Koncocoo

Best South Cooking, Food & Wine

Deep Run Roots: Stories and Recipes from My Corner of the South
This new classic of American country cooking proves that the food of Deep Run, North Carolina--Vivian's home--is as rich as any culinary tradition in the world. Organized by ingredient with dishes suited to every skill level--from beginners to confident cooks--DEEP RUN ROOTS features time-honored simple preparations alongside extraordinary meals from her acclaimed restaurant Chef and the Farmer. Recipes include: Family favorites like Blueberry BBQ Chicken, Creamed Collard-Stuffed Potatoes, Fried Yams with Five-Spice Maple Bacon Candy, Chicken and Rice, and Country-Style Pork Ribs in Red Curry-Braised Watermelon, Crowd-pleasers like Butterbean Hummus, Tempura-Fried Okra with Ranch Ice Cream, Pimiento Cheese Grits with Salsa and Pork Rinds, Cool Cucumber Crab Dip, and Oyster Pie, Show-stopping desserts like Warm Banana Pudding, Peaches and Cream Cake, Spreadable Cheesecake, and Pecan-Chewy Pie, And 200 more quick breakfasts, weeknight dinners, holiday centerpieces, seasonal preserves, and traditional preparations for all kinds of cooks. One of the Best Cookbooks of 2016 --The New York Times , Bon Appetit, Amazon, Food & Wine, Saveur, People, USA Today, Garden & Gun, Eater, Cherry Bombe, Tasting Table, Nashville Scene, Epicurious, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Library Journal, Sun News, Star Chefs, Food Republic. " My favorite cookbook of the season --the one doomed to the most splatters--is Vivian Howard's Deep Run Roots ... Howard cooks with what can only be called wit... but also magnificent heart.... [It] will keep your soul fed for weeks . "[One of] our favorite new cookbooks... Vivian Howard overdelivers on the comfort food of her Southern home with drippy, crunchy, tangy dishes for every season. "Chef and television star Vivian Howard can now add cookbook author to her impressive resume. Deep Run Roots focuses on her brand of Southern food and country cooking, both from her home and from her acclaimed Kinston, NC restaurant, Chef and the Farmer.
Reviews
"I opened it half an hour ago and devoured the first 65 pages immediately and had a hard time putting it down. Some recipes (Stewed Fresh Butterbeans, Watermelon Rind Pickles) are an homage to tradition but of course Vivian has also gifted us with many recipes that have her distinctive modern twist (think Fried Green Tomatoes with Curried Peach Preserves & Whipped Feta or Boiler Room Butterbean Burger) this book is an incredible gift to the food obsessed and to the A Chefs Life obsessed! I have previously made her Blueberry BBQ sauce and (although the smell is well, lets say, rather distinctive as it's cooking) it is wonderful! Vivian has imbued this book with her signature honest, down to earth, relatable "best foodie friend that I don't actually know" storytelling style that fans of her show are familiar with, and like me were no doubt hoping would carry over into her first book. As you read it (if you are anything like me) you will hear every word in Vivians voice :). Each chapter is dedicated to an ingredient. Ground Corn - Moms Cornpone, Charred Spring Vegetables wtih Creamy Scallion Dressing and Hushpuppy Croutons. Oysters - Roasted Oysters with Brown Butter Hot Sauce and Bacon, Oyster and Clam Pan Roast wtih Bacon Fat Toast. Pecans - Butter Baked Turkey with Pecan Cranberry Relish adn Warm Sorghum Viniagrette, Speice Pecan and Pumpkin Seed Crumble. Beans and Peas - SHrimp Succotash Salad, Refried Field Peas with Cheesy Grit Fritters and Celery Cilantro Salad. Figs - Fig & Honey Bourban Slush, Baked Figs & Goat Cheese with Carmelized Onions and Pecans, Whole Fruit Fig & Lemon Preserves. Rice - Scarletts Chicken and Rice, Sprouted Hoppin' John Sald with Hot Bacon Viniagrette, Cast Iron Cooked Red Rice and Softshell Scampi. Sweet Potatoes - Grandma Hills Candied Yams, Sweet Potato and Turkey Shepherds Pie, Sweet Potato Pie. Summer Squash - Assorted Squash Pickle Salad, Squash and Fontina Casserole Pudding, Squash and Cilantro Crumble. Sausage - Air-Dried Sausage Biscuits, Baked Pimento Cheese and Sausage, Stuffed Butternut Bottoms. Peanuts - Boiled Peanuts, Fried Mullet with Peanut Romesco, Big Bone-In Pork Chops with Pickled Peanut Salad. Okra - Fried Okra Hash, Shrimp