My Next Session...

So for my next session...
So, I really had a great time with my Christmas break and I wanted to give some of my new cookbooks a go during the summer. Yep, but I do have camp. So, this is what I thought. I'll try to put something together for the end of August. I really looking forward to doing this again, it'll be at the last week of August most likely, maybe sooner. Anyway, I just thought I'd bring it up. So I'll post all the new cookbooks I have so far. AND I'm looking for a better, real, gumbo recipe to try.

ETA: Ok, change of plans. I'll be making this a Christmas break thing... something that I can look forward to each year...

Home Baking

Best Ever Bread Cookbook

Joys of Jell-O Gelatin

The Grand Performer

Practical Cookies

Cakes & Pastries

Dessert Cook Book

Marketplace Recipes

So, there they are for now... will be adding a couple if I collect anymore. By the way would anyone like to see a cookbook from my first session? I'll try one from before.

Overview...

Well!

Thus ends my cooking experiment... for now.

I'm so pleased with how everything turned out. Everything turned out surprisingly well too. I made up a little personal 'questionnaire' (if you will...) about what I thought about the dishes... let me begin:

Which dish was turned out the best?

I must say, that the one I was most apprehensive about; Sun Prairie Corn Chowder, I really enjoyed it.

Which dish was best received by those who tried it?

This is a tough one, but I'm going have to say that it was a tie between the cookies and burgers. I was surprised that the burgers were so well-praised, but they were really enjoyed. Definitely something I would make again, especially during the summer/spring time (BBQ season, see how they turn out on a grill.)

What dish wouldn't I make again?

The Chicken Gumbo. It wasn't bad, however, it wasn't great either, and obviously not a type of gumbo that many are used to seeing. I really want to try a gumbo that IS a gumbo (more soup-like.) So if you have a gumbo recipe that you enjoy and would like me to try, send me it. I'll add one in specially the next time I do this. :-)

Which book did I find the easiest to use?

The Good Housekeeping Cookbook, "hands-down." LOL, I think it was more-so the fact that I looked at the picture then looked at the recipe, but in another way, the directions were clear and didn't leave me guessing.

Which book was the hardest to use?

Katie's Kitchen, my one big complaint about it was that it didn't give me a temperature to which to cook the food in the oven. I really thought that was a huge part of the recipe.

Other recipes that I think should be mentioned?

All of the of course! They were all good, and anything else I didn't mention was excellent. However, I really would like to point out the Broccoli soup... very good as I know many had wanted to see this done and just to let everyone know; IT WAS A GREAT CHOICE! :-)

Which books will I be taking another close look at next time?

I'll be still using all of them, but I'm ready to try another Good Housekeeping, Treasured Recipes, and Cooking Essentials recipes. I think I can take much more out of these books.

Sun Prairie Corn Chowder...

The Book...

Encore: Wisconsin

In Encore Wisconsin, we want to put the chef's hat on you, the home or hobbyist cook who would like to learn some of the secrets and techniques used in creating memorable meals and unforgettable dishes. Restaurants and their favorite recipes from throughout Wisconsin are featured.








Ingredients...

Bacon
Onion
Red Bell Pepper
Flour
Chicken Stock
Baking Potatoes
Sweet Corn (Fresh or Frozen)
Ham
Heavy Whipping Cream






Experiences...


Before this experiment, I never really made soups/chowders, but I'm happy I had. This wasn't very hard, simple, and easy to follow. My only problem with it was the chopping, I don't know why I have such an aversion to it, just not my favorite part of cooking. Anyway, everything went well.



Outcome...

I was very pleased, surprised in fact at how well it turned out. I really enjoyed this one and this was the one I was worried about the most. It was a treat and was happy to try it. Now, this is something I would recommend to someone if they enjoy the ingredients.

Confetti Vegetables...

The Book...

The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook


This book shows you how-to, how long it will take, what you will need, how many it will serve, and what it will look like in any easy, step by step process. Recipes included range from sandwiches to gourmet entree's and desserts.







The Ingredients...


Water
Butter
Sugar
Salt
Zucchini
Carrots
Parsnips or Turnips

Experiences...


This was a simple dish, the only problem I had with it was the turnip! It was rather hard to cut and I forgot that we had a grater, so I ended up cutting it with a knife. Other thank that, the rest went smoothly. It makes a lot.




The Outcome...

This was rather good. Nothing like the natural flavor of vegetables to make a dish delicious. I've never had turnip (consciously) and they are great additions to the dish, regardless of the word (its worth it.) I'm sure I can get smaller ones next time!

A Present From Kellie...

Ok, so yesterday I recieved a package at my house. I couldn't figure it out... I don't remember ordering anything? Is it a late Xmas present that I ordered long ago and forgot about? Anyway, I quickly open it up and see the greatest apron with a turtle design on it. My own apron! So, I check the invoice to see who it is from... Kellie! (EllyMae58) Thank you so much Kellie, I can't wiat to use it again! Someone took the liberty of taking a picture of me while I was in it... so here I am...
Thanks Kel!

Banana Bread...

The Book...

The Ingredients...

