The Jewelled Kitchen: Bethany Kehdy

The Jewelled Kitchen: Bethany Kehdy

Saturday, 20 August 2016

Author: Bethany Kehdy
Publisher: Nourish
Pub. Date:  23rd August 2016
ISBN 9781848992894
Source: NetGalley/Nourish

5 Stars

Publishers Summary

A Stunning Collection of Lebanese, Moroccan, and Persian Recipes

Kehdy's cookbook is an inspired collection of classics and innovative dishes from a part of the world which, at the moment, is enjoying its overdue place in the sun. Her contribution and original, thoughtful and delicious. Go get it! --Yottam Ottolenghi Bethany Kehdy is renowned for the contemporary Middle Eastern and North African recipes that she publishes on her blog (dirtykitchensecrets.com). A Lebanese-American born in Houston, Texas and brought up in Lebanon, she spent countless hours learning to cook with her perfectionist teta (grandmother), her vivacious dad and her spirited aunts. Her recipes are a harmonious balance of classic and contemporary, as she draws upon her childhood roots while adding her own personal twist to these iconic recipes

The cuisines from the Middle East and North Africa share many diverse influences and gorgeous key ingredients and spices, such as pomegranates, figs, pine nuts, saffron and sumac. Passionate about food and her heritage, this former Miss Lebanon showcases the sheer brilliance of the dishes of the Levant. Try a fragrant Fish Tagine with Preserved Lemons from the Moroccan chapter; fiery Lamb Shanks with Butterbeans and Tomatoes from the Lebanese; or delicately spiced Chicken, Walnuts and Pomegranate Stew from the Persian. All the cuisines of the regions are covered, including Egyptian, Palestinian, Syrian, Turkish, Iraqi and Jordanian, and all the recipes are easy to make. You'll find yourself drawn into a whole new world and a whole new way of cooking.

Review

A lovely book that brought back memories of a Lebanese friend I met when were both working in Wales in the 1980s. He would phone home to his mother and his first question was to ask her what she was cooking for dinner, he missed the food and her cooking so much, particularly dolmas. He would tell me all about the food and now, here they all are!Nicely laid out with chapters according to food type. Some of the ingredients sound so very exotic, yet I am familiar with some but mostly because of food programmes on the television. 

I was pleased to see a lovely recipe authentic recipe for tabhouli which calls for masses of parsley and just a small amount of bulgur wheat, so different to our Australian version.

There' is a very useful Pantry section with a very good description of all the ingredients. The author has gone to much trouble to make these recipes as easy as possible for Western cooks to follow, as she explains, she never was taught precise measurements, that cooking for her is more of a  sensory experience.

I loved reading her bio, what an interesting life she has so far lived. In fact the only thing I didn't like was the font used for the headers

Copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Nourish in return for an unbiased review 

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99 Favorite Amish Soups and Stews

99 Favorite Amish Soups and Stews

Thursday, 23 June 2016

Author: Georgia Varozza
source: NetGalley ARC
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Publication Date: 1st July 2016

• Kindle
• ASIN: B01EBNW6DU

Summary excerpt: 

Dish Out Some Simple GoodnessGeorgia Varozza, author of 99 Favorite Amish Recipes and The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook, presents 99 Favorite Amish Soups and Stews. This little cookbook is packed with recipes for delicious soups and hearty stews, along with tasty side dishes to round out your meal.All you need are a few basic ingredients and some savory spices to make appealing meals that are sure to become family favorites

My Thoughts

If you are looking for tasty, nourishing home cooked meals made from simple ingredients then this book should fit the bill.

There is a slight drawback though, some of the American food names are unfamiliar to those of us who live in other parts of the world, “hamburger” for example. No, it doesn’t refer to a meat patty in a bun, it is minced beef! A quick internet search will help with the unfamiliar terms and also with ingredient substitutions if necessary.