and Grits with Gumbo Sauce, A Pickle Plate for Everyone. Peaches - Perfect Peaches with Almond Pesto, Canned Peaches, Jalapeno Peach Chicken, Peaches and Cream Cake. Rutabagas - Riutabaga Relish, Rutabaga with Black Eyed Pea Samosas with Cilantro Buttermilk, Stewed Rutabagas. Apples - B&S Applejacks, Apple Pie Moonshine, Lentil Apple Soup with Bacon, Charred Carrots with Apple Brown Butter Viniagrette. Beets - Pickled Beets, Hot Pink Lemonade, Chocolate Orange Beet Cake with Cream Cheese Walnut Icing. UPDATE: Since I first posted my review I have made the following: - Turnip Roots and Greens Gratin. I am not a huge fan of bitter greens myself, but the creaminess of this two cheese + cream gratin won me over. Vivianne didn't state which type to use but next time I make this I will use yellow mustard seeds. It resulted in an extremely tender, pink in the middle tenderloin just like the picture and the sage honey with cider vinegar added a floral-tart bite which was perfect with the pork. But the end result was delicious and jammy with an acid bite from the vinegar and not at all socky! Refreshing with the crunch of the apples, tartness of the Pomegranate seeds, and the mint and lemon added freshness which was rounded-off by the creamy blue cheese dressing. It was terrific and I can't wait till summer so I can make this with the Peach Preserves."
"She also found her husband and they moved back to Deep Run to open their own restaurant. This is all documented in this cookbook interspersed with recipes and Vivian's Rules and Words of Wisdom in each chapter. If you watch her television show, you will note that her family, hometown farmers and people who populate the land lend the flavor that has become her trademark. Vivian elevates the traditional southern NC recipes to make them her own, and that is the measure of her success. Rex Miller the photographer has incorporated an amazing visual field with each recipe and with many of Vivian's stories. It has taken me three days just to turn each page, devour the photographs, and skim the stories. There is a list of contents, and then an alphabetical recipe guide from Basics to Sweets."
"Was I ever so shocked at the size of this book! I was mixed with excitement and worry...that worry quickly disappeared when I opened it - It invites you in and makes you at home! It is currently fig season and I have a tree that made over 1,000 figs. I made five of them - fig preserves, fig cornbread, fig slush, fig cookies, and fig savory share dish - in one day! This is a book that will last the test of time...and Vivian Howard will continue to go on and do even greater things!"
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Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. And instead of just listing ingredients and rattling off generic recipes, these pages tell the story of a place and a barbecue tradition steeped in history. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness.
Reviews
"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. This is not a cookbook. ;) He walks you through the smoking of 4 meats, then goes on to recipes for a few sauces and a few sides."
"I found the two books contradicted each other fairly often, but "Meathead" had scientific data and analysis to back up his conclusions and recommendations."
"I smoked a brisket last weekend and it might not be his recipe or even come close to his recipe I tried my best."
"It is a great book on how Aaron Franklin does his BBQ, his history and the path of an individual to obtain goals."
"Not a ton of recipes but so much information on technique, philosophy, food prep, seasoning, equipment and smoke it will make your head spin."
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The Southerner's Cookbook: Recipes, Wisdom, and Stories
From well-loved classics like biscuits and fried chicken to uniquely regional dishes such as sonker (Piedmont, North Carolina’s take on cobbler) or Minorcan chowder (Florida’s version of clam chowder), each recipe in The Southerner’s Cookbook tells a story about Southern food and its origins. “[Garden & Gun’s] first dedicated cookbook is a culinary cross-section of the modern south, drawing recipes everywhere from tiny fried-chicken joints to the meticulous tweezer food of the region’s highest-end restaurants.” ( Eater ).
Reviews
"Love this book!"
"I recommend this book to anyone from the South or anyone simply curious about the rich history and Southern culinary traditions."
"Nice hi end hard cover."
"Good early Christmas gift."
"A compilation of TRUE southern cooking recipes."
"One of my favorite cookbooks."
"I have received the magazine for years and loved it, so I know I could not go wrong."
"My go-to present this year!"
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Best U.S. Regional Soul Food Cooking

But I Could Never Go Vegan!: 125 Recipes That Prove You Can Live Without Cheese, It's Not All Rabbit Food, and Your Friends Will Still Come Over for Dinner
Blogger-author extraordinaire Kristy Turner deliciously refutes every excuse you’ve ever heard with 125 bursting-with-flavor vegan recipes for every meal of the day—including dessert! ” Not when you can make your own Homemade Seitan, Barbecue Sauce, Zesty Ranch Dressing, and Tofu Sour Cream. ” They will when they get a taste of Carrot Cashew Pâté, Portobello Carpaccio, and Gnocchi alla Vodka. You’ll find you can get enough protein, fit in at a potluck, learn to love cauliflower, and enjoy pizza, nachos, brownies, and more—without any animal products at all. One of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month in Cookbooks, Food & Wine “Charming.”— Washington Post. Beautiful photos illustrate almost every recipe, showing how appetizing these dishes are, and there are plenty of how-to photos.”— Oregonian. “Even to a committed carnivore, Turner’s whimsically seasoned tone is at once inviting and authoritative. If you have a dilemma, Kristy has the answer!”. — Angela Liddon, New York Times —bestselling author of The Oh She Glows Cookbook and creator of OhSheGlows.com. “With warmth, humor, and great recipes, Kristy Turner combats excuses people commonly use to defend their dietary status quo. Those who think they can’t be satisfied without eating beef, for example, will do well to get acquainted with her plant-based fajitas, sloppy Joes, tacos, and more. is guaranteed to change hearts and minds one meal at a time.”. — Gene Baur, president and cofounder of Farm Sanctuary, author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food. If you’re considering switching over to a plant-based diet—or simply eating a few more vegetarian meals—Kristy’s spectacular recipes and practical guidance will give you all of the inspiration you need. Most of all, her gentle and witty voice will guide you through all of the inevitable anxieties, stumbling blocks, and mishaps that accompany a lifestyle change. This book is beautiful, creative, whimsical, and profoundly inspiring.”. — Gena Hamshaw, author of Choosing Raw ; www.choosingraw.com. It’s true, no life is complete without the occasional calzone—but stuff ’em with Kristy’s Buffalo Cauliflower and Cashew Blue Cheese and you can have calzones and be vegan too. “Kristy and Chris have taken everything I love about their blog and somehow upgraded it, putting together one helluva cookbook with tons of helpful information and crazy good recipes that are sure to please hard-core vegans, curious newbies, and dabbling omnivores alike.
Reviews
"The author, Kristy Turner, has resisted the trappings of recipes calling for manufactured ingredients like vegan cheese (such as Daiya) and fake meats, available in the "health" food stores and has taken a new, tasty, and healthful approach with her recipes…super refreshing in the world of plant based/vegan cookbooks. Her recipes can be served to anyone, omnivore or vegan."
"I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years; live in a house with folks that all eat meat and LOVE all things cheese so never made the transition to Vegan - Friday nights after a long week in work are just too perfect when finished with cheese, wine and olives! Today I made the broccoli chickpea soup as nutritional yeast is always on hand in my pantry, and it was delicious , warm and easy to make; the Creole Corn chowder is next on my list as well as some of the rather delicious looking desserts to serve friends and family over the holidays...only to announce after they were vegan ! Follow up: I seriously doubted I could give up cheese, or that vegan cheese would be that good but just tried making their cashew blue cheese and all I can say is why, I am a convert!"
