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Farmhouse Rules: Simple, Seasonal Meals for the Whole Family
The host of the #1 in-kitchen show on the Food Network delivers a cookbook to fill America's yearnings for authentic comfort food.
The host of the #1 in-kitchen show on the Food Network delivers a cookbook to fill America's yearnings for authentic comfort food.
Nancy Fuller believes in bringing family together around the table, sharing stories and table manners. Her philosophy is to feed others with delicious, simple meals from the heart. Her straight-shooter approach to cooking will take the hassle out of dinner preparation. Every recipe helps readers to make healthy, authentic cooking their daily From Buttery Braised Radishes to Bacon Wrapped Trout and Johnny's Carrot Cake, Nancy shows readers how satisfying freshly cooked comfort food can be. She wants to instill pride in the home cook, and this book will help any chef--from beginner to experienced, cook with authentic ingredients for hearty, healthy meals.
The host of the #1 in-kitchen show on the Food Network delivers a cookbook to fill America's yearnings for authentic comfort food.
Nancy Fuller believes in bringing family together around the table, sharing stories and table manners. Her philosophy is to feed others with delicious, simple meals from the heart. Her straight-shooter approach to cooking will take the hassle out of dinner preparation. Every recipe helps readers to make healthy, authentic cooking their daily From Buttery Braised Radishes to Bacon Wrapped Trout and Johnny's Carrot Cake, Nancy shows readers how satisfying freshly cooked comfort food can be. She wants to instill pride in the home cook, and this book will help any chef--from beginner to experienced, cook with authentic ingredients for hearty, healthy meals.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2015
78 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 6, 2016
This is not the cookbook for me, but there’s still a lot to like here. Someone suggested that Nancy is a cross between Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa) and Paula Deen and having watched her show on the Food Network, I would agree…to a degree. She has that Deen down home quality, yet with an Upstate NY twist and her recipes are full proof and easy in an Ina way, but the majority of the recipes just didn’t impress me and they lack the elegance of Ina’s cooking.
Nancy is part of the farm-to-table movement and I applaud that. This cookbook is organized in seasonal sections and celebrates what can be grown locally and enjoyed in that season. Within each section, she further divides the recipes offering one breakfast option and then moving onto numerous lunch, starters/sides, suppers and then dessert recipes. While there are some interesting standouts (bison meatballs, fiddlehead soup), others don’t belong in a cookbook (hot dogs, tuna macaroni salad), but most of the recipes fall somewhere in the middle.
For those that require an image for every recipe, you’ll be happy to see this delivers, though I might have cut down on the cheesy pictures of the author as they’re a little forced. I won’t be adding this to my cookbook shelf as I use cookbooks more as inspiration, but if you want a cookbook full of simple recipes that celebrate seasonal eating, then this is a good start.
Nancy is part of the farm-to-table movement and I applaud that. This cookbook is organized in seasonal sections and celebrates what can be grown locally and enjoyed in that season. Within each section, she further divides the recipes offering one breakfast option and then moving onto numerous lunch, starters/sides, suppers and then dessert recipes. While there are some interesting standouts (bison meatballs, fiddlehead soup), others don’t belong in a cookbook (hot dogs, tuna macaroni salad), but most of the recipes fall somewhere in the middle.
For those that require an image for every recipe, you’ll be happy to see this delivers, though I might have cut down on the cheesy pictures of the author as they’re a little forced. I won’t be adding this to my cookbook shelf as I use cookbooks more as inspiration, but if you want a cookbook full of simple recipes that celebrate seasonal eating, then this is a good start.
October 28, 2015
The first time I watched Nancy Fuller on TV, I was instantly captivated by this vivacious personality making what could only be described as delicious food. Her recipes never appear to be too difficult for someone to understand and the finished product always looks as yummy as she describes it to be. This is why, when I heard about Nancy’s new cookbook, I knew I had to get my hands on this one.
As to be expected, the book is packed with recipes. It also includes some great tips that I strongly suggest you all read. Then on top of that, it contains tons of beautiful pictures that only compliment the recipes (or “rules”) while giving the reader a sneak peek at what some of the finished meals should look like.
