The Cookbook Junkies

Lee Clayton Roper is back with a second cookbook, Fresh Tastes From a Well-Seasoned Kitchen. I wrote about Lee’s first cookbook here and am happy to be sharing my thoughts on this title. Honored to have provided a blurb for this cookbook, I received a sneak peek a few months back and was excited for it’s release. While digital copies are nice, I’m a hold the book in my hand to experience it (yes, I’m old).

 

 

Fresh Tastes is a collection of over 170 recipes which are loaded with flavor as well as personal stories to help ignite inspiration in your own kitchen. The recipes range from appetizers to desserts and are perfect for weeknight dinners or a sit down dinner party. Gorgeous photographs pop off the page and the tips Lee shares, as well as make ahead advice, elevate this book and make it a welcomed addition to your cookbook library. Fresh Tastes has something for everyone — and would make the perfect gift for any cook.

There are so many tabs I have placed in my copy signifying dishes I want to make: Hot Onion Soufflé, Proscuitto, Fig and Goat Cheese Tarts, Cheese Blintz Soufflés with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce, Sea Bass with a Pistachio Crust, Tempura Vegetable Fondue with a Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce and the Pear Kuchen are just a few.

The Pear Kuchen is a perfect showpiece for your holiday dessert table and Lee is sharing this recipe with us here – click on link: Pear Kuchen. This recipe is a perfect example of how the author shares tips to help us achieve success with the recipes in this book along with some helpful process photos to guide us.

GIVEAWAY: Special thanks to Lee who has provided me with an autographed copy to give away to one of you! To enter – please leave a comment here telling me what what will be on your holiday dessert table this year. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. A random winner will be chosen on November 21st.  Good luck. Random Number Generator picked #18 – John Dotson – congratulations – please email icywit@gmail.com with your address.

My latest review is up at TasteBook and this one is on NOPI — Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurant cookbook. This link will take you there where you will also find a recipe for Baked Blue Cheesecake with Pickled Beet and Honey.

GIVEAWAY:

For a chance to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment on this post telling me what recipe I mentioned in the piece sounds the best to you. Giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. A random winner will be chosen on November 20th. Good luck.

Random Number Generator picked #35 – Jackie Donnelly! Congratulations!

In all honesty, I never have a problem coming up with menus or ideas for dinner. I know some people do – with hectic schedules — it pays to have a plan. Perhaps I don’t have an issue because I have so many talented friends and I watch and read a great deal about food. I went to the market this morning to purchase ingredients to make Cleveland Stuffed Potatoes. Patricia Heaton made these on her cooking show yesterday and they contain all of Andrew’s favorites – kielbasa, potatoes and cheese – so a no brainer.

Every Sunday, I am going to try to share a few of my favorite recipes from friends and other sources. I hope you find something new to try. This week’s theme is comfort food – Fall is here in all her glory and crisp, dark nights call for some warm dishes to take the chill off.

First up, Renee’s Vegetable & Gorgonzola Pot Pie for Two (or more) is a great quick meal and can be changed up with your favorite flavors. You can add meat, change up the veggies and types of cheese and have a piping hot dinner on the table faster than drive-thru fast food.

I love French Onion Soup and have made a French Onion Soup inspired Macaroni and Cheese here. Be sure to check out my Black Pepper and Honey Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Applebee’s Copycat recipe too. But another favorite Renee I know has a very

popular recipe for French Onion Pork Chops on her Kudos Kitchen blog. This recipe contains all the flavors of our favorite soup in a main meaty entree. Doesn’t it look incredible?

Pam of Living Rancho Delux made a tasty Chicken Pot Pie Topped with Potatoes Anna a while back. I love using alternative toppings for pot pies and this one looks delicious. If you are gluten free, this would be a great alternative by switching out the flour thickener.

Shelby of Grumpy’s Honeybunch’s Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Cheeseburger Dip would be great with a salad to watch Monday (and/or Thursday) night football for a quick and tasty dinner. I’m planning to make this for an appetizer for our next get together or for an easy weekend dinner. My boys would be all over this.

One of my favorite cookbooks from 2015 is Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees. Last week, I made the General Tso’s Chicken which came together quickly and was better than any takeout we’ve had. Chinese is comfort food for me – it’s what I request on my birthday and when life gets too busy and I need a night off from cooking. Today.com, shared the recipe here but I highly recommend this cookbook for your collection!

Lastly, a wonderful side dish or meal in itself with a salad and crusty bread – Patatas A la Importancia from Ilke’s Kitchen were gobbled up here. I suggest making a frittata with the leftovers (if you have any) for another quick dinner or for brunch on the weekend.

I hope you try one of these great dishes – if you do let me know. Have a great week everyone! Be sure to scroll down the other posts and enter some of the giveaways going on right now! Cookbooks!