Ticket to Ride: The Official Cookbook by Alan R. Moon, Reviewed

 

 Years ago on PBS there was a program hosted by delightful Englishman, Graham Kerr, called “Dinner on the Diner.” Each week he and a number of fortunate guests would board a luxury train and explore one part of the world or other. Celebrity chefs were invited to cook along with the train chefs while touring, doing local food shopping, all the while seeing exciting points of interest along the way. I was a big fan of that show, and ever since then, have been very interested in taking a train trip, not only to see beautiful scenery, but also to stop in quaint towns, and be served marvelous meals, prepared by awarded chefs, and served by handsome young men in tuxedos.

 Sigh. Where was I? Oh, yes…

Because this doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me, I have to live vicariously in other ways, and have done just that by way of the recently published (April 2024), Ticket to Ride: The Official Cookbook by Alan R. Moon based upon his iconic board game of the same name. Prior to being introduced to this cookbook, I had heard of neither Moon nor the game, but having investigated, I must say that the game looks pretty darned cute. If only, she sighed heavily, I had someone to play with, but I digress.Those familiar with the game will find this cookbook easy to navigate as the recipes are organized by the destination tickets awarded in the game. These feature dining car menus inspired by the cities visited during your railway adventure.  Those unfamiliar with the game may be interested in knowing that it was first published in 2004, and later that year won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres Board Game of the Year award. Whether you are familiar with the game or not, this cookbook is a real winner. Visually it is most attractive. There are some truly wonderful pictures inside, the layout is inviting, and I love that there are specially designed menus for each destination, including a cocktail.The recipes look absolutely delicious, each of which is accompanied by a photo. I like that in a cookbook, in fact, I have come to demand it. In order for a cookbook to engage me, it has to be visually appealing first and foremost, and this one most definitely is. The recipes in the book, in nearly all cases, are easily doable, and utilize ingredients that you generally have at home. My mouth watered as I paged through. At the back of the book there is a comprehensive index of all of the recipes, handy conversion charts, and a map showing all of the train routes. There is a code in the back that you can scan in order to get the game so that you can play it yourself.Game fan, or not, train fan, or not, this is a delightful culinary tour of North America featuring recipes for delicious regional foods, accompanied by beautiful photography. Seasoned veteran or novice cook, gamer or otherwise, this is a must have for your culinary library.

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 Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

 

CATAN: The Official Cookbook, Reviewed

  

I​nitially, when I was offered this book for review, I was going to pass. After all, I had never heard of the game CATAN, so what could I possibly have to say about it that would be of any use to anyone? Never before has that old adage, Don’t judge a book by its cover, been more suitable than it turned out to be here.

  CATAN: The Official Cookbook is a WONDERFUL cookbook, full of beautiful photography, and delicious recipes. Before I get into the meat of the cookbook, so to speak, I’ll add that my number two son pointed out that CATAN was mentioned in The Big Bang Theory. If you are a TBBT fan like I am, you probably remember the episode where the guys were playing cards and Sheldon needs wood.  I’ll say no more.

Now to the book. It features 187 pages of the most delicious collection of recipes that I have seen in a long time. The photography is beautiful, the text is written large enough so that you can see it across the room (something I find handy), and a photo accompanies every recipe. The photos are so vibrant and beautiful that you’re going to want to lick the page.In keeping with the theme, a hexagonal box in the upper right hand corner of every recipe tells you how many people it serves, as well as how many minutes you will be devoting to prep time. The hexagonal box is indicative of the shape of the game.At the beginning of each recipe is a little blurb to tie it in with the game. The recipes themselves are easy to read with the ingredients set off to the left in a yellow box, the instructions on the right. I like this layout.There is a wide variety of recipes to please all tastes, with (thankfully, you don’t always see this) a comprehensive index in the back.The book is divided into five parts.

Game Night Snacks

Food for the Road

Adventurous Feast

Hard Won Desserts

Cheers for Victory

 Take a look at the recipes they have to offer, and tell me that you won’t have a difficult time deciding what to make first.

