Category: Book Reviews

Posted in Book Reviews

Delish Insanely Easy Chicken Dinners

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This may be the best thing to ever happen to your weeknight dinner routine.

If the thought of a plain, boring chicken breast makes you want to roll your eyes, you NEED this cookbook from Delish. It includes the best chicken recipes Delish food editors have ever created. Team Delish has solved all your problems. The food editors assembled three entire months’ worth of the best chicken dinner recipes they’ve ever produced in one easy-to-use cookbook: Insanely Easy Chicken Dinners.

That One Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great variety ideas for chicken
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book. Recipes I've tried are easy and delicious. I've made the crock pot chicken and dumplings (amazing comfort food), the crock pot pasta alfredo, and the tikka masala. Many other great looking recipes in the book that I'm sure I'll try soon. Also, the book is spiral bound so that lies flat, making using it while cooking much easier. I'm looking to cook more chicken and less red meat and this book was an awesome choice. Lots of chickeny variety at a reasonable price! Recommend!
Don
5.0 out of 5 stars My Go-to weekday cookbook
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have to feed a family of 6 and getting everyone to like the same meal is the plight of my life. But THIS cookbook has had more successful recipes that pleased everyone than any other cookbook I own. I bought it on a total whim. I saw on Instagram that it was on a flash sale, so i think it was like $15 or something. And I'm SOOOO glad I did. My family favorites are: Honey Garlic Chicken (which they ask for WEEKLY), Ranch Chicken & Rice, Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Tortellini Soup, Oven Fried Chicken (they liked the sauce the most, I think). I'm still cooking through it. But the hits keep coming with this cookbook. I love how they divided the recipes up too. I like how they aren't complicated recipes or hard to find ingredients. I have most ingredients on hand. It's just a solid, feed your family kind of cookbook. It's easy to get sick of chicken, which is where I was kind of at, when I bought this. But I'm not exaggerating, I look forward to trying a new thing now. I wish they did a Ground Beef one next. *hint hint* Delish if youre reading this.
Posted in Book Reviews

Betty Crocker New Cake Decorating

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pipe, Swirl, Splatter and Shape a Spectacular Decorated Cake!Get inspired! The 75 cakes in Betty Crocker New Cake Decorating are more playful, elegant and creative than ever, with clear guidance that makes it easy to decorate with confidence. A colorful intro shows how to frost a cake, pipe frosting and more. The real fun begins with lively creations like the Honey-Lemon Beehive Cake buzzing with candy bees; the sophisticated Pink Tuxedo Cake; shaped animals, castles and vehicles; holiday themes for year-round fun; plus cakes for weddings, birthdays and showers. Whether you are just starting out or seeking new ideas, you’ll find all you need to decorate to your heart’s content, including:
Whimsical Cakes, such as Watercolor Ombre Cake, Zebra Layer Cake and Rainbow Petal Sheet Cake.
Cutout & Shaped Cakes, such as Kitty Cat Layer Cake, Fire Engine Cake and Pizza Cake.
Holiday Cakes, such as Surprise-in-the-Center Speckled Egg Cake, Mom’s Day Sunflower Cupcakes Bouquet and Christmas Tree Cake with Mini Trees.

reviewsbyme
4.0 out of 5 stars The decorating ideas were perfectly fine, but a lot of the suggestions called for ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bought this when my copy of the previous edition met an unfortunate demise when it got attacked by bookworms (I'm not talking about book-lovers here) in my old apartment. The decorating ideas were perfectly fine, but a lot of the suggestions called for specialty equipment and a trip to Michael's. I thought the recipes in the previous edition were better in general and I also liked that most of the recipes in the older edition could be done with a set of regular pans, decorating tips, and inexpensive ingredients from the grocery store. Many of the ideas in this book are in line with modern cupcake-decorating trends, so maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

Posted in Book Reviews

Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners: Easy, Foolproof Recipes for Any Machine

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Start enjoying freshly baked breads, straight from your bread machine

There’s nothing more satisfying than filling your kitchen with the warm scent of freshly baked bread—and a bread machine is the simplest way to make it happen. Whether you’re brand new to making bread or you just want to enjoy the hands-off approach offered by this convenient appliance, the Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners makes it easy to get started with simple recipes and even simpler guides.

Say goodbye to store-bought sandwich bread. With just a handful of ingredients, a few minutes of prep, and this handy bread machine cookbook, you’ll be enjoying homemade loaves as often as you want.

The Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners includes:

  • Clear guidance—Learn how bread machines work and how to clean them, what each setting should be used for, troubleshooting tips, and more.
  • 85 easy recipes—This bread machine cookbook features a full range of recipes, from classic Everyday Whole-Wheat Bread and Soft White Bread to Pizza Dough and Hot Cross Buns.
  • Reliable measurements—Go beyond other bread machine cookbooks with ingredient lists that are scaled for both 1.5- and 2-pound loaves.

Turn your kitchen into your personal bakery with a little help from the Bread Machine Cookbook for Beginners.

Amazon

Creative Cakes by Alan Dunn
Posted in Book Reviews

Alan Dunn’s Creative Cakes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Craft elegant designs and extraordinary sugar flowers to make cakes fit for the most special of occasions!
 
Cake decoration is an art that can turn your everyday baking into a beautiful display of skill and creativity. With the right instruction anyone can learn how to create marvelous designs with fun, quick, and innovative techniques. 
 
Alan Dunn’s Creative Cakes covers a variety of cake decorating methods, ranging from more elaborate designs to several simple and straightforward ideas that can be followed by the amateur cake decorator with ease. The featured concepts are suitable for a variety of occasions, including wedding, engagement, anniversary, and birthday cakes—and a special section guides the reader through simple step-by-step instructions for stylish flower decorations and stunning floral sprays. If you are looking for the most inspired and innovative cake decoration ideas, this book will exceed your expectations.

Posted in Book Reviews

The Best Ice Cream Maker Cookbook Ever

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Choice is what it’s all about: Choosing your favorite flavor, favorite topping or swirl-in, favorite frozen dessert. For no matter what kind of ice cream maker you own — an inexpensive canister or a top-of-the-line electric freezer — there’s an extra special treat here for you.

Exciting flavors include an assortment of vanillas of varying degrees of richness, several great chocolates, Butter Pecan, Sensational Strawberry, Peaches ‘n’ Cream, Utterly Peanut Butter and Double Ginger to mention only a sampling. For an extra flourish, there’s a collection of ice creams with add-ons — swirls and twirls, sauces and toppings. There is even an entire chapter of great reduced-fat light ice creams and nonfat frozen yogurts with names like Creamy Banana, Cappuccino, Date Rum and Maple Crunch.

Many completely fat-free frozen delights are covered in the chapter called “Sorbets, Granitas and Other Ices.” Enticing and refreshing, they come in flavors such as Kiwi-Lime, Mango Margarita, Spiced Rasberry and Strawberry Daquiri. And for showstopping, truly fabulous desserts, made completely in advance, turn to the last chapter, which contains ice cream cakes, pies and other frozen desserts.

Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews

The Best Pressure Cooker Recipes on the Planet: 200 Triple-Tested, Family-Approved, Fast & Easy Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

From chili verde to creamy cheesecake—make it in minutes with this treasury of 200 recipes and color photos!

Preparing delicious suppers and magnificent desserts doesn’t have to be hard work—with the magic of a pressure cooker and this book of easy-to-follow recipes, you can have soon-to-be family favorites ready in a fraction of the time!

*Perfect to use with the Instant Pot or any other pressure cooker brand

*Make mealtime easy with 200 incredible recipes—Maple Apple Steel-Cut Oats, Spicy Sausage and Rice, Chicken and Sweet Potato Dumplings, and many more

*Includes 75 full-color photos throughout

*Wow your family and guests with hearty stews, healthy vegetables, nourishing one-pot wonders, and sumptuous desserts—all from a pressure cooker

*Finally, spend more time enjoying delicious meals than it took to prepare them!

These triple-tested recipes are the saving grace of busy families. With The Best Pressure Cooker Recipes on the Planet, you can savor incredible meals . . . without the pressure!

Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews

The Complete Book of Smoothies: 115 Healthy Recipes to Nourish, Heal, and Energize

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Your complete guide to making simple, healthy smoothies

When you need a nutritious breakfast on the go or a midday snack, it doesn’t get any easier than a smoothie. This complete guide to creating smoothies offers more than 100 recipes packed with fresh flavors and nourishing ingredients. With helpful tips and tricks for making the most of your blends and nutritional information included with every recipe, you can add a nourishing routine into your daily life.

The Complete Book of Smoothies includes:

115 creative recipes—Sip on health-boosting blends, protein powerhouses, antioxidant-rich recipes, classic green smoothies, kid-friendly beverages, and drinkable desserts.

