2021 Past Themes

The year 2021 began our first full year of cookbooks to try. Our year's themes included New Year's Resolution, Slow Cooker Meals, and Sweets. We also spent the summer traveling the world cuisine with U.S. Road Trips, Latin America, and Backpacking Europe. Then, the end of the year was finished with  As Seen on TV, Homemade Breads, and One-Pot Wonders.  Have a look at the cookbooks we reviewed.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION (JANUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 1, 2021)

Some group members found the Creamy Dill Salmon to be tasty and well-balanced. However, the Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings and Cauliflower Potato Salad were disappointing. The Cream Cheese Muffins did not come out right and had a raw egg taste. They liked the Mediterranean Cucumber Salad and Chopped Greek Salad, which they had for breakfast and lunch. They also made Sriracha Mayo, which was too spicy for them, but their husband liked it. Overall, the user could have been more impressed with the cookbook and hoped to find better recipes in the future.

Group members tried several recipes and enjoyed most of them. They particularly liked the Indian Skillet-Roasted Chicken and the Cajun Sheet-Pan Shrimp Boil. However, they found the mussels with saffron and fennel broth a little too spicy and did not like the fennel. Overall, they found the cookbook good and diverse, with recipes for different diets. They recommended the squash, sausage, roasted grape sheet-pan dinner, zucchini lasagna boats, and saltimbocca chicken roll-ups.

We found the lemon-garlic shrimp and grits too buttery and lacking in flavor. The Mexican Stew with Tilapia was too soupy and acidic. Still, the Spanish Chicken with Potato Roast was easy to make and tasted great. The Chile-rubbed steak with creamed corn was a nice steak dinner, but the cooking settings and time had some issues. Finally, the Tuscan White Beans were easy to make and a favorite. Overall, the cookbook has been easy to use and has provided new and healthy ideas. 

Members enjoyed the "Roasted Cabbage & Sweet Corn Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette" recipe and made some alterations. They also tried the "Carrot & Cauliflower Tots with Orange-Sesame Dipping Sauce" recipe and found the sauce was not a good pairing. They tried the Bites & Tots template and made their creation using ingredients they had on hand. They also substituted psyllium husk with ground flaxseed as a binder. The user found the recipes and templates easy to follow and enjoyed experimenting with different ingredients.

SLOW COOKER MEALS (FEBRUARY 8 - MARCH 15, 2021)

Five recipes were tried from this cookbook, and three were successful. They enjoyed the "Potato and Corn Chowder" and the "One-Pot German Dinner" dishes. Still, they had issues with the "Cheese Tortellini and Meatballs with Vodka & Pasta Sauce" recipe, such as the required ingredients. They found the "Thai Veggie Curry" too spicy and were unsatisfied with the "Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake" as it didn't cook well. This did not deter their excitement from trying more recipes from this cookbook. 

Some members had trouble finding inspiration to try recipes from a particular cookbook. However, they finally tried the Gumbo recipe and found it tasty but needed something else texturally. They added shrimp during the last 15 minutes of cooking to improve the texture. The user did not add Tabasco sauce but found that the Cajun seasoning provided enough heat and flavor. They suggest adding the sauce for those who prefer more heat.

Five recipes were attempted from this cookbook. They found the Mexican Corn Chowder to be bland with a weird texture. Someone made the Spiced Turkey Breast, but it came out overcooked even after following the tip for boneless breast. They also made turkey breast and gravy with legs and chicken stock, which is a comfortable meal. The Banana Bread recipe was a keeper, but the rack in the slow cooker was too high, and the bread rose too high and stuck to it. The Smothered Pork Chops were okay but overcooked, and the Barbecued Cream Cheese Chicken had a nice flavor but was a tad too gooey and overpowering.

The user is disappointed with a slow cooker recipe book they were excited about. They have tried four recipes with a 50% success rate. The Philly Chippers and Broccoli Quiche were the most successful, but adjustments were still needed. Cornbread and Tomato Herb Bread were the least successful, both dry and heavy. The user successfully attempted a Spice Cake and Buttery Beer Bread and completed it on time. The user offers tips for using a slow cooker with a loaf pan. The user plans to try more recipes but is still determining their success.

