Cookbookmaniac
  • Homemade Pop Tarts – AMAZING!!
    American Recipes

    Pop Tarts were my preferred choice of breakfast back in the days of high school. My mother was always concerned that I was not getting a healthy breakfast, but I was never an early riser and these were ready in a matter of minutes before I rushed out the door. After ten years, I no longer eat pop tarts, but I still rush out the door to head to work. Old habits die-hard. I was looking to make a sweet pastry pie, so I bought Bubby's Homemade Pies. (I will use any excuse to buy a beautiful cookbook). Sweet pastry pies are not very widespread in Australia like they are in the US. The only ones I find easily available are from Sara Lee in the frozen food section at the supermarket. Movies & TV Shows like Fried Green Tomatoes, Waitress and Pushing Daisies, have propelled my craving for this…

  • Autumn from the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch
    American Restaurant Reviews

    This has to be the most charming book that I own. It is a recipe book but also includes entertaining and decorating ideas for the month of autumn. The book is filled with watercoloured sketches, hand-written recipes and sentimental quotes. The recipes take advantage of the best nature has to offer and includes chapters on Halloween and thanksgiving. I also appreciate that most of the recipes are time & cost effective and healthy. These are family recipes that you will want to make time and time again.

  • Jamie’s America by Jamie Oliver
    Jamie’s America by Jamie Oliver
    Cookbook Reviews

    I have never really been drawn to the work of Jamie Oliver. I received his Italy book as a Christmas gift and was very impressed with its layout and use of colours. His recipes seemed enticing but i have yet to find inspiration from them to really test them. I was very drawn to the idea of Jamie at Home. Cooking from the garden and using seasonal products to reduce your carbon footprint and be healthy. Fantastic idea. Same problem. I didn't cook from any of the recipes. They just haven't grabbed me by the eyeballs and lured me into the kitchen like a big bad wolf. One day i was walking through a small bookshop and came across Jamie's America. "Interesting" i thought aloud. The striking cover with its red, white and blue and Jamie quite happily posing was enough for me to pick it up and flick through…