Recent Reads: Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea: Classic, Fun, and Refreshing Boba Drinks to Make at Home by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea: Classic, Fun, and Refreshing Boba Drinks to Make at Home by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo
Publisher: Rock Point
Publication Date:  January 9, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Satisfy your bubble tea cravings at home (and affordably)! Kawaii Café  Bubble Tea  includes over 60 easy-to-follow recipes, beautifully illustrated in a fun anime style.

No matter if you call it boba or bubble tea , this addictive drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s has taken the world by storm, with shops popping up on every corner and lines out all their doors.

Kawaii Café Bubble Tea covers all the basics, from brewing tea and making your own tapioca balls (aka boba) to handcrafting sweeteners, syrups, toppings, and more with all-natural ingredients and no corn syrup. Each recipe includes exciting anime-style illustrations and instructions for customizing to your preferred level of sweetness.

Learn how to make:

Milk Teas (lactose-free Thai, black milk, and green milk teas)

Fruit Teas (strawberry, mango, watermelon, kiwi, pineapple, pomelo, and cucumber teas)

Specialty Drinks (with special ingredients including coconut milk, almond butter, taro root, and ice cream)

Recipes include:

Pomelo Slushie (green or black tea with Pomelo Jam and Simple Syrup)

Lady Bug (black tea with Strawberry Syrup and Watermelon Syrup)

Area 51 (green tea with Cucumber Syrup and Kiwi Syrup)

Mint Tea Lemon Mojito (mint tea with Lemon Syrup, Simple Syrup, and mint leaves)

Pink Panda (milk, Strawberry Syrup, and cookies-and-cream ice cream)

With yummy recipes, down-to-earth writing, and a delightful design, Kawaii Café  Bubble Tea  is the ultimate guide to this global phenomenon.

Review: 

Such cute aka. kawaii cover art - I was immediately sold and wanted to read all about bubble tea. This is a bubble tea....cook book of sorts. It is so much more than just a bunch of recipes though and it was far more intense than expected. 

'Reading' a cookbook for review is weird - and I haven't made any of the recipes so I cannot to that point. Overall, the book had a lot of seemingly great recipes and a lot of helpful information to share. 

The authors talk about boba, syrups, bases, james, homemade thai tea, and a pink drink variation called a Piglet. The illustration from the cover and its adorable nature continues throughout - watercolor style with detail of the drinks and components.

The notes they include are so thoughtful in the process of bubble tea making and helpful. They also note that pre-made is not the end of the world, which as a non-Bubble tea maker normally, that was a nice touch. Readers could be really intimidated by this cookbook, but they do a good job trying to keep it a little light and giving you a wealth of information.  

So fun, such a happy read and viewing experience. 

Recent Reads: The Beginner's Guide to Canning by Diane Devereaux

Source: From Callisto Publishers Club and Rockridge Press in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The Beginner's Guide to Canning: 90 Easy Recipes to Can, Savor, and Gift by Diane Devereaux
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Publication Date:  May 5, 2020

 

Format:  Paperback

Rating:









Goodreads Synopsis: 

The can-do guide to water bath and pressure canning for beginners
For many people, canning conjures memories of cozy kitchens filled with fresh flavors. Whether you’re picking up this time-honored tradition again or just starting out, The Beginner’s Guide to Canning teaches you everything you need to know about water bath and pressure canning, with plenty of recipes for jams, pickles, vegetables, soups, and more.

This beginner’s guide starts your canning journey with an easy primer laying out all the essential information about pressure and water bath canning. In the first chapter, you’ll find several easy, sure-fire hits, like Low-Sugar Berry Jam and Dilly Beans, including step-by-step illustrations. From there, try your new skills with any of the 90 comforting classics and new twists that are sure to tickle your taste buds. 

The Beginner’s Guide to Canning includes:

• Safe & practical―Explore the nuts and bolts of canning, including a look at the necessary equipment, ingredients, and fundamental rules of safe canning. 
• Savor the seasons―With dozens of delicious, easy-to-follow recipes, you can preserve seasonal flavors to enjoy all year round, like Apple-Peach Butter and Simple Spaghetti Sauce. 
• Spread the love―A whole chapter is dedicated to delicious, giftable treats, like Rhubarb Chardonnay Jam, Raspberry-Chocolate Ice Cream Topping, and Pepper Jelly.

