FREE/BARGAIN - Cookbooks - 2015

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

The 93% markdown figure is off of the regular (not list) digital (not print) price!

The Red Hat Society Cookbook. By The Red Hat Society. Rate 4 1/2 stars, from 49 reviews at the present time. Print list price N/A; regular digital price $14.44; Kindle price now $0.99 http://www.amazon.com/Red-Hat-Societ...ciety+Cookbook.

Book Description
"Life is short; eat dessert first," says Sue Ellen Cooper, Exalted Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society,

Very much full price in UK

[koland]

Originally Posted by Little.Egret

Very much full price in UK

And in the US, as well, now. These 99 cent deals from Thomas Nelson seem to only last a day.

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by Little.Egret

Very much full price in UK

Originally Posted by koland

And in the US, as well, now. These 99 cent deals from Thomas Nelson seem to only last a day.

I'll say that the price went up--it's $14.44 at Amazon now! Ack!!!

Actually, it was 2 days or so--basically April 5 & 6. I didn't get it posted until many hours had elapsed since it got marked down.

I'm sorry that you missed it L.E. My suggestion is that you set a price alert at ereaderiq.com. They'll let you know when the book hits your price target. I'll also keep my eyes open and try to post it again when it gets marked down again.

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

I'll say that the price went up--it's $14.44 at Amazon now! Ack!!!

Actually, it was 2 days or so--basically April 5 & 6. I didn't get it posted until many hours had elapsed since it got marked down.

I'm sorry that you missed it L.E. My suggestion is that you set a price alert at ereaderiq.com. They'll let you know when the book hits your price target. I'll also keep my eyes open and try to post it again when it gets marked down again.

Yes, ereaderiq shows 2 days in US but it may never have been reduced in the UK at all -

[GtrsRGr8]

Against the Grain. By Diane Kochilas. Rated 4 1/2 stars, from 10 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $26.99; digital list price $9.99; Kindle price now $0.99. HarperCollins e-books, publisher. 288 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Against-Grain-...Grain+kochilas.

Book Description
Healthy food doesn't have to be boring and bland. Look to the Mediterranean for innovative, fresh, and nutritious ideas. In Against the Grain, award-winning cookbook author Diane Kochilas offers up a collection of satisfying, good-for-you recipes inspired by the exotic dishes of the Mediterranean.

Whether you're trying to lose weight or simply improve you're eating habits, sticking to a good carb diet is a great idea. The Mediterranean diet isn't all breads, grains, and pasta -- it includes plenty of fish, chicken, lamb, vegetables, and fruits. Against the Grain includes recipes for everything from light bites, such as tapas, soups, and salads, to hearty entrees and sides. The ingredient lists are supermarket-friendly and prep time is minimal, so busy home cooks can whip up healthy meals in minutes, every night of the week.

In addition to classics like Fresh Tomato Soup with Moroccan Spices, Chicken Cacciatore, and Pan-Seared Shrimp with Romesco Sauce, there are innovative, exotic new dishes like Grilled Skewered Lamb with Mint and Garlic Pesto, Pork Medallions Marinated with Olives and Orange, and Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Soufflé.

One of the basic principles of the Mediterranean lifestyle is that everything should be enjoyed in moderation. In Against the Grain, no foods are forbidden or totally off limits. Instead, you'll find formerly "sinful" ingredients like rich cheeses, potatoes, rice, fragrant nuts and oils, and wine incorporated into savory meals. Yes, the recipes are healthy and nutritious, but, more important, the dishes in Against the Grain are hearty, satisfying, and flavorful.

[GtrsRGr8]

One of many books in the "Mr. Wilkinson's Vegetables" series. That Mr. Wilkinson sure does like to eat vegetables! Or at least cook them. ha.

Mr. Wilkinson's Vegetables: A Cookbook to Celebrate the Garden. By Matt Wilkinson. Rated 4 stars, from 15 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $27.95; digital list price $2.99; Kindle price now $2.51. Black Dog & Leventha Publishers, publisher. 304 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Wilkinsons-...27s+Vegetables.

Book Description
This lush, creative cookbook celebrates the flavor and versatility of vegetables by bringing them to the center of the table in more than 80 delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes.

