The Cookbook Junkies

Time for a giveaway to celebrate 35,200 members! I have for you a little old school and a little new school selection: a set of four of Martha Stewart’s cookbooks and new copies of Aarti Paarti and Carla’s Comfort Food. (Sorry that the Martha’s Living Cookbook is a little crinkled on the book jacket – I tripped over it the other night after I got them lined up ready to take a picture. Let this be a lesson to you, don’t drink and cookbook (or don’t turn the light off at your desk and try to get to the stairs in the dark).

In addition to this set of books, I am going to gift one of you a one year subscription to Eat Your Books (EYB).

I’ve been writing reviews for EYB for about six months. Recently, I took the position of Cookbook Promotions Manager – writing reviews, contests, author events and more. I’ve slowly been adding my collection onto my bookshelf – I believe I’m over 600 now and still have thousands to go. One reason I’m anxious to complete my bookshelf is because I have purchased the same book not only twice, but sometimes three times. The cost alone of not buying duplicate books will be recouped in no time.

Of course, you can open an account with EYB for free to enter contests – but for $30.00 a year – a little over the price of a book – you receive incredible value including access to forums and other members’ reviews of recipes. I’m copying this explanation of what EYB does from their website for you here:

Butter & Scotch Recipes from Brooklyn’s Favorite Bar & Bakery by Allison Kave & Keavy Landreth (also known as the @DrunkBakers on twitter, love that – and we’d be great friends as I’m @icywit on twitter – get it, drunk bakers – icy wit – bar/ice…is this thing on?) was released earlier this month. This is one cool book – Brooklyn hipster cool but totally loveable.

To define Butter & Scotch is a conundrum: it’s part bakery, part bar food, part drinks and all great. The authors begin with The Basics – Cakes, Pies, Toppings & Cocktails – really what else is there? In The Basics, “core recipes” are shared that they adapt for many of their desserts and drinks: crushed toffee, candied pecans, cocktail syrups and more are covered here.

Next up, Brunch. Ok, if we must – Magic Buns (with many photographs of the process of preparing and folding the dough) is the first recipe in Brunch – I love these gals. Biscuits, oatmeal (how did that get in there?), Smoked Trout Benedict, granolas and brunch drinks follow. My favorite drink is the Manmosa – it’s as if  Blanche Devereaux has been reincarnated and named a drink. And let’s not forget the pickled vegetable recipes – for the Bloody Mary, of course!

My favorite time of day, Happy Hour! Smores Bars, Kings County Corn Bowl Sundae and Boozy Floats. And the drinks: Menta Make a Julep, Rhubarb Sour, and the Grilled Pineapple are just a few. We’re going back to New York next month for a wedding – I hope to see a Hot Buttered Scotch in my future and if I’m pressured, I wouldn’t say no to a Smores Bar.

The chapter devoted to the night menu has fun pairings for example, The Mary Ellen – a Dry Vodka Martini and a Classic Hot Fudge Sundae. Late night is for Sesame-Chile Popcorn, Pimento Cheese and Jell-Ohh Shots!

I do love this book – it’s quirky and delicious and every hipster, hipster wannabe or just all around cool person needs Butter & Scotch in their lives.

The Watchamacallthat Pie screamed to be made. For having four recipe components, it was quick work and wow is it good. Andrew, my son, sacrificed dinner to have a second piece (not really – but he did have a second piece).

Andrew, has declared that he wants this pie for his birthday every year. It was so easy – he can have it much more often. Special thanks to the authors and Abrams Books for allowing me to share this recipe with you. The recipe can be downloaded here.

Note: I made a little extra crust because Andrew loves Rice Krispie treats and I made it in a spring-form pan to show off the crust. I’m not sure if it looks great or rustic – either way it was yummy.

By the way, check out Allison Kave’s first title –  First Prize Pies – great book – another must have!

Random Number Generator picked #47 Grace Meier!

GIVEAWAY:  The lovely folks at Abrams sent me an extra copy of this book to share with one of you! To enter you may leave a comment daily on this post telling me something fun! For a second entry, please share on your Social Media channels and leave a second comment telling me you did so. The giveaway is open to US addresses only and a winner will be chosen by Random Number Generator on October 4th. Good luck! 

Honey is one of my favorite ingredients – I use it to soothe a sore throat, sweeten tea, slather it on biscuits and dozens of other ways. If sauces are too acidic, a teaspoon of honey works wonders as does adding a little to a dish that is too spicy. I love to add a drizzle of honey to chicken as a glaze – it truly elevates the dish. Cheese platters always seem a little more special when you serve a honey component to complement an offering. Another trick I use is to make oatmeal or whole grains a little more tempting for my son is to drizzle a little honey on top.

Honey Ridge Farms has a wonderful selection of honey flavors as well as cremes, vinegar and other products at incredible prices. I’ve been using their products for a few years and love their quality and taste. The variety of flavors are great and I think I’ve tried them all – my favorites are lemon and blood orange.

Recently, I had the opportunity to review Cal Orey’s The Healing Powers of Honey which not only shares valuable information on how honey can help in a variety of ailments but also includes dozens of healthful recipes and home cures. Some of these home cures include helping with acne, allergies, anxiety and more. I had no idea how valuable honey can be to our health.

The book includes spa and beauty treatments utilizing honey, recipes sprinkled throughout (as well as an entire recipe section), and a resources chapter to locate various sources of honey products.

I was inspired to try Honey Ridge Farm’s Clover Honey Creme in a glaze in my banana bread today. I added peach preserves (home made) and the result was delicious.

A SWEET GIVEAWAY:  To share the honey love, Honey Ridge Farms is offering one of you a prize package consisting of two types of honey creme, honey vinegar (so good), a wooden dipper and a copy of The Healing Powers of Honey! To enter this giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite use for honey. For an additional chance, please share this post on social media. You may enter daily until a random winner is chosen on October 1st. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses (excluding Hawaii and Alaska). If you are here entering the honey contest be sure to scroll through and enter all the great giveaways! 

Random Number Generator picked #97 – Carolsue!

Special thanks to Honey Ridge Farms for providing me with samples of their marvelous products and for sponsoring this giveaway.