Prep and setup—Discover which smoothie staples to keep on hand, how to store ingredients to extend their shelf life, and how to swap for dietary needs or personal preference.

Smoothie anatomy—Learn how to build your smoothie from the base up, including pre-blending and layering ingredients for the perfect creamy texture.

Enjoy a fast, easy, and refreshing drink anytime with The Complete Book of Smoothies.

Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews

Meal Prep Lunches: 80 Recipes for Ready-to-Go Meals

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Reimagine the midday meal with 80 delicious recipes and 10 weeks of meal plans for busy people

Forget the uninspired salads and tired leftovers of past lunchtimes—meal prepping is the easy solution to eating nutritious and tasty midday meals and snacks on the go. Meal Prep Lunches helps simplify your routine with 80 delectable recipes and 10 weeks of pre-planned meals that save you time, money, and stress without sacrificing flavor.

Creating mouthwatering lunches is easy with recipes like Chickpea Buddha Bowl, Creamy Chicken Quesadillas, Pulled Pork-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, and many more to choose from. You’ll find nutritional information and dietary swap suggestions to help you get the most out of each recipe. Meal prep: it’s what’s for lunch!

Meal Prep Lunches includes:

  • Keys to success—Get practical pointers for meal prep success, including how to avoid common mistakes like using the wrong container or prepping too far in advance.
  • A guide to prepping your kitchen—Learn how to stock your pantry and fridge to keep meal prep easy and convenient, and get a helpful guide to storage containers.
  • No-reheat recipes—Explore a number of recipes that don’t require reheating, like Tex-Mex Cauliflower-Stuffed Peppers and Greek-Inspired Pasta Salad.

Take the guesswork out of your lunch break with dozens of simple, flavorful options to try from Meal Prep Lunches.

Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews

The Ultimate Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 200 Easy Foolproof Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Spectacular meals can be yours in an instant! Get the most out of your Instant Pot or other multi-cooker with this tasty collection of 200 quick and easy-to-follow recipes, bringing delicious family meals to your table in a fraction of the time. The no-fuss settings on the Instant Pot and other multi-cookers mean all you have to do is put in your ingredients, set the cook time, and let the pot do the rest! 

Enjoy exceptional pressure cooker recipes your family will love, from hearty stews and healthy vegetables, to international fare and incredible treats. Save time, money, and find a little something for everyone in every chapter—without the hours of preparation and complicated instructions!

* 200 great sides, dinners, and desserts for your Instant Pot or multi-cooker
* Includes 75 full-color photos throughout
* Low-maintenance recipes that save you time in the kitchen
* Make incredible meals that won’t hurt your budget!

With The Ultimate Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook, you can whip up your favorite comfort foods, creative side dishes, and desserts that’ll make even the pickiest of eaters ask for seconds. Discover your new family favorites and make the most of your kitchen’s #1 appliance!

Instant Pot is a registered trademark of Double Insight Inc. The Ultimate Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook is an independently created book and is not endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by Double Insight Inc.

Amazon

Posted in Book Reviews

Dutch Oven Dinners: A Cookbook for Flavorful Meals Made in Your Favorite Pot

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Dinner is served—satisfying everyday recipes from your Dutch oven

You know your Dutch oven makes great soups and stews, but this versatile pot can serve up dinners of all kinds. Discover the possibilities with Dutch Oven Dinners, an essential Dutch oven cookbook packed with more than 75 distinctive recipes. Whether you’re getting dinner on the table on a busy weeknight or creating a decadent meal for friends, this Dutch oven cookbook has recipes that are sure to please.

Make life easier with convenient 30-minute and one-pot meals. Get nostalgic with classic slow-cooked favorites, and expand your horizons with flavorful new ideas. This Dutch oven cookbook also includes recipes for quick sides to complete any meal. You can serve many of the dishes in the same beautiful pot, so cleanup is a breeze!

Discover a practical Dutch oven cookbook with:

  • Dinner your way—With a variety of ingredients and techniques to suit many tastes and cooking skills, the recipes in this Dutch oven cookbook make it easy to decide what to cook for dinner.
  • Delicious dishes—Savor Easy Butter Chicken, Crab and Asparagus Risotto, Beef Stroganoff, Creamy Pesto Linguine with Shrimp, and much more.
  • Dietary details—Find nutritional information for every recipe, plus helpful labels for gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free choices.

Find a dinner for every occasion in this delicious Dutch oven cookbook!

Amazon