However, it is the way in which the book is organized that intrigued me the most. Normally, you have groupings of appetizers or entrees and then desserts, but Farmhouse Rules is broken down into sections based on the seasons of the year. I can only assume, that this born & raised farmer decided to present her recipes based on how she would make them because of what was available at certain times during the year on the farm or in the surrounding areas. What a great approach! How many times have you searched for an ingredient that wasn’t in season and because of that was not at its best flavor? I can tell you that this has happened to me more than once. However, I will say that there are a few of the recipes that I think we can mix and match the seasons. Or at least I know I will.
So let’s get down to what you all want to know….my opinion of the book. First of all, I loved it. It is a beautiful book that Grand Central Life & Style published and will make a great addition to any cookbook lover’s shelf. Then there are the recipes. They are easy to follow and the ingredients are able to be purchased at any local store. Don’t fret, you will not be searching the specialty shops trying to find a random item that you have never heard of before. Truthfully, this is the beauty of Nancy Fuller. Her approach to cooking allows you to enjoy family-tested meals if you are a novice home-cook or a more experienced chef.
What did I make?
From my first look at this book, I knew that I would be making the Almond After-Dinner Bars. Though the picture enticed me, it was the simplicity of the recipe which made me feel that I could try this on a Saturday morning bake-fest.
I read the recipe twice and made sure I had all my ingredients in front of me. Then I just followed the steps. Bing. Bang. Boom. I had delicious almond bars that were so good I could have had all 12! I know that they say they are for after dinner and if they make it to then, I am sure that they will be. However, with a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and one of these on the plate in front of you, you will be in heaven!
- See the recipe at http://artbookscoffee.com/a-highly-ca...
January 13, 2020
Great looking recipes!
July 5, 2016
A good cookbook for the inexperienced home cook. Recipes include Basic Bone-in Pork Roast, Tuna Macaroni Salad, Help With Hamburger Helper, Best of Beef Stew, Sausage Pasta Casserole, Stuffed Cabbage Without the Roll. There are a few, more challenging recipes, such as Beef Wellington, Braised Short-Ribs, Venison Chili, and Summer Sunday Crab Cakes.
I have seen her tv show, and I found her down-home charm to be a little too much (my husband can't stand her), but what I did enjoy about the tv show is that she gives helpful cooking tips. In this book there are no helpful tips, other than a list of the basic tools you need to cook with. What I'd like to see are tips & a photo for every recipe. There are pictures but not for every recipe.
What I really disliked about the book are the photos of super cute lambs, pigs, chickens, Nancy hugging a calf, right beside recipes that feature the animals. My husband said it's almost enough to make him want to become a vegetarian.
A few good recipes, but overall not worth purchasing. Borrow it from the library instead.
I have seen her tv show, and I found her down-home charm to be a little too much (my husband can't stand her), but what I did enjoy about the tv show is that she gives helpful cooking tips. In this book there are no helpful tips, other than a list of the basic tools you need to cook with. What I'd like to see are tips & a photo for every recipe. There are pictures but not for every recipe.
What I really disliked about the book are the photos of super cute lambs, pigs, chickens, Nancy hugging a calf, right beside recipes that feature the animals. My husband said it's almost enough to make him want to become a vegetarian.
A few good recipes, but overall not worth purchasing. Borrow it from the library instead.
April 13, 2025
I love Nancy’s TV show but was severely disappointed in this cookbook. It’s not user friendly due to two things.
1. The names of the recipes have made up names instead of straight forward things. You have to scan the recipes to figure out what’s in them and once you make it and decide you like it, you cannot find the recipe in the table of contents because it’s not listed under sausage, it’s listed under “the incredible Sunday soup” or some other ridiculous name.
2. Instead of grouping recipes into sections based on ingredient, I.e. poultry, pasta, dessert etc. they are grouped by season. It’s impossible to look things up! For example, one of the recipes I liked in this book has apples. Apples seem like a fall fruit to me, but it’s actually listed under spring. I eat apples year round so I guess they could have put that one in any of the sections but you get what I’m saying.
