Monday, March 4, 2013

Cookbook Nook




We have small shelves carved out of the space behind the cupboards in the kitchen (next to the patio doors). Today I made them pretty.

I barely notice these shelves anymore...well, except when I grab a cookbook. I consult the two Bonnie Stern books most frequently. I would like to say I pull Martha off the shelf but that rarely happens. I've only made one recipe from Mastering the Art of French Cooking (leek soup). The Essential New York Times Cookbook is still mint. Gywneth Paltrow introduced me to the best bolagnese ever. I want to try a few more of her recipes. My favorite oatmeal cookie recipe comes from the Robin Hood cookbook. Kylie Kwong's book is beautiful - we've tried several recipes but they never turn out as good as I hope. Hope is an essential ingredient in my kitchen.

I have no idea what to cook for dinner tonight. I was thinking lasagna, but I should be assembling it right now instead of tapping away on the keyboard. Maybe I will run out and pick up steaks....my husband mentioned steak over the weekend. Except, I'm not in the mood for meat, so maybe steak or hamburgers for the boys, and I can jump into a giant salad. The salad greens* have been sitting in the fridge since last weekend's trip to Metro (that's over a week)...so has the cucumber...and the mushrooms.  I really haven't been feeling salad. Oh! Mushrooms! I should pull out the fast fry porkchops! I think there is enough time to defrost them!

Good idea! Thanks guys!

*The Artisan lettuce packed in the field...it really does stay fresh longer! 

14 comments:

  1. Bonnie's Friday Night Dinners is my FAVOURITE cookbook. Every recipe is too good.

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  2. I've been trying some of Martha's recipes and I've had one hit, one miss and one that I think could be spiced up to be a hit. I'll have to check out Bonnie! Love your nook! :)

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  3. I have a fat Martha cookbook that I think I'm going to toss. I have a several books in my pantry that I never use so I think I'll just toss all of them. I need the room!

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  4. NYTimes cookbook must try the no knead bread. Watch the video first. Your sons will love helping you make this and the anticipation will make it taste so much better and you'll feel like a pro baker. Go for it. super easy.

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  5. Thanks for sharing your fave recipes/books. I've heard good things about Bonnie Stern books. I've tried almost all of the desserts in Gwyneth's book...and a few of the recipes too. I've been happy with everything I've made so far. I got the yellow Gourmet cookbook over Christmas and I have used it a lot! It has a lot of easy recipes with easy-to-find ingredients. It's been a real treat to read too.

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  6. Gwenyth's granola is the BEST recipe I've found. Delicious and it doesn't burn (serioulsy easy to do with granola!!)

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  7. easy is my middle name...no wait..that didn't come out right!

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  8. I have never really given Martha a chance...shame

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  9. Go for Bonnie's Friday night dinners!

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  10. I'm going to take a look at Bonnie Stern after this endorsement! I usually use epicurious.com or Rose Reisman. Her teriyaki salmon is a big hit with my family. I've got a Dean and DeLuca cookbook that my dad bought me that has pretty much just sat there. Way too complicated! I'm all for easy as well.

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  11. I really like the Kylie Kwong cookbook too!

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