It seems like I always bring the same few dishes to family gatherings, so this cookbook caught my eye and has motivated me to try something new. In the What Can I Bring? Cookbook, author Anne Byrn has put together over 200 easy-to-tote dishes for parties, picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and any get together.
I do not like to cook! However, cooking on the grill is a little more fun.
I found an excellent book with many wonderful grilling recipes. It’s called Taste of Home Grill It! This book offers over 300 recipes taken from the Taste of Home magazine. It contains many photographs and helpful tips, including nutritional information for anyone trying to stay on a healthy diet.
We all know that eating is instrumental to survival, but in this day and age, there are so many food choices. I remember when you could only get strawberries when they were in season. With an improved way of delivering food to the grocery stores, consumers have many more choices than in previous years. I have seen cactus for sale and fruits I’ve never heard of in our local grocery stores.
MCPL has many cookbooks for checkout. Some of my favorites are the many versions of Taste of Home like Simple and Delicious, Almost Homemade and Healthy Cooking Annual Recipes. One of the things I really like about these books is the pictures that go along with the recipes. I find a visual aid so much more appealing that just the recipe in words. It not only helps me visualize how the food will look when cooked, but entices my taste buds to want to try it.
Fall always brings to my mind harvest goodies…especially as we get closer to Thanksgiving. One of my favorite treats is a nice warm slice with a pat of butter melting in the center of the spicy, cinnamon goodness of pumpkin bread.
Do you really love peanut butter? I do! I received this recipe at a family get-together. It’s so quick and easy!
Peanut Butter Balls
1 cup white sugar 1 cup white corn syrup 1 cup peanut butter 4-5 cups crisp rice cereal
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Stir in crisp rice cereal. Drop by the spoonful onto waxed paper. When cool enough to handle, butter hands and form spoonfuls into balls.
MCPL has a few good books about peanut butter. Try these for tasty recipes:
I'm not a cookbook collector. Although, I do have a stack of old canning manuals and revered tomes like The Joy of Cooking—I don't relish digging through dusty flea market finds for the perfect cookbook. I am, however, a cookbook looker. I love the new library books with the awesome photographs, even imagining myself as a food stylist, gleaning tips for my own portfolio of sparkling holiday meals.
Seriously, if you need a good recipe, you should try Taco Ring. My mom taught me how to make it. The only odd part is laying out the crescent rolls; but, if you look at my pictures, I think you’ll understand. It’s worth it, I promise. It is delicious and easy!
¾ lb. ground beef 1 packet taco seasoning 2 T. water 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 2 packages of refrigerated crescent rolls
Extra Topping Ideas Lettuce, Salsa, Sour Cream, Tomatoes
Sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? Would it change your mind if I told you it was made from melted chocolate and Chow Mein noodles?
This is just one of the fun things we did at our very first Boy’s Book Club meeting this last Saturday! We also looked through the choices for the April through July meetings. If you were not able to attend, here is the list of options:
It seems like I always bring the same few dishes to family gatherings, so this cookbook caught my eye and has motivated me to try something new. In the What Can I Bring? Cookbook, author Anne Byrn has put together over 200 easy-to-tote dishes for parties, picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and any get together. 