"I have successfully substituted coconut oil for vegan butter in all of those recipes so far, for anyone who wants to eschew the premade stuff. I've made almost a dozen recipes: the homemade BBQ sauce; green pea guacamole with homemade tortilla chips; baked bean and cornbread casserole; flourless chocolate decadence cake; BBQ jackfruit fajitas; chickpea omelettes; BBQ baked tofu; sweet and sour cauliflower; loaded Mexican baked potatoes; rosemary lemon poundcake; and molasses-hazelnut chocolate mousse tart. Many of the recipes involve a lot of different steps and/or ingredients, especially because some recipe components are actually previous "base" recipes (e.g. the baked beans utilize the homemade BBQ sauce)."
"They want me to make it again ...I love how there is an image for basically every single recipe."
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Best Southwest Cooking, Food & Wine

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier
Accidental ranch wife, beloved multiple Bloggie Award-winning blogger, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The. Pioneer Woman Cooks , Ree Drummond is back with a second helping of irresistible recipes, down home wit, and warm remembrances. Living in the country for more than fifteen years has taught me a handful of eternal truths: every new day is a blessing, every drop of rain is a gift . The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier is a mouthwatering collection of the simple-but-scrumptious recipes that rotate through my kitchen on a regular basis, including Perfect Pancakes, Cowgirl Quiche, Sloppy Joes, Italian Meatball Soup, White Chicken Enchiladas, and a spicy Carnitas Pizza that'll win you over for life. There are also some elegant offerings for more special occasions at your house: Osso Buco, Honey-Plum-Soy Chicken, and Rib-Eye Steak with an irresistible Onion-Blue Cheese Sauce. In addition to detailed step-by-step photographs, all the recipes in this book have one other important quality in common: They're guaranteed to make your kids, sweetheart, dinner guests, in-laws, friends, cousins, or resident cowboys smile, sigh, and beg for seconds.
Reviews
"In addition to the regular sections you would normally find in a cookbook, she added a section on Party Foods and Drinks and also on Canning. I think "canning" is a dying process and this cookbook, by including this section, may encourage people to start this up again."
"Prettiest cookbook ever with step by step directions for new cooks."
"Pictures on every step of the way for each recipe."
"It makes it much harder to follow than a normal recipe with just a few pictures of major steps and the finished product."
"I enjoyed reading the story of Ree's life on the ranch, she's a witty writer; the pictures are nice, which is why I gave the book 3 stars."
"good old standby."
"The Pioneer Woman Cook Book are Excellent, good prices, fast shipping and always will recommend it."
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Best Midwest Cooking, Food & Wine

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl
A strict vegetarian, I fell hard and fast, and before I knew it we were married and living on his ranch in the middle of nowhere, taking care of animals, and managing a brood of four young children. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly" dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and CrÈme BrÛlÉe. “[Ree Drummond is] funny, enthusiastic and self-deprecating, making the book appeal to pavement-pounders and pioneer types alike [with] recipes like steak with whiskey cream sauce, leek and potato pizza and pico de gallo. Here’s a mom of four who can turn out a Perfect Pot Roast and make feasts for girlfriends that start with sangria and finish with crème brûlée.
Reviews
"The recipes are very well illustrated ( I was glad to find that the digital version's pictures were in color!). The novice cook or the experienced will find this easy to follow and well thought out."
"Lots of great recipes and I love the photos and stories."
"This is a nice cookbook with lots of pictures and easy instructions."
"my favorite cook book by my favorite chef!"
"Delicious recipes with easy to follow instructions!"
"I had so much fun reading through Drummond's recipes, her thoughts and countless mentions to her beloved Marlboro Man."
"Great wholesome cookbook!"
"What I love most is how simple the ingredients are..nothing too complex."
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Best New England Cooking, Food & Wine

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Millions of people love Ina Garten because she writes recipes that make home cooks look great; family and friends shower them with praise and yet the dishes couldn’t be simpler to prepare using ingredients found in any grocery store. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof , the Food Network star takes easy a step further, sharing her secrets for pulling off deeply satisfying meals that have that “wow!” factor we all crave. For the cake ¾ pound dates, pitted and chopped 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature ¹⁄³ cup granulated sugar 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1½ tablespoons baking powder. For the sauce 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed ½ cup heavy cream ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons good bourbon, such as Maker's Mark 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Sweetened whipped cream, for serving. Meanwhile, in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Meanwhile, combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to boil. Off the heat, stir in the bourbon and vanilla and pour into a 2-cup heat-proof glass measuring cup.
