes and Sometimes Boozy to this giveaway. I received a copy from Countryman and realized that I had ordered it for myself a while back. This is a gorgeous book filled with wonderful flavor combinations, fillings and toppings. Particularly love the whole “sweet and savory” aspect in a baking book. Pink Champagne, Mimosa Cheesecake and Orange Chardonnay are examples of cupcakes. Cherry Rum Apple Fritter Topping, and Coffee Liqueur Mascarpone Frosting are other examples. I’m going to try the Coffee Liqueur Mascarpone Frosting on cupcakes I’m making for a dinner on Saturday. It sounds incredible.

Random Number Generator picked #82 Barbara Taragna.

GIVEAWAY: Countryman Press was gracious enough to send me two copies of this book – one for my review and one for you. To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post (you may enter daily). A random winner will be chosen on June 20th. The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. Good luck.

 

Katie Chin is an expert on Chinese food – it runs in her genes – her late mother is legendary chef, Leeann Chin. Everyday Chinese Cookbook is a tribute to her mother’s legacy and tells the story of Leeann’s role in popularizing Chinese cuisine in America.

Along with the family stories, 101 recipes are shared specifically designed to reduce the fear factor that is associated with Asian cuisine. For many years, I was hesitant to attempt these dishes at home, but after moving to Colorado and not having the convenience of good Chinese food, I began cooking most of our takemyself.

Katie’s cookbook contains all our favorites along with process photos and detailed instructions so that we can successfully recreate them at home.

I have a confession: I’m a horrible dumpling pleater – another confession – I’m not sure dumpling pleater is a “thing”. Katie shares some step-by-step photos of the stuffing and folding process in this title and one day I will make dumplings that look that as beautiful.

This book is ideal for someone new to Asian cooking and I’m enjoying it myself even though I am familiar with this cuisine and not afraid to tackle new dishes. I’ve read the recipes – they are straightforward with helpful hints “Cook’s Note” and not complicated in the least.

Thanks to Tuttle Publishing for allowing me to share Katie’s recipe for Orange Chicken which looks far superior to anything you can comeoat the food court in the shopping mall and I agree with the author – the sauce at those restaurants are thick and heavy – this version looks perfect.

Success is guaranteed with the many photos of techniques and Katie’s expertise behind this book.

Random Number Generator picked #49 Melissa H. Congratulations!

GIVEAWAY:  Tuttle Publishing is generously offering one of you a copy of Everyday Chinese Cooking. The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and you may leave a comment daily telling me about your favorite dish or just to say hello. Sharing this post is appreciated. A random winner will be chosen on June 16th. Good luck.

Tuttle Publishing provided a review copy of this title. Amazon links are affiliate links and help support this site.

 

I had wonderful intentions, I did…but words only hold weight when honest intentions are behind them. I think that quote was on a poster in grade school right next to the kitten hanging on a rope or just believing poster. My intentions are honest – my timing is flawed. We’ll just call this an almost 29,000 member celebration in The Cookbook Junkies giveaway or a really early 2017 Cinco de Mayo giveaway! Ole!

What I have for you is this IMUSA Granite Mortar and Pestle for your guacamole needs and those needs beyond guacamole.

Also included are two of Rick Bayless’ books that I picked up Authentic Mexican and Mexican Kitchen. I have these books in my collection and when I spotted them at the thrift store – I grabbed them for you.

GIVEAWAY:  To enter this giveaway please leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Mexican dish. You may leave a comment every day until June 12th when a random winner will be chosen. The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and sponsored by me. When we reach 30,000 I have a huge Italian cookbook and tools giveaway for you!  Good luck. Random Number Generator picked #74 Robin Chesser. Congratulations!