SWEETS (MARCH 22 - APRIL 19, 2021)

Patron was in charge of desserts for Easter and made a "Silver Palate Carrot Cake" with "Cream Cheese Frosting." The process involved using simple ingredients. The cake turned out dry, so you plan to add raisins next time. The frosting specified in the recipe needed more for a three-tier cake. Despite the involved process, you enjoyed the taste of the frosting but are still questioning the cake.

A couple patrons shared their experiences with several recipes from a cookbook. They made Brown Sugar Cookies, Key Lime Bars, Peanut Butter Cookies, Thin and Crispy Oatmeal Cookies, Cinnamon Swirl Cookies, Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Chewy Sugar Cookies. They encountered challenges with overcooking some cookies but found success with the chocolate chip cookies. They also needed help with the crust for the Key Lime Bars and the shape of the Chewy Sugar Cookies. Despite the challenges, they enjoyed the recipes and would make some of them again.

The user recently tried making Empanadas and a Crème Brule Tart from a recipe book. They found assembling the Empanadas was difficult without a dough cutter and had trouble getting them to close and stay closed. They also had extra filling left over. When making the Crème Brule Tart, they found that the dough took longer to cool and rest than expected and had trouble with blind-baking and the crust turning out overdone. Despite these challenges, they enjoyed the flavors and are excited to perfect the dishes in the future.

The user experimented with various ice cream recipes, including fat-free chocolate sherbet, coconut-chocolate sherbet, and vanilla ice cream. They adjusted the recipes based on the ingredients they had on hand and their preferences. They also encountered challenges such as uneven flavor distribution and the need for a giant whisk. Despite these challenges, they were pleased with the results and planned to make the recipes again.

The user baked "Chewy Ginger-Molasse Cookies" and "Spiced Applesauce Cake" from a vegan cookbook. The cookies were a hit at work and didn't taste vegan. The user struggled with achieving the right texture for the cookies but enjoyed making them. The applesauce cake turned out moist and flavorful, and the user omitted the raisins and walnuts. The icing didn't turn out as expected, but it tasted good. The recipes were easy to follow, and the necessary ingredients were readily available.

U.S. ROAD TRIP (MAY 3 - JUNE 7, 2021)

Several recipes were attempted from this cookbook, including Cast-Iron Skillet Bread, Crusty Dutch Oven Bread, Baked Eggs with Cream & Chives, and Crispy Potato Stacks. The Cast-Iron Skillet Bread was fluffy and flavorful, complementing a spaghetti dinner. The Crusty Dutch Oven Bread required minimal hands-on work and made two loaves, but the parchment paper caused some cleanup issues. The Baked Eggs with Cream & Chives recipe was enjoyed for its flavor, but it was noted that it's easy to overcook the eggs. On the other hand, the Crispy Potato Stacks didn't turn out as crispy as expected. The user expressed interest in trying the recipes again and experimenting with different variations.

The user tried making "Sesame Spinach" but found it bitter and not appealing in taste. They also experimented with "Flounder Fillets" by adding chickpeas for more texture and found "Steamed Mussels with White Wine Sauce and Garlic-Saffron Toast" to have a lovely rustic flavor. However, they preferred a different broth for the mussels and found it challenging to find fresh mussels. They used frozen mussels and planned to try a different store next time.

The user tried a recipe for "Game Hens on a Grilled Bread Salad with Organic Baby Greens and Horseradish." They found the recipe somewhat challenging due to the hens' brining time and saltiness after cooking. They suggested reducing the salt in the brine and trying different seasoning/sauce combinations. The user enjoyed cooking the hens and the vinaigrette but found the roasted garlic puree part of the recipe vague. They also mentioned that using horseradish in the vinaigrette was surprisingly good. Overall, they found the dish to be okay and would use the technique of cooking whole birds on the grill again.

A patron shared their experience with two recipes from a cookbook. They enjoyed making the Broiled Rock Shrimp Cocktail, although they adjusted the amount of butter and added extra horseradish to the cocktail sauce. They also appreciated the cookbook's regional recipes and informative introduction pages. However, their attempt at making Chile Rellenos from the same cookbook was unsuccessful, as they struggled to char the poblano peppers, and the dish turned out differently than expected. Despite this, they found the experience humbling and acknowledged their progress in cooking.

