The America's Test Kitchen Cookbook Review

The America's Test Kitchen Cookbook
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This cookbook, and the associated magazine "Cook's Illustrated," try hard to discover the best methods, equipment and ingredients for cooking in the home. And they do so by exhaustive (at least it would be for me!) comparisons. They then explain the results and why they were achieved. If you have a scientific bent at all the explanations will suck you into trying the recipes. Then the tastes will hook you forever. For example, brining almost all poultry is now a staple technique in their repertoire, and after reading why (and going through the drawing of what happens to protein molecules during brining) it's now a staple in my home as well. Some discoveries that they share were serendipitous, too, such as leaving a brined turkey uncovered overnight in the fridge, cooking it anyway, and discovering that the resulting bird had both crisp skin (from drying out in the fridge) and juicy meat (from the brining). If understanding why something does what it does, if being shown why one thing is considered better than another, if comparisons are important to you -- then this cookbook is one you should have.

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The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2010 (Best of America's Test Kitchen Cookbook: The Year's Best Recipes) Review

The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2010 (Best of America's Test Kitchen Cookbook: The Year's Best Recipes)
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This cookbook would make a good addition to a collection of cookbooks; but as for a principal main source cookbook, there are just not enough recipes or enough of a basic variety.
As usual the work from Cook's is outstanding and the very specific recipes that are included are wonderful. There are also the customary wonderful small series of photographs to illustrate techniques such as how to assemble a cabbage roll - a help most other cookbooks do not even attempt to include.
The book includes 44 pages of tips and recommendations such as the best cocoa mix or brownie mix, how to keep kitchen staples fresh. It includes 133 recipes that are not your basic run of the mill cookbook recipes, examples include green chilie cheeseburgers, and huli huli chicken - a great homemade version of the Hawaiian roadside grilled chicken.
So, this is a good addition to a cookbook collection.

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There is only one book that brings the best of the nearly 1,000 recipes we develop each year directly to America's Test Kitchen fans. The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2010 is a virtual yearbook of the most interesting work produced by the kitchen, pulled together from nearly every corner of our company. This year's collection of more than 200 recipes includes: Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup, French Mashed Potatoes, Savory Bread Pudding, Pizza Bianca, Garlicky Shrimp Pasta, Steak Tacos, Enchilades Verdes, Best Old-Fashioned Burgers, EAsy Caramel Cake and much, much more!

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Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction Review

Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction
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As a high school English teacher, I have been searching for a good collection of SHORT, contemporary examples of well-crafted non-fiction to share with my students because our curriculum is seriously lacking in this area. Providing a wide range of subjects written in beautiful prose with strong vocabulary, SHORT TAKES fit the bill perfectly.

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Invigorating creative nonfiction-short, but never slight-gathered by the co-editor of In Short and In Brief.
In the years since the perennially popular In Short and In Brief were published, readers have come to delight in the deft focus of the succinct piece we now call The Short. Extending this trend, Short Takes presents over seventy-five writers whose range and style demonstrate the myriad ways we humans have of telling our truths. Themes develop and speak to or collide with one another: musings about parents, childhood, sports, weather, war, solitude, nature, loss-and, of course, love. The stellar roster of contributors includes well-known writers-Verlyn Klinkenborg, Jo Ann Beard, David Sedaris, Dorothy Allison, Salman Rushdie, and Terry Tempest Williams-along with Michael Perry, Mark Spragg, Jane Brox, and others whose literary stars are clearly rising. Each short-whether a few paragraphs or reaching 2,000 words, and reflecting almost every way nonfiction can be written-invites us to experience the power of the small to move, persuade, and change us.