Here is a recipe from the book, it was easy to make and very tasty,: 

I’ve converted the measurement to metric and ingredients to Australian

SPICY CHICKEN CHILI

2 Tablespoons oil

800 grams of chopped boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breast

100 grams chopped onion  - I just used 1 small onion

2 stalks celery, sliced

2 cans chopped tomatoes - about 900 grams in total

2 cans pinto beans (couldn’t find any so I used kidney beans)

1 can of enchilada sauce - you can find jars where the Mexican food is, or make your own, very easy

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. ground cumin

Brown the meat, add everything else, cover pot and simmer until meat is tender.

serve it up in bowls and garnish with corn chips, sour cream, chopped cilantro (coriander), fresh lime juice and shredded Cheddar cheese - I used Colby because it melts nicely and I also added chopped jalapeños. The recipe does say to use what sounds good.

This was plenty for four adult meals, served with rice, it would be a very economical dinner.

The recipes are well laid out and easy to follow.

I think there is something for everyone in this book, personally I’m not attracted to the squirrel stew, but somebody might be!

Recipe Taken from: 99 Favorite Amish Soups and Stews. Copyright © 2016 by Georgia Varozza. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon

.www dot harvesthousepublishers dot com  Used by Permission.

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Pie Girls

Pie Girls

Sunday, 1 February 2015

 

Pie Girls

Written by: Lauren Clark
 
Narrated by: JoBe Cerny,
 
Mary Hollis Inboden
 
Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
 
Unabridged Audiobook
 
Release Date:12-23-14
 
Publisher: Camellia Press
 
Audible.com
 

Publishers Summary

Princess, Southern belle, and spoiled-rotten social climber Searcy Roberts swore on a stack of Bibles she'd never return home to Fairhope, Alabama. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving to Atlanta, Searcy embraces big-city life - Carrie Bradshaw style.
 
But now, Searcy has a teeny, tiny problem. Her husband's had a mid-life crisis. He's quit his job, cancelled her credit cards, and left her for another man.
 
Searcy returns to Fairhope, ready to lick her wounds. But when her mother falls ill, she is thrust into managing the family business; only to discover the beloved bakery is in danger of closing its doors forever.
 
Enlisting the help of the adorable bike store owner next door, an array of well-heeled customers, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Searcy hatches the plan of the century to save Pie Girls.
 
©2014 Lauren Clark (P)2014 Lauren Clark
 

My review

Well, the publishers summary holds a bit of a spoiler really, in that Alton left Searcy for another man! Of course, the listener knows this but Searcy is left in ignorance. Now, he didn't really leave her destitute, but she could no longer finance her self indulgent lifestyle.
 
Thing is, she may well have grown accustomed to the high life, but the author has provided her with an upbringing which has equipped her to deal with the normal, hum drum existence of life, just like everyday people!
 
Just as well really, as she had to go home to Mother, drag the bakery back from the brink, accustom herself to her husbands' new lifestyle and find herself a new man.
 
I found the first part of the story hard to stick with, I mean, the mother in law, are there really people like that? What about Searcy? So heartbroken, yet attracted to another man with a funny voice!
 
Altons boyfriend, would he really, when nobody YET knew he existed, really show up and out Alton like that? Yet nobody seemed to mind his awful behaviour, surely he would let Alton ..... Oh well, never mind. And what about Searcy? Who on earth would try to sell expensive jewellery and designer clothing at a yard sale, especially when in need of top dollar!I also admired how clothing and furniture in an apartment in one city was all packed up and flown to another in what seemed like a couple of days. Yes, some inexplicable storylines here!
 
AND YET .........
 
Despite all these gripes of mine, I did get involved in the story and actually found it enjoyable, it seemed to me that once Searcy got home, rolled up her sleeves and got on with it, the real, entertaining and interesting story began.
 