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 Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of CATAN: The Official Cookbook from Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review.

50 Things to Bake Before You Die, a Review

I think that we are all familiar with the “bucket list” books. You know what I’m talking about, books with titles that start with “1000 Things to…Before You Die.” There are books on things to do, places to go, things to see, restaurants to visit, there are similar books for nearly every state and major city in the country. Sure, a lot of those things are doable, and many of them are fun, but 1000? Really? Isn’t that a bit much? Here’s a book that doesn’t overwhelm you with the numbers, features things you can do from home, and ways to please and delight friends and family in the doing.

50 Things to Bake Before You Die by Allyson Reedy features 50 recipes for cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and other sweet treats. One recipe looks better than the other, all of them look totally doable even for the inexperienced baker, and each recipe is well worth trying. Lest you think Reedy to be a “morbid chick” as she puts it, with her juxtaposition of baking and death, she wants to assure her reader that, because we’re all on a clock, we should bake, eat, and enjoy. She further admonishes would-be bakers to not beat themselves up if the end results don’t look picture perfect. It’s all about the taste.

Both professionals and the author herself took the photos that appear in this book. Notes from the creator precede each recipe. It’s important to mention, I think, that these favorite recipes of Reedy’s are from some of the greatest bakers and chefs, from small town cafés to fancy restaurants to TV show hosts. In doing so, the author provides a wide range of favorites, as well as for varied tastes and techniques.

Having purchased, given away, and re-purchased a Madeleine pan. I chose to make the Madeleines from chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud. Because I am a lover of lemon, I changed his recipe slightly by adding a little bit of lemon oil to increase the taste. They were delicious! Next up, I tried the brown sugar peach cobbler. I am a nut for peach cobbler, and wasn’t about to wait until July when fresh peaches became available, so I made do with frozen; again, really delicious.Strawberry Hand Pies, from Tracy Wilk of #BakeItForward called to me because Wilk described herself as a pie hater. I often describe myself in the same way, once referring to pies as “the liver of desserts.” She clarifies by saying that she is a “bad pie hater.” I don’t need that type of clarification; I’m not a fan in general. Still, her refreshing and honest attitude had me making these pies (shortening the process by replacing her crust with puff pastry), and they were fun to make and delicious as an afternoon treat.

The book is divided into five chapters: Cookies, Cakes, Pies & Tarts, Things You Eat with Your Hands, and Things You Probably Shouldn’t Eat with Your Hands. It is refreshing, honest, offers up a variety of thoughts and opinions, features desserts from all categories, some more difficult than others, and provides the baker with some tasty goals while he or she is here on planet earth. If it is lacking anywhere, it is in failing to provide a much-needed index, something I have noticed lacking in many modern cookbooks. If you can live with that, then you will certainly enjoy this book.

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 ​Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of 50 Things to Bake Before You Die from Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review.

 

Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook, Reviewed

If you are looking for a way to delight of that special trick-or -treater in your life this Halloween, but don’t want to do so with candy, have I got an idea for you! The newly released Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook is an absolute spooky delight! Containing “Bewitchingly Delicious Recipes for Fans of the Halloween Classic,” this book is an absolute delight!

It is divided into sections, each with a charming, movie-related name, such as: Life Giving Fall Favorites, Recipes for Salem Townsfolk, From the Witches’ Spellbook, Bewitching Brews and Beverages, and more.

There are many things to love about this book whether you’re a fan of the film or not. First of all, it is loaded with mouthwatering color photos. Second, all of the recipes are concisely written, require no hard-to-find ingredients, and are doable for cooks of all skill levels and ages. Third, each recipe begins with an informative paragraph that ties in to the movie in one way or other.

There are a wide variety of recipes contained in the book, many of which are attractively plated, giving you clever serving ideas. If you are a cookie lover like I am, you will not find this book lacking. From The Brown Butter Book Blondies to Gingerdead (sic) Men, to the Gingerbread Witches Cabin House, there are lots of wonderful ideas. 