Butter
Sugar
Eggs
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Soda
Milk
Bananas
Pecans (Optional)


Experiences...

I did well with this one, I enjoy baking and putting all the ingredients together. I know I said I was going to make banana nut bread, but no one here wanted nuts in it, so I just left it out. My only problem that I had was that I forgot to add in the butter until the last minute, I have no idea how I skipped that instruction, but it didn't seem to mess up the bread.



The Outcome...


I just tried the bread and it is good! I'm glad I picked this one out. I never made banana bread before, so I'm happy for the experience. It is a bit crumbly, but its fine.

Rusty-Burgers...

The Book...

Cooking With Regis & Kathie Lee

In the translation from on-screen patter to print, most television-inspired cookbooks disappoint. However, this collection by talk-show hosts Philbin and Gifford delivers what it promises: "quick and easy recipes" that are indeed simple to understand and follow, and that faithfully include substitutions for unusual ingredients. Written in the lighthearted, conversational tone one might expect (though not always get) in books issued in the name of on-air stars, each recipe is crowned with often amusing details about the guest chef and his or her culinary creation. While many of the recipes are on the light (low-fat, low-calorie) side, like shrimp and vegetables from Benihana restaurant's Rocky Aoki, yogurt chicken from movie producer Ismail Merchant and smoked oriental seafood from The River Club's Jeff Tunks, equal (if higher-in-calorie) weight is given to some hardier fare, such as Robin Leach's Mediterranean eggplant pie, chef Paul Prudhomme's Indian pudding and Craig Claiborne's Christmas cheesecake. These aren't only recipes of the rich and famous, though: "family favorites" from Gifford (her mother and sister), their producer, Michael Gelman (and his mother), and Philbin's wife, Joy, give this collection a personal touch.

The Ingredients...


Olive Oil

Spanish Onion

Green Bell Pepper

Ground Sirloin

Basil Leaves
Egg

Breadcrumbs



Experiences...


I actually compromised a bit with this recipe. I picked up some ground beef insead of sirloin and used the dry (shaker) kind of basil. I'm sure the little difference usually make a huge difference, but things happen. :-P Anyway, the rest was fine EXCEPT for chopping the onion, that was a "whole-lotta" onion there and was wondering how long I could go before drowning myself in tears. I really like making burgers and trying new things with them, but in reality, I could have just put a slice of onion and pepper on top of the burgers and it would have been fine. Other than this it was good.

The Outcome...

Yum, pretty much sums it up, althought it was little bit more work than I usually put into burgers, I'm glad I did. I wouldn't have thought (believe it or not) of putting basil in/on my burger, I think it adds a little extra needed flavor. I thought everything was tasty! :-)

Baked Apples...

The Book...

Cooking Essentials


Review From Amazon:
This book covers the basic cooking information that anyone at any level would love to have. From how to prepare vegetables to how to stock your cupboards with the essentials, this book has it all. I recommend this book for beginners because it educates them on how to prepare, clean, store, and measure (just to mention a few). Happy Reading!!



The Ingredients...

Large Tart Apples

Light Brown Sugar

Butter

Water

Ice Cream (Optional)




Experiences...

This has been probably the easiest of all the recipes so far, as well as the cleanest. I didn't really have any problems with this one except I really wish I kept some vanilla ice cream around... I think it would have been better with the sauce that chocolate chip. Anyway, I really wanted to make baked apples and its an interesting way to eat.
















The Outcome...

I am very happy with the way this turned out. I love apples, so when I saw this, I didn't want to do anything else, I'm happy with my choice. Once again, with vanilla, I think the ice cream could have made it better. But I would recommend this if anyone enjoys apples. BTW: Sauce is what the water was for, it mixed with the apple juices to make a great topping for ice cream.

Spicy Soup Recipe...

LOL, here's the recipe everyone!

Ingredients:
1 medium onion chopped
2 tbsp. Butter
2 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped broccoli
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
4 c. milk
1 (6 oz.) roll jalapeno cheese
1 tsp. seasoning salt

----------

Cook broccoli by box directions; drain. Sauté onion in butter. Add to broccoli. Add remaining ingredients. Cook over moderate heat until cheese melts.

Spicy Broccoli Soup...

The Book...

Hot & Spicy Recipes

This collection of delicious hot & spicy recipes is sure to please any hot pepper lover! A special introduction provides information about the different peppers available, while the recipes include breakfast, soups, main dishes, sauces and more. A can't miss cookbook for anyone who loves spicy cooking!






Ingredients...


Medium Onion
Butter
Frozen Chopped Broccoli
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Milk
Jalapeno Cheese
Seasoning Salt


Experiences...

I had a good time with this recipe, nearly everything went smoothly and the directions were pretty much clear, however short. The only part I wasn't sure about was what to do with the cheese, so I melted it beforehand and poured it into the soup. It was simple, but very good!
















The Outcome...

Let me just say I was wrong, I was really worried about this recipe, but it really turned out well. I already had a couple of bowls and I can't get enough of it. But, I probably will try to make less of it, because there is a lot of it. This would be something that I would reccomend to others to try for a nice lunch. I'm glad everyone voted for it, nice choice. :-)