cook book review Archives

Tex-Mex Chicken Cutlets Recipe Family Circle Healthy Family Dinners

October 2, 2011 by Momstart 42 Comments

From Reviewer Emily:

When it comes to the cooking in our home, my husband is the better cook. The guy is able to create the most amazing dishes with whatever we have on hand and barely has to glance at a recipe. I, on the other hand, must carefully follow written instructions. For this reason I’ve collected numerous cookbooks and recipe clippings from magazines.

The newest addition to my collection is the Family Circle Healthy Family Dinners. Flipping through the pages, I realized I really didn’t have any other cookbook quite like it. I have the typical family meal recipe books (quick prep, kid-friendly), but the majority of the healthy cookbooks I own are more for dieting adults. This collection is unique because there are over 200 recipes that can appeal to the whole family, while using healthier ingredients. Recipes include main dish salads, meat and fish, pasta, vegetarian, slow cooker meals and even dessert! Each recipe provides extended nutritional information including calories, fat/saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sodium and cholesterol.

I decided to give Tex-Mex Chicken Cutlets a try since I had all the ingredients needed at home. Most of the recipes in this collection include a full page color picture, but this one did not, so I also thought it would be a good one to feature (plus no self-criticism if my creation doesn’t turn out as pretty as the pictures).

Prep was pretty easy, although it did take me longer than the 5 minutes the book stated. But remember, I’m only a part-time cook in my home! I chopped up the onion, minced the garlic and spread extra virgin olive oil in the pan to get things started. While these ingredients sautéed for a bit, I got the flour, chicken, salsa, chicken broth, cumin, red wine vinegar and corn ready for the next steps.

After quick coating of flour on both sides of the chicken breasts, I placed these in the pan to cook for a few minutes on each side. When both sides had lightly browned, I added the salsa, broth, cumin, vinegar and corn and continued to cook for about 5 minutes. Now things really started smelling good! All I had left to do was throw in the rice, remove from the heat and let it all sit covered for about 10 minutes.

The overall cooking time for this recipe was pretty close to the estimated 10 minutes and with 10 minutes of stand time, I was also able to take care of clean up, set the table and cut up some fruit while the rice cooked.

The kids and I sat down to a healthy meal that included some of their favorite foods: chicken, rice and corn. The salsa I used wasn’t spicy so it just added some color and a little flavor. My older daughter ate up every bite and asked to have some of the rice in her lunch the next day. My younger daughter, the picky toddler of our home, didn’t protest and ate most of her serving, so I consider that a success.

Here’s the recipe from Family Circle Healthy Family Dinners:

Tex-Mex Chicken Cutlets Recipe

MAKES 4 servings PREP 5 minutes COOK 10 minutes STAND 8 to 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
1 small red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 cup bottled medium-hot salsa
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn, thawed
1 cup instant rice

Directions:

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until softened.

Meanwhile, place flour on a plate. Place chicken in flour to coat each side, patting off excess. Add to skillet; sauté for 2 minutes per side or until lightly golden. Add cumin, chicken broth, vinegar, salsa and corn. Cook about 4 minutes.

Remove from heat. Stir rice into liquid. Cover, let stand 8 to 10 minutes or until rice is tender. Serve with extra salsa, if desired.

When we try another recipe this week, we’ll need to make a grocery run as some of the items (low sodium broth, whole wheat quinoa and polenta) are not our usual staples. But given time and practice using some of these healthier alternatives, it should be easy to incorporate some of these ingredients into our other family recipes. I would love to be able to cook healthy naturally and I think Family Circle Healthy Family Dinners will be a great way to get started.

From the publisher:

“In Healthy Family Dinners, the editors of Family Circle compile more than 200 mouthwatering yet good-for-you recipes of every kind—including main-dish salads, pasta, meat, poultry, fish, as well as vegetarian dishes, simple slow cooker favorites, and even desserts.

100 luscious full-color photos will whet any appetite while nutrition information and shopping tips help parents make smart food choices day-in and day-out. With no exotic or hard-to-find ingredients, these recipes are more than just nutritious, they’re quick to the table, too. And at less than 500 calories per serving, Healthy Family Dinners will be a book you can turn to any night of the week.

