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Let’s Have Some Brunch
Date: Apr. 25th 2009
Category: Cookbooks, Cakes, Cheesecakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Brunch
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I specifically waited until Saturday to put this post up because to me, Sunday is the king of brunch days.
Thanks to my dear friend Cath of A Blithe Palate and Stephanie of Dispensing Happiness, I’ve had the chance to review Gale Gand’s Brunch! as part of a cookbook spotlight that they’re co-hosting.
I’m lucky enough to own a copy of Gale’s book Chocolate and Vanilla
I’m a big fan of Gale’s, although I’m not as familiar with her as I am with other cookbook authors. But most of the people that I know that are familiar with Gale, seem to enjoy the same things that I like about her books. To begin with, they’re very open. What I mean by that is that from the first page there’s a very clear sense that I can easily try each and every recipe in the book. And brunch, above all things, should be easy and straightforward. That’s why we call it brunch and not a formal dinner!
There’s also a lightness to her recipes that I enjoy. Do not fear. There’s butter aplenty (as there should be in all brunches). What I mean is that the recipes are imbued with a sense of starting your day off in a comforting, happy way … another important ingredient in a successful brunch!
At the end of the day (or should I say the beginning), it’s easy to imagine waking up on a Sunday morning and trying any one of the recipes in this book. As it turns out, I tried three, all of which were wonderful.
Because I’ve never met a buttermilk pancake recipe that I haven’t wanted to try, I tried the Buttermilk Pancakes and they were simple, quick and just delicious (pictured above).
And because I’ve never met a granola recipe that I haven’t wanted to try, I made the Cranberry-Almond Granola (with some macadamia nuts thrown in). Wonderful!
And finally, the Quick Pear Streusel Coffee Cake called to me because I had some pears that were languishing in the fruit basket. Now I should tell you that pears are not high on my list of favoured fruits but this quick and most cake actually made me like them. That’s good enough for me!
If you’re into brunch (and who isn’t), I cannot recommend this book more highly! I’m off to plan tomorrow’s brunch …
Ciao!
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August 2010
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Time to put all those herbs in the garden to good use! I’m loving this book!
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04/25/09 at 5:50 pm
I love pears and the coffee cake really called out to me as well! I’m just itching for an occasion to make it. I really enjoyed this book, and you are right, there is something very welcoming and just plain good-natured about it!
04/25/09 at 6:21 pm
I don’t know if I should thank you or not. This sounds like a wonderful cookbook and I should probably order it right this minute. I have so many many and I’m trying to be good. OK I give up1!
04/25/09 at 7:50 pm
Yet another book I want now… can’t say no to brunch!
04/26/09 at 2:35 am
oh Food glorious food!! you surely have done some amazing recipes here. I m drooling just looking at the photos. hmmm
04/26/09 at 3:15 am
What a great brunch! I love that kind of meal!
Cheers,
Rosa
04/26/09 at 5:37 am
Oh my, what a cookbook!! And I’m loving the looks of the granola and coffee cake!!
If you ever travel near my hometown again, we must do brunch!!
04/26/09 at 7:51 am
My plan had been to be home this morning and make another of these recipes but weather delays and cancelled flights got in the way. Next week-end I’m doing another out of this book.
It is all you say it is.
Pancakes . . . my husband would love that.
04/26/09 at 8:34 am
Ivonne, i’m so much in love for this recipes… one of my favourite desserts is crumble (althought i never tryed with pears) and my recent favorite ingredients, is definitely the buttermilk!
Wonderfull post!
04/26/09 at 10:25 am
“Yum,” to everything I see here.
Paz
04/26/09 at 10:50 am
I’m with Judyj - and seem to have the same amount of willpower when it comes to cookbooks - it’s on order. Thanks for a great sneak peek Ivonne! Everything looks lovely.
04/26/09 at 3:45 pm
I loved this book too, what great choices you made for sampling. It is fun to see what different people chose to make.
04/26/09 at 11:49 pm
Wish I was at your table for Sunday brunch…WOW!! Looks like you got LOADS of mojo back!! Yum yum!
04/27/09 at 11:17 am
This is the best brunch cookbook I have seen! I am glad you gave me the opportunity to review it - now the hard part is choosing which recipe to make for brunch every Sunday
04/27/09 at 3:22 pm
I can’t wait to check out this cookbook! I love breakfast/brunch foods!
04/27/09 at 5:24 pm
oh lordy……………. BRUNCH! My favorite thing in the world! That coffeecake looks delish!
04/30/09 at 7:01 pm
[…] Pancakes for special Sunday brunch by Cream Puffs in Venice. Ivonne shares her cooking ideas for a weekend […]