Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Review by Rebecca Benson

Stir, Laugh, Repeat...Repeat!, February 10, 2010
By Rebecca Benston "Fiesty, Fearless and Fabulous!" (Springfield, OH)

I pride myself in being a non-domestic type. Far be it from me to attempt cooking anything that requires the use of an actual stove. I was surprised at how inspired I was by Martha Cheves's cookbook, Stir, Laugh, Repeat. As I read through the recipes, so many of them jumped out at me as things I might actually be able to cook. I especially liked the one for Hash Brown Potatoes Au Gratin. Cheves has put together a reader-friendly cooking guide that gives you not only the information you need to attempt something new, but the inspiration. A wonderful read and a necessary addition to your cookbook collection. Nice work!

Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat by Rita Freud

Caution! You Are About to Enter the Fun Zone!, February 9, 2010
By Rita Freud "book gal" (NJ)
(REAL NAME)
Step into your kitchen, cook "from scratch" and end up with a tasty dish to place before friends and family, that is assuming you have brought "Stir, Laugh, Repeat" with you. Tuck it under your apron. This way instead of Martha A. Cheves (the author), you get all the credit. Don't forget to dab your brow a bit to make it look like you have labored away to create this delicious meal. It's hard to say what I like the most about this book - the "dinner's ready" easy recipes, the anecdotes about each recipe or the tidbits of useful information. Each is served up with straightforward charm. All I know is that every time I open it to select something to make, I find myself reading page after page and smiling. The recipes are easy to follow. The anecdotes and tips make you feel like you have a friend in the kitchen with you, just chatting about cooking, offering some advice while you prepare a dish. My favorite kind of cookbook is a cookbook that tells how each recipe came to be and how it was enjoyed, or in some cases, adjusted. Martha's book is already a favorite of mine. I have a cautionary tale though. I have to accept that if I make Martha's scrumptious coconut loaf cake every week, there are consequences. In that case, I would have to stir, laugh, repeat, and do some extra sit ups.