Alton Brown: 7/10 Recipes Corn Dogs (2/5) French Onion Soup (3/5) Pressure Cooker Chili (3/5) Eggplant Pasta (2/5) City Ham (3/5) English Muffins (2/5) PineaAlton Brown: 7/10 Recipes Corn Dogs (2/5) French Onion Soup (3/5) Pressure Cooker Chili (3/5) Eggplant Pasta (2/5) City Ham (3/5) English Muffins (2/5) Pineapple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake (2/5)
Bobby Flay: 5/10 Recipes Charred Corn Guacamole w/Chips (4/5) Grilled Shrimp in Lettuce Leaves w/Serrano Mint Sauce (4/5) Spiced Pork Tenderloin w/Ancho Chili Mustard Sauce (4/5) Grilled Steak & Papaya Salad (5/5) Fresh Fruit Batidos (4/5)
Its here! My copy of Chrissy's Cravings: All Together arrived yesterday in the mail - delivered on publishing day, because who could possibly wait a mIts here! My copy of Chrissy's Cravings: All Together arrived yesterday in the mail - delivered on publishing day, because who could possibly wait a minute longer?
Upon initial inspection, the new book is quirky and colorful in design; including heartwarming pictures of family, 70's inspired font and hand drawn pictures of oozy eggs and produce of all kinds. Gone are the pristine and cool tones of Cravings and Hungry for More - as much as we loved them. That's not all that's changed, the contents page also looks distinctly different with significantly more mains this go around. RIP 'Thai Mom' and the sandwich section from book two, you will be dearly missed.
As with Chrissy's previous two cookbooks, I intend to spend an entire year cooking from All Together - posting individual recipe ratings below. Additionally! We intend on revisiting as many recipes as possible from the first two Cravings books in 2022 - I will be adding revised ratings here as well and including a "which was better" note for those recipes that are directly comparable.
More than ever, All Together seems to focus on family and family foods. My husband and I are very excited to be jumping into a full year of flavor explosions - discovering new and revisiting old favorites - as we start our family in 2022.
If you're interested in my previous two reviews, I've provided links below:
Stay Woke: 8/10 Recipes Completed Dad's Salmon Croquettes w/Over-Easy Eggs and Avocado Dressing (3/5) Shrimp and Crazy Creamy Cheddar Grits (3/5) You BetStay Woke: 8/10 Recipes Completed Dad's Salmon Croquettes w/Over-Easy Eggs and Avocado Dressing (3/5) Shrimp and Crazy Creamy Cheddar Grits (3/5) You Better Pimiento Poblano Your Corn Cakes (3/5) NYC Bagel French Toast Pudding w/Blueberry Crumble (3/5) Aunt Jemima's Apple Pie Pancakes (3/5) Maple Syrup and Sriracha-Glazed Bacon (5/5) Egg-and-Cheese Scramble on a Biscuit (3/5) Nutella Bacon Banana Breakfast Grilled Cheese (2/5)
Savage Schnacks: 11/18 Recipes Completed Loaded Short Rib Nachos (3/5) Guyanese Cheese Rolls (2/5) Curry Chicken Patties (5/5) Buffalo Chicken Blue Lollipops (4/5) Green Deviled Eggs and Ham (2/5) Corn and Green Onion Fritters w Red Pepper Comeback Sauce (2/5) Watermelon w Lime, Chile and Salt (3/5) House Pickles (3/5) Pickled Green Beans (1/5) Pickled Red Onion (3/5) Pickled Cauliflower (2/5)
Issa Drinks Wave: 2/7 Recipes Completed Peach and Bourbon Sweet Tea (4/5) I've Been Drinking Watermelon Cocktails (2/5)
Slayin' Soups and Stews: 4/7 Recipes Completed Rotisserie Chicken Taco Soup (3/5) Chunky Tomato Soup w/Mad Parmesan (3/5) Skillet Turkey Chili w/Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread Crust (3/5) Veggie Chili Pizza (4/5)
Lit Burgers and 'Wiches: 5/9 Recipes Completed Spicy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich (3/5) Blackened Salmon Burger w/Cucumber Sauce (3/5) Shorty's Short Rib Sliders w/Dad's Creamy Coleslaw and House Pickles (4/5) The Hot Catfish Sandwich w/Ranch Sauce (2/5) Sticky Pork Burgers w/Hot and Sour Cabbage (5/5)
