The Secret Ingredient Cookbook: 125 Family-Friendly Recipes with Surprisingly Tasty Twists

by Kelly Senyei

125 family-friendly recipes based on the author's popular Just a Taste food site, with each recipe featuring a totally unexpected ingredient

Kelly Senyei, founder of the food site Just a Taste, has garnered millions of fans with a delicious hook--every one of her recipes has a secret ingredient, something totally unexpected that takes a dish from common to extraordinary. Some of the 125 tried-and-tested recipes are surprisingly simple, like her Vanilla Bean Drop Doughnuts made with Greek yogurt, or the Sweet and Tangy Baked Chicken Wings made with blackberry jam. Other recipes are nothing short of genius, such as Savory Caramel Corn made with bacon and thyme, Healthy White Chicken Chili made with hummus, and Salted Caramel Bread Pudding made with chocolate croissants.

Just because the secret ingredients are surprising doesn't mean they're expensive or hard to find, either. Kelly is a busy mother of three, and she made sure every ingredient can be found in any supermarket. Her family-friendly recipes cover every occasion, from crowd-pleasing snacks and 30-minute entrées to make-ahead sides and holiday-worthy desserts.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Female Authors

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This certainly had some tasty twists inside.
Not all of them had pictures, but a large chunk of them did which always makes life easier.
I tried a bunch of recipes and was pleasantly surprised to find my favourite one was...
The Cheesy Corn Chowder.
I normally am not a big fan of soup and only really make it to appease my husband.
That is what this book is; happy recipes you didn't know you wanted.
Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for my DRC.

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ Quirky, Fun, An Innovative Cookbook

The Secret Ingredient Cookbook is an innovative Cookbook that incorporates a secret Ingredient into every day favourites.

The Book is Made up of several scrumptious chapters consisting of
* Breakfast
* Snacks
* Soups and Salads
* Pastas
* Entrées
* Sides
* Desserts
* Drinks

At the beginning there is a handy guide to essential ingredients you will need to stock up on or maybe you will already have them and tips for cooking, such as how to quickly ripen bananas or Zest First, Juice Second.

This Cookbook is all measured in Cups and Spoons, so if you don't use Cup measurements like me then either it might be wise to invest in a good cup measurement set or convert the ingredients. My only gripe with UK cups is they never quiet work out the same.

Each recipe has a secret Ingredient in a bold blue circle at the top, then there is a lil explanation about the recipe and the ingredient used. Also some recipes have a top tip.

All the recipes seem easy to follow, not bogged down with too much text which is sometimes nice.
Not every recipe has a photograph but the ones that do, look Mouthwatering.

I normally give a few examples what recipes to expect inside, but as the book has secret ingredients, I think it will more fun you picking up the book and discovering for yourselves.
But there is a great selection and something to suit all tastes. I can't recall seeing Gluten free recipes though but that could be an oversight on my part.

Overall an innovative Cookbook with a quirky twist. One I'm looking forward to trying out.


Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.




You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Publication Date: 5/4/2021

I am a cookbook lover!! I have a wide variety of cookbooks in my collection, so it takes something really different to catch my attention! The title of this book did just that!! A secret ingredient….who doesn’t love a good secret 😊

There were so many things I liked about this cookbook, I’m not sure where to start. The cover is beautiful and, as I mentioned, the title is eye-catching. The cookbook is set up in sections by Breakfast, Snacks, Soups and Salads, Pastas, Entrees, Sides, Desserts and Drinks. It includes 125 easy to follow mouth-watering recipes, each including a secret ingredient which gives it that WOW factor! The photography is beautiful. I only wish there was a photo for each recipe, but I know this is difficult to do and keep the size of the cookbook manageable. The majority of recipes are similar to ones you’ve made before, but never thought to add this secret ingredient to it! With that said, most of the ingredients are ones you already have in your pantry!