From Family Circle magazine, a trusted brand for almost 80 years with a circulation of almost 4 million readers

· Features more than 200 recipes offering tasty, healthy weeknight dinner options

· Includes more than 100 gorgeous full-color photos for dinnertime inspiration

· Nutrition information for every recipe

For healthy dinner ideas from a name you can trust, Healthy Family Dinners is the perfect cookbook.”

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer, publisher and/or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Emily:

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. She raises chickens and has 2 shih tzus. Her daughter Caitlyn attends Montessori school and she hates housecleaning, she loves wine and dining out, and would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety. She has dealt with on and off over the past 10 years just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend.

Chocolate Midnight Cookies Recipe

September 21, 2011 by Momstart 32 Comments

The other night my husband made cookies for me. Oh he’s a wonderful man that loves me so much because not only did he bake the cookies from a cook book that I needed to do a review. The new Entenmann’s Big Book Of Baking is a comprehensive collection of mouth-watering baked goods recipes. Each page has a full color photo of the recipe and I want to cook myself through the entire book.

The collection of over 140 recipes includes those reminiscent of favorite Entenmann’s classics along with an assortment of new ideas, providing the perfect recipe for every occasion. Focusing on fresh ingredients and simple preparation, Entenmann’s Big Book of Baking makes it easy for bakers of all levels to create Entenmann’s classic baked goods with a homespun touch. I’m loving it! Here is my husband’s first go!

He gathered the ingredients and mixed them together.

Used our cookie baller, our favorite kitchen device next to the ice cream scoop.

Then out came these beauties, 10 minutes later.

Chocolate Midnight Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg (lightly beaten)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F
Spray your cookie sheet with nonstick spray
Cream your butter and sugar until fluffy
Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth
Then mix in the flour, cocoa and baking soda
Roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut and space them apart
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes
Let cook on a baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely

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101 Gourmet Cupcakes Cookbook: New York Cheesecake Football Bites Recipe

August 11, 2011 by Momstart 33 Comments

This Tasty Treat Thursday is with the help of Wendy Paul’s new book 101 Gourmet Cakes Bites.

These little treats have been making a big trend and have even worked their way into retails such as Starbucks’ pastry counter. Who knew cake on a stick would be so popular, but best part of these is portion control!

Our choice for the Mom Start feature from 101 Gourmet Cake Bites had to be something that suited me and my family, so my sons and I chose New York Cheesecake with a Football theme. Our family couldn’t be more excited for the NFL lockout to be over. We’re Chicago Bears fans; we’re sad that Olan Kreutz has been let go to the Saints and for poor Jay Culter ‘s canceled engagement (but more time to focus on his game). Preseason is around the corner and open practices, in our area, for the Seattle Seahawks have begun. But let’s get into food …

Recipe:

New York Cheesecake
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup half-and –half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup vanilla buttercream frosting (from page 125)*
1 pound dark melting chocolate
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
White gel pen

1. Mix together cake mi, eggs, half-and-half, and vanilla extract. Batter will be thick. Pour into greased 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 28-32 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and cool completely. Crumble cake into small, even pieces, placing crumbs in a large bowl.

2. With the back of a spoon mix together cake crumbles with cream cheese and frosting until a thick dough consistency forms. Shape into evenly sized oblong-shaped cake bites and cool 1-2 hours in the refrigerator, or 20 minutes in the freezer.

3. Heat dark melting chocolate per directions on the package. Add oil and stir to combine with warm chocolate. Dip cake bits into dark chocolate, covering all sides. Gently tap cake bite until excess chocolate slides off.

4. Set cake bite in a form block until chocolate firms. Use your white gel pen to draw the white laces of the football.

Makes 26-40

* Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
3¾ cups powdered sugar, sifted
3-4 Tablespoons milk or cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat until lightly and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stop the mixer before adding the sugar or you will have a large mess to clean up.

2. Add sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat frosting, starting on slow and increasing your speed until frosting is nice and creamy. Add one Tablespoon of milk if frosting is too thick.

