The Unofficial Aldi Cookbook, Reviewed

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 I don’t think I ever appreciated Aldi as much as I did during the pandemic, when I found myself, for the first time ever, grocery shopping online. I was amazed at all of the items this rather small, unassuming store carried that I had never noticed in the past. If you’ve not been to Aldi, you need to give it a look, and make that look a careful one because you will be astounded by all that you see. Once you become a diehard Aldi shopper, as I have, then you need to investigate this delightful cookbook, that contains easy-to-prepare recipes to put all of your wonderful Aldi items to good use.

 The Unofficial Aldi Cookbook, Delicious Recipes Made with Fan Favorites from the Award-Winning Grocery Store by “certified Aldi nerd” Jeanette Hurt, is an absolute delight, and must have for Aldi aficionados. It is loaded with mouthwatering photos and easy to prepare recipes to suit every taste. Each recipe features at least one (generally more) Aldi product, and is written in clear and concise fashion. Seasoned cooks and novices alike will find this book of value.

While it lacks an index, it makes up for it with a comprehensive table of contents featuring the location of every recipe, and divided into five different categories: Beverages; Sides, Appetizers, and Soups; Breakfast; Entrées; and Desserts.

Recipes include dishes for every day fare — Swiss Steak and Tamale Pie — as well as those you can serve to company — Baked Salmon with Dijon Parmesan Sauce. There is even a section instructing in charcuterie, with a guide on how to create the basic cheese plate, or a stepped up version.

Desserts are certainly not lacking. Offerings range from an easy and delicious Cannoli Dip, to the more complex Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie, to the whimsical Poop Emoji Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Frosting that younger members of the family will no doubt adore (and they look darned tasty, too!). Not only does this book need to be amongst the other books in your kitchen library (mine is in my “cult collection“), but imagine what a delightful gift it would make when placed in a basket full of Aldi products. I can envision this for Mother’s Day, as a housewarming gift, to welcome a new neighbor, or a new married couple.

Recommended. You can buy your copy here.

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Cali'flour Kitchen Cookbook, Reviewed

I am a big fan of cauliflower, but if you are not, or if you think you’re not, this book is for you Cali’flour Kitchen contains 125 cauliflower-based recipes that will take you from breakfast all of the way through to dinner. For the first time ever, you will see cauliflower in a new light, and learn to embrace it as you never have.

You will learn, first off, how to make a cauliflower meal that will take you on quite an adventure through cauliflower-land. Anything that you’ve liked in the past that has been loaded with carbs, can be made without them by substituting cauliflower. I am talking sauces, spreads, cheeses, sandwiches, soups and salads, casseroles, party food, even pizza! The recipes are all easy to understand, and each one is color-coded to alert you as to whether or not it is gluten-free, grain free, Paleo, Keto, vegan, or dairy free.

The pictures are wonderful, and you are taken step-by-step via photos and text on how to make cauliflower meal, the basis for many of these dishes. After which you will learn how to make your own pizza crust, white bread, croutons, chips, and crackers. If cauliflower rice was your only experience with cauliflower, your eyes will be opened wide here.

You will even find cauliflower desserts that will allow you to have sweet treats without the guilt. The Chili Chocolate Pie looks phenomenal. Even kids will enjoy cauliflower being infused into their diet particularly if you serve it to them in the form of chocolate chip cookies.

This book will also inspire you to experiment on your own with cauliflower. I was so intrigued by the pizza crust that I made both hot and cold pizzas. The hot pizza, made better by being baked on a vented pizza pan, was as satisfying as a carb-laden one; the cold pizza, perfect as an afternoon snack, topped with herb cream cheese, slices of artichoke, and baby spinach.

For more information on this unique offering, click the photo below.

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Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The month ahead...JUNE

Like most everyone else, I am taking the day off today to attempt to relax and enjoy the holiday (after driving food out to my dad, picking up a few things at the hardware store, cruising through Michael’s and Pier One – holiday coupons in hand – throwing in a load or two of wash, and watching the ballgame. My hope is that you are doing the same – relaxing and enjoying.  To whet your whistle for what’s to come, above is a little teaser about next month's posts.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!