Reviews
"When Ina says "foolproof" she doesn't mean a recipe has only five ingredients or that it has only three steps. Ina means she has an ingredient list with easily obtainable ingredients and steps that appeal to your common sense so that you don't worry about whether the recipe will turn out. She finishes the book with a foolproof index of menus for special occasions which cross references with special dishes from all of her cookbooks. She does repeat foolproof recipes from her previous books such as her standard chicken stock, but the book is mostly comprised of new material. I have been using her roasted carrot recipe for over a year now and am delighted to see that she has mixed it up with a recipe for braised carrots and parsnips.She presents a mashed chickpea recipe that is yummy."
"The simple ingredients and Ina's methods of cooking put you at ease."
"This is a cookbook favorite."
"These brownies with a carmel topping and then added flaked sea salt are exceptional."
"Great recipes and not too difficult."
"Some recopies are a bit complicated but I still like the book."
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Best Cajun & Creole Cooking, Food & Wine

Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen
So here, in explicit detail, are recipes for the great traditional dishes--gumbos and jambalayas, Shrimp Creole, Turtle Soup, Cajun "Popcorn," Crawfish Etouffee, Pecan Pie, and dozens more--each refined by the skill and genius of Chef Prudhomme so that they are at once authentic and modern in their methods. The most famous of Paul Prudhomme's original recipes is Blackened Redfish, a daringly simple dish of fiery Cajun flavor that is often singled out by food writers as an example of the best of new American regional cooking. Then along came Chef Paul Prudhomme, and all of that changed. And Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen was the book that made it happen.
Reviews
"Love this cookbook, it is the best and easiest Cajun cooking book around for authentic flavor of Louisiana.."
"It's Paul Prudhomme, what more can I say about this."
"Many other reviewers have stated this, but it can't be said enough - follow the directions exactly, no matter how incredulous you may be (and on some recipes you will be). After a few years of being unsuccessful learning to cook from books that were not meant for learners, I finally bought this one in the early 1990's. There are a great many recipes here that can be made anywhere in the world; for the seafood oriented ones, you're probably out of luck. It retains the bran this way and the grains make perfect al dente rice. Some of my personal favorites -. Crawfish Etoufée - this version is made with roux, which is not a common way to make it in New Orleans. Remember to snip the antennae, eyes and horn off the shrimp's face before cooking them. Made with a great deal of butter and fruit (raisins, apples, coconut and bananas here) and very spicy. Sticky Chicken. Corn Maque Choux - this is a delicious version which is sweet. The big man, as much as I love him, has Cajunified these particular New Orleans classics with too much oil -. Stuffed Merliton - this version is somewhat greasy and I don't think the sauce does much for it. The merlitons (chayote squash) Americans find in the store are about 1/4 the size of the ones grown here, which also have spiny, husky skins which stuff well. The store bought ones from Central America aren't big enough, so don't try them.That said you can make a casserole version of this with them, but there are better recipes. Do away with the ham hocks and use a equal amount of pickled pork shoulder meat as you do beans."
"I love this cook book."
"Everything you ever wanted to know about Louisiana cooking."
"So happy I brought this book."
"Thanks for all the great recipes Chef Paul."
"A classic for my NO cookbook section."