Veggies Ain't Whack: 13/18 Recipes Completed Grilled Peach, Cucumber and Tomato Salad (4/5) Asparagus Got a Crush on Potato (3/5) Creamed Kale (3/5) Oh-My-Gah Green Beans w/Crushed Peanuts (4/5) Kale and Butternut Squash Salad w/Paprika Breadcrumbs and Parm Dressing (3/5) Jerk Spiced Grilled Corn w/Coconut Confetti (4/5) Beet Up Dem Brussels Sprouts w/Quinoa (2/5) Dad's Creamy Coleslaw (3/5) Creamy Potato Salad w/Jalapeno and Bacon (4/5) Roasted Cauliflower w/Happy Salsa (3/5) Brussels Sprouts (3/5) Carrots (3/5) Asparagus (3/5)
Carbs: 7/9 Recipes Completed Dad's Mac and Cheese (3/5) No-Boil Mac and Cheese w/Ham and Greens (3/5) Brown Butter Candied Yam Mash w/Goat Cheese Brulee (2/5) Thanksgiving Stuffing w/Apples and Chorizo (4/5) My Messy BBQ Baked Beans (3/5) Cornbread That Ain't Sweet (3/5) Cornbread That Tastes Like Cake (4/5)
Antojitos, Botanas, Y Entradas: 12 Recipes Completed Flautas de Pollo Deshebrado / Crispy Tortilla Flutes Stuffed w Shredded Chicken (4/5) Gorditas de FAntojitos, Botanas, Y Entradas: 12 Recipes Completed Flautas de Pollo Deshebrado / Crispy Tortilla Flutes Stuffed w Shredded Chicken (4/5) Gorditas de Frijol / Fat Black Bean Tortillas (NA) Guacamole con Totopos / Guacamole w Corn Chips (3/5) Burritos con Frijoles y Queso / Bean and Cheese Burritos (4/5) Molotes / Masa Fritters Stuffed w Chorizo and Potatoes (3/5) Tortas Ahogadas / Pork Sandwiches Drowned w Two Salsas (3/5) Tostaditas con Queso y Mariscos / Tiny Tostadas w Melted Cheese, Crab and Shrimp (5/5) Tacos con Cecina a la Parrilla / Tacos of Grilled Chile-Coated Pork (3/5) Empanadas de Maiz con Hongos / Mushroom Quesadillas (2/5) Camarones Rellenos Envueltos con Tocino / Cheese-Stuffed Shrimp Wrapped in Bacon (2/5) Sincronizadas / Tortilla Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (2/5) Discadas / Farmer's-Style Burritos (3/5)
Sopas y Sopas Secas: 10 Recipes Completed Caldo de Gato / "Cat" Broth (2/5) Caldo de Queso con Papas / Cheese Soup w Potatoes (3/5) Sopa Tarasca / Tarascan Tortilla Soup (3/5) Sopa de Hongos / Wild Mushroom Soup (3/5) Arroz Blanco / Seasoned White Rice (3/5) Arroz Rojo con Achiote / Red Rice w Achiote (3/5) Sopa Seca de Fideos con Tres Chiles / Three Chilis Pasta (3/5) Caldo Tlalpeno / Chicke and Chickpea Soup (3/5) Arroz de Fandango / Fiesta Rice (2/5) Sopa Verde de Tortilla / Green Tortilla Soup (2/5)
Guarniciones: 7 Recipes Completed Salsa Mexicana / Fresh Tomato and Chile Salsa (3/5) Salsa de Chile Chipotle y Jitomate / Chipotle Chile Salsa (3/5) Salsa Verde / Fresh Tomatillo Salsa (2/5) Salsa de Chile Seco / Pasilla and Arbol Chile Salsa (3/5) Frijoles Refritos / Well-Fried Beans (4/5) Salsa Verde con Aquacate / Avocado Salsa (3/5) Frijoles de la Olla / Pot Beans (4/5)...more
In a word: Unremarkable. I understand that this cookbook was supposed to be a step back, an exploration of claThe Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ 2020 Cookbook of the Year
In a word: Unremarkable. I understand that this cookbook was supposed to be a step back, an exploration of classic comfort foods - but that doesn't explain the overall lack of flavor. In general, these recipes are good, but underwhelming and at times a tad bit boring. Both in terms of recipes and techniques, there's very little here that you haven't seen before and very little that I would consider the best of its kind. Unfortunately, that leads me to the conclusion that this cookbook is not worth buying - you know how to cook the majority of these recipes already and you most likely won't miss the rest.
