Gina > Recent Status Updates

I'm 6 of the 7 essays into this collection, and I'm still waiting for the hilarity to kick in. My book club is going to have fun roasting me for picking this - so that should be fun.

8 recipes in so far. Excellent basics like pie crusts but not so great on unique entrees.

7 recipes in so far and meh. 1 great and would make again. 3 mediocre and probably wouldn't make again without edits. 2 recipes I've made before from other sources that are competent. 1 terrible and in the trash.

So far, this one has been a complete dud. Not sure how much longer I'm going to try recipes from it.

I'm only 30% in, and it's already 100 pages too long.

Having read several prior Joe Hill books and watching the movie based on his short story The Black Phone, found in this collection, I thought I had reasonable expectations for this collection. I didn't expect to be completely emotionally wrecked in all the best ways.

I have started and stopped this 4 times. I really will finish it before the end of the year. I'm having a hard time getting into the premise.

Redefining "doormat" one chapter at a time.

Getting a little tired of the mediocre recipes. Maybe I'm picking wrong? Nothing bad but nothing great. Feel like I should keep going until I make a keeper.

So many recipes. Organization that leans creative rather than helpful. This is a wild cooking ride.

*Won in a goodreads giveaway.

With 928 pages and 1484 recipes, this is going to take a minute.

I read this and other books in the series long before I joined goodreads in 2011. Remember loving it, but can't remember rating it and no review. Time for a re-read.

First recipe, Crawfish Lasagna, was OK. That was a lot of effort for just pretty good.

Made the first recipe today. Peppermint Patty cupcakes = YUM!

I think I need an intervention.

Working my way through a hometown compilation cookbook for the next several weeks, the Larson Manufacturing Employees Cookbook from 1987. No ISBN so no formal review at the end. Back to more formal cookbook reviews soon!

Last 2 recipes tonight before a full review. Stilton Walnut Crackers and Baked Fontina for an end of the week wine and cheese night.

I have almost no idea what I just read. I'll write an actual review once I figure it out.

Finally trying some desserts. That has to be better than any of the entrees...right? Surely, I won't have to throw out any desserts.

*Won in a Goodreads giveaway.

If the first recipe made, Pork Cubano, is any indication, this is going to be a long month. Not in a good way.

For the first time since well before the pandemic began, I don't have a list of books waiting for review. Why is that so stressful? Sigh....

Strawberry Buttermilk Sherbet. 4 ingredients to amazing.

Although the end of the month, I still have several recipes I want to make from this one. I'm extending my time with it. Check back next month for a full review. So far, so deliciously good.

I was loving this but didn't pay attention to the return date on Overdrive. Got to 75% and this horror book was made scarier in that it got returned before I finished and has a 4 week wait to get it back. I need to know what happened when they go back to the house!!!!! Soon...…..

The simply named "Scalloped Potatoes"...wow. Even my 10 year old niece asked for the recipe so she could learn to make the "ooey-gooey deliciousness of potato goodness." The smoked mushrooms weren't bad either, and I don't even like mushrooms. All the thumbs up so far.

If you don't like cliffhangers, don't read this yet. Wait until the 2nd book comes out later this month. I've finished this one but plan to hold off on a review as the story is incomplete. (Ends mid-scene in the middle of the action.)