Domo Donabe

Donabe (doh-NAH-bay) is clay cooking vessel from Japan with a delicious and storied history.  It's very popular in the wintertime, great for sharing and making one-pot meals.  It reminds me of hot pot, popular in Chinese cuisine.

I've been looking to buy an attractive, authentic and affordable donabe for myself.  It hasn't been easy.

As Moore explains, typical donabe require little or not fat which is terrific news for your health.  The photographs are gorgeous, inspires you to cook -- a hallmark of a great cookbook.   She explains how you can care and use your donabe in a myriad of ways:  tagine, a steamer, a smoker.The recipes are divided by rice dishes, soups and stews, steamed and classic style.

You will spend many hours exploring and your body will thank you from head to toe.  If only cooler temperatures would pay a short visit Southern California.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

52 Ways to Love Baking

What a joy this Food52 Baking Book is, especially for occasional bakers like me.   The recipes are inviting and look easy, accessible.   The photographs are the icing on the cake, the buttercream.   The recipes that immediately cried out Make me! include:

Strawberry-Yogurt Snack Cake 

Raspberry Clafoutis

Olive Oil Ricotta Cake with Plums

Balsamic Macaroons with Chocolate Chips

Nectarine Slump

What I find inspiring is that delicious doesn't have to mean complicated.  So often when I dine at a fine restaurant, the desserts require a million ingredients and steps.  

In addition to sweets and breakfast goods, there is a section on savory baked goods -- flatbreads and pizzas.

This book is great for experienced and inexperienced bakers alike.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Easy Vegan

The word "vegan" has been known to strike fear in many of us who consider ourselves adventurous eaters.   We want to rebel against the restrictions.   Our tastebuds think boring and bland.  Then, of course, the panic of comprising a full meal driven by vegetables that will satisfy and delight?  Gena Hamshaw takes the fear out and puts the pleasure in Vegan with her new cookbook.

The recipes are easy to follow, basic and most do not call for umpteen trips for esoteric ingredients. The subtitle says it all:  60 vegetable-driven recipes for any kitchen.  Any kitchen, folks, so let's here it for Vegan Democracy.

Gena gives you the basics in a section titled Vegan 101, putting you at ease from the beginning.  The photographs whet your appetite.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.