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Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up
Recipes for affordable meals presented so polished you'd never know their "lowbrow" origins, complete with tips and tricks that prove fabulous hosting doesn't have to break the bank.Rachel Hollis, blogger and founder of "The Chic Site," which reaches over 600,000 users a month, delivers this swoon-worthy cookbook packed with delicious and easy comfort food that's sure to wow at both family suppers and the fanciest dinner parties. Rachel puts a finger-licking gourmet twist on classic American favorites in sections that include recipes balsamic bacon-wrapped meatloaf, bacon and green chili mac n'cheese * loaded baked potato salad, seven layer salad* grilled guacamole, corn dip, chili cheese dip, pizza dip* strawberry rosemary moonshine, Grandma's sweet tea*Somethin' banana pudding parfaits, Mema's carrot cake Packed with big flavor and simple enough for a beginner home cook to master, Upscale Downhome focuses on great-tasting food and beautiful presentation that is guaranteed to impress. This is the kind of food that we all like to eat, served up with a chic twist.
621 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2016
49 people are currently reading
646 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hollis
27 books32.3k followersRachel laid the foundation for her lifestyle brand and media company with the same unfiltered honesty and staunch inclusivity that made her a two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author. Hollis connects with a highly engaged and growing global audience of women who treasure her transparency and optimism. She is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers, plays host to one of today’s top business podcasts and is a proud mama of four who uses her platform to empower and embolden women around the world. Rachel calls Texas home; more specifically the Hill Country just outside of Austin.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 24, 2015
This is the prettiest cookbook I've ever seen in my entire life... and I swear I'm not just saying that because all the recipes are mine! =)
November 5, 2017
This cookbook is nothing to write home about. Hollis's recipes aren't especially original or creative, and too often they rely on cans of mushroom soup, packets of french onion soup mix, or whole bottles of generic "BBQ sauce." I understand the appeal of recipes like this, it's sort of a throwback to the 1950s when home cooks were figuring out how to use new processed foods to lighten the labor of scratch cooking. Yet in practice I find that when recipes depend on pre-made elements like this it becomes hard to guarantee a good resulting dish - there is just so much variation in taste from one bottle of BBQ sauce to the next, so much variation in salt content from one packet of french onion soup mix to another. I made the BBQ & Root Beer Chicken in my Crock Pot, and I used my favorite BBQ sauce and a random bottle of root beer, and I will *never* make it again. It was super MEH. And it requires too much chicken to just experiment with different sauces until you find the right one. I think I'd have liked this book more if she'd recommended certain brands (seriously, which BBQ do you use for this chicken dish??), but then again so many recipes depend on these elements it could easily have ended up feeling like a giant advertisement for other products.
That said, there are two things about this book that I really love. First - the dip recipes. Sweet Jesus, I love a good dip. Some of these were familiar to me, but there are some new ones I will definitely put into the party rotation. And second, and more importantly, there is a whole section called "Leftovers" where she tells you how to make new dishes from the leftovers of some of the other recipes in the book that yield a lot of food. THIS IS A GENIUS IDEA. It's also the only reason this cookbook didn't get a 2-star review.
That said, there are two things about this book that I really love. First - the dip recipes. Sweet Jesus, I love a good dip. Some of these were familiar to me, but there are some new ones I will definitely put into the party rotation. And second, and more importantly, there is a whole section called "Leftovers" where she tells you how to make new dishes from the leftovers of some of the other recipes in the book that yield a lot of food. THIS IS A GENIUS IDEA. It's also the only reason this cookbook didn't get a 2-star review.
July 1, 2019
After looking through this cookbook, I placed an order for my own copy so I could return this copy to the library. I saw a post on Facebook about this cookbook so I put a hold on it at the library and after looking through it, this is definitely a keeper. I will tell you that I haven’t read any of Rachel’s other books so, I am now looking into them but right now, this one has my attention.