Exception 1: If you're not putting mango chutney on your grilled cheese sandwiches yet, do it - we'll never make grilled cheese the same way again. The tomato soup recipes is also a great, home-made version of Campbell's Creamy IMO.
Exception 2: The Arrabbiata Sauce is exceptional; a staple red sauce for any and all uses. Highly recommend.
Pet Peeves: 1. Ingredients: Ina has a tendency to recommend "high value" ingredients that are supposedly significantly better than their cheaper alternatives. See expensive pomegranate juice, a specific brand of fig spread or bottle of wine, and a $20 jar tuna.
She also has a tendency to introduce high end ingredients where they're absolutely not necessary. See Lobster BLT's (the lobster was a bland detractor vs. a flavorful component), Truffled Mac and Cheese (this one may be personal as I do not like truffles), and Lobster Bisque ($100 soup).
Overall, the result is a cookbook full of recipes that may need to be adapted or paired down for the average American household - not a winner in terms of accessibility. Couple that with the general lack of 'wow-factor' taste and I'm left asking "Why?"
2. Name Dropping: Friends w/Rob Marshall, film director; John DeLuca, actor; Miguel Flores-Vianna, photographer; Eli Zabar, restaurateur; Emily Blunt, actress; Rolando Beramendi, chef ...
Just to name a few. Not to mention the remarkable number of global restaurants mentioned. Okay Ina, we get it: You know a lot of fancy people and dine at a lot of fancy places. #unrelatable
3. White Washing:What happens when a very old-school, White-American cook is asked to produce Mexican recipes? You get incredibly White-American "Mexican" food.
There are 1) Chicken Enchiladas with French goat cheese vs. cotija, queso fresco or oaxaca; 2) Breakfast Tacos, scrambled eggs with Montery Jack and avocado that happen to be served in tortillas; and 3) Steak Fajitas with no chile - Old El Paso could probably do it better.
British Columbia: 11/24 Oysters Topped w/Tomato Compote w/Parmesan Bread Crust (3/5) Warm Salad of Free Range Chicken, Grilled Vegetables and Red PepperBritish Columbia: 11/24 Oysters Topped w/Tomato Compote w/Parmesan Bread Crust (3/5) Warm Salad of Free Range Chicken, Grilled Vegetables and Red Pepper Coulis (3/5) Cape Mudge Halibut Chowder (2.5/3) Alder-Grilled Salmon w/Caramelized Leek and Brie Sauce (4/5) Loin of Lamb w/Miller Crust, Pinot Reduction and Wild Mushroom and Bulgur Flan (3/5) Cape Mudge Cheese Scones (3/5) Thyme Scented Apple Focaccia (3/5) Okanagan Pear and Red Fife Sourdough Coffeecake (4/5) Mrs. Peterson's Cinnamon Sticky Buns (3/5) Saltspring Island Pastry (3/5) Zucchini Pickles (4/5)
