Six ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ culinary reads for those who know their way around a kitchen (or prefer someone else to do the cooking any given day of the week) + a 20 year time capsule of classic volumes
Hey, I just recently downloaded The Kitchen Front to my Kindle. Lol. I haven't read it yet though. I'm going to be looking up these other books too. As always I look forward to your reviews and recommendations.
Thanks so much for sharing Porch 137 with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
I love all these book summaries, Linda. I was quite interested in O Taste and See, and will definitely read that one! It is amazing that you keep such great reading records!
Marilyn, I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading. This week I'm paging through another of Margaret's books, Fight Back With Joy, choosing to live out active joy in the midst of incredibly intense rounds of chemo. I'm a little in awe ...
None of these books are the kind of thing I'd normally read and yet you make them sound so interesting! It's interesting too to see what you were reading in previous years. I finally read All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore about a month ago and I loved it! I think it is my favourite book so far this year.
I just returned from the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids Mi and attended several workshops by Margaret Feinberg. She is delightful in person. Great list and reminder to enjoy what we read!
Oh my would I have to choose one? I guess my two faves are from our highly acclaimed chef, Frank Stitt in Birmingham who has numerous awards including the prestigious James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant of the year. He has 4 restaurants that we drive 60 miles to dine frequently. I must say of all the places I have dined, his remain at the top of my list. He has published two cookbooks with fabulous recipes and stories of his journey from childhood to stints with famous chefs in France. The titles are Frank Stitt’s Southern Table and Frank Stitt’s Bottega Favorita. I also love Ina Garten’s cookbooks!
Driving 60 miles. Wow. That's a high compliment and a huge endorsement. 60 miles. I'm going to remember that next time we drive 20 minutes for a top shelf burger.
Thanks for sharing your detailed recommendations. You're surely one of those fine dining connaisseurs I was referring to at the beginning of this post, Pam. I'm kinda in awe ...
Wow, Linda ... this was a great collection of food-related titles. I had the library open on another tab while I read this so I could place books on hold as I went along. :-) I LOVED "The Sweet Life." So glad you introduced me to Suzanne Woods Fisher several years (I think) ago. I have way too many books going right now, but the one that is holding my attention the tightest is Tricia Lott Williford's latest--just out this week--called "You Are Safe Now: A Survivor’s Guide to Listening to Your Gut, Healing from Abuse, and Living in Freedom." She wrote it with her long-time therapist, and it is incredibly powerful.
Thanks for sharing Tricia Lott Williford with us, friend. A completely new name to me ... and I'm intrigued that she wrote this with her therapist. I've read a few volumes like that and they are uniquely engaging and powerful.
And yes, we talked about Suzanne Woods Fisher 8 YEARS ago (I can't believe it). You've got me thinking that I should share that post here. Looking back and seeing my Mom in conversation with my sister and daughter and I is golden.
Linda, I am loving the recommendations! In the past I have read a few novels that involved food/cooking! I enjoy a cookbook that shares personal stories of the author/chef. I have a large collection of cookbooks, you may find that hard to believe (lol)! As others have said, you have whetted my appetite with the titles.
What a great line up, Linda! You've whetted my appetite with those fiction titles (pun intended) and I have a BFF who's a chef, so now I have some great gift ideas, too! Happy reading and cooking!
Oh my, Linda, you hit my sweet spot with cooking related books! I am very proud of my cookbook collection, and few things bring me as much joy as thumbing through a cookbook or food magazine, let's just say it's my favorite "coregulation" exercise when life knocks me down.
Love your recommendations and have stacked my kindle queue with goodies I can't wait to indulge in!!!
Wow Linda, full disclosure-I grew up in an Italian home where everything was prepared from scratch, and my dad was the best cook ever. And no wonder, His father straight from Italy was a professional chef who owned a restaurant in NJ.
My brother followed in his footsteps graduating as valedictorian at the prestigious Restaurant School in Philadelphia. He went on to take over a restaurant in Philadelphia as executive chef.
So I'm a bit of a food snob I like to say.
