Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook Review

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook by Pearl Barrett is the highly anticipated followup book to their Trim Healthy Mama diet guide. I was really looking forward to this book, but when I opened it my expectations fell flat. The book itself is substantial and heavy for a paperback. Inside, I was expecting far more in terms of photography. The pictures were few and far between. I like to see what I'm cooking before I cook it and the pictures also looked as if there were taken by the author herself which made most things look unappetizing. The recipes included many ingredients that you probably don't have on hand at home like Stevia and Xylitol and a Sweet Blend of sugar which you need to buy directly from the authors in order to make most of the items in this book. There is also a flour (Baking Blend) that they use for most of the recipes that you must buy separately as well. The flour comes in a 2 cup bag and is extremely expensive. This wasn't exactly what I had hoped for. Overall I was disappointed by this cookbook and feel that there are better alternatives out there.  I received a copy of this cookbook from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Treat is a charming little cookbook filled with colorful photography of every recipe. The pages are sturdy and glossy and the recipes all used Rice Krispy cereal as a base. Who knew there were so many variations! There are 50 recipes in all. Some of my favorites are the After School Power Bar Treats, Chocolate Hazelnut Treats and the Chocolate Caramel Malted Treats. I can't wait to try every single one. I also love that there is a section on how to make your own marshmallows including recipes for Strawberry, Vanilla and chocolate marshmallows.  If you want to kick up your rice krispy bars a notch, I highly recommend this book. It is nothing but fun sweets that you can make and take just about anywhere. I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. To get your copy, go here: Treat by Stephanie Banyas

The New Sugar & Spice cookbook by Samantha Seneviratne is one of the most unique cookbooks I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The photography was beautiful and the recipes were purely unlike any I had ever seen before. Spicy and Sweet are mixed together to form new twists on some old favorites. Te Maple Sticky Buns use lots of fresh ground cinnamon to make them stand out and the Raspberry Shortcakes with Zingy Double Ginger Biscuits have a special zip that is spicy and sweet all at the same time. Originally, I wasn't so sure I would like this book and it deviated from the standard recipes that I am used to, but this cookbook surpassed all of my expectations and there are tons of recipes that I would like to make and try. It's a different cookbook that's not too different. It combines some familiar flavors with some new twists. I highly recommend giving it a try. I received a free copy of this cookbook in exchange for my honest review from Blogging for Books.

Martha Stewart's new cookbook entitled Appetizers is amazing! The full color photography draws you in and every recipes looks scrumptious. I started marking which recipes I wanted to make but there are so many that every page is marked now. I can't say enough wonderful things about this book.  The book is broken down into Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites and Sips. From Mini Quiches, Salsas, Cheeseballs, Pigs in a Blanket and Sangria, it's all covered here. There are 200 recipes and you will want to make every one of them!  I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Blogging for Books. To purchase yours, go here: http://amzn.to/1MYpGWy

Today I am reviewing th Near & Far cookbook by Heidi Swanson. I really enjoyed this cookbook and found lots of new recipes that I can't wait to try. The photographs are beautiful and the layout of the book makes me want to come back to it again and again. The recipes are unique and very different. Things that I wouldn't normally think to make like Watermelon Radish Soup and Saffron Tagine. Each recipes is healthy and vegetarian. The authors writing style also makes you feel as though you are there with her in her travels. Smelling the warm bread and tasting various things. A completely enjoyable book. Highly recommended.  I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook from Blogging for Books. All of my opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get a copy of A Jewish Baker's Pasty Secrets by George Greenstein as his first cookbook had such wonderful reviews. While the recipes look amazing, there is not a single picture in the book except for the cover photo. This was very disappointing as I like to be able to see a picture of what I am making. This alone really turned me off.  The recipes do look wonderful and delicious, but it is hard to tell what the recipes should look like without a picture to go by.  Some of the recipes that I'd like to make are the Butter Kuchen with Two Sugars, the Babka with Three Chocolates, and the Streusel Cake. There are tons of very good and helpful baking tips sprinkled throughout the book and little antidotes about the authors personal life which I found to be enjoyable. Overall, if you are looking for a pretty book with lots of colorful pictures, you will be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, if you are looking for some really delicious time tested recipes that will Wow your friends and family, this is the book for you. I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review from Blogging for Books.

To get a copy of this book go here: http://amzn.to/1P28EWs

The Broad Fork Cookbook Review

I received a copy of The Broad Fork by Hugh Acheson and have throughly enjoyed looking through it. The photographs are bright and colorful and I love how this cookbook is broken into ingredients. This is perfect for when you have left over Red beets or any other vegetable and you're not sure what to do with it. I've found tons of recipes that I really would like to try including the following:

Slow Cooker Apple Butter; Roasted Figs with Pecorino Romano and Frisee; Kohlrabi Salad with Pecans, Lime, Paprika and Marjoram; Butter Lettuce Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts; and Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Lime, Queso Fresco, Chiles, and Cilantro.Buttered, Roasted Summer Squash with Basil; Blackberry Vinegar; Raspberry Cobbler with Drop Biscuit Topping; Grilled Corn Salad with Chiles, Basil and Lime; Chile-Mint Sautéed Cucumbers; Honeydew Agua Fresca; Sautéed Catfish with Cantaloupe, Lime, and Cilantro Salsa; Pickled Pepper and Feta Salad with Chickpeas, Olives, Raisins, Orange and Mint; Tian of Squash, Zucchini, Tomato, and Basil.

There are so many more recipes to choose from. I really love this cookbook. Eating vegetarian has never been easier and more tasty. I highly recommend adding this to your collection. 

I received a free copy of this book from Bloghing for Books in exchange for my honest review.