I am not a fancy cook as I eat normal food. Once in a while I will try something different, if the mood strikes me but I have to psych myself up for it. This week I bought some beet chips at the store, I said bought, I haven’t eaten them yet but I have them in my possession as they looked good and I liked beets (a lot!) and they’re baked, so hopefully, they’re not too bad. After thumbing through this cookbook and reading quite a few pages, I really think I could make everything in this book! It looks all normal, it looks pretty easy, it’s comfortable food without a lot of fancy ingredients and it looks like food that my friends and family would eat. This cookbook looks like a winner to me.
In sections that are pretty typical: snacks, dips, casseroles, potluck, slow cooker, parties, etc., I found many recipes I am excited to try. I also was excited about the parties section and the sips section. The parties section has a listing of 10 different types of parties and for each of the parties, the author gives suggestions on how to host them. From decorating, to food, the author has great suggestions and pictures to help make the party a success. In the sips section, there are 10 drinks to create from moonshine, gypsy, margarita popsicles to patriotic punch. There are some that are nonalcoholic too.
Let’s talk about the recipes. The illustrations in the cookbook are different, I thought. The author shows us a variety of illustrations for each recipe, and yes, each recipe has illustrations. Each recipe has a series of illustrations (3-5) that show the progression of the recipe as you follow the steps plus a final product illustration. This makes the cookbook bright and colorful inside. There is a little blurb and serving size information for each recipe but nutritional value is not provided. The ingredients and preparation are listed and they are easy to follow.
What I like about cookbooks are, they may have the same title of a recipe that you have tried before but the ingredients are a bit different. There are some recipes whose names look familiar: Loaded Baked Potato Salad, Seven Layer Salad, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Chili Cheese Dip, and Spaghetti Salad but following this author’s recipe and/or using her other suggestion, these just might make this dish stand out.
I thought the Breakfast Scramble, Raspberry Peach Dump Cake, and the BBQ Root Beer Chicken sounded amazing- just to name a few. I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail.
I am not a fancy cook as I eat normal food. Once in a while I will try something different, if the mood strikes me but I have to psych myself up for it. This week I bought some beet chips at the store, I said bought, I haven’t eaten them yet but I have them in my possession as they looked good and I liked beets (a lot!) and they’re baked, so hopefully, they’re not too bad. After thumbing through this cookbook and reading quite a few pages, I really think I could make everything in this book! It looks all normal, it looks pretty easy, it’s comfortable food without a lot of fancy ingredients and it looks like food that my friends and family would eat. This cookbook looks like a winner to me.
In sections that are pretty typical: snacks, dips, casseroles, potluck, slow cooker, parties, etc., I found many recipes I am excited to try. I also was excited about the parties section and the sips section. The parties section has a listing of 10 different types of parties and for each of the parties, the author gives suggestions on how to host them. From decorating, to food, the author has great suggestions and pictures to help make the party a success. In the sips section, there are 10 drinks to create from moonshine, gypsy, margarita popsicles to patriotic punch. There are some that are nonalcoholic too.
Let’s talk about the recipes. The illustrations in the cookbook are different, I thought. The author shows us a variety of illustrations for each recipe, and yes, each recipe has illustrations. Each recipe has a series of illustrations (3-5) that show the progression of the recipe as you follow the steps plus a final product illustration. This makes the cookbook bright and colorful inside. There is a little blurb and serving size information for each recipe but nutritional value is not provided. The ingredients and preparation are listed and they are easy to follow.
What I like about cookbooks are, they may have the same title of a recipe that you have tried before but the ingredients are a bit different. There are some recipes whose names look familiar: Loaded Baked Potato Salad, Seven Layer Salad, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Chili Cheese Dip, and Spaghetti Salad but following this author’s recipe and/or using her other suggestion, these just might make this dish stand out.
I thought the Breakfast Scramble, Raspberry Peach Dump Cake, and the BBQ Root Beer Chicken sounded amazing- just to name a few. I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail.
February 23, 2019
Nothing real new or inventive in this book. Also, the list of needed items was a bit munch. I could not stand the "I'm just like you with my inexpensive items" she throws in here. Trying way too hard to be like "regular folk". I found myself rolling my eyes more often than not and left with an over all annoyed feeling. Really glad I did I not purchase this one.
May 20, 2016
I love classic recipes slightly re-imagined. It's the kind of food that everyone wants to eat!
