Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Monday, September 24, 2018

Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke: Holiday Recipe + Giveaway (US/Can)

Christmas Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen #23)
Joanne Fluke
from Kensington Books

It’s Christmas many years ago, and topping young Hannah Swensen’s wish list is becoming the go-to baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota. But as Hannah finds out, revisiting holiday memories can be murder...

With her dream of opening The Cookie Jar taking shape, Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle in Lake Eden—especially when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball from the past in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes for the merry festivities, she instantly becomes enthralled by Essie’s old notebooks and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York. Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. As Hannah prepares to run a bakery and move out of her mother’s house, it’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake...

Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas Cookie Recipe from Tiffany Reisz, Author of One Hot December + Giveaway! (US/Can only)

One Hot December (Men at Work #3)
Tiffany Reisz

Hard as steel... and hotter still!

Never mess with a woman who carries a blowtorch in her backpack. Welder and artist Veronica "Flash" Redding's playful sense of evil sometimes gets the better of her. Like when her insanely handsome, wealthy, suited-up boss gave her the most sensuously wicked night of her life…then dumped her. Yep, revenge is a dish best served hot.

Only Ian Asher isn't quite letting Flash get away quite so easily. He's not ready to forget the intensity between them. The searing heat when they touch. And the deliciously demanding control Ian wields in the bedroom. Now he has only the holidays to convince Flash that they belong together…and that even the most exquisite, broken things can be welded back together.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Product Review: Vita Nut Milk Bag + Giveaway! (US only)


Save time, get better yield, and produce less waste without any stretching or tearing!

Our nut milk bag is made with a premium, tight-weave, fine 200-micron monofilament mesh. This durable, high-quality material is perfect for squeezing without tearing or ripping the bag. This means less waste and smoother, better tasting nut milks, juices, yogurts, and cold brew coffee that you only have to filter once.

The convenient, durable drawstring makes for convenient filtering and cleaning. The large opening fits over almost any container or jar for easy pouring and straining. Perfect for both small batches and large, this 12" by 10" bag reduces your prep and cleaning time.

As an exclusive Amazon bonus, it also comes with Vita's specially written recipe book full of instructions for making almond milk, hemp milk, sprouting, greek yogurt, and much more.

Review


If you don't know what a nut milk bag is, boy, you're missing out!

It's the ultimate multi-purpose kitchen straining tool, useful for making not only nut milks (perfect for vegans!), but you can also use it for juicing, sprouting, in place of a cheesecloth, and so on. Recent paleo, vegan, and "clean" eating diets call for nut milk bags all the time. I could definitely see myself using this for cauliflower pizza crusts, homemade tofu, and really anything that requires lots of wringing and straining!

The first thing I made with this was all-natural Jell-O—made purely from fruit purée, gelatin, and honey, they tasted amazing, and were much healthier than the artificially flavored, sugar-laden alternative. Vita nut milk bag is amazingly durable and was definitely a good sport even with me squeezing the hell out of it. The mesh is very fine—it's just a nylon cloth, rather than a hole-y strainer—so it did a great job at catching all the seeds and pulp.

Cleaning is easy, but I was disappointed to see how easily and permanently the bag stained. I thought the plastic-like texture of the cloth would not stain easily, but it turned red after my strawberry juicing, just like a regular fabric cloth would. While the bag is dishwasher-safe, it doesn't do much for the stains. I know the bag is clean, it just looks unsightly and messily colored. Multiple people have suggested to soak it in hydrogen peroxide or grapefruit seed extract, which are both safe methods to "bleach" the stains. I'll have to try it; otherwise I'll just buy a new one! This is such a useful kitchen product and I think all health foodies—whether you're raw, paleo, or just like experimenting in the kitchen!—should have one of these.

Giveaway!