Can you preserve it? Yes, you can with The Beginner’s Guide to Canning. 

Review: 

Please note this is a read-only review. I have not tried any of the recipes at this time. 

At first glance, this is a great starting point for canning beginners. The first chapter is an overview of the the history of canning, and the various types of tools and techniques that can be used with a focus on both water bath and pressure canning. In the following chapters there are 90 recipes to use these new skills trying.

The recipes are divided pretty evenly with about half for water bath canning and the other half of pressure canning, I would say that it probably leans more heavily on the water bath technique. I have in the past tried water bath canning and it has worked very well. It is a less scary type of canning, I think personally. Pressure canners freak me out a bit. 

Some of the beginning recipes include images to assist with how to fill and seal up jars, however many of the illustration are confined to that first information chapter. Other images in the book are the Chapter header pages with photos of pickled and canned goodies. As much as I really like these images, I always love to see an image of the recipe I am trying to see if it looks the same, and this book does not have that.

What I did like was the fill time it takes for each recipe, which is broken down into prep, cook, and processing time, then the total so you know how long you are looking at. Canning can be a long and tedious process and timing means a lot for some things, so it is great that this is here on each recipe. They also include the yield number in pints, half-pints and quarts so you know what jars you will need. 

Overall this seems like a great beginners book, it has a lot of great information all in one place so you don't have to scour the depths of the internet for something you might need - which is what I did when I started. 

I really cannot wait to try some of these recipes, but don't have the time to right now (sadly).

 

Guest Review w/ Larissa: Whole Food Vegan Baking by Annie Markowitz, PhD

Source:  My Friend, Stephanie 

Stephanie received this book from Callisto Publishing Club and Rockridge Press in exchange for an honest review, and passed it along to Larissa for review. This in no way alters her opinion or review. 

Whole Food Vegan Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Healthy, Natural Ingredients by Annie Markowitz, PhD
Length: 100 pages
Publisher: RockRidge Press
Publication Date: 2020  

 

Format: Paperback

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Vegan baking made even healthier—and just as deliciousThe classic cookies, cakes, and pies in Whole Food Vegan Baking have been transformed into better-for-you versions of themselves that still taste fantastic. Most vegan baking includes refined sugar and other processed foods, but these recipes are made with only natural, whole food, plant-based ingredients. So you can be kind to your body while still indulging in decadence.Whether you’re vegan, or just in search of a healthier way to enjoy your favorite sweets, Whole Food Vegan Baking shows you how to create cookies with chickpea flour, oil-free apple pie, and dozens of other vegan baked goods that you’ll love to eat and be proud to serve.Whole Food Vegan Baking is:Easy as pie—Bake each recipe to perfection with simple instructions, and notes on prep time, cook time, and all the necessary tools. Vegan, naturally—Learn the science behind swapping sweeteners, omitting oil, and picking plant-based—without sacrificing flavor. Tips and tricks—Get pointers on recipe variations, ingredient substitutions, serving suggestions, and more.Experience natural vegan baking that’s as flavorful as it is good for you with Whole Food Vegan Baking.

Review: 

First, I should admit that I am a cook, not a baker. My baking repertoire is confined to the realm of cookies, muffins, fruit breads, and the occasional birthday cake. All of these things I can do quite well, but not great. Further, when my husband and I went from vegetarian to vegan last year, a lot of recipes went out the window. Yes, there are things you can use as egg replacements, but honestly I’m such a non-baker that the complication of a “chia egg” was enough to turn me off from even attempting to convert most of my old recipes to be vegan-friendly.

When Stephanie asked if I’d be interested in this book, I jumped at the chance to try it out. I have only one other fully vegan cookbook and looked forward to building out my culinary library around our new lifestyle. When I first got it, I thumbed through the recipes as I usually do, to see if anything caught my eye. I was pleasantly surprised that the recipes seemed simple and approachable. Many had less than 10 ingredients required, and they were all “normal” things like oats, applesauce, and sugar. I was able to identify several that I had all the ingredients for on hand and could therefore make right away – winning!

