Young Chefs by Christina Dymock – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jun 132013
 

youngchefsYoung Chefs

Author: Christina Dymock

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published Date: June 2013

Paperback: 128 pages

Genre: Children’s Nonfiction/Cookbook

ISBN# 978-1462111954

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary (from Cedar Fort)

Kids in the kitchen don’t have to make a mess—as long as they know what they’re doing! Teaching your children how to cook can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to start. Wipe away your worries with this cookbook made specifically for kids.

Inside you’ll find tips for a variety of cooking techniques, a glossary for common cooking terms, and a book boiling over with recipes written for children such as Peanut Butter Morning Cake, Bobby’s Pork Chops, Pirate Eggs, and Banana Tacos. Along with interesting trivia and a section for needed tools, each recipe outlines which stages require adult help, and each process is broken down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Author of 101 Things to Do with Popcorn, Christina Dymock knows the adventures kids can find in the kitchen. Spending cooking time together can only help family relationships. So teach your children the skills found in Young Chefs, and be amazed that your new favorite meals came from the smallest hands.

Review

There is so much to like about Young Chefs by Christina Dymock.  The simple recipes appeal to kids and what they like to eat. Cute icons at the top of each recipe tell kids and parents what tools are required so you can know at a glance if your child will need your help. Brightly colored lettering and accents give the book a fun look and help spotlight each recipe.

As a mom of four kids who love to eat, I encourage them to make their own lunches and snacks when possible, but they always fall back on the same stuff. If I’m tired of seeing them eat the same things, I know they must be tired of eating the same things. While there are several recipes to choose from in each section, it is not an overwhelming amount, offering just enough variety that even picky eaters can find something they will like.

Included in the front of the book are tips for young first-time cooks and their parents, a glossary of basic cooking terms, as well as a How-To section with pictures so kids can see how to crack an egg, use a knife, measure ingredients, etc. There are six main recipe sections:

  • Breakfast: a variety of smoothie, juice, pastry and egg recipes.
  • Lunch: easy to put together finger foods, roll-ups, and sandwiches, most of which don’t require much cooking. There are a few (like Meatless Lasagna Rolls) that take a little longer and use the oven, something an older child ready to expand their skills might be interested in preparing.
  • Snacks: range in taste from sweet (Vanilla Mango Pops) to simple (Blonde Trail Mix) to savory (Pig Skins).
  • Dinner: a delicious selection of recipes like French Bread Pizza, Best Nachos Ever, Slow Cookin’ Taco Soup, and Creamy Dreamy Alfredo Sauce.
  • Sides: salads, gelatin, and a variety of vegetable selections.
  • Desserts: includes the good ol’ standby when I was growing up, Frosting Sandwiches, as well as cookies, bars and more.

Young Chefs would make a great summer project, giving kids and parents something to both keep kids occupied and feed them at the same time. With simple ingredients kids recognize and clearly outlined preparation steps, there might just be some some new favorites that your kids will be happy to make for themselves again and again.

Visit Christina Dymock:

BLOG | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

Find Young Chefs: 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

Young Chefs Blog Tour

Click on the banner above to see the Young Chefs Blog Tour schedule.

Review of 365 Days of Slow-Cooking by Karen Bellessa Petersen

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jun 152012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: 365 Days of Slow-Cooking
  • Author: Karen Bellessa Petersen
  • Spiral-bound: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (February 14, 2012)
  • Genre: Cookbook
  • ISBN-10: 1608618706
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608618705
  • FTC:FYI I received a review copy in
  • exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

 

 

 Book Description: 

Family dinner may be the most important part of the day, and for busy households, a slow-cooker may be the most important item in the kitchen! This volume of slow-cooker recipes offers easy instructions for creating appetizing meals that are prepared on your own time and served at just the right time. With 365 dishes that can be assembled in minutes, including dozens that require just two minutes or less, this collection is the perfect solution for hectic days and crowded schedules. Tempt your family’s palate with favorite entrees like golden beef stroganoff and smothered pork chops, hearty side dishes like buttermilk mashed potatoes, and delectable desserts like hot fudge pudding cake. Perk up tired menus with ethnic delights from Thai peanut noodles to Greek pita folds, and find the perfect soup or stew to please a crowd with minimal prep time. Thanks to this user-friendly guide, dinnertime just got a lot more simple, and a lot more delicious.

