Quick Cookbook Reviews

Another trip to the library, another batch of books to review!

1. Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

 

Oof, this book is gigantic (coffee table variety, although really why would you want an oversized issue of Martha Stewart Living on your coffee table?) and pretty much includes content pieced together from old issues of Martha Stewart Living. If you're planning a party, shower, or other event you'd be just as well off referring to regular cookbooks and the web. Plus it's super-expensive. Pass unless you are a pure Martha devotee. I'm sure you are out there, somewhere.

 

2. Rotis: Roasts for Every Day of the Week

 

I picked this up in a bookstore in Troy, NY this fall and paged through it -- roasting is a cooking method I have yet to master, and since the weather had just cooled, I was starting to get in the mood for heartier fare. I just got around to borrowing it from the library. For a single-subject cookbook, this one is actually very nice. It's well-designed, includes separate chapters (in a day-by-day format) on different types of meat: beef, chicken, seafood, even game -- and has excellent step-by-step instructions on roasting methodology, like how to properly tie a chicken and how to determine how well-done your beef is. I would actually buy this one. Wishlisted.

 

3. Make the Bread, Buy the Butter: What You Should and Shouldn't Cook From Scratch

 

"DIY cooking" books are pretty popular these days -- and since that phrase is pretty redundant, what I mean is, books that are about making absolutely everything and anything from scratch. You know: jams, breads, smoked meats, etc. This is another one of those, but its approach is pretty sensible. It focuses on whether it is better to make various staples (and some extravagences too) at home or buy them -- weighing things like ingredient cost, time expenditure, and skill level needed.

 

It actually is a very well-rounded book, with pros and cons of DIY listed for each item, as well as spin-off recipes that take things up a notch. Although the conclusion of the book is that you can make almost everything at home, there is some practical advice and simple recipes and instruction. I learned from this one! Hot dog buns are actually better and cheaper when you make them at home. Butter is much cheaper when you just buy it at the store instead of making it from cream at home. I did that once by accident. Anyway, I liked that it was straight-forward about the economics of time and, well, money, but what I liked more is that it did not discourage the reader from trying out DIY. I'd also buy this one, so it's on my wishlist.

 

4. I Love Meatballs!

 

I mean, really, how can you pass up a little cookbook with that title? It's just so emphatic! Yes! I love meatballs! I guess meatballs are positioning themselves to become trendy, and this book gives you a zillion recipes for different varieties, most which are actually very simple to make. I actually put a hold on this one before the holidays because I figured I could stand to do some kind of meatball-y appetizer for entertaining. It didn't come in time for the holiday, so instead I stuck to cocktail wieners, which were received just as well, because yay meat on toothpicks! This book is kitschy, but I'm really trying to limit my cookbook purchases to ones I'd actually use, so I'm passing. I would recommend borrowing this one if you're interested in, well, learning more about meatballs, but aren't willing to commit. Unless you REALLY LOVE MEATBALLS. Then you should probably buy this book post haste.