2022 Past Themes

 

We entered 2022 with a few inspirations from past themes that made up "Free From," "As Seen in History," and "Small Bites." That summer, we continued traveling with "Wonders of Asian Cuisine," "Outdoor Cooking," and "Pilgrimage to the Middle East."  2022 ended with us getting ready for the holidays and the colder weather with "Soups, Stews, & Chilis" and "Pie Love."  Enjoy these member summaries of the various recipes tried throughout this year. 

FREE FROM (JANUARY 3 - FEBRUARY 7, 2022)

The user tried making gluten-free Red Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies from a cookbook. They needed help finding the recommended flour for the cupcakes, which was dense and stale. They also used store-bought frosting. As a result, they decided to stop attempting gluten-free baking. The cookies didn't have all the recommended ingredients, and they turned out to have a strange texture and taste that were different from what they were used to. users

The user tried two recipes from Martha Stewart's cookbook. The first recipe for Corn-Stuffed Poblano Chiles turned out well, despite having to make some substitutions for unavailable ingredients. The user doubled the amount of goat cheese and served the dish with Mexican rice and tortillas. The second recipe for Versatile Vegetarian Chili was enjoyed for its flexibility, allowing the user to use different beans and add corn. The user found the recipe easy to follow and recommended it for those looking to add more vegetarian dishes to their repertoire.

The user provides feedback on three different recipes from a cookbook. For the Mediterranean Vegetables, they made adjustments by omitting tomatoes and adding olive oil and found it to be a filling and easy side dish. They paired it with a Mediterranean-spiced turkey breast. The Lemon-Dill Rice was okay but had an overpowering lemon flavor. Finally, the Red Snapper with Creamed Dill Sauce was a disappointment, as the sauce tasted like soap, and the fish itself was underwhelming.

The user provided feedback on several recipes from a cookbook. They mentioned that the Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies were simple but not outstanding, and the amount of salt needed to be specified clearly. The Sweet Potatoes with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette had a citrusy flavor, but the household didn't enjoy it due to the mustard and sweet potato flavors. The Rosemary Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Potatoes was not unique in flavor, and the cooking technique seemed interesting, but the result was not exceptional. Still, the user and their daughter enjoyed the Mini Fudge Brownie Bites, but the. Still, the recipe yielded a different number of brownie bites, and the required equipment (4 mini muffin pans) seemed excessive for occasional bakers.

AS SEEN IN HISTORY (FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 21, 2022)

Two recipes were attempted from this cookbook. Never-Fail Dinner Rolls: The user found the recipe easy to make but had to add more flour to the dough. They were concerned about the rolls burning and had to watch them closely. The rolls turned out simple but worked well with stew. Crispy Fried Scallops: The user chose this recipe to use up extra scallops and found minimal required ingredients, except for the expensive water crackers. The user modernized the preparation by using a food processor. Coating the scallops was time-consuming, and the user ran out of the crumb mixture. The cooked scallops were okay but tasted better with cocktail sauce. The serving size was generous, providing leftovers.

The user chose a recipe for Hot Potato Salad with Bacon out of curiosity and found it easy to obtain the ingredients and follow the instructions. They noted that leaving the potato skins on was slightly different and suggested reducing the amount of vinegar used. Despite the vinegar's overpowering taste, they did not mind the hot potato salad and would consider having it again.

This cookbook became a favorite for many of the members of "Cook the Book." Many have purchased a copy for their personal libraries. Some recipes included "Iron Skillet Vegetables and Bacon—French," but they omitted the potatoes and found the dish flavorful. They also tried "Sour Cream Cookies" and had to adjust the recipe due to confusion over the ingredient "soda." Despite this, the cookies turned out well. 

SMALL BITES (MARCH 28 - MAY 2, 2022)

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

The user has tried two recipes from a cookbook. For the Oven-Fried Chicken Wings recipe, they particularly enjoyed the Smoky Barbecue Wing Sauce, which they modified slightly to enhance the smoky flavor. They also tried three premade sauces and found the homemade sauce to be the favorite. They found the Dutch oven method simpler than their previous method for the Perfect Popcorn recipe but preferred corn oil instead of vegetable oil. They also mentioned being open to trying the seasoning variations in the future.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook. 

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

WONDERS OF ASIAN CUISINE (MAY 9 - JUNE 13, 2022)

The user found the Yaki Onigiri / Grilled Rice Balls recipe time-consuming and bland in flavor. While the recipes were easy to follow and required minimal ingredients, cooking, cooling, and forming the rice balls took over an hour. Additionally, the grilling process did not result in the desired brown, crispy texture, and the user felt that the rice balls needed a dipping sauce to enhance the flavor. Ultimately, the user does not plan to make the grilled rice balls again but may consider making them without grilling them.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

The user tried a Chicken Stew recipe from a cookbook and found it bland in flavor despite being easy to make. However, the leftovers tasted better than the freshly made dish. The user made some alterations to the recipe, including using chicken wings instead of legs, adding extra vegetables, and using dried coconut instead of fresh. Despite these changes, the dish still needed more flavor, so the user won't be trying this recipe again.

