Farmhouse+fireplace1

International Week, Day Two: European Regional Cooking

Do you remember a premier cooking show on the Discovery Channel from over ten years ago that featured great adventures in European regional cooking?  This is the book from that show, and it had me at the first page.  How can one resist a cookbook with chapters such as, “Out of a Roaring, Screaming French […]

Continue Reading
Chinese+Menus1

Cookbook Giveaways for the Week of 1-24-11

Since my blogs this week are going to be all about cookbooks featuring international cuisines, then it only makes sense to give away  books with the same theme.  The Around the World book features traditional recipes from across the globe, such as pavlova from Australia, crumpets from England, Sachertorte from Austria, Scottish shortbread, risotto from Italy, and […]

Continue Reading
The+Art+of+German+Cooking

The Art of German Cooking

To begin, this is not a modern-day German cookbook.  It is from 1967, therefore all the book speaks of is West Germany.  However, many of recipes are traditional that are still enjoyed today.  Cabbage and sausages are still as popular as ever, along with pastries and coffee cakes.  The one food that has always been […]

Continue Reading
Kristina+and+Kara+in+Norway+fijords1

International Week, Day One: Scandinavia

I thought it might be fun to do something different this week.  Each day will feature a cookbook or two of the cuisine from a different country around the world, or maybe a famous chef from a foreign land.   Since I love Scandinavian cooking and my husband is a Finn, why not start there?   I have enjoyed  the Cooking Scandinavian book […]

Continue Reading
Bears-Packers+photo1

Game Munchies

If you live in the Chicago area, and there is someplace you have wanted to go but it’s always too crowded, go there today at 2:00 and you will have no problem.  That’s because everyone else will be watching the Bears play the Packers.  This game is being called “Epic. All-Time. Special. Historic. Can’t miss. Once-in-a-lifetime.”  […]

Continue Reading
Bovril

The Search for Bovril

I know someone out there knows this funny little bottle with the funny name.  How I miss it.   My friend Roxanne introduced it to me years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since.  I had quite a few bottles to last me awhile and there was one store where I could occasionally find it, but now […]

Continue Reading
Paula+Peck+Art+of+Good+Cooking+cover

The Art that is Paula Peck

Google Paula Peck and you will find endless comments of admiration for her cookbooks, this one included.   Many are more familiar with Paula’s book, “The Art of Fine Baking,” which is considered one of the best cookbooks of all time, and will be included in a future blog.  I had to search for a cover photo of […]

Continue Reading
Morels1

The Bounty of America’s Heartland

If you ask people what comes to mind when describing the Midwest, many would say small towns, friendly people, county fairs, and hearty foods.  Even though this is correct, there is much more to America’s Heartland.  The Midwest may have sleepy little farm towns, but it also has vibrant cities and a wonderful diversity in […]

Continue Reading