Hungry Is a Mighty Fine Sauce Cookbook - Review

Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce Cookbook

Author: Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Release Date: October 1, 2016

ISBN: 9781634097826

Pages: 224

BLURB:

Hey y'all!  Come on inside! I want you to meet my family~

I’m Shellie. . .a Jesus loving, story stacking cook known as The Belle of All Things Southern. I'm having something of a family reunion, and I’m inviting all of you to join me--from close friends and second cousins, to my loyal radio listeners, beloved readers, and anyone else who stumbles across our get-together!  
 
My specialty is delicious food born from a legacy of love and southern heritage, broken down into simple steps anyone can follow. Whether it’s my Bodacious Black Bean Salad or Fresh Veggie Frittata, Spicy Sausage and Crawfish Spread or Fudge Nut Muffins, my recipes will satisfy your hungry group and keep them coming back for more. Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce is a collection of lip-smacking, rib-sticking dishes served with generous helpings of conversation because I truly believe the best meals come with a story. 

Featuring dozens of tried-and-true recipes complemented by entertaining stories, your hunger--and your craving for humor--are sure to be satisfied! Eye-catching photos, guaranteed to make your mouth water, are included throughout. . .sure to be a much-appreciated gift or centerpiece on your very own kitchen countertop.

MY THOUGHTS:

Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce Cookbook is a truly readable cookbook. This cookbook is pure Southern and is a true treasure! It is full of stories that are absolutely entertaining and the way it is written, you can just hear the stories being told around the kitchen table while you are sipping a sweet tea. I have spent more time than I'll ever admit to looking for a recipe for dinner and then finding myself reading the cookbook. Oh, the stories!  I will never, ever hear "This Little Light of Mine..." without thinking of the little Boy Angel Cullen. OH MY!!! I laughed so hard I had tears rolling!

This book is not only fun, but it has some mighty good recipes in it as well. One of the things I really love is not only is there an intro to the recipe, but many of them have comments in the instructions that make it feel like you are cooking with a friend or relative. For example, there was a comment of how the original recipe called for 1/2 cup of sugar, but the author's uncle made the recipe and forgot to add it in. The sugar was not missed, so from then on, it has been omitted when making it. Great to know - and love the omission since we really don't need all that sugar, right?

Sprinkled throughout the book are BELLE TIPs that are helpful and very useful hints, sayings and quotes and drop dead gorgeous photography. The recipes themselves are amazing - well of course they are, they are from a Southern Belle! I love Southern cooking and this book nails everything I love about it. Some of my favorite recipes are: Cajun Grits, Aunt Peggy's Chicken and Dumpling Casserole, Tomato Onion TART WITH Cornmeal Crust From Kitchen Belleicious, Brown Butter Maple Berry Skillet Cobbler From Kitchen Belleicious, and Aunt Debbie's French Market Doughnuts - just to name a few. 

I had originally gotten an eBook of Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce Cookbook from NetGalley to review. When it comes to cookbooks, if I find I really like them I'll go out and buy the book. This is one that I loved - so I added the comb-bound book to my collection (mine is a little different than the photo as it has a white comb binding). This book is one that is used a lot and not only for the cooking, but for the stories. I've read more stories and even the recipes to my husband or daughter than I ever thought I would out of a book, let alone a cookbook.

What it all boils down to is, Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce Cookbook is a must for anyone who loves to cook Southern food, read cookbooks, loves great recipes or just wants a great all-around useful and entertaining book. I love it and highly, highly recommend it! 

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion. 

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.