Too many of us let vegetables play second fiddle in meals that center on protein or carbs. For chef Matt Wilkinson, vegetables come first. He builds his dishes around vegetables that are in season, when they taste the best, are most affordable, and most readily available.

The recipes in Mr. Wilkinson's Vegetables range from simple salads such as Brussels Sprout Leaves, Mozzarella, and Anchovies, or Roasted Cucumber, Quinoa, Freekah, and Herbs, to hearty dishes such as Soft Parmesan Polenta with Crab and Mussels, or Braised Eggplant, Tomato, and Meatballs. They also include satisfying snacks like Irene's Tzatziki, or Smoked Tomato and Goat's Curd Gougéres, as well as desserts, such as Carrot Cake with Grated Carrot, Preserved Lemon, Raisin, and Ginger Pickle, or Creamed Rice Pudding. While many of the 80 plus dishes will appeal to vegetarians, there are plenty that incorporate meat. In all of them, Mr. Wilkinson's vegetables are the stars.

With beautiful photography and vintage illustrations, the book is both timely and timeless.

[Little.Egret]

Learn about real cooking with a microwave

Microwave Cookbook: 101 Simple and Delicious Microwave Recipes for Breakfast, Soup, Dinner and Dessert (microwave cooking, microwave desserts, microwave meals, microwave) by Jennifer Smith

* Microwave Frittata
* Coffee Cup Scramble
* Egg & Cheese Breakfast Burrito
* Scrambled Eggs and Cheese
* Breakfast Flatbread Pizza
* Microwave Chilaquiles
* Frittata Casserole
* Oatmeal Cookie Bowl
* Creamy Banana Walnut Oatmeal
* French Toast Cup
* Pumpkin Oatmeal
* Berry Breakfast Cobbler
* Poached Eggs
* Buttery Microwave Scrambled Eggs
* Ham, Mushroom & Swiss Coffee Cup Scramble
* Egg & Ham Muffin
* High Protein Muffin
* Cheese, Italian Sausage and Vegetable Orzo
* Berrylicious Microwave Muffin
* Strawberry Breakfast Bowl
* Quick Breakfast Hash
* Microwave Egg, Ham & Cheese Muffin
{...}

* Breaded Fish Fillets
* Microwave Salmon
* Microwave Lasagna
* Deviled Lamb Chops
* Chili Dog Wraps
* Mexican Manicotti
* Scalloped Potatoes
* Curried Chicken
* Chicken Teriyaki
* Ranch Chicken Tacos
* Hot Dog Roll Up
* Teri-Chester Chicken
* Southwest Chicken Casserole
{....}
* Fantasy Fudge
* Oatmeal Cookies
* Peanut Butter Fudge
* Chocolate Snack Cake
* Cheerio Treats
* Blueberry Crumble
* Rocky Road Candy
* Cherry-Pistachio Bark
* White Chocolate Grapes
* Eggnog Pie
* Blueberry-Apple Crunch
* Plantains in Butter Rum Sauce

Oops!

http://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Cook...rowave+Recipes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microwave-Co...rowave+Recipes
http://www.amazon.ca/Microwave-Cookb...rowave+Recipes

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by Little.Egret

Learn about real cooking with a microwave

Microwave Cookbook: 101 Simple and Delicious Microwave Recipes for Breakfast, Soup, Dinner and Dessert (microwave cooking, microwave desserts, microwave meals, microwave) by Jennifer Smith

* Microwave Frittata
. . . .

I didn't see an URL. Here's one for the U.S.: http://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Cook...rowave+Recipes.

It's $0.00.

[GtrsRGr8]

That's about .73 cents per page, a little less than 1 cent per recipe. The book is highly rated, so the recipes are probably good. What's not to like?

Mate this cookbook with some good meat and dairy cookbooks, and you can make some good, balanced meals. ha.

Vegan Planet, Revised Edition: 425 Irresistible Recipes With Fantastic Flavors from Home and Around the World. By Robin Robertson. 4 1/2 stars, from 22 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $19.95; digital list price $19.95; Kindle price now $3.99. Harvard Common Press, publisher. 547 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Planet-R...ound+the+World.

Book Description
When it first appeared in 2003, Vegan Planet revolutionized animal-free cooking. Robin Robertson’s pioneering book played a leading role in the passage of veganism from subculture to mainstream culinary lifestyle. Its breadth and variety of fantastically flavorful food not only gave vegans what they craved, it gave them food they could serve up happily to their non-vegan family members and friends.

