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Archive for the ‘Books’ Category
Strawberry Delights Gives Food a New Flair
Friday, March 11, 2011
Strawberry Delights is an excellent collection of more than 250 recipes that feature the flavorful flair of the strawberry. This versatile, innovative cookbook will impress even experienced gourmet chefs with its range of dishes and creative uses of the fruit. At the same time, those new to cooking will not find themselves intimidated, for instructions are laid out in a clear manner and are simple to follow. The rewarding experience of making such delicious food will prompt even reluctant cooks into returning to the kitchen again and again. Many of the recipes use strawberry preserves or frozen strawberries, so there is no concern that this cookbook will ever be out of season.
Karen Hood‘s remarkable cookbook also includes fascinating facts about strawberry nutrition, history, and folklore in addition to information on growing and cultivating your own strawberries–a valuable addition for anyone looking to go green or eat more responsibly. Hood’s lovely poems and wide knowledge of cooking, gardening, and the strawberry itself further enhance the collection in the poetry section and the ‘Did You Know?’ segments sprinkled throughout the book. Plainly, Strawberry Delights is far more than just a cookbook: it is a versatile companion for any household.
My family had fun trying out the Strawberry Pineapple Chicken Bites. Even though it is in the Appetizer section of the cookbook, I made it as a fun lunch for my kids, and it was a big hit. My oldest is fairly stand-offish about fruit, and to be honest even I am not too fond of pineapple, but this made a very light and flavorful meal that I will be happy to make again. I also made the Spiced Glazed Pork Tenderloin, which was very tender and moist. The spices gave it a taste reminiscent of the holidays, while the strawberry added a bright sweetness that I found particularly tasty. For dessert, we tried the White Chocolate Strawberry Fudgies, which were honestly just about the richest, most delightfully decadent cookie I have ever had. Everyone was blown away, even my husband, who is a strict milk-chocolate-only person. I find myself continually impressed and grateful for the way in which Hood’s recipes tempt even the pickiest eaters in my family to eat foods they don’t normally enjoy.
Order your copy of Strawberry Delights today!
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Mother’s Day Delights: Bringing a Special Touch to the Holiday
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Whether you are looking for a special gift for Mother’s Day or would like to dazzle your mother with a delicious meal, Mother’s Day Delights is the perfect choice. Packed with recipes, insightful poetry, and information about the holiday, this cookbook is a treasure trove of inspiration. Even mothers who don’t do much cooking are sure to enjoy this book, for the recipes are quick and easy with clear instructions, and the results are always fabulous. On the other hand, if your mother is a kitchen whiz, she will be impressed by the quality and variety of recipes that range from appetizers to desserts, jams and jellies to soups, main dishes to side dishes and everything in between. Amaze your mother with a breakfast of Swedish Pancakes and a souffle, or serve her Baked Beef Burgundy and a tantalizing Confetti Chopped Salad for dinner–no matter what meal you choose to honor her with, she will be delighted. Many of the recipes are easy enough that the kids can help Dad out in the kitchen to make a special breakfast in bed, and some are even suitable for older children to make on their own.
My family tried out the Buttermilk Cloverleaf Rolls, the Steak with Sweet Onions, the Baked Potatoes with Stuffing, and the Chocolate Velvet Cake. The rolls were both aesthetically impressive and delicious, very light and buttery. The steak was incredible, as flavorful and tender as any steak we would find at an expensive restaurant. My husband may insist that it become a Father’s Day dinner too! We were pleasantly surprised at the way our kids devoured the potatoes despite the tofu in the stuffing, and thought that it was a great way to add protein to this normally starchy side dish. The cake was best of all–and not just because I’m a chocoholic: it was very moist and rich, truly velvety. Karen Hood has come up with a unique way to add a special touch to the traditional chocolate cake recipe, and I continue to be impressed by her cooking experience and the quality of her Cookbook Delights series.
Order your copy of Mother’s Day Delights today!
Make this Spring unforgettable with Easter Delights
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Easter Delights is a cookbook that is destined to become a well-loved classic, filled with over 240 delicious recipes that will make planning for this holiday a breeze. Even at a glance, it is clear that author Karen Hood has chosen recipes that reflect the freshness and vibrance of Spring, using seasonal ingredients that bring dazzling flavors to life. Cooks of all experience and skill will be thrilled with this book, for it offers both traditional dishes and inspiring new recipes that are laid out in a consistent format that is easy to understand and follow. Whether you want to create an elegant brunch or a satisfying dinner, this cookbook provides everything you need to make your Easter meal a success.
While the garden freshness of many of the other appetizers appealed strongly to me, I simply couldn’t resist trying out the Empress Chicken Wings. These Asian style wings were amazing, very flavorful without being overly hot and spicy like most recipes I have tried in the past. The selection of light, fruity beverages were so tempting that I had trouble picking just one. The Springtime Freezy Punch was easy to make and got high marks from my entire family, and I can easily imagine how well it will compliment an Easter brunch. For dinner, we had Roast Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Cranberry Glaze, Garlic Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, and Sweet & Nutty Holiday Peas. All of the food was outstanding, the pork tender and the glaze delightful, the mashed potatoes so packed with flavor that I don’t think we’ll ever be able to go back to eating them plain. The peas were downright amazing. I must confess that I have never liked peas and was actually a bit nervous about how this side dish would be received at the dinner table. No one complained, and there wasn’t a single pea left, not even on my plate.
