I have a large cookbook collection. You would think I would be the world’s greatest cook with all the delicious recipes at my finger tips. WRONG! I’m not. We tend to make the same things over and over again. Sadly I find many of my recipe books are too involved or the recipes require ingredients that are either expensive or not easily obtainable.
My favorite kinds of recipes are those that require few ingredients, preferably those that I can easily find in my pantry, and only require a few simple steps.
When I hear of a new cookbook on the market, especially one that includes easy-to-make recipes, I am anxious to check it out. When I heard that Gooseberry Patch had a new cookbook called Big Book of Home Cooking I knew I had to see it for myself.
I received a free sample copy of the book, and yes, it is big! There are approximately 344 pages of recipes. Most pages have 2-3 recipes per page. Some pages feature a full page photo of a recipe. I’m not sure of the exact count of recipes featured in the book but I would have to guess around 300.
The cover alone is so inviting. It features a red velvet cake with vanilla frosting, biscuits, baked ziti, chicken pot pie, cookies and pork loin with raspberries. Yum! There are drool-worthy photos on the back of the book as well.
I love that the book is divided up into different sections, making it easier to locate a recipe that you will want to try. The sections include Munchies & More, Weeknight Favorites, Slow Cooker Sensations, Gifts from the Kitchen, Potluck Pleasers and several more.
The photos in the book are stunning. The make the recipes really come to life. The first time I looked through the book I didn’t evne look at the recipes. I just focused on the photos. Even just seeing the photos I “dog earred” a few pages becaue I knew I had to try the recipe for myself.
Another interesting fact about the recipes featured in the book is that they were all submitted by ordinary people like me and you. These are not recipes handcrafted in a professional kitchen by gourmet chefs for the soul purpose of making a cookbook. These are tried and true recipes, some of which have been passed down generation to generation, that have been lovingly prepared by people around the country. I like to think of these are real recipes for real people. You won’t find the need for exotic ingredients or expensive cuts of meat. These are recipes that regular people can make and enjoy year round with a lot of the ingredients they already have on hand.
To give you an idea of the mouth-watering recipes found within the pages of the Gooseberry Patch: Big Book of Home Cooking cookbook, here are a examples.
– Loaded Potato Soup (you can make this in your crock pot!)
– Homemade Italian Croutons (so easy to make!)
– Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich
– Pumpkin Cheesecake with Ginger Cream Topping (I am so going to make this!)
– Butterscotch Candy
– Maple Nut Twist Bread
– Grandma’s Chocolate Popcorn
– Steak and Onion Pie
– Mexican Lasagna (looks good!)
– Gorilla Bread
– Gingerbread Pancakes
– Apple Cider Syrup
– Holiday Morning French Toast
I could literally go on and on with the yummy recipes found within the pages of the book.
I love how many of the recipes I already have all the ingredients for, or at least most of them. For example the Cocoa Waffles. I have all the ingredients on hand except baking cocoa and whipping cream. Those are two ingredients that I can easily find in my local grocery store AND I can use them in other recipes too so they won’t go to waste. Even something a bit more involved, like Greek Chicken Pitas, I have pretty much all the ingredients on hand except the boneless, skinless chicken and pita bread. These ingredients are also easy to find and inexpensive too.
When it comes to the recipes themselves they are all pretty quick and easy from what I can see. I do not see an “involved” or complicated recipe in the book. They all can be prepared in 1-3 easy steps.
I love all the tips scattered throughout the book. For example, one tip suggests taking a pumpkin, hollowing it out, popping a few holes in it with an apple corer and rubbing cinnamon on the inside. Then add a tea light. When the candle is lit the pumpkin will give off a spicy pumpkin scent, ideal for this time of year. I’m going to try that when we go pumpkin picking. You can always find small pumpkins for a nominal fee.
Another tip suggests using a pretty drinking glass filled with homemade cookies (recipe included in the book) and covered with a pretty handkerchief. This would make a lovely hostess gift.
The only “downside” of the book (which I use this term loosely) is that not all reciepes have photos. I’m a visual person. I love to see what completed recipes look like. But that is OK. Most of the recipes in the book look “fool proof” anyway.
To learn more about Gooseberry Patch visit www.GooseberryPatch.com. You can also follow them on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GooseberryPatch) and on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/GooseberryPatch.
The book retails for $29.95. I found it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for under $20.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
Gooseberry Patch says
Thanks for your kind review…we’re so glad you’re enjoying the book! Feel free to post this review on our Page on Facebook! 🙂