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Best U.S. Regional West Cooking

A Taste of Cowboy: Ranch Recipes and Tales from the Trail
Irresistible recipes from pantry ingredients by an authentic cowboy and TV veteran Whether he’s beating Bobby Flay at chicken-fried steak on the Food Network, catering for a barbecue, bar mitzvah, or wedding, or cooking for cowboys in the middle of nowhere, Kent Rollins makes comfort food that satisfies. This gifted cook, TV contestant, and storyteller takes us into his frontier world with simple food anyone can do. With its heartwarming stories, rich descriptions, and honest, down-home recipes, you'll feel as though you're sitting by the fire, under the wide-open sky.” — Mike Mills, 17th Street Barbecue “Ken Rollins is a modern day ‘cookie,’ a wise-acre, a secret poet, and a damned fine cook. With humor and reverence in equal measure, he opens up the cowboy's kitchen to us: There are angel-wing biscuits here, and creamy chile-based sauces, and the most epic chicken fried steak ever devised —along with the weirdest equipment list I've ever seen. The eloquent prose and breathtaking pictures make me want to head to Oklahoma, jump on the Chuck Wagon, jingle the horses, cook on Bertha and sit around a campfire with Kent and Shannon to hear some cowboy stories.
Reviews
"Mexican Tortilla Lasagna...fast, easy, so darn good. And, the thing that I like best is that all the recipes are easy to make with ordinary ingredients so that I don't have to go to a specialty store for a special spice that I will never use again."
"FANTASTIC BOOK!"
"Kent's background as a real cowboy chef serving ranch hands from his chuckwagon had me expecting these would be authentic recipes for dutch oven, cast iron skillet, and open fire cooking."
"They format is concise, the instruction is spot on, and the recipes are great!"
"Great book and full of great recipes."
"As a long time Dutch Oven cook I love this book."
"The hominy recipe was huge success in my household."
"Some GREAT recipes for the kitchen OR the trail."
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Best U.S. Regional Northwest Cooking

Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
Fix-It and Forget-It BIG COOKBOOK , with its 1,400 best slow-cooker recipes, is another winner! “[Phyllis Good] is basically one of the queens of slow cooker recipes .”. –Booking Mama. For example, take time to get acquainted with a new slow cooker, fill it two-thirds full for best results, and try out recipes for the first time when at home for the day. With good recipes and good vibes , the latest Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook is bound to be a best-seller . Let's face it, most slow cookers come with instructions and a few recipes, but the recipes can't possibly be as good as the ones the Phyllis Pellman Good has included in 10 cookbooks she has penned. The book may certainly spur interest in buying a slow cooker if you haven't cooked with this method before!”. –Good Cooking. For instance, if you're looking for a beef stew recipe, the book gives you five or six recipe options, all in a row. The Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook has been my go to resource since I first bought my slow cooker as a newlywed back in 2002… This book really gave me a feel for how recipes come together… If you’re a novice with the slow cooker this is a book that I highly recommend .”. –Frankly Entertaining. “Recipes here are perfect for every season and occasion, and feature more than just the usual soup, stews, and casseroles… After looking through the recipe book, which consists of hundreds of recipes contributed by cooks throughout North America, I realized I really underestimated the practicality of a slow cooker . The Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Magic recipe book [is] very practical, and I can't wait to try out more recipes!”. –Hawaii Mom Blog. The recipes give easy, step-by-step instructions , as well as a complete list of ingredients–including a list of necessary cooking equipment–conveniently printed in the sidebar of each recipe page.”. –The Pioneer Woman.
Reviews
"There is sure to be one to match your mood, the weather, crock pot size, ingredients available, occasion, hair color you name it, haha. Nothing more inconvenient than using a can of green beans as a page weight while trying to hold your cookbook open. If one doesn't turn out how I like there is plenty more to choose from :) I think its very well organized and so happy I finally bought this book. The only tiny issue for me is I wish there were a couple pages at the end of the book for "NOTES" so that I could write down my favorite recipes."
"Excellent cookbook!"
"This is also a great book for a lot of us that love the idea of a home cooked, good for you meal."
"If you're justing starting out cooking for yourself or your family, or are short on time and money - this is a great resource to help keep you eating well at home without a lot of fuss involved."
"Great tips on using a slow cooker well."
"Purchased as a gift."
"Lots of east goodies in here!"
"I have the hardcover version and saw a sale on the Kindle version so thought it would be nice too."