But my favorite cookbook is one I go to often, "The Italian Baker", by Carol Field, award winning and touted to be the only comprehensive book in English or Italian on everything baked Italian! From artisan breads, to focaccia, tarts, cakes and every kind of pastry!
I can't find a bad recipe in there, and very excellent directions for all. But, alas, not for the faint of heart when it comes to baking!
Oh my this is fascinating, Donna! Thanks for sharing a bit of your family legacy ... the stories you could tell, the masterpieces you must be whipping up in your kitchen. And thanks for sharing your favorite cookbook with us. I'm guessing there'll be a few readers who'll be intrigued and challenged enough to take a look.
I love kitchen/cooking books (and cookbooks, too!), but the only one I've read here is Kitchen Yarns, which I thoroughly enjoyed! The Feinberg and Kitchen Front especially appeal to me.
Okay, first I burn water. :) I know how to make some things-canned soup, eggs, and microwave dinners. I leave the cooking to Jo (and she hates cooking). The closest I come is when i watch Hallmark movies with her and one is Hannah Swenson making cookies and someone else. So I'll leave all to you all who love to cook.
Hey, I just recently downloaded The Kitchen Front to my Kindle. Lol. I haven't read it yet though. I'm going to be looking up these other books too. As always I look forward to your reviews and recommendations.
Thanks so much for sharing Porch 137 with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
xo
I hope you find Kitchen Front absolutely delicious, friend! Sounds like you're on a reading roll again. So proud of you!!
I love all these book summaries, Linda. I was quite interested in O Taste and See, and will definitely read that one! It is amazing that you keep such great reading records!
Marilyn, I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading. This week I'm paging through another of Margaret's books, Fight Back With Joy, choosing to live out active joy in the midst of incredibly intense rounds of chemo. I'm a little in awe ...
None of these books are the kind of thing I'd normally read and yet you make them sound so interesting! It's interesting too to see what you were reading in previous years. I finally read All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore about a month ago and I loved it! I think it is my favourite book so far this year.
Yep, it ended up being one of my absolute top ones for so many reasons.
I just returned from the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids Mi and attended several workshops by Margaret Feinberg. She is delightful in person. Great list and reminder to enjoy what we read!
Welcome home again. The Festival of Faith & Writing sounds wonderful, Jean. I'm hoping you'll be writing about it? I'd love to hear every detail.
Meanwhile, I just picked up a copy of Margaret's Fight Back with Joy this week ... it's sitting right here on the table waiting for my attention.
https://amzn.to/3xDbpiT
Oh my would I have to choose one? I guess my two faves are from our highly acclaimed chef, Frank Stitt in Birmingham who has numerous awards including the prestigious James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant of the year. He has 4 restaurants that we drive 60 miles to dine frequently. I must say of all the places I have dined, his remain at the top of my list. He has published two cookbooks with fabulous recipes and stories of his journey from childhood to stints with famous chefs in France. The titles are Frank Stitt’s Southern Table and Frank Stitt’s Bottega Favorita. I also love Ina Garten’s cookbooks!
Driving 60 miles. Wow. That's a high compliment and a huge endorsement. 60 miles. I'm going to remember that next time we drive 20 minutes for a top shelf burger.
Thanks for sharing your detailed recommendations. You're surely one of those fine dining connaisseurs I was referring to at the beginning of this post, Pam. I'm kinda in awe ...
Sounds like a lot of fun books about food!
And chatting back and forth makes it all the sweeter (no pun intended).
Wow, Linda ... this was a great collection of food-related titles. I had the library open on another tab while I read this so I could place books on hold as I went along. :-) I LOVED "The Sweet Life." So glad you introduced me to Suzanne Woods Fisher several years (I think) ago. I have way too many books going right now, but the one that is holding my attention the tightest is Tricia Lott Williford's latest--just out this week--called "You Are Safe Now: A Survivor’s Guide to Listening to Your Gut, Healing from Abuse, and Living in Freedom." She wrote it with her long-time therapist, and it is incredibly powerful.
