[Glory87]

I saw this cookbook online and I am dying to try it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...eidiswanson-20

My library doesn't have it and I hate to spend money on a cookbook without knowing if it's worth it! Any reviews??

[zenor77]

I think it's a great book. I own it and all the recipes look really good, although I haven't tried too many of them. What I have tried has been very good. The book is vegetarian and there are a few ingredients called for that most people wouldn't have. I don't mind that though.

She has a different philosophy on fats. In fact, my sister looked at the book and deemed it as something she wouldn't buy due to this. The author uses ghee and virgin coconut oil for high heat cooking and olive oil for lower heat applications. Apparently, most common oils are impaired due to refining and heat? I haven't completely made up my mind on this topic myself. I don't use coconut oil though.

That aside, the recipes all look yummy. You might want to check out her blog. She has many recipes on there, so you can browse through and see if you like the looks of them. Go to www.101cookbooks.com to check it out.

Here's a review I wrote last year about this book.

Hope it helps.....

[gailr42]

Wow, her blog is interesting. It looks like most of the folks who reviewed the book on Amazon liked it.

I live in a small town and would never be able to get any of the unusual ingredients, but it's fun to look.

[kaplods]

I wouldn't let exotic ingredients deter you. Generally, I've had good luck just "googling" for substitute ingredients when I'm stumped (I literally type "substitute for yucca" for example). Also, for ingredients that have long shelf lives (grains, seasonings, dried and frozen foods...) you can plan ahead and incorporate a special trip into a vacation or weekend outing. For example, my husband and I will be visiting my parents this month, and we generally stop at health food stores and ethnic groceries while we visit, because there's more variety at a better price than where we live. I especially love places that sell in bulk, because you can buy just enough to try for one recipe.

[gailr42]

I love going to the grocery/health food/Trader Joe's while on the road!

[kaplods]

That reminds me, we were planning on making a side trip to the Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in Madison on the way down or on the way home. I haven't been to either chain before. I haven't seen my family in about 6 months, but I'm almost as excited about the health food shopping.