The Prairies: 16/29 Recipes Tender Spinach Leaves Serves w/Beet, Celeriac and Apple Salad w/Creamy Feta Cheese Dressing (1/5) Amy’s Wild Rice Soup (4/5) Chicken Stock (5/5) Mike’s Beer Battered Fish (4/5) Venison Sausage Patties (3/5) Alberta Beef, Mushroom and Pepper Pasta (3/5) Perfect Perogies (4/5) Baked Autumn Vegetables, Barley and Wild Rice (3/5) Sourdough Rye Bread (3/5) Whole Wheat Bread w/Borage Honey (3/5) Canola Oil Pastry (2/5) Blackberry Custard Tart w/Alberta Springs Rye Whisky Laced Cream (3/5) The Best Butter Tarts (3/5) Utterly Decadent Chocolate Brownies (3/5) Matrimonial Cake (2/5) Spicy Dill Pickles (TBD)
Ontario: 7/21 Recipes Pam’s North Gower Cheese and Asparagus Strudels (2/5) Shallot and Shiitake Mushroom Tart (4/5) Nettie’s Vegetable Stock (TBD) Potato-Crusted Rainbow Trout w/Braised Fruited Savoy Cabbage (3/5) Four Seasons Film Festival Chicken Pot Pie (3/5) Compote of Niagara Plums and Blueberries in Brandy (4/5) The Best Bran Muffins (3/5)
Quebec: 6/26 Recipes Onion Soup a la Blanche de Chambly (3/5) Matane Shrimp Chowder (3/5) Pork Tenderloin in Charlevoix Blueberry Sauce (3/5) Lac St. Jean Blueberry-Honeyed Carrots (2/5) Rustic White Bread w/Local Honey (3/5) Wild Hazelnut Biscotti (3/5)
Atlantic Canada: 1/30 Recipes St. John River Gingerbread (4/5)...more
My husband and I dearly wanted to like this cookbook, but unfortunately I can't say that we did*74 Recipes Completed: Individual Recipe Ratings Below*
My husband and I dearly wanted to like this cookbook, but unfortunately I can't say that we did - which is a real struggle when you dedicate a full year to cooking the majority of recipes from a single cookbook. Ouch!
In my opinion this was an average to below average cookbook. Antoni has a tendency to focus on very bright flavors that I feel are generally uncommon in American cuisine (enter: lemon/lime and anise accompanied w/almond and dates) Which sounds new, exciting, and refreshing! But in reality recipes tended to came out tasting very one tone. A perfect example, would be the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup which sounds utterly delicious and should have packed a rich umami punch but ended up tasting entirely of lime juice. Other recipes simply fell flat, with minimal flavor development - eg: Velvety Tomato Sauce which tasted like tomatoes out of a can (which essentially, it was).
On the upside, there are new ideas presented here and cultural bits that I was able to appreciate. I don't want it to seem that all recipes were under par, the average rating here is nearly exactly 3 Stars: an 'okay' rating. There were some hard hitters, recipes that we really liked and will likely make again - the Roasted Carrots w/Carrot Top Pesto, Bastardized Ramen and Farro Bowls come to mind. In general though, not a cookbook worth purchasing.
One final note: The Bakes section was - in a couple words - involved, but delicious.