For main dishes, I enjoyed the Mischief Night Pasta as well as the cottage pie takeoff, Baked Witch Casserole. Kids will enjoy Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and the author’s take on Chicken Pot Pie.

Fun!

 Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this book from Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review..

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids, Reviewed

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 I am all for getting kids involved in the kitchen. In fact, any form of coercion or trickery that works in that regard is okay by me. Ulysses Press and author Alana Al-Hatlani have done just that with The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids: 50 Magically Simple, Spellbinding Recipes for Young Witches and Wizards. 

If kids aren’t sucked in by the plethora of beautiful, mouthwatering color photos, they will be by the cleverly named recipes such as Witch Hat Quesadillas, Burgers with Wizard Wizz-Bang Sauce, Cockroach Clusters, and Chocolate Frogs. As someone who is painfully unacquainted with Harry Potter, I have to say that this book drew me right in.

The recipes are clear and concise, and divided into simple steps that children can easily follow. Each recipe is accompanied by a brief introduction explaining the recipe, its name, and offering various suggestions or substitutions.

 Cauldron Cakes, children are told, “a rich chocolate cake with a molten melty center” are sold on the train trolley.

While the recipes are geared toward young cooks, they are sophisticated enough to please the entire family. The book is divided into six sections: breakfast, snacks and small treats, lunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks. There is a nice introduction, as well as an explanation of recipe terms that will be invaluable to the burgeoning young cook. The conversion table should aid both young and old.

 Many of the recipes in this book are traditionally British such as Bath Buns, Crumpets, Shepherd’s Pie, and Treacle Tart. This provides a nice introduction to another country’s cuisine, something I find so important in educating young people. In the making, they may also teach their parents a thing or two, and what and what kid doesn’t love that?

Recommended for the young and young at heart!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

 

Dessert Mash-Ups, a Tasty Review

Are you a dessert fantasist?  Someone who, like me, imagines what it would be like to combine two favorite sweets like pumpkin pie and deep butter cake only to ponder the end result? Dorothy Kern is a dessert fantasist too.  Unlike me, she turned her dessert “wonderings” into a delightful book, Dessert Mash-Ups, filled from cover-to-cover with 52 inspiring recipes for the most wondrous desserts imaginable.  Not only are her creations truly inspired and lots of fun, but they are delicious, too.  The Carrot Cake Coffee Cake is a favorite of mine, but then anything that manages to, essentially, grant permission to have cake for breakfast suits me.

Her baking interests began at her mother’s side, eventually resulting in the creation of her blog Crazy for Crust, that led to this clever book. Divided into categories such as, Breakfast but Better, Pie Surprise, and New Takes on Cheesecake (Oh, yeah!), you will find lots of inspiration here.

It's a slim volume, meaning that, yes, indeed, you do have room for it on your already over packed book shelves, with enthusiastic intros for each recipe along with mouthwatering pictures. You might consider trying the Cinnamon Roll Cookies, or the, brace yourself, Overnight Pumpkin Cheesecake French toast. Hello, breakfast!  And surely she had me in mind when she created the “Sconuts,” and (gulp) Lemon

Meringue Pie Fudge. Can you imagine? Pie in a portable, hide-it-in-your-purse, form. Genius! 

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Desperate for a treat for Friday’s trick-or-treaters? Come back tomorrow where I'll be providing you with an easy, seasonal, and tasty recipe from the book that will pretty much turn the things you have in your pantry into a treat that nicely replicates a Payday bar!

I highly recommend this book for pretty much everybody. Those who are inexperienced will find a lot to make here, as many of the recipes are relatively easy. Those who like more of a challenge will be satisfied as well. And those who simply enjoy reading cookbooks will find this one similarly enjoyable. What more can one ask? 

Pumpkin Pie Magic Bars

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review.