One-Pot Cooking for Two by Linda Kurniadi, Rockridge Press, 161 pages

Just as the first chapter title says One-Pot, Two Plates, Three Meals a Day makes this cookbook an everyday favorite. Linda Kurniadi shares her suggestions for needed cooking equipment and kitchen staples.

Kurniadi added a section on the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen that lists the small amount of genetically modified fruits and vegetables with pesticides such as sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash.  Also, included in this cookbook is a Measurement Conversion Chart that is very helpful for those of us who need a little help in converting from ounces to millimeters. The only drawback, no pictures of the meals you are creating to compare with the final preparation.

Now, let us get to the meat and potatoes of the cookbook. Here are the recipes I always share that I will eventually prepare for my palette:

Breakfast and Brunch: Potato-Leek Frittata

Sausage Stuffed Avocado Boats

Soups and Salads: Italian Meatball Soup

Thai Chicken Salad

Vegetable Mains: Broccoli and Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner

Rainbow Vegetable Skillet

Seafood: Honey Garlic Glazed Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

   Lemon and Parsley Fried Fish

(Not really a seafood foodie, but occasionally)

Poultry: Baked Stuffed Chicken Saltimbocca

Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Meat: Sloppy Joe Potatoes

Lamb Kebabs with Israeli Salad

Snacks and Sides: Garlic-Herb Pinwheels

Dijon Potato Salad

I recommend this book for all cooks who sometimes want to prepare a much simpler meal with less time. I received this book through Callisto Publishers in exchange for an honest review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.        

The Easy 30-Minute Cookbook by Taylor Ellingson, Rockridge Press

Taylor Ellingson has compiled many recipes for the cook who wants to save time without losing quality in a meal. She has included sections on Cooking Hacks 101 guidelines, essential equipment, and gadgets to have in your kitchen that will enhance your cooking experience. There are many interesting recipes that I will be embarking on with chef hat’s in tow, and there are some restaurant standards that all can enjoy. The only drawback I found was the absence of colorful food photography. I, like many people, would have found that having the picture to see how my final creation is supposed to look. This is a new day and age, so I will roll with it.

The following are recipes I intend on preparing to satisfy my palette from each section. Some are familiar to me there are a few new ones that sound refreshing.

BREAKFAST: Guacamole Breakfast Sandwiches

SALADS AND SOUPS: Tuscan Bean and Arugula Salad

HANDHELDS: Pesto Turkey Burgers, Cuban Burgers

                        Banh Mi Burgers (I am in BURGER heaven!)

VEGETARIAN: Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

                         Thai Peanut Vegetable Rice Boats

SEAFOOD: Smoked Salmon Flatbreads

                    Pan-Seared Tilapia with Garlic Butter Sauce

                    Blackened Cod with Corn Salsa

POULTRY: Coconut Tandoori Chicken

                   One-Pot Greek Chicken and Rice

PORK & BEEF: One-Pan Italian Sausage and Vegetables

BASICS and STAPLES: Curry Powder, Teriyaki Sauce

I recommend this book for anyone wanting to make a fast yet delicious meal in 30 minutes or less. I received this book from Callisto Publishers in exchange for an honest review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.

Start Writing Your Book Today by Morgan Gist Macdonald, Paper Raven Books Publishing

"You'll find Start Writing Your Book Today most useful if you want

to write a book, but you aren't clear about exactly what the book

 will be about. I'll provide exercises to give you clarity."  

 -Morgan Gist Macdonald, Introduction

Morgan Gist Macdonald shares her experience and gives steps to write a book while staying focused and keep on track. Most importantly, "preventing self-sabotage," in Chapter Two.

She asks in Chapter Three: Good Writing Habits, "Do you want to write a book, or don't you?" ...If your answer is, "Not right now, but maybe later," put down this book, because it's not worth your time.  When you're ready, you can always come back to it." Macdonald is not afraid to say put her book down because she is being straightforward and to the point about serious writing, and for this, I applaud her honesty.

There are learning opportunities pertaining to writing routines, creating word count goals, journaling, prioritizing, creating rough drafts, and contacting beta readers. I have never written a book but am considering using a journal to jot down ideas just in case I get that urge to share thoughts on a particular subject.

Macdonald added three appendixes for resources, tracking your progress, and creating a reverse outline with two outline sample texts following right after and a feedback table.

Start Writing Your Book Today is good to have on your shelf to start writing that great novel, biography, or how-to book you have been pushing to the back of everything else.

Recommending to persons contemplating taking on the task of writing a book to share with public. There are excellent points, resources and useful

Charts that a budding writer can find helpful.

Free audio book is located  @paperrravenbooks.com/freebonus, plus an email to share your writings with Morgan Gist Macdonald.

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.