At this point, having tried several recipes I can attest that they produce consistently yummy results. Favorites include the Easy-as-Pie Apple Pie Bread and Healthy Carrot Cake with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting. I’ll note that as a cook, I’m prone to making … adjustments throughout the process. I know, I know. I can’t help it though! This is why I’m not a baker. Anywho, the recipes have held up well to my changes, which mainly include the addition of flour to help firm up the consistency of the batter. While I appreciate the author’s attempt to keep things gluten free, my diet doesn’t necessitate that, so bring on the gluten!

The only negative I’ve found is that the ingredients lists doesn’t seem to include water. It’s a minor detail, but as someone who likes to set out all the necessary ingredients and measuring utensils ahead of time, I found it annoying. The first couple times I actually re-read the ingredient list to make sure I hadn’t missed anything upon encountering the addition of water in the recipe instructions. Spoiler alert – I hadn’t. Minor inconvenience aside, I have still thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to making more recipes from it in the future.  

Many, many thanks to Larissa for taking the time to try out this cook book AND write a review for me/us. 

Share some love in the comments below and let us know if you have any great recipes (vegan and non-vegan) to share [pssst...we like sweets] . Happy reading, baking, cooking, etc  - xoxo, Steph

Recent Reads: Ramen Obsession: The Ultimate Bible for Mastering Japanese Ramen by Naomi Imatome-Yun and Robin Donovan

Source: From Callisto Publishers Club and RockBridge Press in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Ramen Obsession: The Ultimate Bible for Mastering Japanese Ramen by Naomi Imatome-Yun and Robin Donovan
Publisher: Rockbridge Press
Publication Date:   October 15, 2019

 

Format: Paperback

Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

The world of ramen—from the streets of Japan to your kitchen

Seasoned broth, slurpable noodles, and colorful toppings brimming with flavor and texture—a good bowl of Japanese ramen is more than just food, it’s an experience. With Ramen Obsession, you’ll have all the tools, techniques, recipes, and step-by-step instructions you’ll need to make the perfect bowl of ramen at home.

A master class in the art of ramen, this comprehensive book provides a fascinating overview of the global history and culture of the dish, from its early start to modern-day interpretations. Ramen Obsession will also teach you how to make a wide array of ramen broths, salty tare sauces, aromatic oils, authentic noodles, and vibrantly assorted toppings—all from scratch.

This book includes:
Local flavors abound—From hearty Sapporo ramen to bold Takayama ramen and beyond, take your taste buds on a tour of Japan’s diverse regional varieties.

Broth in the bat of an eye—Save time with convenient methods for making chicken, pork, and vegan ramen broths with an electric pressure cooker.

Ready for ramen—Use helpful shopping and essential item prep lists to guarantee your pantry’s perfectly stocked to make delicious ramen recipes.Bring the incredible flavors of a bustling Japanese ramen stall straight to your stove top—Ramen Obsession shows you how.

Review: 
I love ramen, but I am a connoisseur of instant ramen and cup-noodles. I also really love pho... but that is a digression... I really love noodley soups... like REALLY LOVE them. They are warm and comforting and they can be so flavorful. 

I have yet to try any recipes from this book but I learned more than I ever expected from it. The first part is a history of ramen and the culture and how it is different all over based on the region it is cooked in. Part two of the book is all about the steps to putting a good ramen together with detailed instructions and shopping lists. This is going to be very helpful as you plan to make your very elaborate ramen at home. The last section is the recipes divided up by types of ramen  - yes, there are quite a few! as well as sides. 

I feel that this is a good book to add to your collection if you like soups, and if you like elaborate and well thought-out soups, not just throw in the pot and go soups. Ramen seems like an easy thing, but these recipes and ingredient lists seem intense. I will be giving some a try but what I really think that I will do with this book is start to get more creative with toppings on my instant ramen (hey, just being realistic).

