Made in America: A Modern Collection of Classic Recipes by Megan Garrelts and Colby Garrelts

Made in America
A Modern Collection of Classic Recipes
Megan Garrelts, Colby Garrelts
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 9781449458140
Pub Date Apr 14 2015
Hardcover: 168 pages

About the Book:

An American collection of heirloom recipes from a chef's point of view designed for home cooking. Award-winning chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts present 50 handcrafted recipes passed down through generations and celebrated around American tables.

This beautiful collection of traditional American recipes is an invitation to reminisce with generations around the kitchen table. Acclaimed Kansas City chef and recipient of the 2013 James Beard award for Best Chef Midwest, Colby Garrelts and his wife, Megan, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Pastry Chef, feature their favorite library of American classics redefined by easy, chef inspired techniques, quality ingredients, and a love for regional flavors from their Midwestern roots. These recipes will soon be the classics you refer to again and again for true Americana cooking. Made in America features 50 handcrafted recipes sorted by the cooking methods commonly used in American kitchens from daybreak, to the bakeshop. Many recipes begin with a childhood memory from Colby or Megan that describes the roots and the journey of each recipe.

This heirloom collection from a modern point of view includes such as Biscuits and Gravy, Corn Fritters with Fresh Sheep's Milk Cheese, Quick Pickles, Panfried BBQ Pork Chops with Tomato Horseradish Sauce, Grilled Garlic-Thyme Kansas City Strips, Garrelts Fried Chicken, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies, to name a few. Suggested menus for festive America holidays such as Mother's Day, 4th of July, Back to School night, and Christmas are also included. Sidebars throughout showcase handcrafted cocktails such as the Bloody Mary, The State Fair, and the Pimm's Cup that pair well with the different recipes within. Love and pride are woven together to create this collection that will remind you of your favorite recipes that define the comforts of home.

My Thoughts:

I don't think there's anything as delicious as Southern foods and this book is filled with them - many done with added flair making these recipes extraordinary. Get ready to drool and then have an overwhelming desire to whip up a dish or two. You just can't help yourself when paging through. The photography that pairs with the recipes are beautifully done and I swear you can taste the deliciousness of each dish.

Make sure to try the Christmas Casserole. This one is better than others I've tried and my guess is because of the addition of cremini mushrooms and Gruyere cheese. Then there's the Braised Bacon with Bourbon, Raisins, Nuts and Fried Eggs... Oh man - swoon worthy for sure! The Worcestershire-Grilled Rib Eye is a must for summer grilling and of course you can't have a good Sunday dinner without Garrelts Fried Chicken! One can't forget dessert and a must to try is the Lemon Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream, Oatmeal-Cherry Cookies and don't forget the Lemon Meringue Pie!

With all this talk about the recipes contained in this book, I want - no - I NEED to stop writing about this amazing book and get to the kitchen and bake something - and FAST!!

If you haven't guessed it, you really need to add this to your cooking library - especially if you love Southern Fare. Yes, it's just that good!!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.