Get your own copy of 101 Gourmet Cake Bitesnow at Amazon for only about $13 (USD). Baker and author, Wendy Paul, offers more in the 101 Gourmet series — cupcakes and cookies.

If you’re interesting in getting more free recipes from Wendy Paul check out her website. You can also track Wendy on Twitter @ReasonToBake to keep on top of what’s fresh out of her oven.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.

The Stocked Kitchen: One Grocery List Endless Recipes by Sarah Kallio and Stacey Krastins

July 17, 2011 by Momstart 11 Comments

How many times had that happened to you that 3.30-4.00 p.m. rolled around and you had absolutely no idea what is for dinner? You aimlessly flipped through your favorite cookbooks just to find that you don’t have half of the ingredients to make some of those deliciously looking meals that peek back at you from the colored photographs. This happened to me way too many times. If you like to eat and you enjoy delicious and simple meals, this cookbook will be your best friend in the kitchen.

The Stocked Kitchen captures a simple and brilliant idea: fill up your pantry from the grocery list found in the back of the book and you will be able to make any of the 300 delicious dishes presented in this collection of receipts. Easy-peasy! I have a repertoire of meals and dishes I make over and over – don’t we all? – but this book encourages me to expand and still stay on the quick, affordable and delicious side of feeding my family.

The book starts with a simple and easy way to stock your kitchen – first get rid of what you don’t need, or items you haven’t used (and wasted your money on to use for one dish 6 month ago). Then clean, organize, shop and cook away. So I am a cook and I think my pantry is well stocked for success (and I still encounter the question of ‘what’s for dinner?’ more than 3 times a week). So to put the book to the test I went through the shopping list and surprisingly found that I have more than 90% of the Stocked Kitchen ingredients in my pantry right now. The list is simple enough to accommodate dietary restrictions such as low-fat, low-sodium, organic choices (or my little guy to has multiple food allergies) by purchasing the regular items you always buy.

An extensive glossary at the beginning of the book will allow you to understand your ingredients if you are a rookie or even a good old cook who needs a refresher. The book features the following receipt categories:

· Appetizers (like Hot Stuffed Mushroom Dip)
· Salads (like Mediterranean Rice Salad)
· Soups, Stews, Chilies, and Breads (like Roasted Red Pepper Bisque)
· Pastas and Pizzas (like Lemon Dill Seafood Pasta)
· Chicken, Meat, and Seafood (like Moroccan Roll-Up)
· Beans, Potatoes, Rice, and Veggies (like Spicy Bell Pepper Boats)
· Desserts (like Ginger Pear Crisp)
· Breakfast or Brunch (this is a super interesting section with amazing sweet and savory ideas like coffee cakes and delicious bakes)

The cooking instructions are easy to follow and each page has a communication box, providing cooking or serving suggestions. This is a really handy addition to the receipts that will help you to gain confidence and even venture out into the open sea of improvisation (one of my favorite kitchen skills). I like the personal touches to the book as the authors share their experiences and practices.

Yes, this cookbook is for you:

· If you are a beginner cook and you want to have a cooking and shopping system to get you off to a great start
· If you are looking for a quicker easier way of putting dinner on the table – by getting organized
· If you don’t go to the grocery store more than once a week.
· If you like simple meals without the fancy ingredients
· If you like to improvise – this book is a great source of ideas

No, this cookbook is not for you:

· If you like unique ingredients and flavors
· If you are a visual person and you need a picture of every meal in the book before you want to make it (there are some pictures grouped in the middle of the book but not on every page)
· If you mostly prefer fresh foods over canned and frozen options

The book is for purchase at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

We received a sample free to us to facilitate this review.

About Orshi:

Orshi is a teacher at UCIC where she works daily with children. She shows a great love for children as she has three of her own. She also loves Facebook, gardening and baking. She was born and grew up in Hungary and now lives across the street.

The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook

May 20, 2011 by Momstart 1 Comment

It’s nice to have some extra help around the house. Get your kids involved … making sandwiches; snacks; salad, dressings and dips; desserts; and drinks. My kids love to cook with me and we cook a lot. I like that cooking not only teaches them a life skill but it also has its true roots in math and science.