Review Wrap Up: A Cookbook and Puzzle Book from Rockbridge Press

Source: Both books are from Callisto Publishing Group and Rockbridge Press in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Dessert Cooking for Two: 115 Perfectly Portioned Sweets for Every Occasion by Robin Donovan
Publisher: Rockbridge Press
Publication Date:  July 30, 2019

 

Format: Paperback

Rating: 







Goodreads Synopsis: 

Guilt-free indulgence—dessert delights just for two.
Say goodbye to pre-packaged sweets and hello to fresh and flavorful desserts. From The Very Best Chocolate Chip Cookies to Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread, Dessert Cooking for Two helps you create delicious desserts that are just the right size for two. Enjoy all the fun treats you crave without worrying about overindulging or wasting lots of leftovers.
Never made your own desserts before? Dessert Cooking for Two keeps things simple with recipes that use equipment you already own—plus tips to make things easier. You’ll also get helpful guides for melting chocolate, mixing ingredients, working with pastry dough, and other dessert-making techniques.
Dessert Cooking for Two includes:
115 yummy recipes—Dessert Cooking for Two satisfies your sweet tooth with a huge variety of small-portion treats, including Pumpkin Mini Pies, Blackberry Vanilla Bread Pudding, and Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake. Handy kitchen hacks—Become a dessert expert and master important skills at home—like how to create the perfect workarounds when you don’t have specialized equipment. Pick your perfect dessert—Recipes are indexed by both flavor (so you satisfy your current craving) and by leftover ingredients (so you make magic with whatever you have on hand).
Cooking for two has never been sweeter than with Dessert Cooking for Two.

Review: 

If you are looking for a cookbook for a couple versus a family of four, this is a great one, it is pretty much recipes scaled way down for two of everything- one for you and one for your partner.

What I expected, for some reason, was that these would be quick and pared down recipes for desserts, however that is not quite it. What you have to know going into this is that timing more most of these is the same as if you are baking a whole batch, but the ingredient list is the pared down part so that you don't have 50 cookies in the house. For me, I think for the effort put in, I would prefer to have something to show for it and I would like to have a full batch and then if I didn't want them at home I could bring them to work.

All that said, I did try the No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars and they were a hit. I really loved them and so did the hubs. And this book has a lot of no-bake recipes which is awesome!

So if you only want a few sweets in the house at a time and you are excited to learn some new no-bake dessert recipes, this would work for you.

Challenge Accepted!: 100 Word Searches
Publisher: Rockbridge Press
Publication Date:  July 23, 2019

 

Format: Paperback

Rating:








Goodreads Synopsis: 

Want thrilling ways to boost your brainpower? Challenge Accepted!
Find out how exciting word search books for adults can be. Challenge Accepted! is an easy-to-read collection of large-print word searches designed to stretch the skills of new and veteran puzzlers alike. Up your game with 100 searches featuring 25+ clues each―plus more diagonals and shared letters than your usual word search books for adults. Get ready for hours of brain-teasing fun!
Go beyond other word search books for adults:
100 challenging puzzles―Word search books for adults can help you develop your memory, concentration, and focus.Enhance your vocabulary―Discover interesting words drawn from a variety of themes―including wine, opera, computers, genetics, and more.Easy-to-read pages―Large type with clean and clear layouts make these puzzles easier on the eyes whether you’re at home or out and about.Take on one of the most engaging word search books for adults you’ve ever seen. 

Review: 
I am loving this puzzle book. I love word searches and all sorts of puzzles, they help me take my mind off the stress of the day and keep my brain going. 

Each page has a list of words and then the puzzle and the size is perfect. Each puzzle has a theme so you can pick and choose if you aren't feeling the 'birds' option.

The puzzles are not super easy, which is great, but they are easy enough to be a mindless thing to do when you want to relax but not watch TV. 

Recent Reads: 30- Minute Cooking for Two by Taylor Ellingson

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

30- Minute Cooking for Two: Healthy Dishes Without All the Fuss by Taylor Ellingson
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Publication Date:  November 13, 2018

 

Format: Paperback

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

30-Minute Cooking for Two offers the fastest, perfectly portioned recipes to make homemade meals every day of the week.

Imagine if cooking for two cut prep and cook times in half, too. 30-Minute Cooking for Two offers perfectly portioned, time-saving recipes to make whipping up meals for just the two of you, easy to do.