There are so many enticing recipes in Easter Delights that I will be cooking up a storm for some time to come. I am very impressed with the variety, elegance, and quality of Hood’s recipes–she has transformed me from a shy and inexperienced housewife into a first-class hostess always excited for the next family gathering! My husband’s large (and rather daunting) extended family will be coming to Easter at our house for the first time this year, and with Easter Delights in hand I have no worries about making a good impression. There are recipes for everything I could want, from delicious desserts and sweet treats to fancy quiches and salad dressings. Traditional Easter foods like hot cross buns, deviled eggs, and the classic Easter ham are just the beginning: there is also Bourbon Pecan Roast Chicken, Spiced Cherry Salad, Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, and much more. Now the only trouble is deciding which amazing recipes will make up my holiday menu…
Valentine Delights: Culinary Romance
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Valentine Delights is a wonderful new cookbook by prolific author and cook Karen Jean Matsko Hood. Packed with delicious recipes, poetry, and fun tidbits of folklore and history, it is sure to be treasured year-round. Designed to achieve a lovely aesthetic as well as thrill the tastebuds, the recipes in this book will add a sumptuous touch to any special or romantic occasion.
Valentine Delights is an invaluable help when planning a memorable evening for your loved one. Hood’s inspired recipes take the stress out of cooking a special meal, giving clear, simple instructions that create truly spectacular dishes. No matter what culinary taste you are trying to achieve, you are sure to find a menu to suit. The extras added to all Whispering Pine Press cookbooks make Valentine Delights stand out even more, providing inspiration for new ways to celebrate the holiday and show your love for the special person in your life.
My family tried out the Chicken Pepperoni, Potatoes Dauphinouise, and Cream Cheese Cookie Hearts. We were all very impressed with the Chicken Pepperoni, which is a fun and unexpected combination of pizza, chicken, and pasta–a good way to get picky eaters to try something new and healthier than Papa John’s or Pizza Hut. The Potatoes Daphinouise were delightfully creamy and cheesy, fancier than ordinary potatoes au gratin. I will be proud to take them as a side dish to family holiday gatherings, where in the past I have felt a bit outclassed by my sisters-in-law and their greater experience in the kitchen. My kids had alot of fun making the cookies, which are very simple and versatile. They are a bit like sugar cookies, but lighter and flakier, and the cream cheese gives them a really wonderful flavor. The cookies were gobbled up quickly, leaving everyone clamoring for more. They will definitely be a favorite at our house. I only wish that I had bought this cookbook in time for Valentine’s Day this year, but I am excited about the possibilities it gives me for creating special ‘date nights’ with my husband all year long, as well as wowing him on our anniversary and many Valentine’s Days to come.
Order your copy of Valentine Delights today!
Raspberry Delights: A Summery, Flavorful Twist to Beloved Old Recipes and New Favorites
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Karen Jean Matsko Hood has done it again: another amazing entry in her popular Cookbook Delight Series that is sure to tempt the tastebuds and lure even reluctant cooks into the kitchen to try out these delicious recipes. Raspberry Delights is a treasure trove of unique ways to use this sweet berry to the fullest. I was particularly impressed by the creative use of raspberries in soups, entrees, and side dishes to create unexpected bright, appealing flavors, and the sheer variety of breads and desserts is tantalizing.
As with all of Hood’s cookbooks, it is the extra touches that really make Raspberry Delights stand out. The recipes alone are worth the price of admission, so to speak, but there is so much more: information on different types of raspberry, medicinal uses of the plant, even tips on growing your own raspberries. I was planning to start a small garden in my backyard this year, and was pleasantly surprised to see this information. The preserving section not only provides wonderful recipes for raspberry jams and jellies, but actual instructions for canning, freezing, and dehydrating the berries as well. I have never seen such thorough, detail-oriented information in a cookbook before.
Since raspberries are not currently in season, I used frozen berries for all of the recipes I tried out. Many of the recipes call for fresh raspberries, but I was not disappointed in how any of them turned out and can only imagine how much more flavorful they will taste with fresh fruit. I am a sucker for a good potato salad and am always looking for new variants, so of course I had to try the Raspberry Potato Salad. The recipe was very simple and the results were nothing short of amazing. This potato salad blows my old favorite away, and I can’t wait to take it to the family barbeque on Independence Day this year–it will knock my in-laws flat! I also tried out the Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken, which turned out very tender and moist with a wonderful tangy glaze. The Raspberry Cornbread was a wonderful twist on the conventional recipe, and it was a bit difficult restraining myself to just one piece. Hood’s recipes continue to be a big hit with my family, most of whom are notoriously picky eaters, and I am very glad that I discovered her Cookbook Delights series.
Order your copy of Raspberry Delights today!
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