Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes

by Carolina Gelen

Wildly popular blogger and viral food influencer Carolina Gelen presents 100 crowd-pleasing, never hard, effortlessly delicious recipes for flavorful meals that showcase her carefree style.Millions of online followers have flocked to Carolina Gelen's comforting cooking and easy, breezy style that emphasizes big flavor with a light lift. In her debut cookbook, she shares soulful recipes rooted in the resourcefulness of her Romanian upbringing that use affordable, pantry-friendly ingredients.With 100 simple recipes—almost all brand-new but including some fan favorites—for creative but familiar takes on satisfying comfort foods, Pass the Plate has you covered for any occasion, from easy weeknight meals to spirited gatherings. No matter the mood or skill level, you’ll enjoy irresistible recipes from personality-packed chapters such One-Pan Zucchini Feta Fried Eggs, Sesame-Crusted Breakfast Quesadilla with Spinach, Dutch Baby Pancake with Yogurt Whipped Cream and Sweet BerriesNosh & Smothered Sweet Onion Bread, Butter Pecan Twists, Spicy Charred Red Pepper Yogurt Dip One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous, Crispy Coconut Chicken Bites with Pineapple-Basil Salsa, Honey Chipotle Salmon Tacos Dorados Caramelized Lemon Pesto Pasta, Many Mushrooms Lasagna, Brie Mac and Cheese with Crunchy PankoSalad Evergreen Potato Salad, Cucumber Salad with Salted Lemon Yogurt, Heirloom Tomato Salad with Anchovy PankoVeg Butter Beans alla Vodka, One-Pot Baked Risotto Blistered Tomatoes with Burrata, Cozy Veggie Pot PieSweets & Upside-Down Pineapple Coconut Cake, The Very Best Banana Bread, Easy No-Bake Milk Chocolate PieWith gorgeous photography and heartwarming stories about Carolina’s family, Pass the Plate will bring comfort to your kitchen and have friends and family asking for seconds.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Food and Drink

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried a number of these recipes and none of them were real winners. They're often more complicated than strictly necessary, have lengthy incredient lists, and take a long time to make. They're not really everyday recipes. Honestly, I've seen versions of lots of these recipes (red lentil soup, miso mushroom pasta) in other cookbooks, and they're done better elsewhere.

My biggest complaint is this bitch does not know how to salt food! You need more than a "big pinch" of salt for a pound of beef and when you're making something like a cabbage roll casserole that involves several steps and two separate hour stints in the oven, it's depressing when the result isn't as good as it should be because it doesn't have enough salt. I knew the amount of salt seemed off but I tried to follow the recipe as written. Joke's on me!

Nice pictures though.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook is absolutely gorgeous, and Carolina Gelen’s particular brand of sweet, quirky humor is embedded on every page. I want to make Every Single recipe, the highest honor I can bestow on a cookbook.

*Thank you PRH for the advance copy

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful cookbook; I appreciate that every recipe has a photo and that the book is laid out for usability and not just aesthetics. There's a huge range of recipes here and I think there's something for everyone. I got a copy from the library and made the savory shortbread, herby egg salad sandwiches, balsamic cauliflower, cherry tomato soup, and focaccia. Most things turned out pretty tasty but were also a lot of work. The biggest downside for me is a majority of the recipes involve fennel and/or cumin, and I hate both. I think that's the only reason I wouldn't buy a copy, since I won't use most of the recipes, but I think people who like those flavors would really enjoy this cookbook.

[Dodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Carolina Gelen on Instagram and instantly made this recipe . It has become a family favorite, and would be a wonderful addition to a holiday party. Gelen relates her immigration story from Romania to Utah in the beginning of Pass the Plate, and I've watched her share tidbits about her journey on Instagram as well. Seeing her talent, The New York Times, Food 52, and other popular food outlets feature her recipes. I borrowed this book from the library (and kept it way too long) and realized I needed to purchase my own copy. I've made probably about half of the recipes, and I haven't been disappointed yet. (I really meant to list some of the recipes, but I forgot to charge my Kindle, and it's dead.) Gelen's Instagram account is a fun-to-follow one. True to her thrifty upbringing, Gelen visits thrift stores and shares her finds every Sunday. And of course, she cooks and includes her wonderful recipes.

