Stir, Laugh, Repeat - Review by Robert Medak

Robert Medak's Review of:

Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing in the Kitchen
Author Martha A. Cheves

This is not your ordinary cookbook. This cookbook, written for those that are not familiar with working in a kitchen; or did not have the luxury of being in the kitchen with their mother; grandmother, or even their father and learned the joy of cooking from them while spending time in the kitchen.

The recipes are simple comfort food and some that you may not have heard of. The point is to try them and learn to become comfortable in the kitchen and possibly pass on the joy of cooking to your children. There is no better way to spend time and have fun with your children then to work together in the kitchen as many children did years ago.

The anecdotes along with the recipes are fun to read on their own. What a treat to read while following the easy to prepare dishes in one pot. The recipes are easy to follow and create something special for one or a family.

This reviewer, thought back to the times he spent in the kitchen helping his mother by cutting up things, getting them ready for the pot. It does make for a special bond between child and parent.

For those that are single and avoid the kitchen due to lack of confidence around a stove, think of the sense of accomplishment when you create something yourself in the kitchen. We can’t live by take-out or the microwave all the time. We should strive to eat healthy most of the time.

This reviewer enjoyed Stir, Laugh, Repeat and awards it a five star rating.

Review by Vicki - Reading At the Beach

Reading At The Beach: Reviews, January 21, 2010
By Vicki (Florida)

I had a few reasons for wanting to read this book.

I get tired of the same things over and over.
I love trying new recipes.
I love laughing.

It has some of the strangest recipes I've ever seen.
Here are a few:
Mushroom Bread
Sausage Cookies
Meaty Mashed Potatoes
Rabbit Food Sandwich
Outside In Cake
Stuffed Cube Steak Rolls

Here are a few foods I love and can't wait to try:
Fried Pickles
Southern Chow Chow
Chinese Swiss Steak
Hash Brown Omelets
Key Lime Pie
No Bake Cookies
(My mom let me start making No Bake Cookies by myself when I was about 11 yrs. old and they are still my favorite to make...and eat!)

There is a tip at the end of each recipes which I thought was a great addition.

This book is a great addition to any cookbook library. I love love love it!!!

Review by W. S. Gager

Over the holidays I read Stir, Laugh, Repeat, Finding Joy While Playing in the Kitchen by Martha A. Cheves. I must admit I have never in my life read a cook book from cover to cover but this is much more than a cookbook, but a way of making people happy (and wanting to make them eat.) Not only is it filled with recipes that use ingredients that are staples in most kitchens or better yet leftovers, the recipes are in small quantities for couples or singles. That is where most cookbooks would stop. (Did I mention you will want to eat?)

Martha goes on to provide antidotes about her cooking, the trial and error that went into each recipe and information on her tasters. Those anecdotes kept me reading as did the marvelous tips after each recipe. Some I knew, some I didn’t, but they are all gems to help the newer cooks and well versed cooks on the menu.

Martha is a southern belle and it is clear in many of her recipes from Boiled Peanuts to Collards. She also loves cooking and experimenting which is why many of her recipes offer the key ingredient to any cooking – love.

Pick up Martha’s Stir, Laugh, Repeat and there is something in there for everyone who spends any time in a kitchen or family.

W. S. Gager