Those two factors keep me from using more of the recipes because it’s too hard to find what interests you. That being said, the 3 recipes I used I loved so much they have become staples for me. I decided to write those recipes down on cards and give the book away because it’s just not worth the hassle of using, in my opinion.
1. The names of the recipes have made up names instead of straight forward things. You have to scan the recipes to figure out what’s in them and once you make it and decide you like it, you cannot find the recipe in the table of contents because it’s not listed under sausage, it’s listed under “the incredible Sunday soup” or some other ridiculous name.
2. Instead of grouping recipes into sections based on ingredient, I.e. poultry, pasta, dessert etc. they are grouped by season. It’s impossible to look things up! For example, one of the recipes I liked in this book has apples. Apples seem like a fall fruit to me, but it’s actually listed under spring. I eat apples year round so I guess they could have put that one in any of the sections but you get what I’m saying.
Those two factors keep me from using more of the recipes because it’s too hard to find what interests you. That being said, the 3 recipes I used I loved so much they have become staples for me. I decided to write those recipes down on cards and give the book away because it’s just not worth the hassle of using, in my opinion.
June 7, 2017
You've just enjoyed an amazing meal at your friend's home. You ask for the recipe, and as she hands you a copy, she says, "Let me tell you the story about this."
This is what it's like reading Nancy Fuller's book.
I have long been a fan of her show on the Food Network, also "Farmhouse Rules." I admire and enjoy her, and I have had luck adapting her recipes for my family's tastes. They're real. They're designed for real people with real kitchens who demonstrate their love for family and friends through good meals.
You'll find that in the book, along with tips (how to make something vegetarian, for example) and stories and thoughts about cooking and life.
Mix up a glass of something with "Gigi juice" and take your time with this book. It really is like enjoying moments with a good friend.
This is what it's like reading Nancy Fuller's book.
I have long been a fan of her show on the Food Network, also "Farmhouse Rules." I admire and enjoy her, and I have had luck adapting her recipes for my family's tastes. They're real. They're designed for real people with real kitchens who demonstrate their love for family and friends through good meals.
You'll find that in the book, along with tips (how to make something vegetarian, for example) and stories and thoughts about cooking and life.
Mix up a glass of something with "Gigi juice" and take your time with this book. It really is like enjoying moments with a good friend.
July 21, 2017
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I haven't made any of the actual recipes yet. But it has great promise!
December 29, 2019
My favorite cookbook to date!
February 20, 2025
This a great cookbook has plenty of recipes and lots of extra information and was cool to learn more about Nancy Fuller. Big fan.
July 17, 2025
I checked this out of the library, but have just ordered to have in my collection as it has a great selection of recipes and the stories and pictures are wonderful. Recommend.
May 22, 2017
I can't wait to start cooking!
October 29, 2015
I recently received this book as a prize from Goodreads. Thank you so very much for picking me. I was going to buy this book if I didn't win it.
I am currently recovering from major surgery, so I will have to wait for about 5 or so weeks before I try any of these delicious recipes. I must say that there has never been a cookbook where I will try each and every recipe, until this one.
The book is hard cover, with many beautiful illustrations. I found it interesting, that it is divided into the four seasons, instead of the usual appetizers, main course, salads etc. categories. To me, this makes it easier to choose one or more of the mouth watering recipes you wish to create, at that moment in time. You don't have to make a fall dish, if it isn't fall. Mix it up.
I am not a classically trained chef, but a chef who enjoys food that is farm or home inspired. The recipes all seem to be from these lines of thought. Nothing too fancy or that will intimidate anyone. If you can read, than you can cook these recipes or rules. Farmhouse Rules is a book for everyone,from the beginner to a red seal chef. This book may even inspire my wonderful mate to start cooking more.... a man and woman can not exist on frozen pizzas, lol.
Thanks once again for this book, I will enjoy it for many years to come. And, it is one of those books where you will pass it on to the next generation. Best of luck to the author, Nancy Fuller on the much deserved success of her book. You rock Nancy!!!!!
I am currently recovering from major surgery, so I will have to wait for about 5 or so weeks before I try any of these delicious recipes. I must say that there has never been a cookbook where I will try each and every recipe, until this one.
