Favorite Recipes with Herbs or Sweet Gratitude

Favorite Recipes with Herbs

Author: Dawn J Ranck

This basic cookbook presents savory recipes which utilize herbs in day-to-day cooking.

Hundreds of easy-to-use recipes, gathered and tested by the top herb shops in the country!

These are practical but absolutely scrumptious recipes which offer herb dishes for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast.

Includes the 14 most commonly grown herbs, as well as tips for gardening and storing. Exquisite line drawings.

Look this: The Modern Middle East or Faith Reason and the War Against Jihadism

Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life

Author: Judith C Sutton

More than seventy delectable and foolproof recipes for home-baked sweets meant for giving—to anyone for any occasion.

Nothing says thank you more simply—or more generously—than the gift of something freshly baked from the oven. With Sweet Gratitude, Judith Sutton inspires readers to head to the kitchen instead of the mall anytime they are moved to acknowledge the important people or events in their lives or to express feelings of gratitude and caring.

So whether it’s the postman who gets a fistful of Brown Sugar Shortbreads (easily made in minutes) as thanks for delivering bundles of vacation mail or the plumber who gets a Two-Ginger Gingerbread for making a New Year’s Eve house call, there’s something here for anyone and any occasion. Take the billowy white Coconut Layer Cake to a favorite godchild’s wedding shower or bring over a batch of decorated cupcakes to a busy mom when it’s her turn to provide the classroom treats. At exam cram time, a box of caramel-topped cookies or fudgy brownies can encourage a late-night studier, while Really Chocolate Chocolate Pudding is just the thing when only comfort food will do.

Featured alongside scores of cookies, brownies and bars, cakes, creamy tarts, mousses, and a candy or two are notes about ingredients and techniques; tips for keeping, storing, and even packing and shipping treats; as well as creative suggestions for variations, garnishing and serving, and freezing and making ahead. Fifty colorful and whimsical watercolors make the book itself a beautiful and practical gift—even to oneself.

Publishers Weekly

One day, Sutton (Champagne & Caviar & Other Delicacies; Truffles: Ultimate Luxury) made a gift to the veterinary staff who always took such good care of her elderly cat. Her Caramel-Topped Turtle Brownies caused such "pandemonium" that she was compelled to write this book. Sutton's message is likable: "sweeten your bonds with the important people in your life." She delivers classic comfort-sweets like Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Layer Cake, Two-Ginger Gingerbread (which uses ground and crystallized ginger) and the Best Hot Fudge Sauce. More sophisticated dessert lovers can try Chocolate Espresso Sandwich Cookies, Sweet Baby Lemon Scones, Ganache-Filled Brown Sugar Bars or Mocha Silk Pie. All the recipes are on the easy side, and Sutton claims, "Many of these recipes, such as the five-minute Brown Sugar Shortbread or the Spicy English Gingersnaps, are simple enough for even the most inexperienced baker." All the treats can be made at least partially in advance, and Sutton adds helpful notes on preparation, storage and shipping. Adorable, candy-colored illustrations are frosting on the cake. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Sometimes the perfect thank-you gift can come from the kitchen-at least that is what Sutton (Champagne & Caviar & Other Delicacies) discovered. The delighted responses to her home baked gifts inspired her to compile this collection of 70-plus sweet treats, including cookies, bars, cakes, pies, and tarts. With recipes ranging from the simple (Peanut Butter Cookies with Crunch) to the sublime (Chocolate Raspberry Squares), bakers are certain to find plenty of delectable gift-giving ideas; owing to the author's own expert advice on ingredients, techniques, and wrapping finished products, even novice cooks will be inspired to give baking a try. While there are many other baking books on the market, e.g., Marion Cunningham's The Fannie Farmer Baking Book and The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion, public libraries will still want to make room for Sutton's impeccably crafted little cookbook. [See the Q&A with Sutton on p. 114; Sutton is LJ's longtime Cookery columnist.]-John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.