Table-ready in 30-minutes or less, these recipes offer fast solutions for meals any day of the week, from a quick breakfast sandwich to a proper date-night steak. Using no more than 8 staple ingredients per recipe, 30-Minute Cooking for Two gives you fewer leftovers, less processed food, and more time to spend between your twosome.

Whether you're a newlywed, an empty nester, or just plain tired of giant portions and days of leftovers, this cookbook is for you. Inside you'll find:

Tips for kitchen prep that include shopping lists for pantry staples and essential cooking equipment to stock your kitchen with.

30-minute recipes for breakfast, soups, salads, sandwiches, dinner, and dessert, with quick-reference labels super-fast recipes (20-minutes or less) and one pot meals.

8 ingredients per recipe that are easy-to-find all year around, and make every meal fresh and healthy.
Every twosome has a special thing that they do together. With the quick and easy recipes in 30-Minute Cooking for Two, cooking can be your thing, too.

Review: 
Soo... I did not read this entire cookbook, but I read through a few of the recipes - ones that I fully intend on making and really enjoyed what I saw.

This book is designed with for couples that are busy. So much food now is sold in bulk or family size that so much of it goes bad in our home and we feel bad about the waste, but to buy things for just the two of us actually ends up being more expensive than buying the family size and not eating it all... 

The is a full Intro as well as a chapter about "Why Two Can be Tricky" which were really informative and had a lot of great information about what staples you should be keeping around and how to store leftovers.

Once you get into the recipes they are SO easy to follow. Each is only a page long and includes an about blurb, the prep/cook times, your ingredients, the instructions AND some notations. These notations are EVERYTHING, they include One Pot, Super Quick, 5-Ingredient, Vegetarian etc. These make picking out what you need even easier. If you don't want too many dishes, pick a One Pot meal, if you don't have a lot pick a 5-Ingredient meal, on a timeline - Super Quick is where it is at. 

This cook book is super easy to use and it has some delicious sound recipes, its only downfall is that there aren't really any images but that could be a blessing in disguise because you are getting more recipes and if yours doesn't look like the picture that can be a bummer - so it solves that problem too.

Cookbook Review: Queso! by Lisa Fain

Source: From Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Queso! Regional Recipes for the World's Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip by Lisa Fain
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publication Date:  September 26, 2017

 

Format:  Hardback

Rating:



 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

A fun, full-color look at everyone's favorite cheese dip, with history, tips, facts, and 50 recipes from beloved food blogger Lisa Fain, "the Homesick Texan."

Queso (aka chile con queso) is a spicy, cheesy, comforting cult favorite that has long been a delicious addition to any party, barbecue, or family gathering. This appealing and accessible book features a mix of down-home standards and contemporary updates, from historical, regional, and Mexican quesos to vegan and dessert quesos, including Chile Verde Con Queso, Squash Blossom Queso Fundido, Fajita Queso, Cactus and Corn Queso Poblano, Frito Salad with Queso Dressing, Pulled Pork Queso Blanco, and Sausage Queso Biscuits. Whether you're relaxing with friends, having a few people over to watch the football game, or entertaining a hungry crowd, queso is the perfect party food for good times. 

Review: 
I love getting cookbooks to review for many reasons, here are a few:
1. because I am a horrible cook.
2. they have loads of instructions for me to follow to do better at the cooking.
3. the pictures are always amazing and they make me WANT to cook.

And how can you go wrong with a dip made of CHEESE? You really can't. So I requested this book to give it a try and while I have not yet made anything out of it, I have read through a good amount of it and wanted to offer my opinion of the book itself versus how the recipes turned out (because lets be real, I am probably still going to mess this up)!

The book itself is a hardback, sturdy book with thick pages great for turning with your hands covered in food. And it has a lot of wonderful information right off the bat - there is a section about different types of chiles and how to roast them (very important for a chile-cheese dip) and then a section on various cheeses as well. Some notes from that section include - Velveeta is not 'American Cheese" but it's own type of awesomeness and that if you want to make queso, you should be shredding your own cheese versus buying those bags of pre-shredded cheese. Following this treasure-trove of info are the recipes, each section starts with a brief history then jumps into the recipes themselves - almost all have images and all have the normal list of ingredients and instructions but they also provide how many servings they make and how to serve them (as a side, with chips, with warm torillas... etc).