My Review:

According to the beginning of the book, Karen at one time rarely used her slow-cooker. She soon started an experience of cooking every day with the slow-cooker. Her blog, 365DayofCrockpotblogspot.com started and from there her fan base grew. Then of course this cook book followed. This book is a gem among cookbooks out there.


Here are some of the things I loved about this cookbook:

–She has tips for slow-cooking like…

     **Buying a Slow-Cooker

     **Caring for and Cleaning a Slow-Cooker

     **How A slow-cooker works

     **Getting to Know your slow-cooker

     **Reducing Fat and what to do if food gets runny


–Variety of Recipes:

I loved the different categories that were included in this cookbook:

   **Appetizers

   **Beverages

   **Breads and Spreads

   **Breakfast

   **Beef Dishes

   **Poultry Dishes

   **Pasta Dishes and Sauces

   **Sides and Salads

   **Soups/Stews/Chili

   **Desserts


I was surprised by all of the things you really can cook in a slow-cooker, and I am by no means a novice at using a slow-cooker. I have used a slow-cooker a lot the past 20 years. So it was thrilling to see all of the new recipes and with such a great variety. 


Another thing I loved in this cookbook was how Karen had coded some of the recipes such as, a star by the recipes that are her personal favorites that she uses over and over again. She has a 2 minute prep box by the recipes that take 2 minutes or less to prepare. Then she has the ALL DAY circle by the recipes you use if you are going to be gone all day. For those of us that work full time, I was especially happy to see this!


When I was asked to review this cookbook, I decided to ask several friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members to help me in testing out recipes. Here are some of the responses I heard from “MY” testers…


“I love the simple and easy recipes. It didn’t take long to throw everything together in the morning.”


“I was so happy that my kids loved the recipes I tried! I need to buy this book now that I have found things that they’ll eat.”


“My favorite part of the recipes I tried is they only had a few ingredients AND they were things I had already in my pantry.”


“The recipe I tried was yummy and easy to make.”


For myself, I eat low-carb, and there were many things I was able to make for my eating style. I also echo what another Mom said above, I found things that my picky eaters at my house want me to make again. They loved the things I made.


With beautiful photographs, great variety of recipes, and easy prep time, this is a cookbook any busy woman/man will want to have on their shelf. I love the spiral bound book that stands by itself as I am putting things together in the crockpot. I can honestly say, out of all of the 6 slow-cooker cookbooks I own, hands down this is the best one out there! I will use these recipes over and over again.



You could read more about Karen and her recipes at http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/


You can purchase 365 Days of Slow-Cooking here at Amazon and Deseret Book.


Here are some of Karen’s favorite dessert recipes that you can bake in the crockpot.


CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/4 cup sugar, divided

2 eggs, divided

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoons vanilla, divided

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1. In a medium bowl, beat butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg until well blended. Stir in flour, salt, cocoa and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into greased slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl with a mixer at low speed, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until just mixed. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. Drop dollops of cream cheese mixture on top of batter. Using the tip of a knife, lightly score the top surface to mix the cream cheese mixture in slightly.

3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes 8 servings.

 

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 eggs

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of waxed paper to fit the bottom and grease the waxed paper.

2. In a bowl, beat the butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips until well blended.

3. Spoon the dough evenly into the slow cooker and smooth the top.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for about 3 hours, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Set the lid slightly ajar. Turn off the heat and remove the insert from the slow cooker. Allow to cool in the insert for 30 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack; cut and serve.

 

 

HOT CARAMEL AND CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients:

4 ounce cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 egg

2 8.2-ounce packages, chocolate chip muffin mix

2 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup caramel ice-cream topping

1/2 cup water

Vanilla ice cream

1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine cream cheese and milk. Cook on 50-percent power for 1 minute; remove and stir. Continue cooking for 30-second intervals until cream cheese melts; stir with wire whisk to blend.

2. Place cream cheese mixture in large bowl; stir in sour cream, cocoa powder, and egg. Mix well. Add both packages of muffin mix; stir just until combined.

3. Spray slow cooker with nonstick baking spray containing flour. Spread batter evenly in slow cooker.

4. In small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, ice-cream topping, and water; heat to boiling, stirring until blended. Carefully pour over batter in slow cooker. Do not stir.