One lucky Books à la Mode reader will win
one Vita nut milk bag—yay! To enter, all you have to do is tell me:
If you had a Vita nut milk bag, what would you use it for? There are so many great possibilities with this—tell me why you want it!
Don't forget the entry eligibility terms and conditions!
Sponsored wholly by the company—a huge thank you to the fabulous folks at Vita!
Giveaway ends September 3rd at 11.59 PM (your time).
Open to US residents only—sorry, everyone else! Please check my sidebar for a list of currently running giveaways that are open internationally—there are plenty to choose from!
Void where prohibited.
Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize after they have been notified, otherwise risk forfeiting their winnings.
Although I do randomly select winners, I am in no way responsible for prizes, nor for shipping and handling.
As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤
Good luck!

FTC Disclosure: I received one complimentary Vita nut milk bag via Tomoson.com in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I was not paid in any way to write a review—positive or otherwise—and all thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone. I only recommend products or services I have used personally and believe will be good for my beautiful readers!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

7 Heart Review: 21-Day Tummy by Liz Vaccariello

21-Day Tummy
Liz Vaccariello with Kate Scarlata, RD

Page Count: 302

Release Date: December 26th 2013
Publisher: Reader's Digest
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, FSB Media!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Based on the latest science, the 21-Day Tummy diet targets excess weight and belly fat while addressing the most common digestive disorders.

We love to eat but that doesn't mean our stomachs always enjoy digesting what we put in them. Add to this the fact that our nation is heavier than it's ever been, and it's clear that our tummies don't just need to function better, they need to be smaller. In general, smaller stomachs digest food more effectively, and that's why dropping the pounds isn't just a matter of vanity but of health.

Featuring carb-light, anti-inflammatory foods, the 21-Day Tummy eating plan slashes inches from your belly (up to 4 ½ inches!) while banishing gas and bloating, heartburn and acid relux, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In addition, 21-Day Tummy includes:

  • 50 scrumptious recipes such as Tomato-Ginger Flank Steak and Almost Pumpkin Mini Pies.
  • a Digestion Quiz to help you measure your overall digestive health tips on how to combat the Four S's—Supersizing, Sitting, Stress, and Sleep Deprivation.
  • inspirational stories and advice from our successful test panelists. Our top tester dropped 19 pounds in 21 days and completely stopped taking medications for acid reflux.
  • an optional equipment-free workout plan that helps to both sculpt and soothe your belly with a mix of core strengthening, walking, and yoga.
  • guidelines on how to incorporate potentially problematic foods back into your life so you are never deprived of your favorite foods.
21-Day Tummy is a fun, easy guide to healthy eating that will have a smaller, healthier you feeling better than, well, possibly ever!
What I love about 21-Day Tummy is that it isn't just a book on weight loss and diet management; it's unique in that it also places importance on the digestive tract. Many of the recipes and theories revolve around the bodily chemistry regarding certain foods and exercises, so this diet plan is one that targets both shedding pounds and metabolizing your digestive system.

If you suffer from weight gain due to digestive slowdown, this is the perfect book for you. It is well backed and well explained, so anyone can follow and understand the logistics of the diet—even if you have minimal experience with dieting. That's what I love about Vaccariello's diet guides; they're so accessible!

The recipes, as expected, are amazing. Just looking at the photographs makes my mouth water, and I love how each ingredient is elaborated upon. There are helpful lists of digestive do's and don't's throughout the book, which are entertaining and useful for the kitchen. Other helpful tools include measurement conversion charts, grocery shopping lists, green lights and red lights of foods (regarding how they'll treat your stomach), and myths about certain foods busted or confirmed.

I find it really helpful that the regimen's goal is to not only flatten tummies, but also regulate the inner workings of the body. It takes the focus off the scale and tape measures, and places it onto feeling and being HEALTHY.