My only problem is when I hear, “I can do it myself!” No worries now though. Get your kids (and yourself) The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook by Laurie Goldrich Wolf from Downtown Bookworks publishing so they can take part in their diet and get some of the work off your back. With 45 recipes kids as young as 4 years old can follow, the fully-illustrated step-by-step directions can be performed without needing to read in order to create dishes that look and taste as yummy as the finish photos.

I had my 4YO help me make dinner by mixing together some Honey Mustard Dressing/Dip from The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook. The whole book can be made with “Nothing Sharp, and Nothing Hot!” The simple dressing was featured as a dressing to salad for mom and dad, and a dip for a plate of the same ingredients for the kids. Added to the Honey Mustard we had spinach, tomato, carrots, apples, mushroom, and chicken.

We’re so excited to make something else from The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook and can’t wait to share another exciting adventure with you! We have 10 bookmarks of recipes we’ll be concocting soon. So whether you need help around the house, need to entertain your children during summer break or just need some new ideas for recipes — get your own copy.

Downtown Bookworks’ mission is to keep kids actively engaged by learning, making things, and exploring. You can find The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook and other kid center titles on the Downtown Bookworks’ kid’s site. You can also keep current by Liking Downtown Bookworks on Facebook.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Make-Ahead Meals Cook Book 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals

May 15, 2011 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Make-Ahead Meals: 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals You Can Serve at a Moment’s Notice

I love to cook, and love to have healthy meals prepared for my family pretty much every night. We usually do something “out” once a week (usually a SUPER cheap hot dog or slice of pizza), but overall we are an eat at home family. Even my 10 month old is eating many of the same foods as my husband and I. The problem though, is that even the best laid plans can fall apart. When you think you’re going to be prepping dinner, the afternoon nap gets cut short. Or maybe you completely forgot a specific ingredient at the store, and can’t bear the thought of packing everyone up for a trip to the store. Maybe it’s just even that you don’t feel like cooking! Nights off are allowed! Well, that’s exactly what Make-Ahead Meals: 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals You Can Serve at a Moment’s Notice is for. This book has tons of recipes that you can make, freeze, and then pull out when you want a good, home cooked meal…well… at a moment’s notice! Sellers Publishing sent me a copy of this book to test out and review.

Make-Ahead Meals: 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals You Can Serve at a Moment’s Notice is full of recipes including starters, entrees, sides, sweets and sauces and salsas. The format of this book is wonderful. There are easy to follow icons to help you know how far in advance the recipe can be made: a sun for make in the morning, a calendar for making up to 1 week ahead, and a snowflake for the recipes that can be made and frozen. Always make sure that you read within the recipe though, because sometimes the calendar icon can mean just a 24 hour “make-ahead time”. There’s also a chef’s hat icon that lets you know there is a helpful tip later in the book. If you are planning to use this book, you should definitely check out the “Stocking the Pantry, ‘Fridge, and Freezer” section. Many of the recipes in the book contain some ingredients that you may not necessarily keep on hand. For example, portabella mushrooms and fresh flat leaf parsley were called for in the recipe I decided to try and took a special trip to the store to pick up. Some of the other features include a section of equipment and supplies that you need, a section with helpful tips and surprising food facts, helpful tips and information for cooking in general.

Overall, this book is a great source of ideas for meals you can pull out at the drop of a hat. Just remember to check the recipe you plan to use for any special ingredients that you don’t always keep on hand. I would also say that most of the recipes in the book are not necessarily “challenging”, but do take someone who is comfortable in the kitchen.