5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

6. Uncover, turn off slow cooker, top loosely with foil, and let stand for 30 minutes. Gently run a sharp knife around the edges of the cake and invert over serving plate until cake drops out. If any sauce remains in slow cooker, spoon over cake. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

7. Serve cake and sauce with vanilla ice cream.

Makes 8 servings.

 

About the Author:

 

 Karen Petersen is a stay at home mom who began her crockpot cooking adventures in January of 2009.

 

“I like to make something that my husband will enjoy after a long day at work,” Karen said. “He is my greatest fan.”

 

She randomly cooked dinner in her slow cooker, something she seldom did as she only had one good slow cooker recipe.  She liked the freedom that came from having dinner done early in the day and was pleased when she didn’t have to fight her 2 cranky kids at 5 p.m. while she  was trying to make dinner.  She decided to keep going with the slow cooker.  After 7 days of slow cooked meals she rashly made the decision to cook 365 slow cooker recipes over the course of 365 days.  She developed a blog to chart her progress and post the recipes, reviews and pictures.  At the end of the 365 days she compiled a cookbook, which she now sells (and uses all the time).  After her year was up she took a few weeks off and then continued developing new slow cooker recipes using the techniques she had learned over the year. Karen describes her cooking style as easy, tasty, made with simple ingredients, and food that her family will eat.

 

“I’ve cooked over 500 different recipes in my slow cooker over the past 2 years,” Karen said. “I have learned a lot of different tips and techniques that can help anyone achieve slow cooking success! I often teach slow cooking classes to local groups. I am currently writing my second slow cooker cookbook.  I have appeared on TV over 10 times demonstrating different recipes.”

 

Karen is a mother of two kids, six-year-old Reagan and three-year-old Skyler. Her husband, Greg, is a federal probation officer. Karen enjoys fitness and running and teaches fitness classes to local moms to bur off all the calories she eats at dinner each night. Karen describes herself as shy, and said she likes blogging because she doesn’t know who’s reading and can write to an unkown audience.

Get delicious food, find great reads AND win a Kindle! – The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Jul 142011
 

The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook

Author: Christy Dorrity

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Dorrity Publications

Format: Kindle Edition

FTC FYI: I received a review copy from the author that did not affect my review.

Today it is my privilege to present to you The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook by Christy Dorrity.

Great books, bloggers, and recipes meet in this fresh and unique cookbook that helps you experience books, not just read them.

Books were selected from the author’s book review blog and paired with delectable recipes like “Fairy Touched Calico Brownies” from the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, “7-Day Layer Dip” from Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall, and “I Hate Chocolate Cake” from Amanda Hocking’s Switched. Mouthwatering photos complement every recipe.

The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook includes a foreword by Amanda Hocking, author of the USA Today Bestselling Trylle Trilogy and showcases over seventy reviews with links to book review blogs and author websites.

Whether you’re a food lover, an avid reader or a book blogger, there’s something for you in The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook.

If you like eating, this cookbook is for you. If you like reading, this cookbook is for you. If you like eating WHILE reading, this cookbook is definitely for you. And the fact that it’s for the Kindle means no leaving greasy fingerprints on the pages while cooking or eating all this yummy food.

Don’t have a Kindle? Christy can fix that for you.

To celebrate the release of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, Christy is giving away a Kindle! If you purchase a copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, you can also get a free BONUS recipe booklet. Contest details and the blog tour schedule are listed on Christy’s blog here.

Anyone who leaves a comment on this post is entered into the contest. Here are some of the details from Christy:

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or any of the great blogs that are participating. Then, if you want more entries into the contest, tweet, facebook, or blog about the cookbook and leave a separate comment telling me what you did. You can say something like: Win a Kindle at the launch tour of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook http://tinyurl.com/3vurm3a #bbcb Winners will be drawn using random.org on July 21st.

You don’t even need a Kindle to enjoy this cookbook. The free Kindle app is available for desktop, Android and iOS devices, so there’s no excuse not to try some of these tasty dishes. Even the price is unbeatable. Right now The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook is only 99 cents!

After reading through this cookbook (and drooling over the pictures of mouth-watering meals, desserts, and more) I not only added several new books to my to-read list, I also discovered some great book bloggers through their review blurbs.