It's very difficult to rate this story, but because I enjoyed the second part so much, I really would like to hear more stories about the Pie girls
 

Narrators

I think Mary Hollis Inboden would have made a far better job of it on her own, the male voice, particularly when acting Alton, sounded telephonic and creepy. The whole production sounded as if the narrators were in separate studios to each other, the characters they portrayed never sounded as if they were in the same room. I hated Luke's voice, he sounded like a simpleton, surely no woman could fall for a man with a voice like that!
 
Mary Hollis Inboden did a good job of her parts, I love her voice and her accent, could listen to her forever, but JoBe Cerny, I'm afraid that, to me, he sounds like the man in the TV ads for cars or something, he didn't work for me at all.
 
If I had to allocate stars for narration, Mary Hollis Inboden would get 4 and JoBe zero
 
 
 
 
 

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Revenge Cafe

Revenge Cafe

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Revenge Cafe

Written by: Lisa Shiroff

Narrated by: Wendy Pitts

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-30-14

Publisher: Tasfil Publishing

Audible.com

Publisher's Summary

What was supposed to happen: Mandy would land in the Virgin Islands, head to the Revenge Café on St. Thomas, and start living her dream life. She'd begin a new career sharing ownership of the restaurant with her best friend, Chance. She'd break her addiction to therapy cold turkey. And shed let the slow, laid-back pace of island life fix whatever was broken within her. What actually happened: apparently the Revenge Cafe is the "it" place for people dying, let alone dining. While she's dealing with a murder on the premises, Mandy learns Chance had been dabbling in a variety of activities that may or may not have been legal, and that may or may not have set her up to be the next victim. With people from her past refusing to stay there, a ghost in the dining room messing up closing time, and a too sexy police detective vying for her attention, Mandy wants only to bury her head in the sand, or at least drown it in a bottle of rum. But as the list of suspects grows to include an old boyfriend and former members of the VIPD, she realizes her own inner demons can destroy her faster than any living, breathing person. It is only after she gets the courage to face them head on that she finds the real murderers and learns they were the least likely of suspects.

©2014 Lisa Shiroff (P)2014 Lisa Shiroff

My review

A thoroughly enjoyable story, it has everything, humour, location, food, fashion and murder! Oh, and a slightly serious side too, Mandy does have issues, however, some of the funnier aspects of the story do arise from Mandy dealing with her demons. Her driving maybe bordering on lunatic, but, my goodness, it's funny, some good writing here.

This book contains some wonderful characters, I would love to meet them again, I'm sure the Revenge Cafe would provide the perfect setting for lots more stories.

The Narration

One thing quickly became obvious to me, I should have read the book, not listened, as a book it deserves 4 stars. I felt Wendy Pitts was completely mis-cast, she came across as a teenager rather than a young woman, as did Ginger, who was older again.

In fact the best characterisation was of the two young girls.

I can't comment on the accent of the islanders as I don't know what they ought to sound like, but, being British, I do know the English accent. I'm so sorry to have to say, but the English accents were bad, truly awful. The narrative did not flow well, some sentences sounded stilted, as though they had been stopped and restarted. There was a lack of realism and of being in the moment, as if not much time had been spent in preparation, all in all, a difficult, uncomfortable listen.

This audiobook was gifted to me by the narrator in return for this, my honest opinion

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Too Many Crooks

Too Many Crooks

Friday, 16 January 2015

Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth: Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery, Book 1

Written by: Tamar Myers
Narrated by: Caroline Miller
Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
Series: Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-24-14
Publisher: NYLA
Audible.com

Publishers Summary

Readers will delight in this laugh-out-loud cozy mystery debut - and relish the country cooking recipes included.
This debut mystery introduces Magdalena Yoder, prim, proper, and persnickety proprietor of the PennDutch Inn, where guests luxuriate in the true "Amish experience," (read: doing Magdalena's chores and paying top dollar for the opportunity!).
When one of her more reclusive guests takes a tumble down the PennDutch's picturesquely steep staircase and breaks his neck, the timing couldn't be worse. It's the start of hunting season - and her inn is packed to capacity!
What at first seems to be a horrible accident (and insurance nightmare for Magdalena!) could turn out to be a much more sinister event; and when another mishap occurs, Magdalena is certain there is a killer in her group - and it's up to her to sniff out the culprit…before the world's most incompetent town sheriff throws her in jail!