[Catherine]

Baked: chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream

This cake was sooo delicious!! you melt the "wet" ingredients together in a saucepan before adding the dry and then pour into a mold to bake which is a different technique than I've seen but adds to the richness. recipe also calls for a neutral oil and highlights grapeseed or avocado oils as preferred, my unprofessional opinion thinks vegetable or canola would be fine substitutes, however, it did unlock a new obsession with avocado oil. the buttercream was unfortunately not my favorite and used so. much. butter. i think you'd be better off making a decadent ganache to cover over the cake.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and a group of friends formed a cookbook club and cooked through this in a year with monthly dinners. There were some big winners. Some I still think about is the miso potato salad, pecan twists.. an appetizer dish on toast (sorry vague).

The author has a very specific palate. A lot of common ingredients through her recipe like miso and dill. A lot of dishes would be great for the holiday, especially the desserts!

I learned a lot about cookie, have some go-tos, so overall enjoyed the book!

[Myria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of the most fun and accessible cookbooks I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Carolina is a joy to read as her enthusiasm comes through in each and every recipe. They are so many simple yet delicious sounding dishes I’m not sure which one I will be trying first. The fact that every recipe comes with a picture is immensely helpful and her tips and insistence that you don’t aspire for perfection are a great reminder that cooking should be fun.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

82:2025
I'm excited for this one. I've bookmarked so many recipes to try. May have to buy a copy to keep, cuz I don't think I can get through all my bookmarks before the library wants it back. Very approachable recipes but from someone who grew up with very different food traditions than me so lots of interesting twists on mostly familiar ingredients. Fair bet the 4* gets up to 5* after some more time with this book.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of new and unique flavors!

One-Pan Zucchini Feta Fried Eggs
Dutch Baby Pancake with Yogurt, Whipped Cream, and Berries
Gruyere-Stuffed Dates with Salted Sesame Honey
Butter Pecan Twists
Flaky Spinach Artichoke Bourekas
No-Fuss Focaccia
Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
Smothered Sweet Onion Bread
One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous
Spiced Kebabs with Mint Sauce and Pineapple
Chicken Schnitzel
Lemon Pepper Roast Chicken with Schmaltz Potatoes
Crispy Coconut Chicken Bites with Pineapple-Basil Salsa
Miso Mushroom Pasta
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Saucy Beans al Limone
Hungarian Lecso

All the soups!

Sweet and Tart Root Vegetable Salad
Crisp Green Salad with Caramelized Citrus Dressing
Broccoli Sweet Potato Harvest Salad
Steamy Roasted Cabbage with Crispy Garlic Pistachio Oil
Lemon Lover's Turmeric-Roasted Potatoes
Smoky and Sweet Marinated Pepper


Easy No-Bake Milk Chocolate Pie
Upside-Down Pineapple Coconut Cake
Brown Butter Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cremes (Silky Vanilla Custard Slices)
Upside-Down Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina Gelen is a soft-spoken queen I've been following on social media for quite some time. I was so excited to purchase a copy for myself, something I rarely do.

Her introduction is beautiful, explaining in heartfelt detail what cooking has done for her and who it has made her. I enjoyed that as much as the recipes.

I bought this after bookmarking dozens of her recipe reels online and love that I now can reference them in print.

My surprising favorite? The broccoli cheddar bean stew with crispy cheddar topping. 😍

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book features middle-eastern twists on everyday recipes. The instructions are clear; there is a photo for every recipe and many of the recipes take less than an hour to make.

I particularly liked the fish recipes; the spiced tomato stew with salmon is different and very easy to make. While I enjoyed the book, I don't see most of these making it into my regular rotation and there isn't any nutrition information. Worth checking out for some different ideas, though.