When Christy asked if I would like to be a part of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook, I was honored. I have had the opportunity to meet Christy in person. Not only is she sweet, she’s gorgeous, too.

See what I mean? I’ll tell you how she keeps her figure – Irish dancing. After eating all of these delicious recipes, I’m going to have to start Irish dancing, too.

I know which recipe I want to make first (and the one that is most likely to send me to Irish dancing class). It also happens to be paired with the book that has *ahem* my review blurb for Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes listed with it. But before you leave to purchase your copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook (only 99 cents right now!) check out these cookies that even Autumn Rain would eat.

***

Organic Imprint Cookies

1/3 cup melted coconut oil or clarified butter
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon all-natural cornstarch or arrowroot
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Zest of one orange
Jam or preserves (preferably fruit sweetened)

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, pour the warm, melted coconut oil over the honey and whisk in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl combine the flour, oats, cornstarch or arrowroot, sea salt, baking soda, and orange zest. Add the flour mixture to the honey mixture, stirring until just combined. Let the dough sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir once or twice again; the dough should be stiff.

Roll the dough into balls, one teaspoonful at a time, and place an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. The cookies will spread. Use a pinky finger or the back of a very tiny spoon to make a well in the top of each ball of dough. Fill each well to the top with 1/8 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the bottom and edges of the cookies are just golden.

Makes two dozen tiny cookies.

***

Oh, my. I can’t wait to try these cookies.

Go get your copy of The 2011 Book Blogger’s Cookbook today.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a Kindle!


Family Feasts for $75 a Week by Mary Ostyn

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jan 042010
 

Title: Family Feasts for $75 a Week

Author: Mary Ostyn

Publisher: Oxmoor House, Inc.

Published Date: September 2009

ISBN#: 978-0-8487-3296-7

Paperback, 304 pages

From the Cover: “A Penny-Wise Mom Shares Her Recipe for Cutting Hundreds from Your Monthly Food Bill.”

Written by the author of the popular Owlhaven blog, Family Feasts for $75 a Week addresses the subject of how to save money on your food bill while still feeding your family good meals. As a mother of 10 children ranging from 5 years to newly married, six of whom are adopted from Korea and Ethiopia, Mary Ostyn has plenty of real-world experience to share with readers.

I’ve read a few books about saving money on groceries in the past and I learned a lot from them. The biggest difference between those books and Family Feasts is survival- Mary knows what works best because she’s had to learn it. Some of the tips she shares I was familiar with from past reading, but a large number of them were both new and very useful to me.

At the end of the first few chapters the author shares “Action Points” that summarize the directions and suggestions she gives throughout the chapters. Included in one of these early chapters is a quiz to help the reader determine what area of the book would be most useful to them. Scattered throughout the first section of the book are handy charts containing information such as what fruits & veges are in season during what months to allow for the most frugal produce purchases, a list of pantry staples, meat cost per serving, how long produce stays fresh, and more.

Mary also shares instructions on starting a price book and how to create a basic meal plan with “two times five”meal planning. The recipe section begins on page 78 of the book. I thought the tips and advice would end at this point, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the money saving ideas and preparation tips continue to appear with each recipe. And there are a lot of recipes- the kind you would actually feed your family.

What worked for me: I found the various information charts very useful, as well as the “action points” at the end of the first chapters. I really like the “two times five” meal plan idea and I can’t wait to give it a try, especially since meal planning at my house lately consists of standing in front of the fridge at 5 PM and saying, “Hmmmm.” I’ve also learned a few handy cooking tips from the recipe section.

What didn’t work for me: Taking Family Feasts back to the library!

Doubling our children from two to four in less than two years has left me scrambling to regain the footing I used to have at meal time. I appreciate the advice and experience Mary shares in Family Feasts for $75 a Week. One might assume that the information in this book is directed only at those with large families, but it can actually be applied to any size family. Even a single person could adapt and use the advice offered in this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 (I really liked it)
Would I read it again? Absolutely. Not only would I read it again, but it’s going on my “books to buy” list.
Do I recommend this book? Definitely, especially to busy moms with kids
Would I read more of Mary’s books? Yes! In fact, I plan on reading her previous book, A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family.

FTC FYI: The copy of this book that I reviewed was borrowed from my local library.