Pros


Methodical, biologically sound approaches to dieting and improving the digestive system // Lots of tried-and-true recipes that are worth testing // Real-life testimonies and weight loss plans and interviews of successful dieters included

Cons


Some recipes don't include pictures and are difficult to follow // I'm skeptical of the timeline. Although the book doesn't necessarily claim to change lives drastically in 21 days, it keeps dieters on a schedule that seems a bit too rigid

Love


Creative healthy recipes for foods I'd actually WANT to eat such as Salmon with Preserved Lemon Topping:

And Cheesy Scrambled Egg "Quesadillas":

Verdict


I personally was not really able to follow this diet book because it deals a lot with digestive issues rather than just wholesome, healthy eating, but I appreciate how specific the regimen is. It isn't something I could actually stick with—in fact, it doesn't seem very lenient—but I recommend Vaccariello's newest diet book for those who struggle with acid reflux and eating the right way due digestive problems. With the perfect amount of motivation and realistic, delicious-looking recipes, 21-Day Tummy helps you look and feel your best by using a targeted approach of not only eating well, but also taking care of what's on the inside Americanflag


7 hearts: Not perfect, but overall enjoyable; borrow, don't buy! (x)

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Special Recipes from Hello Hot Lunch, Hello Cool Lunch by Lisa Leconte and Giveaway!

It's my pleasure to share Lisa Leconte's adorable cookbook with you guys today...


Page Count: 138
Release Date: 16 April 2013
Publisher: Virtualbookworm Publishing

Hello Hot Lunch, Hello Cool Lunch by Lisa Leconte acts as two books in one, offering unique recipes to parents to make their children the coolest kid in school during lunch time.

Serving twice as many recipes, one side is full of entertaining and cute hot lunch ideas, tips, and recipes. Flip the book over and you’ll get fun cold lunch ideas with more tips and recipes. Sure to make your child the envy of every other kid, this book is a must for parents looking to brighten up lunch time. Your family and friends will crown you Royal Lady of Lunches after enjoying your new-found creative foodie genius.

Recipes include fun ways to use rice, cheese, eggs, pasta and much more. Using these every day foods, create your child’s favorite animal or make them smile with a silly face hand crafted with love.

Click "Read more" for three recipes straight from the book, as well as a giveaway for two finished print copies! These look gorgeous—you don't want to miss out!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

8 Heart Review: Cooking with Flowers by Miche Bacher

Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers
Miche Bacher

Page Count: 191

Release Date: 2 April 2013
Publisher: Quirk Books
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Here are more than 100 recipes that will bring beautiful flower-filled dishes to your kitchen table! This easy-to-use cookbook is brimming with scrumptious botanical treats, from sweet violet cupcakes, pansy petal pancakes, daylily cheesecake, and rosemary flower margaritas to savory sunflower chickpea salad, chive blossom vinaigrette, herb flower pesto, and mango orchid sticky rice.

Alongside every recipe are tips and tricks for finding, cleaning, and preparing edible blossoms. You’ll also learn how to infuse vinegars, vodkas, sugars, frostings, jellies and jams, ice creams, and more with the color and flavor of your favorite flowers. Fresh from the farmers’ market or plucked from your very own garden, a world of delectable flowers awaits!

Review


Miche Bacher of the famed Mali B Sweets brings us this gorgeous, wonderfully written cookbook on the culinary usage of flowers. There are dozens of flowers mentioned in this collection, including ones I encounter regularly such as dandelions, geraniums, herbs, and roses, as well as a few I hadn't even heard of prior to reading Cooking with Flowers, such as nasturtiums, hollyhocks, and elderflowers.

Each flower has it's own "chapter," making finding recipes you want as easy as ever. I also love how each section has a brief background history of the flower, as well as its culinary uses, flavors, seasonality, preparation instructions, and proper units of measure. 

Now, my expectations of this book were a little different—I thought at first that it would show me how to actually use flowers as food, such as flower soups, casseroles, sautées, etc., but for the most part, they are not an integral part of the recipes in which they are featured. The majority of the recipes only use flowers as decor; otherwise, they can be easily replaced by a non-flower ingredient (e.g. the various flower jellies that are pretty much regular jellies but use flowers instead of fruits). I'm not disappointed, though! This was an unexpected, and rather aesthetically pleasing new experience.

My only reservation is how there are no step-by-step pictures. Maybe it's because I'm an awfully visual person, but the long chunks of text made it difficult for me to follow the steps for some of the recipes I tried out. Other than that, this book is a must for the natural food lover, and for gift-giving!