I had to try several of the recipes before reviewing. I don’t usually make a new recipe for guest, but I was brave and risked making the Fluffy Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup for some recent visitors. All I can say is Wow! My guest were gushing over these pancakes. The syrup was amazing, mixing orange juice with strawberries……who would have guessed that would work?!? The biggest WOW factor though, was the cup of champagne in the batter! I don’t know if that’s why these pancakes were so fluffy and yummy, but I’ve never used that ingredient in pancakes before and these were so delicious!! Since that recipe went over so well, I decided to make another breakfast for the next day. Who ever heard of putting rosemary in a muffin/roll?!? I was feeling pretty confident, thanks to Kelly Senyei, so I did it, following the Carmel-Apple Cinnamon Rolls recipe! Again, a big success! I’ve made cinnamon rolls before, but these were extra yummy! My nickname over that long weekend was Chef Kitty!

There are so many more recipes I want to try, but a few on my shortlist are the Cheesy Corn Chowder, Blueberry French Toast, California Breakfast Quesadilla and the Tex-mex Turkey Burgers.

I reviewed a digital copy of The Secret Ingredient Cookbook, but it is definitely worthy of my cookbook collection, so I will be adding a physical copy as well.

I would recommend and buy this cookbook as a gift for anybody that enjoys cooking! Using these recipes, you will be known as a chef by your family and friends and all because of a secret ingredient!!

Thank you NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Kelly Senyei for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #HoughtonMifflinHarcourt #KellySenyei

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cookbook filled with recipes that sound delicious. It is very heavy on wheat, meat, processed foods and splurge ingredients, so I would personally have to heavily adapt most of them for our family (I cook gluten free and lean towards whole foods, plant based recipes). That said, the photos are gorgeous and Senyei clearly knows how to mix ingredients.

Example recipes: pumpkin in macaroni and cheese, cream cheese in chocolate chip cookies, mayo on garlic cheese bread, honey on pepperoni and hot pepper pizza, tater tots in breakfast quesadillas, cottage cheese in green smoothies, ginger ale in pumpkin waffles, sweetened condensed milk in granola, soy sauce in onion dip, thyme (and bacon fat, bacon and corn syrup, among other things) in caramel corn, orange soda in BBQ meatballs, baking powder in gnocchi with vodka sauce, dill in fettucini alfredo with lobster, rice crispies in chicken tender breading, pimento peppers in a BLT (BLTP), onion soup mix in french onion steak sandwiches, orange juice and zest in dinner rolls, pudding mix in cake, cake mix in cookies, and black pepper in pumpkin chocolate chip snack cake, to offer a sampling.

I have some recipes that are always crowd-pleasers that I make for company or pot lucks because everybody loves them so much but that I don't often make at home because they're quite "junky" -- very high in unhealthy fats, calories, etc. Most of the recipes in this book are those sorts of recipes for me. I also am not the kind of cook who puts cans of pop or powdered soup mix in recipes, but I know a lot of people love those sorts of ingredients. One more consideration is that some of the recipes tend towards pricier ingredients like ribeye, lobster and gourmet cheeses, and many may be a little elaborate for everyday meals for busy families. Others seem very quick to put together, though, especially those that use purchased ingredients like puff pastry or pre-made ravioli.

There are photos for a little over half of the recipes. No nutritional information is provided.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and suspect the recipes would be winners. I may try using some of her general ideas and taste combinations, though I probably won't be trying most of the recipes verbatim.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Those of us who are working from home are spending a bit more time in our kitchens these days, whether it be raiding our refrigerators, or whipping up meals from scratch, now that dining out is such a chore. The Secret Ingredient Cookbook by Kelly Senyei suggests all kinds of interesting twists to liven up your home cooked meals. (These recipes would be great to cook together with friends!)
Some of my favourites include the TexMex Turkey Burgers - can't wait to see how the secret ingredient of a can of creamed corn will liven up this standard fare in my own kitchen.
The secret ingredient of unsweetened cocoa powder for Slow Cooker Carnitas, broiled at the last minute for extra crunchiness, is on my To Cook list for sure! And have you ever heard of adding ginger ale to your pumpkin waffle mix?!
How about adding fresh chopped rosemary to your Caramel-Apple Cinnamon rolls? And I am intrigued by the potential taste-fest that two teaspoons of ground cardamom will create when added to the Berry Breakfast Pastries recipe in the beginning of this book.
The photographs are mouthwatering: clear, vivid and enticing. For Foodies and fellow cook book collectors, this collection of recipes is sure to please - both the eyes and the tummy!
I rate this one a yummy 5 out of 5!

