Saturday, April 12, 2014

Review - The Melting Pot Cookbook




The Melting Pot Cookbook
A Jewish Grandmother's Stories and Good Old Recipes From the Good Old Days
By Belle Serbin Fields
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pub. Date: December 13, 2013
Retail: $10.49
ISBN: 978-1490462660
Pages: 242

Where to Buy:


Book Description from Amazon:

The best recipes collected over the years by a 100 year old Jewish Grandmother who considers entertaining a competitive sport. Her recipes not only taste good, but they have to look good, too. Belle's recipes are practical and unusual, and her ingredients are everyday item found in every kitchen. Although the book is written by a Jewish grandmother, this is not a kosher or even strictly Jewish cookbook. There are Chinese, Italian, German, Danish, and other nationalities represented among the recipes. Another lure to the book are the interesting tales of where and how she found many of the recipes, and events where she has used them. Finally, there are ideas of recipes that can be combined to present and unusual visual effect, like her 7 layer Jello mold table centerpiece, or her combination salad mold appetizer. Belle is a kitchen artist as well as a great cook and baker.

Review:

Many of you probably don't know that I'm a decent cook. Though I learned a few things from mother, I'm mostly self-taught,which started when I became in charge of cooking dinners when my mother went back to work when I was a teenager (I believe it was in 1995). As an adult, I have continued to cook my own meals (though I do get takeout once in awhile) and I own a wide variety of cookbooks (Taste of Home, Rachel Ray, etc.). 

While I was setting up this Easter Gift Guide, I received a few pitches to review cookbooks and of course I eagerly agreed to feature them on the guide. One of these cookbooks is titled The Melting Pot Cookbook: A Jewish Grandmother's Stories and Good Old Recipes From the Good Old Days by Belle Serbin Fields.

Normally a cookbook is dedicated to the author's family or friends, but The Melting Pot is slightly different, as it is dedicated to the author from her family. They had attempted to get the cookbook published by a mainstream publisher (like Doubleday), but eventually went the self-publishing route.

I'm not Jewish, so I didn't know what exactly to expect from The Melting Pot. To my surprise, there are many recipes that I had already heard of or have already tried other versions of, like lasagna, deviled eggs, brownies, pecan pie, and spaghetti with meatballs; though the ingredients are completely different. 

The problem I have with many cookbooks, is that many of the recipes call for ingredients that are hard to find for someone who doesn't live near a big city. I'm pleased to say that I don't have that particular problem with The Melting Pot, as the recipes mostly contain ingredients that I already had in the kitchen. 

The Melting Pot cookbook is jammed back of tasty recipes from entrees to breads and other baked goods. Overall, I think a lot of love went into creating The Melting Pot cookbook. I would pick out a favorite recipe, but there are too many to list to here. With Easter just over a week away and Mother's Day just around the corner, The Melting Pot would make a great gift for a loved one.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I adore reading reader feedback! I will, however, remove all spam and pointless comments.

Please take note that I have the right to delete comments from this site. Please only post constructive and respectful feedback.