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Kitchen and Bath Design: A Guide to Planning Basics Review

Kitchen and Bath Design: A Guide to Planning Basics
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I agree with the above statement and I have a lot of kitchen and bath books to prove it. But this book is not just another kitchen/bath book; it is the last book on these two subjects that you'll ever need.Do not skip any pages, not even the introduction. Every single page of this book has valuable information, great solutions, and unique ideas.
In the beginning chapters, design basics for both kitchens and baths are discussed in detail, followed by construction requirements that are clearly explained by supportive pictures and illustrated drawings. When you reach the"Ergonomic Design" section,you will read one of the most valuable chapters in the book.This concept is really what makes this book unique.Even if you already know what this term means, you will learn how to implement it more effectively through the examples and specific illustrations throughout each chapter.For example,reduce back and muscle strain by placing dishes in deep drawers near the dishwasher rather than in upper cabinets. Or elevate the dishwasher itself, thereby avoiding the continual awkward lifting and the strain of bending over so far and so often.Needless to say, the full "how-to" is in the book.There are endless tried and true solutions using ergonomic design to solve problems, and you will benefit from every one.
"Kitchen and Bath Design"is not just a book with great ideas for a pretty kitchen or bath; it is a book that will help you design and build the most beautiful, functional room possible using ergonomic principles to meet your personal requirements. The most amazing feature of this book is the immense amount of organized information.You can indeed find the solutions to almost any design problem in just this one book.
Ok. So who is this book for? I think it is a necessity for anyone who has anything to do with a kitchen or bath project. Whether you are a home owner, manufacturer, lighting designer,interior designer, new construction or remodel contractor, this is the book for you. I would give "Kitchen and Bath Design" ten stars if I could.

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The all-in-one reference to designing stunning and functional kitchens and baths
Designing for today's kitchens and baths requires technical savvy, a keen eye for aesthetics, and perhaps most important of all, the ability to coordinate efforts across many disciplines. Kitchen and Bath Design simplifies these complex decision-making processes with a comprehensive strategy for achieving kitchen and bath designs that successfully integrate beauty and practicality—while meeting client expectations. Fundamental design basics are covered, along with a host of important issues that designers must consider when conceptualizing these specialized rooms, such as ergonomics, codes and safety requirements, proper lighting and ventilation, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, wall surfaces, and more. Some of the topics that appear in this book include:

A detailed introduction to construction, plumbing, and electrical basics

A systematic approach to incorporating "green," energy-conscious design

An overview of crucial design elements, including pattern, texture, line, form or mass, color, space and light, and sound

The latest building codes and manufacturers' guidelines

Written by a leading expert in interior design, Kitchen and Bath Design uses three-dimensional drawings and corresponding photographs to deliver valuable information that is critical when it comes to planning, designing, specifying, estimating, building, pricing, or evaluating a kitchen or bathroom. Whether they're working on a new or existing space, professional designers can apply the lessons learned from this current andaccessible resource to masterfully take on all kitchen or bathroom projects—from the simplest to the most highly challenging.

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Ideas and How-To: Outdoor Kitchens (Better Homes & Gardens Do It Yourself) Review

Ideas and How-To: Outdoor Kitchens (Better Homes and Gardens Do It Yourself)
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As a contractor,I try to read as many books covering aspects of work we do.This book contains a cross section of information begining with the planning stage,types of islands,types of applianses that can be used,and then actual construction.

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This book helps homeowners evaluate their outdoor kitchen needs and wishes, explore the available options, and identify choices that will work for them.
Charts, graphs, and cutaway diagrams pinpoint essential information, whether the homeowners are building the kitchen themselves or hiring a contractor to do the work.
Inspirational photos of existing outdoor kitchens range from basic to elaborate. Real-life examples show the variety of amenities available and provide ideas for combining materials to create a style that harmonizes with the home's architectural style.
The book gives plenty of practical advice for addressing each element needed in an outdoor kitchen: cooking surfaces, food preparation surfaces, and storage for food and supplies.


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Joey Green's Amazing Kitchen Cures: 1,150 Ways to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments with Brand-Name Products Review