Thanks for sharing Tricia Lott Williford with us, friend. A completely new name to me ... and I'm intrigued that she wrote this with her therapist. I've read a few volumes like that and they are uniquely engaging and powerful.
And yes, we talked about Suzanne Woods Fisher 8 YEARS ago (I can't believe it). You've got me thinking that I should share that post here. Looking back and seeing my Mom in conversation with my sister and daughter and I is golden.
Thanks for the prompt!
Oh, for more time to read! Love these food-related recommendations, Linda--in spite of the fact I don't like to cook!
I'm with you, Nancy. Pulling supper together is not my favorite thing in the world.
But eating out is high on my list of 'best practices.'
My husband actually enjoys cooking, so years ago I turned the kitchen over to him! Talk about 'best practice!'😁
Oh this is a marriage made in heaven.
Linda, I am loving the recommendations! In the past I have read a few novels that involved food/cooking! I enjoy a cookbook that shares personal stories of the author/chef. I have a large collection of cookbooks, you may find that hard to believe (lol)! As others have said, you have whetted my appetite with the titles.
And your favorite cookbook is ...?
What a great line up, Linda! You've whetted my appetite with those fiction titles (pun intended) and I have a BFF who's a chef, so now I have some great gift ideas, too! Happy reading and cooking!
Oh ... gift ideas! I never thought of this like that. You're absolutely right, June!
Oh my, Linda, you hit my sweet spot with cooking related books! I am very proud of my cookbook collection, and few things bring me as much joy as thumbing through a cookbook or food magazine, let's just say it's my favorite "coregulation" exercise when life knocks me down.
Love your recommendations and have stacked my kindle queue with goodies I can't wait to indulge in!!!
So if you had to recommend only 1 cookbook what would it be?
Wow Linda, full disclosure-I grew up in an Italian home where everything was prepared from scratch, and my dad was the best cook ever. And no wonder, His father straight from Italy was a professional chef who owned a restaurant in NJ.
My brother followed in his footsteps graduating as valedictorian at the prestigious Restaurant School in Philadelphia. He went on to take over a restaurant in Philadelphia as executive chef.
So I'm a bit of a food snob I like to say.
But my favorite cookbook is one I go to often, "The Italian Baker", by Carol Field, award winning and touted to be the only comprehensive book in English or Italian on everything baked Italian! From artisan breads, to focaccia, tarts, cakes and every kind of pastry!
I can't find a bad recipe in there, and very excellent directions for all. But, alas, not for the faint of heart when it comes to baking!
Oh my this is fascinating, Donna! Thanks for sharing a bit of your family legacy ... the stories you could tell, the masterpieces you must be whipping up in your kitchen. And thanks for sharing your favorite cookbook with us. I'm guessing there'll be a few readers who'll be intrigued and challenged enough to take a look.
https://amzn.to/4cU4QIS
I'm so glad that you've taken the time this Saturday afternoon to give us a broader glimpse into your life in the kitchen. So delightful.
ox
Mrs. Quin and The Kitchen Front both sound so good. I'll definitely have to check those out. Thanks for the recommendations!
Courtney, welcome! I'm glad you're here.
I love kitchen/cooking books (and cookbooks, too!), but the only one I've read here is Kitchen Yarns, which I thoroughly enjoyed! The Feinberg and Kitchen Front especially appeal to me.
Jeanie, if you get to read them I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I read The Kitchen Front a while ago and really liked it. Interesting characters and very descriptive!
Maybe time for a bit of a re-read (in your spare time)?
You have dished some sweet and savory books for us today, Linda. Thanks and blessings!
Sweet and savory. That's cute, Martha!
Okay, first I burn water. :) I know how to make some things-canned soup, eggs, and microwave dinners. I leave the cooking to Jo (and she hates cooking). The closest I come is when i watch Hallmark movies with her and one is Hannah Swenson making cookies and someone else. So I'll leave all to you all who love to cook.
Most days find me completely out of ideas and done with the whole kitchen thing. The sweetest text I got yesterday was two words from Tim - dinner out
I was good to go.