The cookbook requires making two sauces/pastes before proceeding with the dish. Although this added more steps, the sauces, and paste were good, with a long refrigerator life for future use. The dish had good flavoring and a slight kick of heat from chili flakes. It took longer than the recipe, possibly due to the grill's heat. Despite the longer cooking time, the dish had a nice caramelized coloring. The user would repeat these recipe reviews that have yet to be made, especially since the main sauces are already prepared.

The user tried a recipe for Stir-Fried Beef with Banana Peppers. They used stew meat instead of steak and added broccoli to the dish. However, the banana peppers made the dish taste sour and ruined the overall flavor. The user's husband couldn't finish the dish, and the user found it disappointing and not worth trying again.

OUTDOOR COOKING (JUNE 27 - AUGUST 1, 2022)

No recipe reviews have been posted for this cookbook.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

The user's experience with the recipes included feedback on a smoked prime rib and a smoked chicken recipe. They found the prime rib recipe time-consuming, and the flavor was different than expected. The user also mentioned needing help finding homemade rub and sauce ingredients. The homemade rub was simple to make but required considerable storage space. The user attempted to adjust the recipe for the sauce but did not find it palatable. They used a store-bought BBQ sauce instead of the homemade sauce for the smoked chicken and found the recipe suitable for a smaller portion. They faced challenges maintaining the grill temperature but achieved a good result with crispy skin and tender meat.

The user experimented with several recipes from a cookbook, making adjustments based on personal preferences and equipment. They found the Rosemary Olive Oil Bread to be crumbly and flavorful, the Steak with Green Chimichurri to have basic flavoring, the Whole Fish with Basil-Orange Oil to be delicious but lacking in orange flavor, the Rosemary Mushrooms to have good taste but got too crispy on the grill, the Burnt-Fingers Lamb Chops to be challenging to cook to the right temperature, the Grill-Braised Potatoes to have a mushy texture and barely existent flavors, and the Molten Chocolate Cake to be chocolatey and soft despite challenges with grill temperature.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE MIDDLE EAST (AUGUST 8 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2022)

The user attempted "Pea, Dill & Garlic with Saffron" and found the recipe easy to follow but lacked flavor. However, they enjoyed learning a new cooking technique for rice. Despite this, their husband and child, who usually love rice, were not fans of the dish.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

The user made Brunsli Chocolate Cookies and found the ingredients easy to acquire, except the pricy Chinese 5-Spice. The user's goal was to use stocked ingredients from previous cookbook sessions. They had to adjust the recipe due to their dry home environment, and their daughter enjoyed making star-shaped cookies. However, the user and their daughter did not like the taste, attributing it to the Chinese 5-spice. Despite their dislike, others at the book group meeting and the library staff who received the leftovers enjoyed the cookies. The user does not plan to make the cookies again, but they would recommend that others try them. Recipe reviews have yet to be

No recipe reviews have been posted for this cookbook.

SOUPS, STEWS & CHILIS (SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 24, 2022)

The user made three different soups from a specific cookbook. They liked the Mexican Bisque and made alterations to enhance the shrimp flavor. The Frogmere Stew was okay, but the broth and seasoning overpowered the meat and vegetables. The Homemade Apple Cider Beef Stew turned out differently than expected due to the substitution of apple cider vinegar for apple juice. Overall, the users found the recipes easy to follow and the ingredients easy to find, and they appreciated the flexibility to make alterations to the dishes.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

The user shared their experience with two recipes from a cookbook. They made Autumn Root Vegetable Chowder and found it flavorful, even though it had no seasonings. The dish was well-received and versatile for serving on the cooking day, as needed, and as leftovers. They also tried making Ham and Fingerling Potato Soup with Popovers but encountered challenges with the popover recipe, as it didn't specify the cooking time for different pan types. Overall, they enjoyed the soup but struggled with the popovers due to a lack of specific instructions. They

The user tried a couple of recipes from a cookbook. They used premade chicken stock for the shrimp etouffee recipe and found the flavor good but slightly subtle. They also made Sheri Castle's Watauga County Chicken Stew with Fluffy Dumplings, finding it enjoyable, but there was a difference of opinion on the size of the dumplings. They made alterations to the recipes based on personal preferences and found both recipes convenient for using leftover rice and requiring significant prep time.

PIE LOVE (OCTOBER 31 - DECEMBER 5, 2022)

The user made their first dessert pie, a Pear Pie with Walnut Crust, and found some issues with the recipe instructions. The recipe did not specify the thickness of the bottom crust, lacked guidance on making a vent in the crust, and resulted in undercooked pears. Despite this, the user enjoyed the flavorful walnut crust. The pie received great reviews from coworkers, especially for the crust.

The user shared their experience making Mixed-Berry Hand Pies with Roll-Out Cookie Crust. They encountered challenges with the crust being too dry and breaking apart and difficulties with the assembly due to the amount of dough and filling. Despite the challenges, the taste was well-received by others...

The user made a post-Thanksgiving Turkey Slab Pie using leftovers. They found the recipe easy to make, with some slight alterations, and the cook time was in-sync with the recipe. The user suggested serving the pie with extra gravy to add more texture and flavor. Overall, the pie turned out pretty good.

Recipe reviews have yet to be posted for this cookbook.

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