Joey Green's Amazing Kitchen Cures: 1,150 Ways to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments with Brand-Name Products
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Did you know that you can stop sunburn pain by adding Cheerios to your bathwater (please don't recycle!)? Also, stop a shaving nick or canker sore in it's tracks with Alum (a spice by McCormick). These and other bizzare but useful tips can be found in this new book by Joey Green, author of "Polish Your Furniture With Panty Hose" and "Clean Your Clothes with Cheez Whiz". Learn how, in a pinch, you can shave with Jif peanut butter, or use a credit card to scrape your tongue when out in public and plagued with hallitosis. Gatorade can cure a headache? You bet. Then, there are some no-brainers in here (e.g. use a Q-Tip as a substitute eye shadow applicator, shrink a zit with toothpaste- all us 80's girls know this one! But, I had no idea toothpaste could reduce redness and speed the healing of a hickey!)If you love waterproof mascara, but hate removing it, simply keep Johnson's baby Shampoo on hand and remove mascara with a small amount of it on a cottonball. This book also has "Strange Facts" at the end of each chapter; did you know Abe Lincoln's Mother died from drinking the milk of a cow that ate poisonous mushrooms? The phrase "cold shoulder" originated in the Middle Ages when Europeans fed unwanted guests leftover beef shoulder to get them to leave. If for no other reason, get this book and find out how using McCormick food coloring can help you clean your teeth better. A fun book, great to give as a gift.

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Stop bleeding with Krazy Glue®?That's amazing!Find the cure for what ails you in the kitchen! And it's only one of the 1,150 astonishing ideas in Joey Green's Amazing Kitchen Cures! Discover more remedies that are hiding in your favorite household products as Joey reveals that you can: * Beat a backache with Adolph's Meat Tenderizer®!* End insomnia with Aunt Jemima Original Syrup®!* Cure a cold with Gold's Horse Radish®!* Stop arthritis pain with Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar®!* Get rid of headaches with Gatorade®!* Prevent allergy attacks with Dannon Yogurt®!* Arrest acne with Colgate Toothpaste®!* Soothe aching feet with Alka-Seltzer®! The next time you're facing a late-night bout of sickness and can't reach a doctor-- get a cut, scrape, or bite-- or just want to save money-- reach for the brand-name products in Amazing Kitchen Cures instead of medications. You'll find that they're just as effective, and some are even better! * Stop sunburn with Cheerios®!* Clean your teeth wuith McCormick® Food Coloring!* Soothe a sore throat with Hershey's® Syrup!* Calm allergies with Endust®!

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The Sober Kitchen: Recipes and Advice for a Lifetime of Sobriety (Non) Review

The Sober Kitchen: Recipes and Advice for a Lifetime of Sobriety (Non)
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Liz Scott has done a tremendous service to those recovering from substance abuse and others who choose to cook without alcohol
Cookbooks and magazines typically give scant attention, if any, to the needs of those who forgo alcohol in cooking. Stock or water is often recommended as a substitute, despite lacking whatever flavor the wine, beer, or sherry called for in the recipe would contribute, and the results are what you'd expect: flat, dull, or off-putting.
Scott's approach to substitution is more nuanced. By considering the flavors the alcohol would contribute and the role it plays in the dish, she arrives at substitutes that truly work. Where wine plays a supporting role, as in a pan sauce, for instance, she recreates its fruitiness and acidity with a mixture of unsweetened grape juice and wine vinegar. Where the alcohol stars, she reworks the recipe entirely, like the boeuf bourguignon where she uses currant jelly to give depth of flavor and body to the sauce.
I bought the book for the discussion of substitution after I heard Scott interviewed on the radio, but I've found that it offers much more. She provides extensive information on nutrition and practical suggestions on eating better, both in early recovery and over the long haul, by eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, and, without faddishness, by starting to pay attention to food's glycemic index. I was inspired to try roasted soybeans for the first time in a "road to recovery" trail mix with chocolate chips that I liked very much.
The other recipes I've tried--iced herbal tea, granola; a leek and potato soup; pan-fried steak; a roasted pork tenderloin with cumin and apples that took only ten minutes of prep--have been uniformly good: clearly written, easy to prepare, and great-tasting.
The book is structured according to stages of early, established, and long-term recovery, and it allows Scott to be supportive and even gentle-having that ice cream probably won't kill you-while aspiring to continuous improvement. For those in AA, her recommendations about triggers, cravings, HALT, fellowship, and other concepts are mainstream program. Although stricter than some might feel necessary-she tossed out her corkscrew and won't use alcohol-based vanilla extract-her suggestions will help keep you safe.
I recommend the book highly for anyone in recovery who likes to cook, or for that matter, is just interested in taking better care of oneself.

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