One decade and more than 100,000 copies later, this important classic is back in a thoroughly revised edition. Vegan cookbooks are big sellers today, but in a thicket of topical and niche titles there’s a need for an everyday cooking bible on which vegan cooks can rely. The new Vegan Planet meets that need handsomely. Robertson’s extensive updates cover such things as: the newly expanded range of whole grains that are available; super greens, such as kale and chard, that are rising in popularity; new facts concerning which cooking oils are healthiest and most earth-friendly; and new saucing and flavoring ideas from the global pantry. Throughout, there’s the spirit of adventure and of culinary creativity that has cemented Robertson’s reputation at the top of the vegan pantheon.

[GtrsRGr8]

I vet every single book that I post. I'll only post the books that I think are great quality. I want to make sure that you won't be wasting your money and stuff.

But with the following one, I just don't have enough information to get a good read (no pun intended. ha.) on the book. There aren't enough reviews at Amazon or GoodReads. The author has one other book at Amazon, but it doesn't have many ratings, either.

I'm posting this almost solely on basis of the strength of the publisher's (Lyons') track record of being a publisher of good cookbooks. My feeling? I think that it is probably a good cookbook; I've just now purchased it myself based upon that feeling. And, at $1.99, I haven't risked much.

Essentials of Southern Cooking: Techniques and Flavors of a Classic American Cuisine. By Damon Fowler. Rated 4 stars, but from only 4 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $35.00; digital list price $34.99; Kindle price $1.99. Lyons Press, publisher. 432 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Sou...erican+Cuisine

Book Description
An authentic collection of recipes celebrating Southern traditions.

Southern cooking as most people think of it doesn’t exist. After all, there are as many ways to make real corn bread, gumbo or fried chicken as there are cooks. Instead of dwelling on conventional notions of authenticity, Essentials of Southern Cooking honors the spirit, the history, the people, and the taste of the classic Southern table by focusing on the essence of great Southern food and combining traditional ingredients in fresh ways. In this tempting collection of over 200 recipes, author Damon Lee Fowler balances the enduring appeal of rural Southern flavors with the modern sensibilities of today’s cook. It’s an engaging and informative look at the heritage of Southern cuisine.

Sampling of recipes:

Creamy Chicken Pot Pies

Sweet Potato Cobbler

Scalloped Oysters

Lowcountry Crab au Gratin

Baked Vidalia Sweet Onions with Ham

Bourbon-Grilled Flank Steak

Shrimp Étouffée

Pecan-Crusted Cat Fish

Butter-Bean and Okra Ragout

Old-Fashioned Southern Shortcake

[GA Russell]

Incredibly Delicious Paleo Recipes from the Mediterranean Region - free
http://www.amazon.com/Incredibly-Del...dp/B00HT1Y06I/

*****

35 Simple Smoothie Recipes - free
http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Smoothi...dp/B00CDQ915E/

[koland]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

I'm posting this almost solely on basis of the strength of the publisher's (Lyons') track record of being a publisher of good cookbooks. My feeling? I think that it is probably a good cookbook; I've just now purchased it myself based upon that feeling. And, at $1.99, I haven't risked much.

Essentials of Southern Cooking: Techniques and Flavors of a Classic American Cuisine. By Damon Fowler. Rated 4 stars, but from only 4 reviews at the present moment. Print list price $35.00; digital list price $34.99; Kindle price $1.99. Lyons Press, publisher. 432 pages.

I don't have this one, but do have about 1/2 dozen of their books, a couple of them cookbooks. They seem well done and apparently do have editors. No one tries the recipes before publishing anymore (if they ever did), so a lot does depend on the author (and most of the free or even not-free cookbooks are apparently just scavenged recipes from online, which can't be made into the actual dish in many cases -- I used to hear from people in forums, pre-ebook days, who intentionally changed amounts or removed ingredients, then reposted recipes to many of what are now very popular recipe sites, with little care if the result was worked or was edible .... they were just in love with the idea of seeing their name on the recipe attribution line online).

ETA: I checked the cornbread and hoecakes recipes; both are truly southern recipes (no sugar, no white flour, only cornmeal used, etc) and look like they should both work fine.