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Best U.S. Regional Hawaii Cooking

Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki
Whether you’re looking for a new favorite cocktail, tips on how to trick out your home tiki grotto, help stocking your bar with great rums, or inspiration for your next tiki party, Smuggler’s Cove has everything you need to transform your world into a Polynesian Pop fantasia. But in the end, tiki’s essence is based on captivating stories and exotic drinks, and Martin Cate’s Smuggler’s Cove is a tour de force in both.” —Jordan Mackay, wine and spirits writer, and coauthor of Secrets of the Sommeliers “Martin Cate understands tiki like few others do. The old guard of Donn, Vic, and Steve can rest easy now that they have this champion of their tradition bringing tiki into the new millennium.” —Sven Kirsten, author of The Book of Tiki, Tiki Modern, and Tiki Pop “Here at last are the secrets behind one of the world’s best bars. The Cates have written an engaging, knowing, and personal book that is sure to please tiki lovers, cocktail lovers, and especially tiki-cocktail lovers. Abandon angst, all ye who enter here: like Smuggler’s Cove itself, these pages take leisure time very seriously.” —Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, author of Potions of the Caribbean “Martin Cate is an authority on rum, and this book will take your level of understanding of this noble yet complex spirit to a new level. An absolute must-have for rum enthusiasts.” —Richard Seale, master distiller, Foursquare Rum Distillery, Barbados “The twenty-first-century revival of tiki cocktails was spearheaded by a handful of passionate tiki-geeks, Martin Cate among them. With Smuggler’s Cove , Martin and Rebecca teach you everything you need to know to become a tiki-geek in your own right—and to see the world with their Polynesian passion.” –Gaz Regan, author of The Joy of Mixology and The Negron i “Tiki culture is enmeshed with rum, and the authors offer a master class on it, covering its history and many varieties, as well as digressions on coring pineapples for cocktails and where to score cocktail umbrellas. It’s a terrifically fun and informative read, and the definitive resource on the topic.”. – Publishers Weekly , Starred Review “The book walks readers through the history of tiki, as well as 100 recipes for cocktails. A primer on essential tiki techniques as well as a thorough, authoritative guide to rum take you further than the typical booze book." The book works equally well as a cocktail how-to, a rum guide, tiki party inspiration or must-do itinerary."
Reviews
"So, I've always been a fan of the "zombie" drink, but it is pretty hard to find a good one. Last October, I tried to make one, thinking a "zombie" would be a perfect drink for a Halloween party, and thinking it would be nice to learn how to make one so I didn't have to rely on the lame ones I have received in the past. In November, we got an invitation to a tiki bar in San Diego called "False Idol" and I decided to ordered their zombie. Apparently the owner, Martin Cate, really knows his cocktails, and - ta-da - is a partner in the False Idol in San Diego and the guy behind the drinks there ! I am very surprised that a bar owner in a business where drink recpies have been traditionally kept secret is willing to spill the beans like this. Some good things about the book: - Martin has developed a list of rum categories based on production method to assist in the selection of rums for the recipes. The recipes are scattered throughout the book and relate to the text in each chapter, but there are more than anyone could want. These ingredients are herbal, spicey or savory and keep the drinks from getting too that sweet. - I'm not that much into tiki decor so alot of that design stuff was not interesting to me, but I also feel the book would be incomplete without it. Things I would add or change / the downside: - I would like to see some descriptions of the non-rum ingredients on the recipe pages. Martin has done a good job making sure we don't waste our money by putting expensive ingredients into bad cocktails, but it aint cheap."
"History behind the rise of the tiki movement, history behind their bars, rum!, tiki cocktail technique, doing your own tiki parties, resources (where to buy tiki stuff, great tiki bars, etc.)."
"It has everything from the history of tiki, to drink recipes, to how to make your own syrups, to how to decorate your bar."
"Outstanding book, very detailed beautifully photographed, laid out and with easy to follow and comprehend recipes."
"This is a GREAT book from one of the pre-eminent scholars of mixology, tiki revival and overall good aesthetics!"
"Great stuff, a beautiful looking book too, and loaded with great photos and recipes which makes me want to bring out the rum at home, and to return soon to San Francisco's Smuggler's Cove!"
"A must for any tiki collector or tiki bar hopper."
"For anyone interested in discovering a history as well as well written fundamentals of rum cocktails, this is the book."
