I can thank my Nana for introducing me to the kitchen and getting me excited about cooking and baking. She was Italian and food was a front and center whenever we visited her. "Mangia, Mangia" she would tell us, which means, eat eat. And, if she didn't eat, she would get upset as she put her heart and soul into everything that she made and she wanted everyone to leave with happy, full bellies. When I was old enough to cook with the stove and oven, she began sharing family recipes that were passed down to her from her mother and grandmother. She also introduced me to Julia Child, who she loved watching on PBS. If we were visiting when Julia was on, we had to stay quiet as she would watch her cooking show religiously with pen and paper in hand, jotting down recipes to try out in her own kitchen and to take some ideas to incorporate into dishes she liked to make.
Before my Nana was moved into a nursing home, she gave me a handful of her favorite cookbooks, including one of her Julia Child's cookbook. I was intrigued by this cookbook as it was all about trying out a new recipe every day for an entire year. I remember my Nana telling me how she would have loved to have tried cooking something new everyday. But, because she lived alone, there wasn't a need to go all out cooking/baking like that.
It wasn't until I saw the movie based on Julia Child's life that I was reminded about the 365 days of new recipes challenge and wanted to try it out. And, last year I pulled together all my cookouts and lined up mail delivery meal services we get so that I could cook a different meal every day for a year. I am happy to say that I accomplished this, and thought about my Nana every step of the way. I took ideas from dishes she used to make and added them to the different recipes I was trying out, so that it would feel like she was will be and we were completing this food challenge together. :-)
In addition to Taste of Home magazines that I get on a monthly basis, I also pulled out over a dozen Taste of Home cookbooks I had in my cookbook closet and flagged recipes I thought my family, including my two picky eaters, would eat. Everyone had fun trying out my nightly dinners, and my husband couldn't believe the dishes I was turning out. Back when we were in college and early on in our married life I relied on the crock pot and a handful of recipes I would rotate. So, he was used to the same recipes each week. He said I came a long way from chicken chicken cacciatore and chicken Marsala. :-) And, he was right, thanks in part to the Taste of Home cookbooks, magazine and cooking programs I attended over the years.
So, while preparing for my holiday gift guide this year, I wanted to make a point to include a couple Taste of Home cookbooks in my gift guide, as I have had readers tell me over the years how much they love to cook and bake, too. I thought that by sharing some of my favorite cookbooks and brands that you may find a new cookbook or two to pick up and browse through to find wonderful new recipes to make and share with your family and friends this holiday season.
I wanted to share two Taste of Home books I was recently sent to review, and have been having so much fun trying out recipes from both. One is a meals cookbook which includes some amazing good 'ole home cooking recipes like lasagnas, one pot recipes and dishes perfect for Sunday dinner. The other cookbook was all about baking and cookies -- which is perfect for this time of year, as many families love rolling up their sleeves and heading into the kitchen together to bake cookies for school and church functions, to serve up to family and friends visiting, or just make some fun and delicious tasting festive cookies.
Here is more about these two cookbooks from Taste of Home that would make a great gift idea for cookbook lovers this holiday season.
More about this book:
Take the guesswork out of cooking with Taste of Home Most Requested Recipes! Each of the 633 dishes in this mouthwatering collection is a Five-Star dish as rated on TasteofHome.com, won a recipe contest and/or received raves from Taste of Home readers! Whether whipping up a family favorite on a busy weeknight, creating an attention-getting dish for an office potluck, serving crowd-pleasing munchies for a weekend party or a planning a spread for a special occasion, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. After all, these are the foods today’s home cooks serve and share time and again. Each tried-and-true recipe has been tested and approved by the experts in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, offers easy-to-follow instructions and calls for ingredients you likely have on hand! Serve your family nothing but the best! With the brand-new Most Requested Recipes at your fingertips, it’s never been easier!
• 633 of our most-sought-after recipes.
• Top-rated dishes from TasteofHome.com and contest winning recipes.
• Four At-a-Glance icons help you make the most kitchen time. Look for recipes marked with “Five Ingredients,” “Fast Fix,” “Freeze It” and “Slow Cooker” icons for meals that fit your schedule!
• Special chapters spotlight meal-in-one specialties as well as seasonal and holiday favorites.
• Lay flat spiral binding makes accessing your recipes easy and convenient.
More about this book:
"When it comes to smile-fetching sweets you can’t go wrong with cookies! From soft and chewy to crisp and crunchy, the buttery sensations always get thumb-up approval. Now you can satisfy your sweet tooth all year with this brand-new, fun-loving collection, Taste of Home 365 Days of Cookies!
Featuring hundreds of full-color photos, this must-see edition offers after-school snacks, coffee-break bites, classroom treats, bake-sale favorites and holiday delights that are perfect throughout the year. You’ll even find cookies that celebrate days such as National Potato Chip Day (March 14), Jelly Bean Day (April 22) and National French Toast Day (November 28). Best of all, a Christmas- Cookies Bonus Section makes this cookbook a home baker’s dream come true!"
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Both of these recipe books have lay-flat binding, so that you can open the cookbook up on the counter or fold it depending on counter space. You will also find step-by-step instructions for each dish, with full color photos so you see what your dish will look like. I love when they show full color photos as it helps me with plating, and also entices me to flag the recipe to try and share with my family.
The Taste of Home Most Requested Recipes includes tried and true recipes that have rated high with faithful readers. From Fast-fix 30 minute recipes to potluck dinner and slow-cooker recipes, you are bound to find some amazing recipes to try out with your family.
I love to bake and was excited to see the 365 Days of Cookies. After completing 365 days of home cooking with my family last year, I am psyching myself up for a cookie challenge. :-) Not sure if my waist can handle it, but my belly sure would be happy to try them out. This cookbook has a delicious tasting chocolate chip cookie recipe that I tried last weekend and the girls loved. We had them with hot cocoa and watched some Christmas movies. There is also a bake sale classics section in the book, in case your child has recently brought home a letter asking your to bring baked goods for an upcoming bake sale. From fancy holiday cookies to quick and easy cookies for lazy day munchies, the new Taste of Home 365 Days of Cookies is a cookbook not to be missed by cookie fans, foodies, and those who love to bake with their kids and grandkids.
And, right now if you spend $20 or more on cookbooks or other books from Taste of Home, Reader's Digest, and other brands until the Trusted Media Brands umbrella, you get FREE shipping, now until December 11th through the Reader's Digest Online Store.
--Giveaway--
I am excited to offer one lucky Inspired by Savannah the chance to win a copy of these two cookbooks to enjoy themselves, or surprise that special cookbook lover in your life with this holiday season.
To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
That lasagna on the cover looks wonderful! What a great book!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite recipe , I like to try different ones
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