You can see other cookbooks they publish on their website http://www.lyonspress.com/ (scroll to bottom, there are links for their books by genre).

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by koland

I don't have this one, but do have about 1/2 dozen of their books, a couple of them cookbooks. They seem well done and apparently do have editors. No one tries the recipes before publishing anymore (if they ever did), so a lot does depend on the author (and most of the free or even not-free cookbooks are apparently just scavenged recipes from online, which can't be made into the actual dish in many cases -- I used to hear from people in forums, pre-ebook days, who intentionally changed amounts or removed ingredients, then reposted recipes to many of what are now very popular recipe sites, with little care if the result was worked or was edible .... they were just in love with the idea of seeing their name on the recipe attribution line online).

ETA: I checked the cornbread and hoecakes recipes; both are truly southern recipes (no sugar, no white flour, only cornmeal used, etc) and look like they should both work fine.

You can see other cookbooks they publish on their website http://www.lyonspress.com/ (scroll to bottom, there are links for their books by genre).

Thanks for your comments.

My mother grew up in your area of Tennessee, but I never remember her cooking hoecakes. Maybe she did, but called them something else. I'll have to "look them up" later on tonight.

[koland]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

Thanks for your comments.

My mother grew up in your area of Tennessee, but I never remember her cooking hoecakes. Maybe she did, but called them something else. I'll have to "look them up" later on tonight.

Often called Johnnycakes, as well. Theoretically, you could cook them on your hoe, placed in a fire, while out in the field. Made with corn, of course, otherwise they are just pancakes. An even poorer version of daily bread than cornbread, which required a pan....

hmm... now I want to go cook some cornbread...

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by koland

Often called Johnnycakes, as well. Theoretically, you could cook them on your hoe, placed in a fire, while out in the field. Made with corn, of course, otherwise they are just pancakes. An even poorer version of daily bread than cornbread, which required a pan....

hmm... now I want to go cook some cornbread...

That information about cooking cornbread on a hoe is fascinating--I had never heard about it before. I hope that the workers out in the field washed the hoe up at least a little bit before the cooking began. It would be clean (bacteria free) dirt by the time that they got through, but the grit would be extremely hard on the teeth (some ancient people and more recent, but technologically-backward, people often had bad, worn-down teeth from eating foods made from wheat and corn because of the stone tools/implements that were used for grinding those grains). But, then, where would they have gotten the water (not even considering clean water) to wash it at all, not even thinking about it being washed like it needed to be washed? Being Merciful, I won't go any further with that line of thought. ha.

Johnnycakes sounds a little bit more familiar, but still not very. I'm racking my brain trying to remember if my (Knoxville-area) grandmother ever cooked cornbread that way, and I'm just not remembering that she did. Seems like she always used a skillet, which my Mom, following her example, almost always used, too. Mom is almost 80 years old, but she still has a sharp mind, so I'm going to talk to her and she what she remembers.

The areas of my sojourning in the deep South in which I remember seeing flat, pancake-like cornbread the most (it was almost, if not completely, ubiquitous in these places, in fact) were northeast Mississippi and east central Alabama. If you ordered "cornbread" in a restaurant there, you were going to get pancake-style. Right after I moved to the first one of those two places, and I saw pieces of pancake-style cornbread for the first time or two, I thought that they were pancakes--I had never, or extremely rarely at least, seen cornbread like that!

A quick, tangential thing about cornbread in a restaurant. The tendency to go pancake-style in them probably had a lot to do with practicality, too. The skillet-cooked cornbread, with its pie-like pieces and often crumbly sides, did not lend itself well to being served aesthetically. Thoughts?

A good (I didn't say "great." ha.) compromise in the skillet vs griddle style situation is one that I see some around here where I live now (north central Florida). It is sheet-cake/brownie-style, where the cornbread mix is poured into a rectangular cake pan, cooked, and then sliced into square-ish pieces before serving.

Common around here, too, is preparing cornbread muffin-style. Maybe it's common, too, in central Tennessee, because the central/north-central-Tennessee-based (Lebanon, Tennessee) chain Cracker Barrel serves it muffin style. However, south of there about 60-70 was a well-known restaurant which served it skillet-style.