Crazy About Cookbooks Part 4

I'm continuing my cookbook collection/ wish list series. If you love to cook or are interested in finding out about cookbooks continue reading below. You can find the first, second, and third posts by clicking not the links. **Click the number words to see the post. I hope you enjoy my mini-reviews :)

What I've been looking at...

Juli Bauer's Paleo Cookbook

I have been reading the blog PaleOmg for some time now and I really like Juli Bauer. I love how she is unapologetically herself and she cracks me up with her honesty. She says what's on her mind and keeps it real. She posts recipes all the time on her website and I've tried several of them over the years. She also posts Fashion Fridays which I love! She has the cutest style and her body= goals lol. Does that make me sound creepy? But seriously she is in great shape! I have been looking forward to her cookbook especially because it's paleo. We try to eat paleo at home as often as possible. It's a little harder to do this when we're out and let's be real, I love ice cream and pizza lol. This little guy will be joining my collection sometime in the near future.

Update: Juli came to San Diego for a book signing and I missed it :( I was so bummed that I couldn't go. To check out her book tour click here.

From my collection...

Buy it here. 

Two in the Kitchen By Christie Dufault & Jordan Mackay

This is what I consider my fancy cookbook. This book is a collection of recipes from different couples and has lots of tips and stories to go with each. They tell you what they first made for their spouse and the kind of meals they like to cook. They also include different ideas on how to cook as a couple or for a party. I love that they set the scene of the party too, for example the kind of music they will play and how they will have freshly poured champagne waiting for their guests. It makes me want to throw a dinner party asap. I consider it my fancy cookbook because they make the meals sound so grown up and elegant. I'm not going to lie, some of the recipes sound very intimidating but for the most part they are totally approachable. I've made several things from this cookbook including this brownie cake. It was so yummy! This is a great one to help step up your cooking game.

Crazy About Cookbooks Part 3

I am a self-proclaimed cookbook lover. I have a true passion for cooking and new cookbooks inspire me to try something different. Plus I can steal the little tips and tricks from the cooks. I love that! I have been lusting over several new cookbooks and I thought I would share a few of them with you. Also, I'm including a small snapshot of what I have in my collection. To see the first two posts click here and here. 

What I have my eye on...

Buy it here. 

Endless Summer Cookbook by Katie Lee

I love the design and layout of this cookbook. Katie was so creative with how she added the handwritten portions and the pictures are just stunning. They make food look like a work of art and leave your mouthwatering with each turn of the page. I basically want to be Katie Lee after seeing this book. It's a summer cookbook but I pretty much live in eternal summer in San Diego so I feel like it's appropriate any time of year. She also includes ideas for wine pairing and for entertaining as a whole. This is a must buy!

From my collection...

Buy it here.

The Mexican Slow Cooker by Deborah Schneider

This was a gift from a student and I was so excited to receive it. I've read it cover to cover and I feel like I have a really good understanding of all the different kinds of peppers and how to use them. That's good right?? I was under the assumption that because the recipes were in a slow cooker that they would be pretty easy. Well turns out most of the recipes are very involved. That's not a bad thing but I just have to make sure I only do those recipes on days when I have more time. I made a verde chicken soup and shredded chicken tacos so far and WOW they were delicious!! Schneider is big on making everything from scratch so I plan on trying to make my own stock from her recipe soon. 

Crazy About Cookbooks Part 2

Thank you for joining me on this journey through my cookbook collection and the books I'm dying to own. See the first post in the series here.

What I have my eye on...

Buy it here.

Around the Table by Martina McBride

Around the Table is not only a cookbook but also an entertaining guide. Martina has tons of ideas for throwing parties all throughout the year and gives great tips for what to stock in your pantry for last minute get togethers. She also has a game plan laid out for prepping and setting up a party. This is such key advice because timing is not my strong suit. Once again the pictures are beautiful which is such a selling point for me! This book is so well put together and just screams grace and poise. Love love love it!

From my collection...

But it Here

Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist

This book is actually an assortment of essays with recipes included, not just a regular cookbook. She writes about family, friendships, faith, and the struggles in between. It's endearing to read something so honest and open. You can't help but to want to be Shauna's best friend when reading this book.  She shares the joys and pits of life all while encouraging the reader to have faith through it all. I identified with many of the emotions she was sharing and even some situations she has been in. I loved feeling like I could be encouraged by her life by reading this heartfelt book.  She has a real passion for cooking and the way she writes makes everything sound delicious. I tried several of her recipes on the very same day that I read them. They were scrumptious! I make her bacon wrapped dates all the time and I also love her risotto! Everyone who wants a quick read filled with scripture, quirky stories, and go-to recipes should pick up this book. 

Crazy About Cookbooks Part 1

So I am one of those people who reads through an entire cookbook, cover to cover. I like to soak up all the tips and tricks, the fun anecdotes from the author, stare at all the beautiful food pics, and get an overall feel of what kind of food and kitchen the author is sharing. Cooking is a huge passion of mine and I especially like to try new recipes.  I truly wish I was as creative as these cookbook authors. How do they just put recipes together like that? I have no idea!

Anyways I thought I would start a series sharing some cookbooks that I have had my eye on and some of my loves from my current collection. So here we go...

What I have my eye on...

Kimberly is from the band Little Big Town... isn't she adorable?? Buy it here

Oh Gussie! by Kimberly Schlapman

I heard about Oh Gussie! a few months ago on the Highway (a Sirius radio station) during an interview with Kimberly. She talked about her new cookbook and it sounded right up my alley. Hearing her passion for cooking and all things southern it warmed me to the core and I knew I needed this cookbook in my life. When I finally saw it in a store I was immediately hooked by it's colorful pictures, delicious sounding recipes, and stories from growing up in the south. She has so many personal touches in the book that it makes it feel like she is giving you a glimpse into her life one recipe at a time. She has various sections in the book labeled Family, Friends, Music, Home, and Away. I loved reading about her family and their history in the first section and I can't wait to own this so I can dive deeper. This book is currently sitting in my shopping cart on Amazon and I may purchase this very soon. 

From my collection...

Buy it here. 

Buy it here. 

Against All Grain & Meals Made Simple by Danielle Walker

I actually have both of Danielle Walker's cookbooks and I love them. In both books she gives a great overview of her autoimmune disease and how this effects what she eats. She gives meals planning ideas for 8 weeks in the Meals Made Simple cookbook. This is a great feature for any busy person but especially those who are new to the whole grain-free/ paleo lifestyle. I love that she makes grain-free eating so approachable and easy. I have made several of her recipes and our favorite is her prosciutto wrapped chicken with pesto. It's a great option for those busy nights, especially when you make the pesto ahead of time. Mark LOVES this dish and asks me to make it quite often. I also love her taco seasoning. I made it a few weeks ago and have used it with several meals like her chicken tacos and roasted sweet potatoes.  These cookbooks are seriously awesome and I recommend them to anyone who has a gluten free lifestyle or anyone trying to eat healthy. Also, her story is pretty incredible. It will leave you teary eyed and make you want to hug her!  Check it out at: Againstallgrain.com