Because I’m trying to trim, both, my grocery budget and my waistline we ate a lot of chicken around here. Thank goodness my husband loves it and my ‘picky eater’ son no longer lives at home.

I recently received a review copy of 150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken (And 50 Ways to Roast It), by Tony Rosenfeld. I honestly can’t wait to try some of the recipes. The Glazed Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash and Chicken with Sage and Cornmeal Dumplings sound especially yummy.

The cookbook includes ‘chicken basics’ such as cooking times, butterflying and carving instructions, roasting and grilling tips and additional recipes for things such as rubs, glazes, bread crumbs, stuffings, gravies, sauces and even mashed potatoes and other vegetable side dishes.

There’s no reason why you can’t throw an extra chicken into the roaster when it’s time to cook. It doesn’t take any extra effort at all and gives you twice as much meat to use for sandwiches, casseroles and salads.

This REALLY is an excellent cookbook. I recommend it wholeheartedly and would love to hear your thoughts about it, as well.

Isn’t it great that there are so many things you can do with chicken? Personally, I’m always on the lookout for new recipes, so feel free to share yours. I’d love to add it to my files… especially if it’s a potpie.

I own the first edition of this neat little cookbook. You might be surprised to learn that it continues to be one of my favorites… even after all these years.

I’ve eaten a lot of Ramen noodles in my day. I’ve never particularly cared for the seasoning packet. In my opinion it’s just too salty. I always added bouillon to mine, instead. When I was in a more creative mood, I added things like ham chunks and broccoli or whatever sounded good at the time. That was before the cookbook…

Now when I’m hungry for Ramen, I feel like a gourmet. (Well, sort of!) Before I acquired the cookbook, I never dreamed you could make custard pudding out of these noodles. YUM! There are tons of things you can do with them, all quite inexpensively.

These recipes are so creative that it makes me wish I would’ve thought of them myself. Some of the recipes, in this edition, include: Pasta Salad, Ramen Trail Mix, Taco Salad, Chicken Alfredo, Ramen Burgers, Chocolate Chinos and Cheddar Beef Casserole… and that’s just the beginning.

This cookbook would make a great gift for college students or anyone who is trying to save money on their grocery bill.
What’s your favorite way to eat on these noodles? Please share your recipes here.

If you live in a small household but still enjoy whipping up a batch of cookies, yummy cake or other dessert, now you can do so on a smaller scale. If you are anything like me you’ll wonder how you ever got along without Small Batch Baking, by Debby Maugans Nakos.

Since my son no longer lives at home, it’s just my husband and I. Because he isn’t all that keen on sweets, I’m usually the one who eats the majority of what I bake. Needless to say, it’s not good for my waistline.

This cookbook makes a great gift for newlyweds, college students and empty-nesters… not to mention the single person who loves to bake. It includes recipes for cookies, cakes, breakfast breads, pies and much more!

Some of my favorite recipes include: Spiced Sweet Potato Bundt Cakes (made in mini Bundt molds), Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble with Tapioca Sauce, Down Home Buttermilk Biscuits and Cheesecake Toffee Drops.

When six cookies or three brownies or two servings of cake or pie are just enough, Small Batch Baking is the cookbook for you.

There is a whole chapter dedicated to decadent Valentine’s Day desserts, as well. (Of course, it goes without saying that these same recipes are more than appropriate to serve any other day of the year.)

I just received my copy of Joy of Cooking – 75th Anniversary Edition. Flipping through it took me back to all of the times that I poured over the pages of my grandma’s copy, when I was in my early teens. Those were the days!

This was and still is a WONDERFUL cookbook. Everyone should add it to their collection, regardless of their level of cooking expertise. It is truly in a class by itself.

This particular edition of Joy of Cooking has over 1100 pages. It contains 4500 recipes…500 of which are brand new. It is packed with food history and reference, trivia and countless tips and tricks, as well.

The first edition of the Joy of Cooking was published in 1931, by Irma Rombauer. (Believe it or not, it was self-published. She published 3000 copies, using the insurance money her husband left her.) Her daughter, Marion, was the books cover designer, illustrator and recipe tester.

1936 marked the first year that the Joy of Cooking was published by a publishing house. 10,000 copies were printed and sold for $2.50 each.

There have been several other editions published, throughout the years. This includes leather bound copies, published in 1963 and 1975, marketed as the ‘Bridal Edition’.

Do you own an older edition of Joy? Feel free to share your review.

I just purchased The Ultimate Bisquick Cookbook. After thumbing through it, for the first time, I wholeheartedly give it 5 stars!

I’ve always loved baking with Bisquick. Several years ago, I actually went through an ‘impossible pie’ phase… where I think I tried every variation of the original recipe that I could get my hands on. (The original recipe made its debut in the early 70s.)

To date, this new edition is the biggest (and best) Bisquick cookbook ever published. It features hundreds of wonderful recipes, including over 280 new ones. My favorites tend to be back of the box recipes, which go all the way back to the 1930s.

The Ultimate Bisquick Cookbook is a must for those who are struggling to learn how to make perfect pancakes, biscuits, dumplings, muffins and short cakes.

There are over 100 color photos and even a brief product history, explaining how this versatile baking mix came to be. Did you know that it was created in 1931? That’s a lot of pancakes, in my book!

Whether you are in need of a hearty breakfast dish, a savory suppertime comfort food, pizza with pizzazz or a yummy dessert, you will find it in this cookbook. Honestly, I haven’t run across a single recipe that sounds unappealing.

Do you bake with Bisquick? Feel free to tell us about your favorite recipe.

I am, among other things, a cookbook junkie. I don’t have as much time to cook as I used to, but that hasn’t stopped me from adding to my collection.

I recently acquired a copy of The Deen Bros. Cookbook – Recipes from the Road and can’t say enough about it. (It was a gift from the publisher.)

I love cookbooks that feature restaurants and recipes, from around the country. There are so many smaller, family-owned, establishments that have a great history and serve up a wonderful menu. If it wasn’t for this type of cookbook, these eateries would probably remain unnoticed for the most part… except to the locals.

Most of you are probably aware that Jamie and Bobby Deen are the sons of Paula Deen. They worked right along side of her when she started her first business, The Bag Lady. This successful venture eventually evolved into their restaurant, The Lady & Sons.

This cookbook is filled with yummy recipes, interesting history and amazing photographs that almost jump off the page. (Let’s face it; what’s a cookbook without tantalizing pictures?)

To date, I have tried several recipes and have been pleased with all of them. So far, my favorite is the Turkey and Cranberry Mayo Pretzel Sandwiches. For convenience, they are made with frozen pretzels that have been toasted to perfection. To say that they are to die for is an understatement!

If you are a fan of the Deen Brothers and/or great recipes that come from family-owned diners and other restaurants, consider adding Recipes from the Road to your collection. You won’t be disappointed.

If you already own this cookbook, please feel free to tell us the recipes, you’ve enjoyed the most.