This is a wonderful cookbook, I can't wait to make a cheesy mess all over my kitchen trying out the recipes! 
This would also make a great gift for the cheese-loving cooks in your family!

Recent Reads: Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson

Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson 
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Publication Date:  October 14, 2014

 

Format: Hardback
Source: Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book in no way effects my opinion of the book.

Rating:








 Goodreads Synopsis: 

Joy Wilson believes that everything is better with pie. And caramel. And definitely ice cream. Her world is pretty sweet: she dabbles daily in butter and sugar as her blogging alter ego, Joy the Baker. Her new book, Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence, is packed with 125 of Joy’s favorite, supereasy, most over-the-top, totally delicious treats, such as Dark Chocolate, Pistachio, and Smoked Sea Salt Cookies; Butterscotch Cream Pie with Thyme-Marshmallow Meringue; Mint Chocolate Chip Cake; and Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. After all, every day is an opportunity for sweets.

 Review: 

My husband does almost all of the cooking in the house, so I do all the baking – that is by choice too; I am horrible with cooking – but baking… I LOVE baking.

Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence was a wonderful baking book. When I saw the cover online I knew I had to have it, the picture of the beautiful cake covered in icing and pretzels, it as just the kind of wacky but fun baking I like to do. When the book arrived I was on a mission to bake 2 birthday cakes and my husband requested lemon squares. While baking I normally just kind of wing it but I used the Joy the Baker book instead.

The instructions were very easy to follow and I really liked that the icing/ toppings/ batter instructions were all separated out of one another – I can’t tell you how many times I have followed a recipe that has called for 2 eggs only to put both of them into the batter when one is meant for the next step – I really hate that, especially when I am baking in a rush. (I know, I should read the thing all the way through first…)

The recipes were very simple, most of them were standard ingredients I had on hand already. The cakes and the lemon squares were both great recipes and I plan on continuing to use them. I think the lemon square recipe is my favorite so far.

 When I first got the book, I was enchanted by the stunning photos of the cakes, pies, brunch recipes, and ice creams, I wanted to dive right in. My mother even stopped by and tried to steal the book to use some of these simple yet beautiful recipes. I learned a good amount too – specifically I had no idea that Vegan chocolate cake was made with avocados. I am glad I found out, I am allergic to them so now I know to steer clear.

Overall, this was one of the best cookbooks I have come across in a long time and am loving it.

Random Review: Fire and Smoke by Chris Lilly

Fire and Smoke: A Pitmaster's Secrets by Chris Lilly
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Publication Date:  April 22, 2014

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book in no way effects my opinion or review of the book.

Rating: 






Goodreads Synopsis: 

Grill like a pro with the expert recipes and tips in Fire and Smoke. 

 World champion pitmaster Chris Lilly combines the speed of grilling with the smoky flavors of low-and-slow barbecue for great meals any night of the week, no fancy equipment required. Cook trout in a cast-iron skillet nestled right in smoldering coals for a crispy yet tender and flaky finish. Roast chicken halves in a pan on a hot grill, charring the skin while capturing every bit of delicious juice. Infuse delicious smoke flavors into fruits and vegetables, even cocktails and desserts. Fire and Smoke gives you 100 great reasons to fire up your grill or smoker tonight.

 Review: 

We learned so much from this book and the most important thing my husband took from it is that our propane grill is great for just that – grilling…but useless when it comes to good barbeque. I loved the wonderful pictures and explanations throughout the book, and the recipes where pretty easy to follow. I think this is a great addition to anyone’s cookbook collection especially if you like to grill/smoke foods.

The beginning of the book is a breakdown of the differences between grilling and smoking foods and the various types of apparatuses to do so. It made my husband want to spend all the money, to which I said no, but be aware – dreams of grandeur do occur when you start getting into this book. The possibilities sound wonderful and the foods look beautiful in the book.

I really loved the drinks that are included in the recipes as well; I have never thought to add grilled components to drinks up to this point. It was a very interesting twist to normal things.

I think this book would be a wonderful addition for all cooks and grilling lovers regardless of how long they have been cooking.