Help Wanted

Help Wanted:  Desperately need someone willing to slap my hand the next time I even think about ordering another cookbook.  

I mentioned over the weekend that I have been on a cookbook kick recently.  I think I need a self-help group for people addicted to cookbooks.  Admitting a problem is the first step right.  I thought I was doing god when I avoided ordering a cookbook just to use the the 25% off discount.  After that I fell off the wagon.  Curious what cookbooks I bought over the past couple of weeks.  Here they are:

bake!  Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking by Nick Malgieri

In my defense (hmmm....rationalization), this book has been on my wish list for several years.  This was not a snap purchase decision.  This price had dropped to a point that I could not pass up.  The book has step-by-step photos for several recipes and offers thorough directions.  It truly does focus on techniques as much as the recipes.  A bonus for me is that the recipes use basic ingredients. 

Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen by Darren McGrady

This was a total impulse purchase.  It was a Kindle Daily Deal over the weekend. I bought it as much to read as I did for the recipes.  I have not had time to read it and have not even flipped through it other than the very beginning.  It looks interesting and worth the bargain price.

Simply Suppers by Jennifer Chandler

This was another daily deal bargain.  I have already chosen several recipes to try.  It is a great little book with mostly basic ingredients.  This was a good purchase.

Simply Salads by Jennifer Chandler

This book was worth the daily deal price for the salad dressing recipes alone.  I started making homemade salad dressings a year or so ago.  Store bought dressings cannot even begin to compare to homemade dressings.  W strictly eats ranch, but I like to branch out and use different dressings.  This book is one of my favorite purchases.

The Blue Willow Inn Bible of Southern Cooking by Louis and Billie Van Dyke

A few reviewers gave this book bad reviews for not being true Southern cooking.  My very Southern granny cooked every day for her family and the farm workers, and I can see her making the recipes from this book.  While I did recognize a few, there were many that were new to me.  Another daily deal book that was worth the price.

Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook by Ken Beck and Jim Clark

This is my least favorite cookbook purchase.  It is not to say that it is not good - recipes with a healthy dose of Mayberry thrown in.  I am just not loving the recipes.  It is the only one I would un-purchase if possible.  As it was a daily deal, I feel like I can get my money's worth out of it though.

Secrets of a Jewish Baker by George Greenstein

This has been on my wish list since I read A Jewish Baker's Pastry Secrets.  The e-book is currently $1.99 which was much too good for me to pass up especially considering that the used copies of the book are over $16.  The recipes are great, and the tips sprinkled throughout are are invaluable.  The breads are broken down with directions for hand, food processor, and stand mixer versions.

Baking with Mary Berry

I was introduced to Mary Berry by The Great British Baking Show.  W and I both enjoy the show.  Part of the allure is the recipes and part of it is just how nice the contestants are. Have you ever seen American competition contestants with such manners and courtesy?  Mary's recipes do not disappoint.  Once again the recipes contain basic (or easily accessible) ingredients.  This e-book is also currently priced at $1.99.

Madeleines by Barbara Feldman Morse

Madeleines are one of my favorite desserts.  W is not a fan which means anytime I bake them they are all mine.  I had bought We Love Madeleines about a year ago.  It is a good basic madeleine recipe book.  Madelienes takes it to a whole new level.  The flavor combinations are amazing.  The book opens with helpful hints and tips on baking the best madeleines.  The author offers a classic method and a one-bowl method for mixing madeleines.  At the current price of $2.39, the book is a true treasure.

Now you can see why I have a problem.  I think it is safe to say you can expect some recipe reviews over the next few months (years!).  Since we are still in super saver mode, all of these purchases came from my allowance.  

To keep myself in check:  I hereby promise to keep my cookbook purchases over the next year to a minimum.  (Notice I did not promise to not buy any cookbooks.  I am keeping this realistic.)