Although I no longer do cookbook reviews, two books have come to my doorstep by the lovely Glo McNeill and the fabulous Mairlyn Smith that I just had to tell you about.
Cooking with Glo: The Cookbook for People Who Believe Kitchens are for Everybody is written by the first Recipe to Riches winner and is a very clear easy-to-read and make cookbook. No fuss, no muss and I love that Glo has shared her talents as an artist with her fun hand-drawn illustrations in the book.
I made Glo’s baked risotto and was immediately thrilled with her daring foodie adventurous style! Oven-baking risotto?! Some people would call that kitchen blasphemy. I call it a rebel in the kitchen. I am planning on making her microwaved shortbread too, I find that idea also fascinating.
There are also so many classic dishes and ones I have never heard of like Huntingdon Fidget and wow, she even cooks salmon in Scotch! I would estimate that half the book is dedicated to baking, sauces and treats and I am looking forward to making Baked Sponge Pudding and Mincement Flambe.
From oatmeal cookies to Yorkshire pudding… Glo has you covered! This is definitely a great pick for the holidays for any foodie.
The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook
Mairlyn Smith‘s The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook: From the Ontario Home Economics Association made me a little nervous. Reg HATES quinoa. It actually made him feel terrible the last time I made it so I was a little freaked at the idea of making her Quinoa with Feta and Sweet Potato. I just put a smidge on his plate with his sloppy Jasons (True Blood: Eats, Drinks, and Bites from Bon Temps). He was just as wary but took a bite and said, “I could eat that.”
Triumph! I was totally thrilled! Not just because he ate and enjoyed the quinoa but because I really loved it. The feta went surprisingly well with the sweet potato and I thought the dried cranberries would be too sweet but they weren’t. I did add some toasted hazelnuts when we had leftovers to give it more crunch but both Reg and I ate the rest of the quinoa the next night. That is saying a ton!
Mairlyn was the editor of this cookbook but it was her idea to collaborate with the Ontario Home Economics Association to create it. She also reviewed and tested every recipe and I know she has great taste. If there was one book for vegetarians who like quinoa, The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook is probably it. I must note that some of the baking will require special ingredients like quinoa flour or flakes, not something that will be easy for everyone to find.
Two excellent choices for holiday cookbooks for this year’s celebration. I am personally thrilled with both and recommend them for presents for your favourite foodie, in case you are still struggling as to what to pick up. I just had to share their praises because I am super impressed with both of them and can not wait to do more recipe exploring.
Yes, Glo sounds like a foodie rebel too. I’m intrigued enough to go check out her book!
I adore quinoa and am about 700th on the list of people waiting for that book from the library!
Oh good Debra! I’m glad. It’s a great deal and there are so many recipes I want to check out. VV, LOL, been there! Well you will enjoy it when you finally get that book, LOL.
Nice cookbooks, thanks for the review.