Last week I had the perfect opportunity to test out one of the recipes in Make-Ahead Meals: 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals You Can Serve at a Moment’s Notice. I was planning to stay busy outside all day on Friday and knew that would run into my usual dinnertime prep. I pulled out my conveniently sized cookbook and decided to try out Pork and Apple Pie. I had already looked this recipe over, and gotten all of the supplies I needed earlier in the week. Thursday night, I made our usual dinner AND took some time to make the Pork and Apple Pie. This recipe could be refrigerated for 24 hours or frozen until needed. I thought the recipe was really tasty, and so did my little one. My husband said that he must just be one of those weird people who doesn’t like pork and apple together. You can check out the recipe under the recipe section of Momstart. You can also order the book Make-Ahead Meals: 100+ Recipes for Home-Cooked Meals You Can Serve at a Moment’s Notice put out by Sellers Publishing and have tons of your own make-ahead meals.

About Ashley:

Ashley has a background in teaching Kindergarten and working with children K through 8th grade. She is now a SAHM and a very active member of our local MOMS Club chapter. She writes her own blog at Momicles.

A Century of Flavor with Nielsen-Massey Vanilla #giveaway

November 16, 2009 by Momstart 88 Comments

How much do you like vanilla?

I love Vanilla. I love making my own vanilla soda’s and purchasing them at places like Sonic. I wish we had a Sonic here in my town but we don’t. It’s probably better for my waste line though that I’m not getting a vanilla coke every day. Must help my budget too. However, here is a way to experience the wonderful flavor of vanilla in every meal.

The recipes in here looks so good to me. I haven’t had time to try any of them out yet. I think tomorrow for dinner I’m going to make the Savory Pork Tenderloin. I already have it out defrosting in the fridge. I only need some rice vinegar. I have all the other ingredients.

The photos in the book just make the food look irresistible. I want to try almost everything in the book. I say almost because I’m not sure I can cook seafood. Crab cakes are one of my favorite things to eat; I’m just not sure I can handle seafood. Might be worth the adventure though.

I was sent a copy of A Century of Flavor from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas.

The delightful aroma of the kitchen during the holidays – with smells of cinnamon, peppermint, chocolate and vanilla – is a scent that many associate with long lived memories. The holiday season is a perfect time to create flavorful memories with your family and loved ones. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas A Century of Flavor cookbook provides moms with a variety of holiday recipes. Vanilla Carmel Corn Crunch can be made with your young chef, while Creamy Vanilla Sweet Potatoes is a perfect side to your family’s main course.

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and Certified Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Beans and Powder.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas recently introduced a new line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are certified Kosher and Gluten-free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Enter to win your own recipe book.

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Visit Nielsen-Massey and tell me a fact about the company.

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Chocolate Love Story Review a real donation and #giveaway

October 31, 2009 by Momstart 113 Comments

9780316056625_154X233 Chocolate A Love Story is sitting on my kitchen counter just waiting to be used. I love chocolate. Love it love it love it. I had to look at the photos, now the weird thing is that it is like it’s from the 1960’s. The photos make me smile but everything just makes me want more chocolate. I know it would make a great coffee table book or bathroom book that people just love to look at. I looked at the recipes and they all look simple enough to try except for the ones that I have no idea how to make them, like a brioche. One of the recipes that I really need to try is Veg-out chocolate cornflake TV wraps. Oh man the calories that are in this book.

Chocolate: A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner’s Private Collection

Product Description:

With gigantic vats of churning chocolate, desserts like their famous chocolate pizza, and 12 varieties of hot chocolate served in custom mugs, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man has turned their line of hip, colorful themed restaurants into an international sensation.. Chocolate: A Love Story is a vibrant new cookbook that includes 65 original recipes narrated in the quirky, captivating voice of Max Brenner, the restaurant’s visionary founder and "bald man." Bold original illustrations inspired by Art Deco poster graphics, full-color photographs, easy-to-follow, delicious recipes, and a serving of Max’s unique vision for spreading "chocolate culture" around the world make this book a must for every chocolate lover.

About Max Brenner:

Max Brenner is a confectioner, businessman, and above all, a passionate lover of chocolate. He began his career as an apprentice throughout Europe, where he worked in the best kitchens alongside renowned pastry chefs. It was in Europe that his love for chocolate evolved into passion, leading him to open a small chocolate workshop in his homeland of Israel. Many years later, Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man is now a thriving international brand, committed to spreading Max’s vision of Chocolate Culture to the world.

Enter to Win one:

To learn more about Max Brenner.