The book is hard cover, with many beautiful illustrations. I found it interesting, that it is divided into the four seasons, instead of the usual appetizers, main course, salads etc. categories. To me, this makes it easier to choose one or more of the mouth watering recipes you wish to create, at that moment in time. You don't have to make a fall dish, if it isn't fall. Mix it up.
I am not a classically trained chef, but a chef who enjoys food that is farm or home inspired. The recipes all seem to be from these lines of thought. Nothing too fancy or that will intimidate anyone. If you can read, than you can cook these recipes or rules. Farmhouse Rules is a book for everyone,from the beginner to a red seal chef. This book may even inspire my wonderful mate to start cooking more.... a man and woman can not exist on frozen pizzas, lol.
Thanks once again for this book, I will enjoy it for many years to come. And, it is one of those books where you will pass it on to the next generation. Best of luck to the author, Nancy Fuller on the much deserved success of her book. You rock Nancy!!!!!
July 11, 2016
I am not quite sure how to write a full, detailed review of a cookbook. I have only made a handful of the recipes in this book and the ones I tried I really liked! I love that the recipes are divided into seasons. It makes it easy to use the freshest ingredients possible. As an avid home cook I found the ingredient list simple and the directions easy to moderate in skill level. I also loved that most recipes had a picture to go along with it. I have read many cookbooks that don't have accompanying photographs which honestly makes it hard to decide if you even want to attempt a recipe. This book I borrowed from my local library but I will definitely be purchasing. I can't wait to try the fall and winter recipes later this year.
For more non-food related book reviews please visit my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
For more non-food related book reviews please visit my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
November 5, 2015
Got a stack of cookbooks from the new book shelf at the library and this was one of them. I've never watched this TV show so I'm not familiar with the chef, Nancy Fuller. The recipes are arranged seasonally starting with Spring. There are lots of food photos and photos of Nancy and her family. One candid photo of an outdoor dinner with the large extended family shows people relaxing, talking, laughing and one couple who look as if they've had a argument---in other words it looks just like a real family gathering.
I'm only copying one of the recipes-- stuffed cabbage without the roll, a great idea. Like the author, I'm not thrilled by the limp cabbage leaf holding in the stuffing. There are many other good recipes but the ones that interest me are similar to my own.
I'm only copying one of the recipes-- stuffed cabbage without the roll, a great idea. Like the author, I'm not thrilled by the limp cabbage leaf holding in the stuffing. There are many other good recipes but the ones that interest me are similar to my own.
November 30, 2015
This cookbook is broken down by seasons of the year instead of the dishes place status on the menu. The author includes many tidbits and even rules for children at the dinner table. The recipes are simple to prepare and there are numerous photos. My copy was a free review copy obtained through Goodreads.com.
December 22, 2015
This is a cookbook for everyone. Recipes are fairly simple. The lists of ingredients are short. And the ingredients are normal items for most households.
The photos are wonderful-this is a cookbook with a sense of humor. And the photos of her re-done farmhouse are magnificent. I remember what this house looked like pre-restoration, and Nancy worked wonders with it.
The photos are wonderful-this is a cookbook with a sense of humor. And the photos of her re-done farmhouse are magnificent. I remember what this house looked like pre-restoration, and Nancy worked wonders with it.
December 12, 2015
This is a very nice cookbook that is well organized by seasons.
I can't wait to have a chance to try one of her recipes!
I can't wait to have a chance to try one of her recipes!
February 10, 2016
3 Recipes I want to try: Maple-Syrup-Mustard Glazed Turkey Breast, Breakfast Spaghetti Pie & Chop-Chop-in-the-Pot Pork Chops.
February 18, 2016
Good recipes from tv series. Beautiful photographs of the upstate NY scenery.
April 14, 2016
Simple, good food. Lots of good insights as well.
December 16, 2016
I'm going to try the gingerbread this weekend.
I love me some gingah...
I love me some gingah...
December 31, 2016
I liked how the author broke the book up into seasons.
November 29, 2015
Pretty pictures. Uninspired recipes.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews