Monday, March 26, 2012

Feeling foodie-New cookbook reviews

By day, I am a cookbook designer. So, I have an appreciation for good cookbook design as well as creative and innovative topics. Topics my company would probably never produce. I've recently come across two new fun books that I fell in love with: Marshmallow Madness and Hello, Jello. Not only do they have great design, but they have recipes like I've never seen before.
Although, I do have to say...never did I imagine myself making either homemade marshmallows or more than just a plain 'ol sugar-free jello.

How do you make marshmallows? What about all these wonderful flavors I've seen all over Etsy? In Marshmallow Madness by Shauna Sever she shows you it's not impossible and maybe not as tricky as you might think. This book was so much needed after I bought a pre-packaged mint chocolate flavor at the grocery store that tasted like regurgitated cardboard. No more will I suffer! I'm most excited about Kool-Aid, Maple Bacon and Apple Cinnamon. And who could forget, cocktails flavors!? Mmm, margarita.

Is it possible to have a sophisticated Jell-o dessert? In Hello, Jell-o by Victoria Belanger, she uses molds, layers and of course suspended fruit, but practically reinvents the gelatin genre. A lot of these aren't your kiddie favorites. For example, I am most excited about Chapter 4-Boozy Molds. I'm going to be having some fun with the sangria, mimosa and pina colada recipes-they sound excellent.


You can get Marshmallow Madness and Hello, Jell-o at Barnes & Noble of course or your local Paper Source like I did.

16 comments:

  1. Hi darling! I just discovered your fab blog! Congrats! I'll be following you as I think I can learn a lot! Hopefully you can stop by mine and follow as well! Bisous!

    http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.com/

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  2. The covers of both books are just great. So colorful and fun, how could you not want to open them up? I've seen those homemade marshmallows floating around the web. I like the idea of them, but really am not much of a marshmallow eater (except for smores, of course!). I'll be curious to hear about your adventures in marshmallows and jello.

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    1. I'm not much of a marshmallow eater either, just in cocoa or something. And of course smores! But, there's recipes in here too, whoopie pies for example.

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  3. I didn't know that you're a cookbook designer! How cool! I'm not much of a marshmallow or jell-o fan, but I think it would be fun to make different flavors of marshmallows.

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    1. Thanks! Yeah I don't usually eat these things often, but these books made me want to experiment.

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  4. I love that jello book. I have a friend who does some pretty creative stuff with jello. She would love that book, and her birthday is coming up. Thanks for the tip!
    I once made marshmallow from scratch for some s'mores cupcakes I was making. First time I had ever purchased and used cream of tartar. :)

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    1. Oh she would totally love that book then! Oh I love cream of tartar. Makes things fluffy. I use it when I make a certain pie at the holidays.

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  5. You're a cookbook designer? How freaking cool is that?! I made homemade marshmallows for holiday gifts this Christmas...it was great fun. I could NOT believe they looked and tasted like real marshmallows! I love the jello book too. What a neat thing to learn about you today!

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    1. Hehe thanks! Sometimes it's a lot of fun. I get a lot of creative freedom at times.

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  6. That jello book is fab. The watermelons are great :-)

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    1. Yeah I kinda want to throw a party just so I can make them. Sooo cute!

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  7. Wow; a cookbook designer ... very cool :) And I love the idea of making my own marshmallows!

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  8. VERY CUTE BLOG!! LOVE IT..following you too

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  9. OOOO. I love a good cookbok! I am going to look into these! Thanks Michelle! ~ Kristen

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