January 27, 2017
I guess this might a good cookbook for a beginner or those who don't expect much. Out of the whole cookbook the only recipe that interested me was a Mediterranean version of 7 layer dip.
June 23, 2024
exactly as titled
This dresses up every day recipes and still they are approachable. I definitely am going to enjoy this book! Got some yummy recipes immediately just from snacks
This dresses up every day recipes and still they are approachable. I definitely am going to enjoy this book! Got some yummy recipes immediately just from snacks
November 4, 2016
In the “Snacks” chapter, Sticky Ham ‘n’ Cheese is a recipe all mid-west grandmas, aunties, cousins, and moms say they invented. It is made with dinner rolls, mayonnaise, deli ham, Swiss cheese, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, butter, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. The ham and cheese sliders are great for parties and are quick and easy to make. Everyone will love the salty ham paired with the nutty melted Swiss cheese. Rating: 4.5/5
BLT Bites is a recipe that came from her event planning days. It is made with white bread, olive oil, mayonnaise, pesto, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and bacon. It is an easy grab-and-go bite providing salty, smoky, meaty flavors from the bacon, crisp lettuce, and sweet tomato and herbaceous flavor from the pesto. This is great as passed hors d'oeuvres for a party or even just on the buffet. Rating: 5/5
In the “Dips” chapter, Rachel shares her friend Patty Fallahee’s recipe, which is also on the Chic Site. I can see why this is still one of their most popular posts. It’s my favorite dish as well. It is made with butter, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, corn, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, mayonnaise, cilantro, scallions, chipotle, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. It has all the flavors and textures you want in a dip – salty, sweet, salty, smoky, cheesy, and herbaceous. You can serve this with chips, crudités, or even toasted bread slices. Rating: 5/5
In the “Slow Cooker” chapter, Turkey Chili is one of the first dishes Rachel mastered as a newlywed. It is made with olive oil, ground turkey, onion, garlic, garlic salt, chili powder, black pepper, tomatoes, red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, and green chiles. This is a great dish to make on a Sunday so it can be quickly reheated for the rest of the week. As Rachel says, “the flavor gets better with every passing day”. It is so true. The longer the spices and vegetables meld together, the richer the flavor becomes. I also love that she uses 3 different kinds of beans as they have different textures and flavors. For us Hawaiians, a pot of sticky rice is always at the ready when it comes to chili. Rating: 4.5/5
In the “Potluck” chapter, there is Fresh Green Bean Salad. Rachel loves bacon and ranch dressing. She makes it a healthy eat with some fresh green beans. It is made with green beans, salt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, buttermilk ranch mix, cherry tomatoes, corn, bacon, and black pepper. This salad definitely has a potluck or picnic way about it. The green beans have a crunchy texture and sweet flavor which pair nicely with the ranch dressing and salty, smoky bacon. The corn and tomatoes add their sweet and juicy flavor to the mix. I can also see this at the Thanksgiving table in place of the traditional green bean casserole. Rating: 5/5
In the “Somethin’ Sweet” chapter, Cookie Pudding Pie is a downhome “parfait” dessert. It is made with chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate pudding, milk, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping. Serving them in preserve jars just makes it that much sweeter! This is just a fun comfort food, feel good dessert. This would be great at a party yet elegant enough for a seated dinner with family and friends. Rating: 4.5/5
In the “Sips” chapter, Grandma’s Sweet Tea is Rachel’s Grandma Opal’s recipe. It is made with water, black tea, sugar, and ice. Rachel has renewed my love of sweet tea. I’ve tried it numerous times at different places and just could not finish it. I think the use of sugar versus honey made the difference in this recipe. I love this sweet tea!!! Rating: 5/5
BLT Bites is a recipe that came from her event planning days. It is made with white bread, olive oil, mayonnaise, pesto, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and bacon. It is an easy grab-and-go bite providing salty, smoky, meaty flavors from the bacon, crisp lettuce, and sweet tomato and herbaceous flavor from the pesto. This is great as passed hors d'oeuvres for a party or even just on the buffet. Rating: 5/5