Several recipes were attempted from this cookbook. The user made Korean Chile Butter to baste roasted red cabbage. They also tried Pan-Seared Crab Cakes, Garlic-Chile 'bbq' Shrimp, Pan-Roasted Mushrooms with Shallots, Lemon & Thyme, and Roasted Broccoli with Bagna Cauda. The user found the crab cakes challenging to make, enjoyed cooking whole shrimp, and felt that the side dishes lacked flavor. Additionally, the user tried Grilled Skirt Steak and learned about different steak cuts and optimal cooking temperatures. The user's experience with the New Orleans Cookbook recipes has been mixed.

LATIN AMERICA (JUNE 14 - JULY 19, 2021)

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

The user completed a recipe from a cookbook, but the results could have been better. They made Pai de Queiko (Yuca Flour and Cheese Bread) and found it to be dry, with some parts undercooked, and lacking in flavor, especially the cheese flavor.

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

The user recently tried two recipes. They made "Spiced Cooked Cabbage" and found the flavor mixture unappealing, but the recipe was easy to follow. They also made "Roasted Carrots, Beets, and Asparagus with Basil" as a side dish and found that the carrots were flavorful but didn't enjoy the asparagus. They also tried beets for the first time and found them okay. Overall, the cooking process was simple, and they would use the seasoning again with different veggies.

Several recipes from this cookbook have been attempted. They enjoyed the Herby, Spiced Fried Corn and found the recipe easy to follow, with multiple substitution options. They also made the Red Chile Roast Chicken, appreciating that the adobo sauce ingredients and instructions were included in the recipe. However, they found the chicken to be dry. Lastly, they made the Simple Poblano Cream Sauce and found it easy to make, but they may add a hotter pepper next time for more heat.

BACKPACKING EUROPE (JULY 26 - AUGUST 30, 2021) 

Multiple recipes have been attempted from this cookbook. The Devilled Crab was okay, but there was some difficulty finding crab meat. They also tried the Spring Cabbage, which they found easy to make, and added shredded carrots for sweetness. They made a variation of Cottage or Shepherd's Pie using ground turkey, which turned out well. The Cheesy Baked Fish lacked flavor, and they preferred their own breading method. They also made White Soda Bread, which they found flavorful and easy to make. Lastly, they tried Braised Celery and Carrots in Butter Sauce but had difficulty achieving the desired buttery flavor using plant-based butter. Overall, they enjoyed trying these recipes and plan to make some again.

The user discussed two recipes from a cookbook. For the "Chicken Breast and Creamy Mushroom Sauce," they modified the recipe by using bone-in chicken thighs and serving the mushroom sauce on the side. They were impressed with the mushroom sauce and would consider making it again. For the "Chicken Breast with Creamy Mustard and Sage Sauce," they found the sauce to be the dish's highlight and recommended mincing the sage for a better flavor. Overall, they found both recipes easy to make and tasty.

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

The user found the "Mixed Pasta and Chickpeas" recipe from this cookbook to have a weird texture and undesirable flavor. They also found that the timing for recipes could have been more specific. The user attempted the "Sicilian Arancini" recipe and found it to be a little too vague for a beginner. They needed help cooking the rice and assembling the rice balls, and they found the flavor bland. The user is undecided on whether they would try the recipe again due to the difficulty assembling and the lack of flavor.

The "Individual Chocolate Cakes with Dulce de leche and fleur de sel" recipe was attempted, but there was trouble finding Dulce de leche. Some alterations were made to the recipe, and we had only 4 chocolaty cakes.  "Chicken Lady Chicken" was also attempted with adjustments to the recipe and turning the leftover marinade into a sauce. The dish turned out well, and I shared a tip about letting the chicken rest. Lastly, I made "Honey-Spice Bread" twice, and both loaves came out moist and tasty.

AS SEEN ON TV (SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 11, 2021) 

The users enjoyed experimenting with new recipes, particularly the "Elf-Made Wine (Alcohol-Free)" and the Chicken and Cherries dish. However, they found some recipes challenging to follow and had to improvise, such as with the Magical Gratin. They were intrigued by a recipe for blue spaghetti but couldn't find the required ingredient, so they plan to try dying spaghetti with food coloring instead. Overall, they found the recipes fun to try and plan to make some of them again in the future.