Pros


Magnificent photographs // Impressive number of diverse, colorful recipes // Sturdy, refreshing matte-cover hardbound book—great for the kitchen and the coffee table! // Beautiful graphics and text // Organized by flower, with so many to discover and try

Cons


No step-by-step pictures // Recipes aren't groundbreaking in uses for flowers; most of them use flowers as edible decoration, for seasoning, or for pigment

Love


Miana Jun's photography is amazing... here are some gorgeous pictures from some of the recipes from the book.
Chive Blossom Vinegar

Chamomile Apple Streusel Muffins

Excuse my ghetto cell phone photo-of-photos...
 Lilac Sorbet—LOVE the colors! And so easy to make, too!

Process of Tulip Ice Cream Bowls—adorable and delicious!

Verdict


Cooking with Flowers isn't terribly inventive in its recipes—for the most part, flowers have superfluous roles, serving as cake/cookie/bread toppings or just as flavoring, akin to the function of herbs—but that doesn't make Miche Bacher's new cookbook any less enjoyable. I love the stunning photographs and the organization of the types of flowers used. Do pick this one up when you get the chance; it's definitely a keeper! Americanflag

8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended (x)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Chocolate-Covered Katie!

If you're anything like me, you are constantly overwhelmed by the many drool-worthy recipes on popular food blogs these days, but keenly disappointed by the fact that they contain things like one and a half sticks of butter and three cups of sugar and whatnot — I could go on.

Luckily, there are a few saints who run healthy food blogs, which give you recipes not just in terms of low calorie count, but also specialized in diets for high protein, low carb, gluten-free, vegetarian, high fiber, high vitamins and minerals, high all the good shit. 

I visit these sites everyday, hungry for new recipes and just stalking these people's lives in general because I'm so amazed/envious/ecstatic that they run healthy blogs and live such healthy lifestyles.

I'll be posting them separately sporadically over the next few weeks. All these women are friendly, beauuutiful, and their blogs are great! 

First up:

Chocolate-Covered Katie
— the healthy dessert blog

Myyyy holy Jesus this blog is a fucking godsend. Not only are her recipes all vegan (not that I am vegan... but when possible I try to be as vegan as I can lol), but all the chocolate-covered desserts are guilt-free and absolutely positively scrumptious.

You will not believe your EYES when you realize these are all health foods. Godajdsaudfajdfkjf kill me I want to eat everything on her site, down to the last HTML code ♥_♥

Inside-Out Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies:
Single-Serving Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake:
Deep-Dish Cookie Pie:
Apple Pie Pancakes:
Chocolate-Raspberry Fudge Cake:
Other links to Katie, the author:

Thursday, December 23, 2010

holidays were meant for being happy ❤

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Yeah I just spent about fifteen seconds typing alllll of that out. No copy&pasting crap for me, oh no. Just wanted to wish everyone a very jolly holiday season, AND share my all-time favorite Christmas recipe with you all! Ready for this? (Can you tell I'm super excited?) The recipe is.......
MONSTER COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nomnomnom

Monster?
No silly goose, not that kind of monster. More like

THIS kind of monster! Or since I'm such a cookie dough fan....

THIS kind of monster. That's right.

I will tell you my secret recipe that's not so secret anymore now that I'm releasing it to the world wide web. It has 50% less sugar than the regular version (and no artificial sweetener junk, I assure you) but it still tastes amazing because it's basically the ultimate cookie with all sorts of sweets in it. There's also no butter (woohoo!) but instead lots and lots of peanut butter, so it still tastes amazing and is packed with protein. But don't make this if you're allergic to peanuts. That's all.

Ingredients:
  • 3 eggs
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon corn syrup
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 cup peanut butterbutter
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 5 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup red and green M&Ms
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In a very large bowl, beat the eggs.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients in order, mixing well. Knead with hands if needed. Mixture will not be too sticky, and the oatmeal may feel like it will fall apart.
  4. Use an ice cream scoop to put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. 
  5. EAT THEM. EAT THEM ALL
    Isn't that just succulent?
    Why am I so happy, you ask? Well for one, it's CHRISTMAS if I haven't made myself clear. Also, NO SCHOOL! You do the math. I sure won't be over break.