Soups and Stews: 8/9 Recipes Easy Bastardized Ramen (5/5) Roasted Butternut Squash Soup w/Ginger and Lime (2/5) Five-Onion Soup w/Crispy Shallots (2/5) The Polish Hangover Soup (1/5) Rich Turkey Chili w/Dark Beer and Chocolate (3/5) Pomegranate Walnut Chicken Stew (3/5) Beef Bourguignon w/Parsnips and Cognac (3/5) New Style Polish Hunter’s Stew (4/5)
Pasta and Rice: 7/8 Recipes Baked Turkey, Mac and Cheese (3/5) Mac and Cheese with Fresh Herbs and Peas (3/5) Summer Pasta Salad w/Pickles Grapes (3/5) Pasta w/Sausage, Lemon, and Parsley (3/5) Champagne and Lemon Risotto (4/5) Rice and Potato Tahdig w/Saffron and Turmeric (2/5) Tomato, Basil and Melty Mozzarella Baked Rice (2/5)
Weeknight Healthy-ish: 14/17 Recipes French Omelette w/Cheese and Chives (4/5) Rainy Day Grilled Cheese w/Prosciutto and Easy Tomato Bisque (3/5) Farro Bowl w/Sweet Potatoes, Arugula and Chicken (5/5) Crispy Skin Salmon w/Horseradish Cream Sauce (4/5) Blackened Swordfish w/Polenta Hushpuppies and Roasted Tomatoes (3/5) Fish Tacos w/Chipotle Mayo (4/5) Smoky Chicken Skillet Fajitas (3/5) Chicken Milanese w/Baby Tomato Salad (4/5) Pulled Chicken w/Cilantro and Lime (3/5) Turkey Meatballs in Velvety Tomato Sauce (2/5) Turkey Kefte w/Hummus and Spicy Crushed Cucumber Salad (4/5) Moroccan Style Pasta Bolognese (3/5) Kielbasa Polish Style (3/5) Hanger Steak w/Charred Limes, Fresh Chiles, and Herbs (3/5)
Animal 8/13 Recipes Pineapple and Shrimp Skewers w/Green Sauce (3/5) Malaysian Chili Shrimp (3/5) Chile Maple Roasted Chicken (3/5) Souvlaki Arahova (5/5) Turkey Meatloaf w/a Block of Sharp Cheddar (2/5) Cast Iron Butter Basted Steak (3/5) Pork Chops like at Kiki’s Taverna (3/5) Rosemary Pork Tenderloin w/Maple Bourbon Onion Jam (4/5)
Bakes: 8/13 Recipes Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies (4/5) Salty Lemon Squares (3/5) Ginger-Cardamom Cowboy Cookies (2/5) Polish Caramel Easter Squares (3/5) Vanilla Pots de Creme w/Mango Coulis (3/5) Raspberry Mousse Dome (4/5) Jim’s Pi Pie (3/5) Kansas City Coconut Sheet Cake (3/5)
5 Stars: Amazing, Loved 4 Stars: Really Good, Will Make Again 3 Stars: Good, Average 2 Stars: Didn't Like 1 Star: Hated...more
In my review of Chrissy's first cookbook, I stated that I was absolutely sure she would come out with a sec79 Recipes Completed: List Below w/Ratings
In my review of Chrissy's first cookbook, I stated that I was absolutely sure she would come out with a second (and a third, etc.) and here we are! My husband and I were so excited to be cooking our way through Cravings: Hungry for More in 2019 - targeting 50%-80% completion of each section. The first cookbook was absolutely delicious and I was thrilled to be jumping back on the Chrissy flavor train - CHOO CHOO! Can you sense the enthusiasm there?
This is not my favorite Ree Drummond cookbook. That's not to say that it isn't a good cookbook, its just not a great cookbook which is what I have comThis is not my favorite Ree Drummond cookbook. That's not to say that it isn't a good cookbook, its just not a great cookbook which is what I have come to expect from Ree. The recipes are focused on meals that are quick and easy to make, often relying on pre-made or pre-mixed ingredients (such as pancake mix or freezer dough). While this does indeed make the process faster, it can periodically be to the detriment of overall flavor.
Now, there are hidden gems in this book; recipes that I have already revisited a number of time this year or can definitely see myself doing so in the future. The Overnight Muesli has become a staple in my house; a quick and easy way to prep a delicious and nutritious breakfast the night before! We've made all parts of the Greek Feast multiple times, I'm a sucker for the tomato-cucumber salad. Ree didn't include an entire section on salads this time around (the one aspect of the book that may have disappointed me the most), but she did include one killer recipe: the Citrus Salad with Vinaigrette is bright and delicious - a must try. Speaking of must tries, if there's one recipe you reach for in this entire book, let it be the Fried Shrimp. I can't rave about these enough! They remind me of a good ole' walleye fish fry on the lakes of Northern Minnesota - tastes like home.
Lunches on the Go: 8/9 Recipes BBQ Chicken Wings (4/5) Lemon-Basil Potato Salad (5/5) Apple-Celery Slaw (2/5) Pasta Salad in a Jar (3/5) Salad on a Stick (2/5) Beef Noodle Salad Bowls (3/5) Thai Chicken Wraps (3/5) Greek Feast to Go (5/5)
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