The user recently tried the "Beef Burgundy" recipe, making some slight modifications and facing some technical difficulties, but still found it quite good and intends to attempt it again. They also succeeded with the "Strawberry Chocolate Oasis Pie" and found it visually appealing. Additionally, they mentioned trying some unusual recipes, including Jake's sandwich that was challenging to eat.

Several recipes were attempted from this cookbook. Steak with Wild Mushrooms & Onion Confit: Good flavor, filling, tender steak, long onion prep, overpowering horseradish, favorite parts were mushrooms and steak. Herb-Roasted Salmon: Delicious and flavorful. The ingredients are easy to find, and there is a slight issue with the herb butter not spreading. Highly recommended. Fried Plantains: Underwhelming, seasonal ingredient, an overabundance of leftovers, better as a snack or dessert. The Cheerful Chicken's Poulet Au Miel (Chicken in Honey): This surprisingly tasty, easy, straightforward recipe is highly recommended.  Frogs' Legs Provencal (Chicken Wings): Simple and balanced flavors, easy-to-follow instructions, suggested adding favorite seasoning for more flavor. 

The user found a recipe for Red Wine-Rosemary Bread on page 257 and was excited to try it. However, the bread had little wine flavor and the rosemary was overpowering. The recipe had a long resting time of 16-20 hours, which the user felt wasn't worth the planning and waiting. The recipe was simple to follow and the ingredients were easy to find.

HOMEMADE BREAD (OCTOBER 18 - NOVEMBER 15, 2021) 

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

The user attempted making the "Challah" bread and found it light, airy, and delicious. They made adjustments due to their cooking environment, such as using a food processor instead of a mixer and adjusting rest and proof times because of cooler temperatures. The user also had to change the cooking time because their oven cooked quickly. Despite these adjustments, the bread was enjoyable, and the user recommends reading the recipes thoroughly before making copies.

No reviews were posted for this cookbook. 

ONE-POT WONDERS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 20, 2021)

The user's summary of the cookbook recipes they tried includes positive feedback on the Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak with Toasted Corn and Black Bean Salad, the Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast with Root Vegetables, and the Baked Ziti. They enjoyed the flavors of the steak seasoning and found the recipes easy to replicate. However, they found the Lemon-Herb Cod Fillets with Crispy Garlic Potatoes to have excessive ingredients and needed help with the potato preparation. They also noted that the Risotto with Mushrooms, Asparagus, and Peas had good flavors, but the cooking method and ingredient balance could be improved. Overall, they found the recipes satisfying but had some suggestions for adjustments.

The user shared their experience with three different cake recipes. They made Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars, White Chocolate Sheet Cake, and Raspberry-Lemonade Cake. They needed help with missing baking utensils and misreading frosting instructions. Despite these challenges, they found the cakes simple and balanced. They also added their own twists to the recipes, such as using prepacked frosting and adding shredded coconut for a textural difference. While the Raspberry-Lemonade Cake got mixed reviews, they found it a nice dessert, although they felt the raspberry flavor was overpowering. The lemonade flavor could have been more prominent.

The user mainly used a meatless cookbook for side dish ideas to pair with their desired proteins. They tried the "Blissed-Out Crispy Cheesy Broccoli Gratin" recipe, finding it outshone the protein. They made a couple of alterations, including using shredded instead of grated cheddar cheese and lining the baking sheet with aluminum foil. The dish took longer to cook than the recipe stated, but they enjoyed the technique for making crispy broccoli and look forward to trying it with other dishes.

The user's review of a cookbook highlights several disappointments with the recipes. The Citrus-Miso Roasted Whole Fish lacked flavor and had difficulty finding an ingredient. The Honey-Orange Shrimp with Baby Bok Choy was bitter and had inconsistent taste. The Cheese Herb Focaccia was tasteless and dry. The Portabella Cap Pizzas were successful with some modifications, but the Nana's Spicy Cheese Biscuits turned out dried and grainy. The user expresses frustration with the vagueness of the recipes and doubts about trying more recipes from this cookbook.

Did you try recipes from these cookbooks that did not make it to these summaries?  Leave your review below today!