[Erin Vasicek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not overly excited by the majority of the recipes. Of those I tried most needed more salt to taste, and the 3 tablespoons of espresso power in the chocolate chip cookies seemed excessive. However the baked wings and stuffed dates were perfection. I am still planning to try the honey balsamic roasted cauliflower and honey lemon ice cream but don't plan to remake any others besides those 4 mentioned.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! It had at least one pic for every recipe (which every cookbook should have but unfortunately doesn’t), plus you get to hunt for CGs face! (For those of you hunting, there are 20)

The recipes feel like when you’re in a cooking rut and suddenly leave it. Everything looks delicious and sounds easy and accesible enough without being boring

[Chelsea Boccardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a Carolina Gelen fan for a long time now. Her writing in this ✨much anticipated✨ cookbook (imo) is in her conversational narrative that she discusses her recipes on IG with. The recipes are relatable, yet sophisticated, personally inspired, and attainable. If only I had more time to make all of these recipes…

[Erianne]

I follow Carolina on instagram and absolutely adore her, however, I couldn’t really envision myself making some of the recipes she had. I’m not sure if I’m not that adventurous or have a bland palate, but the recipes weren’t really “every day” for me. Lots of recipes incorporated miso (which I LOVE) but I didn’t find many recipes that were what I would say an “everyday” or “easy” weeknight meal.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Carolina so much and I love that her humor came across in the book. Will 100% make a bunch of these. My only criticism is that so many are dairy heavy, but I did know that going into this. She does have so many amazing sounding things in this book.

Also you need to follow her on IG for cooking content, yes, but also Thrift Sundays.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pictures for all 100 recipes!

I’m so glad Carolina finally has a cookbook. Every recipe looks delicious. There is at least 1 picture for ALL 100 recipes! Every cookbook should have this! It’s such a delight. I can’t wait to dive in.

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true test of a cookbook is how many recipes I pause at and say, "Yes, THAT." This has a very high ratio of must-try recipes, starting with Coconut Butternut Squash soup with Cumin, and One-Pot Risotto with Bilstered Tomatoes and Burrata - let the cooking begin!

[Irinel Finco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hungarian Lecso was number one recipe, that the whole family liked. We also tried the mushroom stew with polenta, which was good, but not a keeper. 15 minute double garlic pasta had way too much garlic.

[Abbigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cookbook with crave-able recipes! I'm excited to try some of the ones from this book. Even though this book had a big section of meat-focused recipes, it felt way more balanced with other foods too for veggie people.

[mol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, finished
one of those cookbooks that makes me wish i had a more ~refined palette~. shoutout to the author for being one of the random tiktok creators my mom has beef with for no particular reason.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled across this cookbook on Instagram and I really loved her video so I wanted to get the recipe directly from the cookbook. I love flipping through a good cookbook for ideas to add to my meal prep rotations

[Amy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cookbook that I’m going to get a TON of use out of - super impressed and excited to try everything.

[Christy Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Simple recipes, gorgeous photos

[Mari McR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading recipe books that have accessible recipes that post ingredients that are more than likely already in your pantry or refrigerator, fit on one page with delectable photos. The author's recipes include her family's background from Romania, and the reader is reminded of their own childhood dinner tables crowded with many relatives, laughter, and multiple conversations taking place at once. You can hear it in Carolina's writing. Pass the Plate is engaging and written as a labor of love. I already know this recipe book will be on my Christmas list this year.

Ms. Gelen adds creative twists in many recipes we've all seen before: For example, her Breakfast Quesadilla includes a sesame crusted tortilla; a Dutch Baby Pancake; Gruyere-Stuffed Dates has only five ingredients all in my fridge; the Short Rib Stew features two heaping cups of PRUNES!; her chocolate cooky features brown butter; the one ice cream recipe is No-Churn Salted Honey Lemon. Brilliant.

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It is now mid-November, and I have made/baked three of Ms. Gelen's recipes: Upside-Down Pineapple Cake; the Cucumber Salad; and the Gruyere-Stuffed Grapes. All the recipes were easy to follow; the ingredients all easy to find at the grocery store. Oh, and the taste! Even my hard-to-please daughter (vegetarian) and my husband (carnivore) enjoyed!

[Perlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, unassuming, and passionate about food.
Love the shout-out to Hashem in the credits.
The cardamom orange cake and mushroom lasagna are both A+!

[Nicole Newkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes I've tried from Carolina are wonderful and unique. I love her authenticity and amazing story!

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have cooked from this book almost weekly since it arrived months ago. We love every recipe we’ve tried!

[Robin Stolk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, easy to make recipes, with affordable and normal ingredients

[Drya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best orange cake ever

The upside down orange cardamon cake was my introduction a few years ago to Miss Gelen's wonderful creations. Her recipes are simple yet incredibly delicious.