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Secret Ingredient Cookbook is a delicious cookbook for scrumptious meals that mostly take 30 minutes or less. The book is divided into sections and each recipe is easy to follow and understand. The photographs in this book of the dishes/meals look so yummy and will have your taste buds tingling.
There are so many recipes I want to try and can't wait to have a go at. I just hope they turn out as well as the photos!
The last section of the book is drinks and these are mainly alcohol related and look beautiful.

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Until I try out some of these recipes it hard to properly rate a cookbook as a success or a one that I want to have in my kitchen. But I was really intrigued by the "secret" aspect of this book. It didn't disappoint. There are some twists on familiar dishes. I liked that the author included desserts and drinks too.

The editing of this book is exceptional.
Everything is very clear and easy to follow, with some mouthwatering pictures.

Perfect gift for a foodie.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Secret Ingredient Cookbook" by Kelly Senyei is the cookbook every home cook needs if he or she wants to make creative and delicious recipes! Some of the "secret ingredients" may sound unusual and even a little weird at first, but trust me, they work! Some of my absolute favorites that I will make over and over again are the Pumpkin Waffles (made light and crispy by adding ginger ale to the batter), Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup (made with tomatillos instead of boring tomatoes), Crisped and Dipped Chicken Thighs (made amazingly flavorful with orange marmalade), and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (made with chocolate-covered raisins-brilliant!). This cookbook is filled with helpful and drool-worthy photographs. The only negative to this book is that I wished it contained the calorie content of the dishes presented.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this cookbook with its quirky secret ingredients. Some of them are to save time, some of them are to spice up the recipe and some of them are just to make the recipe better. There are chapters on appetizers, snacks, entrees, soup & salad, desert and drinks. They all have a special twist.

I loved the caramel apple cinnamon rolls made with buttermilk. The apples really made the rolls stand out. I loved the California Breakfast Quesadillas made with time saving Tater Tots. Unbelievably they tasted just great. Who would have thought Tater Tots would dress up a meal? I also liked the simple skillet lasagna made with refrigerated ravioli. Again, I was surprised at how tasty it was and the ravioli saved time.

I haven't been brave enough to try the homemade potato chips yet. They seem to be involved. But who knows I am yet brave them. There's a lot of recipes in this book I still want to try. Tomorrow is the chicken pot pies with cheesy drop biscuits as the topping. Yummy sounding.

This is a fun cook with clever, innovative recipes that all involve something a little different. I can't wait to try more. Thanks for a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook has a great twist—each recipe has a secret ingredient that will make it taste even better.

My favorite idea is probably the caramel corn cooked in bacon fat, but that was just one of many recipes I’d like to try.

There is a balsamic vinaigrette with coffee added, curried red lentil soup with pear as secret ingredient, antipasto salad with fried mozzarella cheese, and many more.

If you want to make your favorites taste even better, check this one out.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

The Secret Ingredient Cookbook by Kelly Senyei is a perfect way to spice up some old favourites. If you are looking for ideas to bring a little more interest and excitement to your everyday recipes, this book has you covered. This is a fun and simple recipe book that is perfect for all skill levels.

It is so easy to get into a cooking rut, especially when it is harder to easily run out and shop for interesting items to cook with. This book of secret ingredients gives a bit of intrigue to weeknight meals. Also, most of the additions are things that most people have in their pantries, which makes the meals quick and easy to put together.

Kelly gives a little background and lists essential ingredients and tips to inspire your creations in the kitchen. The layout is straightforward and each recipe has its secret ingredient well marked at the top of the page.

❀ TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Breakfast
Snacks
Soups and Salads
Pastas
Entrées
Sides
Desserts
Drinks

❀ INTRIGUING COMBINATIONS

I have bookmarked quite a few recipes to try and I am excited to try so many of them, such as the Sweet and Spicy Penne Arrabbiata and the Adults Only Milkshake. These recipes have intriguing combinations that make cooking a bit more like a science experiment.