My Review

I must begin by confessing little knowledge of the Amish and Mennonite faith, other than that gleaned from the odd TV programme.
It did take a while to get into the story, but I was soon hooked, it didn't take long to realise that a certain wry sense of humour is needed to enjoy Magdalena. Magnificent Magdalena, whose puritanical, thrifty and penny pinching ways adapted surprisingly well to the sharp business practices necessary to maintain her family home. Quick to judge others, and often times her own sister, who is all but a fallen woman, Magdalena succinctly rationalises her own, sometimes less than Christian, attitude. I love the way she suckers people into the "Amish experience"!
Savannah, the sister in question, has a very pampered dog, and she has men, she smokes and she, well, let's say she's a lively lady, she also takes no notice of the prim and proper Magdalena. This in itself makes for some really funny listening.
As you will know from the blurb, murder and mayhem occur, all very wittily described by the author who also sets up some very amusing dialogue for the listeners enjoyment. I also loved the cook who was perpetually either fired or quitting, yet somehow always found a reason to return
Books with recipes don't always translate to audio so well, but I feel this one did and I'd just love to listen to more.

Narration

Caroline Miller did an excellent job, so many diverse and varied characters, both male and female, yet all were clearly characterised. I loved her Magdalena, she masterfully portrayed the prim, judgemental woman who rationalised her sometimes slightly questionable choices in a very dry and witty manner. It was all there, in her voice, wonderful stuff! Hope there's lots more to come.

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Pistols and Pies

Pistols and Pies

Pistols & Pies: Sweet Bites, Book 2: Sweet Bites Mysteries, Volume 2

Written by: Heather Justesen
Narrated by: Pamela Almand
Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
Series: Sweet Bites, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-27-13
Audible.com

Publishers Summary

The gigantic cake for the new city rec center opening is going to be great advertising for Tess Crawford's new bakery, until she finds the city councilman who oversaw the project dead.
Tess vows to stay out of this investigation, but then the victim's troubled step-son is fingered for the murder and Tess jumps in to prove he's innocent. Trouble is, someone else wants her to leave it alone and isn't afraid to take her out to protect their identity. Tess and her growing gang of amateur sleuths scramble to catch the killer before one of them ends up dead.
©2013 Heather Justesen (P)2013 Heather Justesen

My review

Another enjoyable story from the Sweet Bites Mystery series, our intrepid super-baker solves yet another mystery, but, yes, but, this time by request! It's not as if she is bored, her business is building well, she just can't help herself. Oh where would we Cosy lovers be without such intrepid and nosy women?
I love the way the series is developing, getting to know the characters and their back stories, the lure of the small town community, the sheer cosines of it all. That is until the murder!
As the blurb says, the victims teenaged stepson is being fingered for the heinous crime, teenaged boys being what they are (a mystery, wrapped in an enigma etc. or near enough) Tess proves surprisingly adept at dealing with them, all it takes is food! Who knew?
I love a story that hooks my interest quickly, this one certainly did that, what's more, it held my attention, so much so that I was reluctant to break.
Tess interests me, she is finding and forming her very own family in order to satisfy her need to belong, so far, it's working very well. For both of us. I enjoy Tess and her "family" and really want to hear more. Of course, we know that the storyline is going to be more than unlikely, but so what? It's a story, it transports us to somewhere else, an enjoyable place, a place to listen and relax.
Can't wait to hear more.