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Best U.S. Regional California Cooking

The French Laundry Cookbook (The Thomas Keller Library)
2014 marks the twentieth anniversary of the acclaimed French Laundry restaurant in the Napa Valley—“the most exciting place to eat in the United States” ( The New York Times ). In The French Laundry Cookbook , Keller articulates his passions and offers home cooks a means to duplicate the level of perfection that makes him one of the best chefs in the U.S. and, arguably, the world. After winning rave reviews when he was still in his 20s, it took a more experienced chef throwing a knife at him because he did not know how to truss a chicken to open his eyes to the importance of the discipline and techniques of classical French cooking. The 200 photographs by Deborah Jones include more than just beauty shots: they show how to prepare various dishes; how Keller, shown stroking a whole salmon, respects his ingredients; and how the perfection of baby fava beans still nestled in the downy lining of their succulent pod, or the seduction of an abundance of fresh caviar, calls out the best from the chef.
Reviews
"Beautiful publication with an inexhaustible amount of recipes."
"A gift to someone who eats here all the time."
"I consider this to be the best one I have ever purchased, excluding pastry books."
"My significant other is a chef, so this one is a favorite!"
"my grandson is working at a restaurant Next in Chicago IL and they are making most of the recipes from this book it sure made him look good to go there to work and already know the recipes."
"Classic cookbook with timeless stories and recipes."
"This is a stunning cookbook, the only downside is some of the ingredients may be hard to find and the recipes are fairly complicated."
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Best U.S. Regional Middle Atlantic Cooking

Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
Fix-It and Forget-It BIG COOKBOOK , with its 1,400 best slow-cooker recipes, is another winner! “[Phyllis Good] is basically one of the queens of slow cooker recipes .”. –Booking Mama. For example, take time to get acquainted with a new slow cooker, fill it two-thirds full for best results, and try out recipes for the first time when at home for the day. With good recipes and good vibes , the latest Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook is bound to be a best-seller . Let's face it, most slow cookers come with instructions and a few recipes, but the recipes can't possibly be as good as the ones the Phyllis Pellman Good has included in 10 cookbooks she has penned. The book may certainly spur interest in buying a slow cooker if you haven't cooked with this method before!”. –Good Cooking. For instance, if you're looking for a beef stew recipe, the book gives you five or six recipe options, all in a row. The Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook has been my go to resource since I first bought my slow cooker as a newlywed back in 2002… This book really gave me a feel for how recipes come together… If you’re a novice with the slow cooker this is a book that I highly recommend .”. –Frankly Entertaining. “Recipes here are perfect for every season and occasion, and feature more than just the usual soup, stews, and casseroles… After looking through the recipe book, which consists of hundreds of recipes contributed by cooks throughout North America, I realized I really underestimated the practicality of a slow cooker . The Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Magic recipe book [is] very practical, and I can't wait to try out more recipes!”. –Hawaii Mom Blog. The recipes give easy, step-by-step instructions , as well as a complete list of ingredients–including a list of necessary cooking equipment–conveniently printed in the sidebar of each recipe page.”. –The Pioneer Woman.
Reviews
"There is sure to be one to match your mood, the weather, crock pot size, ingredients available, occasion, hair color you name it, haha. Nothing more inconvenient than using a can of green beans as a page weight while trying to hold your cookbook open. If one doesn't turn out how I like there is plenty more to choose from :) I think its very well organized and so happy I finally bought this book. The only tiny issue for me is I wish there were a couple pages at the end of the book for "NOTES" so that I could write down my favorite recipes."
"Excellent cookbook!"
"This is also a great book for a lot of us that love the idea of a home cooked, good for you meal."
"If you're justing starting out cooking for yourself or your family, or are short on time and money - this is a great resource to help keep you eating well at home without a lot of fuss involved."
"Great tips on using a slow cooker well."
"I especially love the section with the party dips that simply have Velveta cheese mixed with a bunch of stuff :-) This book is pretty cool for someone who is just starting out cooking. And let's face it, even though some of the recipes come with prepackaged stuff, it's still a whole lot healthier for your family than eating Taco Bell right?"
"Purchased as a gift."
"Lots of east goodies in here!"
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