schketty's review

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4.0

Excellent book for starting to make food at home.

heidenkind's review

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Amazing book for home cooks who want to make staples at home. I love it!

scarletohhara's review

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4.0

I liked the cute little stories about the author's family and her simplistic way of looking at things and living. Each of these recipes look do-able and sound healthier than the store-bought ones.

amibunk's review

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5.0

Quite possibly my favorite cookbook of all time. It has already found itself on my Amazon wish-list. Not only did I love having several practical recipes of things I could make at home rather than buy at the store, but I found the author's overall tone to be refreshing. Not once did she get on a high horse about how store bought food is the harbinger of the apocalypse and the destruction of small intestines everywhere. Her matter of a fact attitude recognizes that sometimes, despite how delicious homemade food is, store bought food has to do. Additionally, she points out in the recipe when the store bought version is a cheaper alternative.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed were the little stories she told at the start of each recipe. They were just the right tone, not overly sentimental but nostalgic in feeling.
My only minor complaint is that I wish there were more gorgeous color photographs in the book.

delbertsays's review

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5.0

This is GREAT. So many helpful recipes for good food and memories! Thank you, Alana Chernila, for this.

karenesl's review

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5.0

After reading this book from the library, I ran out and bought my own copy. I love the author's tone-- her can-do humor and humility--combined with delicious recipes are going to make this book a staple in my kitchen.

mrsdragon's review

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4.0

This reads like a food blog, which is probably why I (who do not read cookbooks) read it cover to cover. The stories are sweet, the instructions clear, and the photos excellent. I LOVED the fact that the amount of time the goods can be stored (in both fridge and freezer) are clearly listed and Chernila is gently encouraging throughout.

I was less crazy about the predominance of shortening and things like flax and wheat germ made a few appearances. That is more of a matter of how I stock my pantry though and most of her recipes included things I have readily on hand.

We have been steadily moving away from premade, store bought meals, snacks, and ingredients, but I found plenty of things I hadn't considered (fruit roll ups that actually roll!), learned new tips for the ones I already make, and found new recipes for ones I wanted to tackle.

That said, I have not yet MADE any of the recipes which is, of course, the true test of a cookbook.

morganashley121's review

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informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

linbee83's review

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5.0

I loved this book so much, and wanted to try so many recipes from it that I actually just decided to buy the book. Not only are there some easy, great recipes, but the author tells a little story for each of the recipes. Lovely book.

zoemaja's review

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5.0

library book.
A very pretty book. I am totally going to make my own cream cheese as soon as I can locate some milk and cream that hasn't been ultra-pasteurized.