Narration

I love the voice of Pamela Almand, simple as that. Dulcet tones, that is, sweet, soothing and low, she could read aloud the label of a sauce bottle and I would listen, it is entrancing. Need I say more? Well yes I do, I have to say how well she characterises both male and female, the listener never doubts who is holding forth. Pamela never intrudes upon the story, there is nothing required of the listener other than to enjoy the work of the author, exactly as it should be. I sincerely hope the author never, ever considers another narrator for this series.

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Brownies and Betrayal

Brownies and Betrayal

Brownies & Betrayal: A Sweet Bites Mystery, Book 1

Written by: Heather B. Justesen
Narrated by: Pamela Almand
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Sweet Bites, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Whispersync for Voice-ready
Audible.com

Publishers' Summary

Pastry chef Tess Crawford thought moving from Chicago to quiet Silver Springs, Arizona would simplify her life. That was before she found the body of a woman with whom she had traded heated words the previous night, left her fingerprints on the murder weapon, and came under attack for trying to clear her name. When her cheating ex-fiance shows up, intent on convincing her to come back to work for him, Tess - armed with an extra batch of eclairs - decides to take control and solve the mystery herself, with the help of friends and frenemies alike. But will that be enough to save her when she gets too close and the killer decides it's safer to get her out of the way?
©2012 Heather Justesen (P)2013 Heather Justesen.

My Review

It was her cheating Fiancé, Bronson, who drove her from her job as a fashionable and sought after high flying pastry chef. Her talents, which had so recently earned her the big city prices, were now employed in attempting to start her own small town business.
Tess was busy turning her Grandmas old restaurant into an upmarket cake shop. Meanwhile, she was catering a wedding rehearsal meal. This is where it all begins.....
At the wedding venue Tess is lovingly arranging her award winning rocky road brownies, these she had baked at the special request of the bride to be. Along comes the brides' Matron of Honour, the glamorous Valerie who wastes no time in telling Tess that she had advised the bride to employ another fashionable pastry chef, Roscoe Marks. Valerie disparages the brownies saying Roscoe could bake rings around Tess. Not feeling too well disposed towards the vile Valerie, Tess keeps her remarks in check.
The next day, the day of the wedding, Tess is assembling the wedding cake when she discovers Valeries' body underneath the table.
For some reason, Tess feels she is the main suspect and fears imminent arrest, this drives her to decide that she, like all the best cozy mystery heroines, must solve this murder herself.
This first part of the story is quite slow, a little dull and a little predictable, however, the story soon gathers some momentum and interest is garnered.
Pompous Bronson arrives in town, he'd hoped to persuade Tess to return with him, he tells her she is obligated to complete the cakes that were ordered prior to her departure. He also wants her back swearing the other woman meant nothing. Meanwhile, Tess seems to be stirring up the interest of other eligible males, but she is just so busy!
There's a little romance, there's jealousy, suspicion, treachery and violence, and yes, there's mystery. All this and throw in a little violence, it makes for a story that does hold ones interest, and, for me at least, holds a couple of surprises.
Of course, this review would be incomplete without mentioning the recipes. I don't much care for recipes in an audiobook, I find they interrupt the smooth flow of the story and would be better if left to a section at the end of the recording. Also, the way a recipe is written, sans prepositions, makes them a cumbersome read. I admire the narrator who can read what sounds like pidgin English, aloud, and with all due seriousness: "two teaspoon cinnamon; one cup sugar", I'm afraid I would be able to resist chucking in an "of"!
This book is whispersync ready, so, if you really like the recipes, get the book for reference.
To summarise, I found this a slow starter, but it did rev up the interest levels enough to keep me listening to an enjoyable story.

The Narrator

Pamela Almand is a very good narrator, in no time at all I was recognising all the characters, all of whom were portrayed well. She has a pleasant voice which is easy on the ear, both tempo and rythymn of speech were perfect. I liked the way that in the early part of the story, she perfectly captured the slight condescension in Tess', speaking manner, portraying Tess as one who had yet to come to terms with the loss of the social status she had once enjoyed as a super star chef.
This book was gifted to me in return for this, my honest opinion

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