In the “Dips” chapter, Rachel shares her friend Patty Fallahee’s recipe, which is also on the Chic Site. I can see why this is still one of their most popular posts. It’s my favorite dish as well. It is made with butter, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, corn, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, mayonnaise, cilantro, scallions, chipotle, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. It has all the flavors and textures you want in a dip – salty, sweet, salty, smoky, cheesy, and herbaceous. You can serve this with chips, crudités, or even toasted bread slices. Rating: 5/5
In the “Slow Cooker” chapter, Turkey Chili is one of the first dishes Rachel mastered as a newlywed. It is made with olive oil, ground turkey, onion, garlic, garlic salt, chili powder, black pepper, tomatoes, red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, and green chiles. This is a great dish to make on a Sunday so it can be quickly reheated for the rest of the week. As Rachel says, “the flavor gets better with every passing day”. It is so true. The longer the spices and vegetables meld together, the richer the flavor becomes. I also love that she uses 3 different kinds of beans as they have different textures and flavors. For us Hawaiians, a pot of sticky rice is always at the ready when it comes to chili. Rating: 4.5/5
In the “Potluck” chapter, there is Fresh Green Bean Salad. Rachel loves bacon and ranch dressing. She makes it a healthy eat with some fresh green beans. It is made with green beans, salt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, buttermilk ranch mix, cherry tomatoes, corn, bacon, and black pepper. This salad definitely has a potluck or picnic way about it. The green beans have a crunchy texture and sweet flavor which pair nicely with the ranch dressing and salty, smoky bacon. The corn and tomatoes add their sweet and juicy flavor to the mix. I can also see this at the Thanksgiving table in place of the traditional green bean casserole. Rating: 5/5
In the “Somethin’ Sweet” chapter, Cookie Pudding Pie is a downhome “parfait” dessert. It is made with chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate pudding, milk, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping. Serving them in preserve jars just makes it that much sweeter! This is just a fun comfort food, feel good dessert. This would be great at a party yet elegant enough for a seated dinner with family and friends. Rating: 4.5/5
In the “Sips” chapter, Grandma’s Sweet Tea is Rachel’s Grandma Opal’s recipe. It is made with water, black tea, sugar, and ice. Rachel has renewed my love of sweet tea. I’ve tried it numerous times at different places and just could not finish it. I think the use of sugar versus honey made the difference in this recipe. I love this sweet tea!!! Rating: 5/5
November 12, 2016
I love to receive a cookbook for review on the day I’m creating my weekly grocery list. I download the digital book immediately to my Kindle iCloud so I can access it on my 3 devices: laptop, iPad (used mainly in the kitchen), and iPhone where I maintain my shopping list. Quickly I skim through the pages using the new Page Flip which makes the first look super easy—-fast forward, or back, bookmark, and enjoy. IMO, this ebook displays best on my phone—technology continues to astound me.
This is a fun cookbook-and-more with fresh takes on everyday meals and entertaining. I found myself thinking, “I make this, but I don’t do that.” For instance, there’s grilled GUACAMOLE, balsamic bacon-wrapped MEAT LOAF, and a HAMBURGER pot pie—What? Many of the dishes are standards in my home already, but I can always use a new technique, flavor twist, or tips on converting to a Slow Cooker version. I plan to make the BBQ root beer chicken with a side of GARLIC and HERB accordion potatoes with fresh herbs. I’m totally doing this instead of the tired baked potato. Plus, there’s great advice for Leftovers—new recipes like cheesy crispy wontons to use any uneaten dip. Or, BBQ chicken quesadillas from the root beer chicken leftovers—like there would be any left… but… I could make extra just for leftovers. LOL!
Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up is exactly what it promises. Glancing through this book will definitely spark-up, or introduce you to, Southern/Californian recipes, and give you great tips for easing any entertaining jitters. Gift it to aspiring cooks, moms or dads who prepare family meals, and to the party challenged. With Rachel’s guidelines, “the List,” and a trip to the 99-cent Store, Big Lots, or Home Goods, your giftee is sure to have fun being the host/ess with the mostest!