❀ EASY RECIPE TWEAKS

I tried the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake and really enjoyed the unexpected kick that adding cracked black pepper gave to an otherwise sweet and gooey treat. There are so many recipes like this in the book that have a very easy tweak to try that gives an element of surprise to your taste buds. If you are looking for something a bit different to try in the kitchen, The Secret Ingredient Cookbook by Kelly Senyei is definitely one to watch for.

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun cookbook, with unusual recipes with a twist. This book has great photo's and makes it really professional. Great recipes really family orientated. The idea is original and unusual and brings something new to the market!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook is a unique one. The different secret ingredients for each recipe are insightful and things I will use when cooking next. The information about each secret ingredient is also insightful. I will definitely be buying this book when it comes out.

Good recommendation for anyone wanting to experiment from basic cooking.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the simple layout with soft color schemes. I enjoyed the essential ingredients section and the not-so-secret kitchen tips (because I did not know a lot of these tips!). I found quite a few recipes that I will definitely be trying out! I don't drink, but I was so excited to see a drink section at the end of this cookbook!

[Mallaree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cooked the crispy carnitas (subbed chuck roast for pork shoulder) and the French toast muffins.

The carnitas left a lot to be desired in my opinion but omg the French toast muffins!!! Will absolutely be on weekend breakfast rotation. So delicious!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I love a twist on a recipe - and this book provides plenty of those!

None of the recipes are complicated, and I have already tried a couple with great results. As a fairly adventurous cook myself, I found some of the "secret" ingredients to be ingredients I would have used anyway - but I have many years of cooking experience, so it is unfair to judge the book by that.

The thing I love most about this cookbook is that the vast majority of unusual ingredients are easily sourced in your local supermarket. Many cookbooks that try to be different have you searching the internet to find out what the ingredient is, let alone where to buy it!

If you're looking for a cookbook that's a little different to most, this one could well be the book you're looking for!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed viewing this cookbook and reading the recipes. There were quite a few that I am going to get the book to try. The pictures of the food looked scrumptious and the inclusion of what the secret ingredient was and why it makes it work, was a great touch. The recipes are not difficult and ingredients easily accessible. There are so many recipes that I have on my list like the Simple Skillet Lasagna, Shrimp and Three-Cheese Grits, Seared Scallops with Bail Risotto, Garlicky Cheese Bread, Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Key Lime Cheesecake Bars, Cast Iron Quiche, Blueberry French Toast Muffins, and Noni's Soft Pretzel Knots. Mouth watering just thinking about these recipes. Thank you to Ms. Senyei, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview and review this awesome cookbook.

[Sara Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun idea for a cookbook! The Secret Ingredient Cookbook by Kelly Senyei is all about taking some delicious recipes and elevating them with one ingredient.

This book is packed with so many recipes. Some of them are pretty common recipes, so that secret ingredient really helps to make it special. There were other recipes, I have never tried or heard of. It is fun to know when I try them, they will be made superior by that secret ingredient.

Each recipe tells you what the secret ingredient is, so there is no guessing. With the secret ingredients, I would say about half of them are items I keep in my house. So, while I love playing with new ingredients I don’t normally use, that is a lot of extra ingredients to buy.

Overall, this is a really dense recipe book full of some classic favourites, along with some fun, new recipes. If you like a twist on recipes you already love, this recipe book is for you.

I received an electronic advanced reader copy from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a rather lengthy list of recipes I recommend (though only a portion of the 125 in the book) with a different or unique ingredient added to each.

Vanilla Bean Drop Doughnuts
Berry Breakfast Pastries
Skillet Sweet Potato Hash
Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Whipped Cream p. 48*
Crunchy Coconut Granola
Caramelized Onion Dip
Weekday Snack Mix
Rotisserie-Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cheesy Corn Chowder
Beef and Farro Soup
(Ok, yes all of the soups!)
Soupy Thai Chicken Noodles
Caprese Antipasto Salad
Super Greens Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Caesar Pasta Salad*
30-minute Mac and Cheese
Orecchiette with Greens and Beans
Chicken Cutlets with Apple Salad
Ted-Mex Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Mayo
Chicken Pot Pie with Cheesy Drop Biscuits
Sweet Heat Pepperoni Pizza
Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps*
French Onion Steak Sandwiches
Drew's Ultimate Dinner Rolls*
Creamed Super Greens
Honey-Roasted Cauliflower Broccoli
Raspberry Chocolate Sheet Cake
La Jolla Sunset
Black and Blue

[jess ~has abandoned GR~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bad thing I can say about this book is that I read through it while I was already super hungry and it made me even hungrier.

I am excited to try out some of these recipes, and I am finding lots of inspiration here for things to share for the holidays. Considering social distancing, I'm looking forward to making some of these treats, putting them in cute boxes, and dropping them off for relatives.

I greatly appreciate that the vast majority of this book is spent on the recipes themselves and not touching-but-unnecessary stories about how the smell of cardamom reminds you of your great-aunt Gertrude and winter mornings on the farm and on and on and on. (Seriously, who cares?) But I digress.

Highly recommended. I got a digital ARC of this but I plan on putting the hardback on my Christmas wish list.

arc received from the publisher for review

[Lauren Rosano · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I love this premise. The idea of a secret ingredient elevating each dish from ordinary to extraordinary in approachable recipes for home cooks is both appealing and exciting. Kind of like joining a special club - I want to know what the secret ingredients are! And I appreciated that the author (Senyei) was upfront about sharing that the secret ingredient premise isn't meant to be gimmicky or just adding unnecessary ingredients into an otherwise perfectly acceptable recipe, because I do think it could appear that way - so I appreciated her disclaimer.

To start, her kitchen hacks were all new to me (proof dough in the dryer?! Who would've thunk it?) which is impressive because I feel like "kitchen hacks" are typically not all that surprising, and there's usually a lot of overlap in "tips and tricks" between different cookbooks. Senyei happily surprised me here!

The recipes themselves varied from classics (e.g. banana bread) to new ideas (e.g. caramel-apple cinnamon rolls) but all are presented with useful tips, tricks, and straightforward directions for home chefs of all skill levels. On a personal note, I'm a huge soup person and I loved that Senyei included a number of soup options because I think soups are sometimes an afterthought in cookbooks. And, true to the name of the book, Senyei has some pretty novel suggestions for how to spice up old favorites. For example, I can't wait for the weather to cool down enough to try her 30-minute mac and cheese where the secret ingredient is PUMPKIN PUREE. Immediate reaction is wut?? But after reading this entire book, I trust her enough to give it a go. Plus, if it really is great, how much fun would it be to share this with friends, have them love it, and then give them the twist that there's pumpkin in it? (same can be said for all her recipes) - adding the element of the secret ingredient just makes cooking so much more fun!

Formatting-wise, I liked that each recipe included a personal note from Senyei, and the secret ingredient was always clearly marked. The steps were always clearly delineated and I think these recipes would definitely fall into the easy-to-follow category. On a final note, the photographs were absolutely lovely. There were a good number, but I'm always a sucker for pics (especially with a cookbook) and could've done with even more!!

This is a fantastic cookbook, one of the best I've read. No gimmicks, easy-to-follow recipes, creative ideas, and beautiful pictures: A true 5/5 cookbook. Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Uzma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Ingredient Cookbook by Kelly Senyei (Just A Taste), is exactly that and much more. The book is written in simple format, easy to understand steps, has dishes with readily available ingredients and substitutes and has easy to follow science behind the food we eat.
Let’s talk about what I loved the most about this book: it’s “down-to-earth” approach. What I mean by that? Well seeing how Kelly is herself a mom, and has worked as a professional chef and cooks for her family at her home, she marries the two concepts so wonderfully, making sure that busy moms who are cooking at home, don’t have to go out of their way to prepare a scrumptious meal for the family: delivering things that are not only scrumptious but also don’t take a big chunk outta one’s time. The dishes let one challenge themself and make use of leftovers in creative, successful ways (left over mashed potatoes for croquettes anyone?). She goes in to such details, even mentioning the “inches” of oil one would need to fry something, that kinda detail shows how much effort she has put in to her recipes and this book and how much she wants to share her expertise with people at home.
Another thing that I loved about the book is that Kelly has come up with healthier versions of daily classics! Take banana bread for instance: using whole wheat and olive oil not just enhances the taste but also makes the bread a lot more healthier! Adding pumpkin to pasta to make it creamier, things that one would have never thought about, but make one go, “that’s just awesome”!
The book also boasts “improved” versions of some of her recipes already shared on her website and making use of readily available stuff to decorate cakes and cupcakes!
Going through one recipe, I was like, “hey this sounds like Masala Chai”, and what do you know, it was “Masala” hot cocoa. My point being, Kelly has taken our favorite recipes and added a twist to them that takes them up a notch. I’d know, I have recreated some of the recipes in the book, and they have turned out amazing: every single time!

The book has everything, from dips, to snacks to full blown out dinner ideas and desserts.
This book is a “must have” in one’s culinary arsenal!

I was given an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the concept of this book, who doesn't love a little suspense in cooking. My husband had fun trying to guess the secret ingredient in the recipes we tried, though occasionally the secret was something that we already used in the recipe or was so minimal it was hardly noticeable and didn't seem to make much of a difference. The book is well organized and the pictures were great (always want more photos in cookbooks). The cooking tips were also helpful (never would have thought to proof dough in the dryer!)

My main issues with the book were the secrets that seemed pretty obvious or the ingredients that needed to be purchased that I wouldn't use for much else. Some recipes we tried were just average and others were really good---though a lot of that comes down to personal taste preferences and is not a fault of the author.

Overall this is a sold cookbook with a fun twist and I look forward to using her tips in the kitchen and spicing up my routine meals with twists.

[Sara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cookbook with a difference! It’s packed full of classic recipes but the secret ingredient in each one has opened up a world of new flavours and textures.

The pictures are beautiful and the recipes are clear and easy to follow.

I made my family several recipes from this cookbook and they were all well received. I’ll definitely be using this book as inspiration for my further cooking adventures.

[Sheryl Hedervare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some great recipes. I like that each one has a little something that you think "what is it that is different?" There are quite a few recipes that I can't wait to try.
This was an ARC copy from netgalley.

[Casey Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whipped up a few recipes out of this book and let me tell you none disappointed. I am huge on pictures and end results because I love to compare, which this book did. Will definitely be using it for the year ahead!

[Gregandemy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this would be a cookbook similar to Jessica Seinfeld's with tips on how to include healthy ingredients into your family meals. This was different but I was pleasantly surprised. Kelly Senyei has taken familiar recipes and found a certain secret ingredient that takes the old to a new, higher level. Her cookbook is beautiful, easy to use, and full of recipes I actually want to make. I started flipping through it one night to see what the cookbook was about and ended up reading through the entire book, marking several recipes that I want to try soon. I loved the simple changes to kick dinner up a notch.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will definitely be buying the hard cover edition of this cookbook! The recipes sound so amazing and fairly easy to make!

The pictures are beautiful and the books are broken down into Breakfast, Snacks, Soups & Salads, Pastas, Entrees, Side, Desserts, and Drinks. There are also some quick tips included in the beginning of the book.

Some of the recipes that I will definitely be trying are Vanilla Bean Drop Doughnuts, Caramel-Apple Cinnamon Rolls , Berry Breakfast Pastries, Skillet Sweet Potato Hash, Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Whipped Cream, Noni's Soft Pretzel Knots, Crispy Crab Rangoon, Rotisserie-Chicken Tortilla Soup, Caesar Pasta Salad, 30-Minute Macaroni and Cheese, Simple Skillet Lasagna, French Onion Steak Sandwiches, Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Rally · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I found this to be a fun and informative cookbook.
What I loved:
I loved the tips at the beginning of the book. What you should be aware of and what you should already have ready in your pantry.
I thought the photos were very pretty. It gave a good look at what the food should resemble.
I liked that most ingredient you can easily find.
Most of the recipes looked very appetizing.
I like the organization of the foods.
knowing the ingrediant to make the dish stand out and taste great.

What I thought could be better:
I felt could be a little healthier or more options for healthy (but there are all kinds of cookbooks in many categories and I would still make them or occasions)
I tend to get cookbooks that have photos for every recipe. I want to know what they look like and even sometimes photos of tricky parts of cooking it or what the pans look like.

Overall I really liked this cookbook and would have fun making some of the dishes to see how that ingrediant made it all the better.

[Rebecca Batley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. Lovingly illustrated the recipes are appealing and the instructions are clear. I look forward to trying out the recipes.