2020 Past Themes

  

Cook the Book Began in September 2020 with our first two sessions: Harvest and Celebration. Here are the cookbooks we explored and a summary of our thoughts.

HARVEST (SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 26, 2020)

Members tried a Burrito Salad Bowl with exciting textures and flavors. They used it as a side dish but would eat it again. They also tried a Sweet Potato Salad recipe from a book they enjoyed. They made some changes to the recipe, such as using only one shallot and pairing it with baked chicken instead of pork tenderloin.

Members tried two recipes from a cookbook. The Broccoli and Cheddar Soup recipe was edible but somewhat runny and bland. The user made some substitutions but wouldn't have changed the taste much. They added shredded cheese, pita chips, and pepper to enhance the flavor. The Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette was tasty, similar to German Potato Salad, and the user followed the recipe wholly. The Green Beans and Walnuts recipe was fast and easy; fresh tomatoes and basil could be added to enhance the taste. The user has marked several other recipes from the book.

Members enjoyed a cookbook and tried several recipes. They found the parsnip ginger Layer Cake turned out to be delicious, despite their initial reservations about parsnips. They also tried Creamy Corn Soup with Feta and Pepitas, which was a bit too spicy for their liking and tasted more like a side dish than a soup. However, they enjoyed the Turkish Zucchini Cakes and found them tasty, although they felt a creamy dipping sauce would have been a good addition. They also tried the spaghetti squash recipe and found it good, but it was a little too buttery. They followed the cookbook's guide for prepping and sautéing Brussels sprouts and added some grated parmesan and Marcona almonds. They loved the cookbook's illustrations and tips on cleaning and cutting vegetables. Finally, they made Carrot & Coconut Muffins and loved the combination of flavors. They found it easy to make and recommended adding buttercream frosting with sprinkled coconut.

Members have tried several soup recipes from a specific cookbook. They enjoyed the Spiced Roasted Pumpkin soup made with butternut squash but did not make the maple seed brittle or add goat cheese. The Jerk Chicken Soup was flavorful and had a good addition of fresh pineapple, but it was a tad too spicy. The Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Soup did not impress and made the user feel nauseated. The Courgette & Caraway with Smoked Salmon & Dill Soured Cream was a filling and good-tasting soup. The user is having a hard time finding recipes that are easy to make with accessible ingredients and are filling. Lastly, the Simply Cream Corn recipe was easy to follow but more like a side dish than a soup.

CELEBRATION (NOVEMBER 2 - DECEMBER 2, 2020)

The user tried several recipes from different cookbooks. Some dishes were successful and tasty, like the Cauliflower/Green Olive Gratin,

 which was easy to make and had affordable ingredients. However, some recipes were not as successful, like the Stewed Butternut Squash, which had too many ingredients, and the Orange/Coconut cake, which could have been more flavorful. The user faced some difficulties while making the Ricotta/Spinach Dumplings with Parmesan Cream Sauce but managed to save some of them by boiling the water heavily. Lastly, the user prepared the Drunken Spaghetti with Pine Nuts and Parsley but substituted pine nuts with shrimp and found the dish to be great, though they would have added the wine earlier.

The user tried multiple recipes during Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family. They prepared Lobster Fettuccine with Fennel, Tarragon, and Biscochitos. The user needed help due to the unavailability of some ingredients and had to make alterations. The user also made Fluffy Dinner Rolls twice and noticed differences in how they prepared them. They preferred making the rolls without a mixer as they turned out fluffier and more flavorful. The user also tried the traditional mac and cheese, which was almost perfect in consistency and taste but overflowed in the oven. The user also made some alterations to the recipe for the mac and cheese.

The user shares their experience of trying out different recipes from a cookbook. They tried various vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, such as Ricotta/Spinach Dumplings, Chicken Bowtie Salad, Chipotle Lime Chicken, Bacon Parmesan Green Beans, Grilled Lemon Chicken, and Chili Cheese Dip. The user found most of the recipes easy to prepare and delicious. However, they suggest changing the recipes, such as adding more chicken to the Chicken Bowtie Salad and using shredded parmesan cheese in the Bacon Parmesan Green Beans. Overall, the user enjoyed trying the recipes and would recommend them to others.

The user tried making French Macarons, pear cranberry crumble, orange gingerbread cake, and bunny buns from a cookbook. They experienced different difficulties and successes with each recipe. They found that using the cream of tartar while whipping the egg whites made the best version of French Macarons, and using gluten-free flour for the crumble topping turned out to be a hit with their family and co-workers. They should have remembered fresh ginger while making the orange gingerbread cake. Still, they used dried ground ginger instead, which was very tasty. They found it difficult to shape the bunny buns and thought the orange glaze did not balance well with the bun itself.

Did you try recipes from these cookbooks that did not make it to these summaries?

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