Book Review: Cookies & Beer by Jonathan Bender

Cookies and beer? Cookies and beer!! That was pretty much my reaction when I saw this on *Netgalley. I mean how could I resist this one?

Cookies and Beer is simply that...cookie recipes and the beers that pair well with them.

I can't even begin to say how awesome this book was. When I first saw it I was like...cookies and beer?!?!?! Really!?!?! But then after a moments thought I realize what a genius idea this was. We are so used to pairing beer with salty snacks that we forget that beer can bring out great notes in sweet snacks as well. One of the very first photos is of a cookie that looks like an Oreo being dipped into a frothy glass of beer...and oh my goodness if I didn't want to leap into the pages and have a bit of that!

This book is filled with great recipes that I'm itching to try especially the Chocolate Covered Caramel Filled Shortbread Cookies (paired with a barrel aged porter) and the  Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies (paired with a bourbon barrel aged brew). There is even recipe for making Beer Syrup for your own Beer Milkshakes. Oh and there are some savory cookies as well such as the Curry Coconut Macaroons (paired with an American brown ale) and  Rich Butter Cookies with Fennel Seed and Sea Salt (paired with a rich Copper Ale)

This book would make a great gift not just for a beer lover but for the person that loves to bake. And hey if they are a beer loving baker that's all the better!

5 out of 5 stars





*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Pimp My Rice: Dress it Up, Spice it Up, Serve it Up by Nisha Katona

Ok so rice is big in my house. We make a huge thing of arroz con pollo at least 3 times a month and eat the leftovers for lunch/snack time. So when I saw this book offered on *Netgalley I had no other choice but to request it.

This cookbooks is versatile and has a broad range or rice recipes from breakfast times all the way through to desserts. Simple easy to follow directions and beautiful photographs accompany the recipes.

First off do not flip through this book while you are hungry. The recipes and pictures will just make you all the more hungry...for rice of course. I loved that there was a good variety of recipes that span many cultures. Also different types of rice including some I had never heard of are featured in the cookbook. I found a bunch of recipes I can't wait to try immediately. Among them are the Builders Breakfast Bowl that contains eggs, pancetta, tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Or there is also Nasi Goreng with eggs, shrimp, coriander, Indonesian sweet soy sauce, green beans, shrimp and chicken. I also really want to try a few of the deserts like the Black Rice and Coconut Sorbet.

I like that prep/cook times are clearly shown at the top of the recipes making it easier to decide what one to make based on the time one has. I was really impressed with this book.


A 5 out of 5 stars.


As a side note please check out her website and youtube channel. I watched a few of her youtube videos and they were fun to watch.






* I recieved a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion

Book Review: Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner by Janet Fletcher

Ok when I saw this on Netgalley* immediately the cover drew me in. Could any dish look yummier? Since yogurt is popular food in our family I knew I just HAD to check out this book.

The good news is that the yumminess is not just limited to the cover. Page after page full of recipes that I'm dying to try. Not just meals but desserts and drinks too. I can't decide which recipe I want to try first. I'm torn between the Cherry Tomato Raita and Harrisa-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Peppers. Or maybe I'll start with Turkish Spiced Green Beans with Yogurt.

The photos are pure food porn. Warning don't read this cookbook unless you are prepared to become very hungry. Between the photos and amazing recipes I found myself getting hungrier and hungrier. Most of the recipes appear to be well written with clear instructions. I think a number of the recipes are great for new cooks but those with medium and higher cooking skills should have no problem at all with the recipes. Some food ingredients may be hard for people to find in certain parts of the country.

I give give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.


*I recieved a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion