Mennonite Girls Can Cook Celebrations - A Book Review
To be honest, I don't remember the last time I bought a cook book. Though I have (really over the last few years) developed a love of cooking, mostly I have avoided books on the subject. There are a few reasons for that. One, I am reluctant to buy a cook book if I don't know that the recipes will actually be good. Two, I have a few books I don't use a whole lot and didn't think buying a new one would be neccessary and Three, I have mostly been using the internet as my source for quality recipes. This book has changed my mind about these things.
First off, many of you, like myself would have sampled some of the recipes from the first installment of this book as we were growing up. When I mentioned to my mom that the Mennonite Girls Can Cook have relieced a new instalment she was nostalgic for the first book and intregued by this second edition. The recipes included are for things I, as a person from German Mennonite decent grew up eating. It reminds me immediately of some favorites I haven't had in a while and some new ideas for twists on old traditions.
The photography is beautiful and as such would make a wonderful coffee table book. I also really enjoy the layout of the book. The Celebrations they mention in the title indicates how they have ordered the book. Each section is devoted to a different focus such as weddings, births, milestones, or even just celebrating the outdoors. That section will then have some reflection from one of the 10 authors about that event with some interesting tidbits of information, some insight on that event, a recolection from their own past and even some biblical passages. There will then be 10 recipies (one from each contributor) that relate in some way to that event.
I also enjoy that beside each recipe there is a little tidbit of information about it. Sometimes it is advice on how to get the best results, sometimes tips on what can be easily substituted in case of allergies, sometimes a trick on how best to serve. I have found these little additions to be particularely helpful and insightful.
One reason I have liked using the internet for recipies in the past is because I can look up what I want to make and find the item with the best review. However, the drawback of this is you already have to know what it is you want to make in order to look it up. I found this book very helpful in giving me new ideas of food it would be good to try and also ones that I have forgotten about for a while and should give another go. Also, we already know these Mennonite Girls Can Cook! They proved it with the popularity of their first cook book and many of those recipes have become traditional family favorites.
Of course you can't review a cook book without testing out some of the recipes for yourself! I have tested out 4 of them so far, all with excellent results. I should also mention that there are a great many gluten free recipes included as well as a few pages about celiac disease that explains some of what it is, what people with it can't eat and also a bit about cooking without gluten. I know a number of people with this issue that would be grateful for some tested and true new gluten free recipes. Though this isn't an issue with anyone in my family I decided it would not be fair of me to test out this book without reviewing at least one of the gluten free recipes as well. I quickly decided that the one to test would be the chocolate peanut butter gluten free cheesecake. The crust was made with a mixture of gluten free flours and they did offer some suggestions on substitutions if there was also a nut allergy to be aware of as well. I am happy to say that the cheesecake was EXCELLENT! In fact I think I enjoyed the crust on this cheesecake more than the typical gram cracker crust that I would normally do. The different flours added a nuttyness to the crust without the added sweetness. The cake was sweet enough without it. In fact it got rave reviews when I served it to my family. I love everything chocolate peanut butter and have tried many, many versions of it. This recipe was the best one I've tried and that's saying something.
This book would make a fantastic gift for anyone you know that likes to cook or anyone that might have tried the first book. It will definitely be one I pull out quite often to give me a new supper idea, find a treat to take to an event or even just to read over some of the reflections and look at the beautiful pictures. Definitely a great addition to anyone's kitchen.
First off, many of you, like myself would have sampled some of the recipes from the first installment of this book as we were growing up. When I mentioned to my mom that the Mennonite Girls Can Cook have relieced a new instalment she was nostalgic for the first book and intregued by this second edition. The recipes included are for things I, as a person from German Mennonite decent grew up eating. It reminds me immediately of some favorites I haven't had in a while and some new ideas for twists on old traditions.
The photography is beautiful and as such would make a wonderful coffee table book. I also really enjoy the layout of the book. The Celebrations they mention in the title indicates how they have ordered the book. Each section is devoted to a different focus such as weddings, births, milestones, or even just celebrating the outdoors. That section will then have some reflection from one of the 10 authors about that event with some interesting tidbits of information, some insight on that event, a recolection from their own past and even some biblical passages. There will then be 10 recipies (one from each contributor) that relate in some way to that event.
I also enjoy that beside each recipe there is a little tidbit of information about it. Sometimes it is advice on how to get the best results, sometimes tips on what can be easily substituted in case of allergies, sometimes a trick on how best to serve. I have found these little additions to be particularely helpful and insightful.
One reason I have liked using the internet for recipies in the past is because I can look up what I want to make and find the item with the best review. However, the drawback of this is you already have to know what it is you want to make in order to look it up. I found this book very helpful in giving me new ideas of food it would be good to try and also ones that I have forgotten about for a while and should give another go. Also, we already know these Mennonite Girls Can Cook! They proved it with the popularity of their first cook book and many of those recipes have become traditional family favorites.
Of course you can't review a cook book without testing out some of the recipes for yourself! I have tested out 4 of them so far, all with excellent results. I should also mention that there are a great many gluten free recipes included as well as a few pages about celiac disease that explains some of what it is, what people with it can't eat and also a bit about cooking without gluten. I know a number of people with this issue that would be grateful for some tested and true new gluten free recipes. Though this isn't an issue with anyone in my family I decided it would not be fair of me to test out this book without reviewing at least one of the gluten free recipes as well. I quickly decided that the one to test would be the chocolate peanut butter gluten free cheesecake. The crust was made with a mixture of gluten free flours and they did offer some suggestions on substitutions if there was also a nut allergy to be aware of as well. I am happy to say that the cheesecake was EXCELLENT! In fact I think I enjoyed the crust on this cheesecake more than the typical gram cracker crust that I would normally do. The different flours added a nuttyness to the crust without the added sweetness. The cake was sweet enough without it. In fact it got rave reviews when I served it to my family. I love everything chocolate peanut butter and have tried many, many versions of it. This recipe was the best one I've tried and that's saying something.
This book would make a fantastic gift for anyone you know that likes to cook or anyone that might have tried the first book. It will definitely be one I pull out quite often to give me a new supper idea, find a treat to take to an event or even just to read over some of the reflections and look at the beautiful pictures. Definitely a great addition to anyone's kitchen.
I came across your review on a google search. Just wanted to say thank you. I am one of the contributers in the book and appreciate what you have written.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been this happy to find such an interesting post. I believe that you thought everything clear in this post. Looking forward to read more about this!
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