Couple words of caution:
HAMBURGER pot pie was a super big hit with my family. However, I found that 1 pound of ground beef more than filled the 9 inch pie crust—2 pounds, as noted in the recipe, would have been twice the amount needed. I recommend testing any dishes prior to entertaining.
Watch out for the orange SHERBET church punch. Many moons ago, my friend Judy & I made a lime version for a bridal shower. It goes down so deliciously you may drink way more than you should—I know we did!
This is a fun cookbook-and-more with fresh takes on everyday meals and entertaining. I found myself thinking, “I make this, but I don’t do that.” For instance, there’s grilled GUACAMOLE, balsamic bacon-wrapped MEAT LOAF, and a HAMBURGER pot pie—What? Many of the dishes are standards in my home already, but I can always use a new technique, flavor twist, or tips on converting to a Slow Cooker version. I plan to make the BBQ root beer chicken with a side of GARLIC and HERB accordion potatoes with fresh herbs. I’m totally doing this instead of the tired baked potato. Plus, there’s great advice for Leftovers—new recipes like cheesy crispy wontons to use any uneaten dip. Or, BBQ chicken quesadillas from the root beer chicken leftovers—like there would be any left… but… I could make extra just for leftovers. LOL!
Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up is exactly what it promises. Glancing through this book will definitely spark-up, or introduce you to, Southern/Californian recipes, and give you great tips for easing any entertaining jitters. Gift it to aspiring cooks, moms or dads who prepare family meals, and to the party challenged. With Rachel’s guidelines, “the List,” and a trip to the 99-cent Store, Big Lots, or Home Goods, your giftee is sure to have fun being the host/ess with the mostest!
Couple words of caution:
HAMBURGER pot pie was a super big hit with my family. However, I found that 1 pound of ground beef more than filled the 9 inch pie crust—2 pounds, as noted in the recipe, would have been twice the amount needed. I recommend testing any dishes prior to entertaining.
Watch out for the orange SHERBET church punch. Many moons ago, my friend Judy & I made a lime version for a bridal shower. It goes down so deliciously you may drink way more than you should—I know we did!
November 5, 2016
Hands down the best cookbook you can buy! I adore Rachel's little excerpts on each recipe. Each recipe is complete with in-process photos ensuring you aren't screwing it up. Pics are pinterest perfect. Nothing extravagant that requires lengthy drives to a speciality store for ingredients. You're doing yourself a disservice by not purchasing one for yourself and one for every woman in your life.
November 24, 2016
The recipes are simple and look tasty. Rachel is a doll and a delight so I loved reading about each recipe and her life growing up. The cookbook even has a section for drinks called sips. So cute and chic!
July 18, 2017
Great recipes for get-togethers or just casual family dinners. I loved that most of the ingredients were things I either already had or could easily acquire. No crazy ingredients in this cookbook. I love Hollis' fresh voice, and new take on favorite recipes.
August 8, 2019
An absolute palate pleaser. We looked at this cook book for our cook book club, and wound up buying it for personal home collections. It's easy to use with ingredients that you use everyday with easy to read instructions. Make this book a winner.
November 21, 2016
Easy recipes and Rachael's adds little stories which makes this a great book. Sometimes I just sit and read cookbooks.
January 19, 2018
With this book in my home, I’ve always got the perfect potluck dish!!
October 22, 2018
Lots of yummy recipes in this book.
February 16, 2019
I liked 8 of the recipes in this book, that's a good number for me! I'm usually too picky , but many of these recipes seemed do-able.
February 17, 2019
Nice pictures and layout for book. However, only kept one recipe to try.
December 5, 2018
Found some good recipes in this.
July 23, 2020
A book full of simple recipes and party suggestions.
March 7, 2024
It's very good My love 😘
June 7, 2025
Great book full of great recipes I can’t wait to try and party ideas. I love how down to earth she is about everything. Highly recommend
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February 16, 2019A fun way to make yummy food more presentable and party ready!
April 20, 2019
Now this is a fun cookbook...simple recipes with flair. Rachel knows how to put a quick spin on any meal...dips, casseroles, crockpot meals, leftovers and parties.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews