The Weekly Book Report and Book Review Link-up #2

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Welcome to the Weekly Book Report and Book Review Link-up #2!

Every Wednesday I will be sharing my latest read – which could be a cookbook, a celebrity chef biography or memoir, a lifestyle book, a gardening book, a homemaking book or maybe even a cozy kitchen mystery book. They may be paper books, eBooks, or audio books. I have challenged myself to read or listen to at least one book per week, and I plan to share that with you all here.

In addition to my Book Report, there will be a Book Report LInky – a chance for all of you to share your own book review blog post (ONE per blog, please). We want to see what had you page flipping, can’t put it down, totally captivated.

Lastly will be a Featured post from the previous week’s shared posts. This will be a post picked at random by the host. Each host will likely pick their own feature – so that’s three chances to be featured!

If you have any suggestions for me on book I should check out – please let me know!

Title:

Betty Crocker Best 100

Author: Betty Crocker Kitchens

Publication Date: 2021

Published by: Harvest

Listed Price: $25.00 (hardback)

About the Author:

Since 1921, the Betty Crocker name has symbolized the General Mills continuing tradition of service to consumers. Although Betty was never a real person, her name and identity have become synonymous with helpfulness, trustworthiness and quality.

Betty Crocker has survived the decades by providing consumers with food information and food products that are contemporary without being faddish. The first hardcover cookbook, Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook was published in 1950 and quickly became a national best seller. Since then, more than 250 Betty Crocker cookbooks have been published.

Brief Description of the book:

Celebrate Betty Crocker’s 100th birthday with more than 100 of her best recipes

Betty Crocker is 100! To celebrate a century of helping American home cooks get food on the table, Betty Crocker is sharing 100 of her best recipes that have fed and nourished every generation since 1921.

Each recipe in this heirloom book is a cherished favorite that’s easy to make and difficult to fail, and each includes a note for a closer look at the American icon. With a full range of recipes, from breads and hearty casseroles to decadent cakes and sweets, Betty’s Best 100 is sure to be as treasured in your kitchen as Betty Crocker is.

My Review:

First, I gotta say I love a hard cover cookbook for the simple fact that they just lay flat and open on the countertop. This cookbook has great photos and lots of extras throughout the book, another plus for me when it comes to the overall. The recipes are well written – very descriptive and easy to follow. Any “special” techniques are given more explanation in a little margin note or even a whole page. There are also some really great variations on several of the recipes – which I always love to see in a cookbook. I try to do this with most of my recipes because I know not everyone wants the exact recipe – or they have food allergies or aversions. Since it is book celebrating the 100 years of Betty Crocker, you will also find some great antidotes about the progression of the brand. If you are like me and like to read cookbooks like novels – this is a great one for that.

This Week’s Feature Post:

This is a post that stood out from the list of linked up posts last week. I hope you will hope over and check out their review. And don’t forget to link-up your own book-centric posts – YOU MIGHT BE NEXT WEEK’S FEATURE!

When Your Unique Calling Means Doing What You Can’t Not Do

Shared by Michelle at Living Our Days

The Book Review Linky

Meet Your Librarians…errmmm I mean Hosts!

Melynda	Blog	Pinterest	Facebook	Instagram
Estelle	Blog	Pinterest	Facebook	Instagram

Now for the link-up!

Party Guidelines:

1. Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.

2. Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.

3. We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Book Review Linky is for links related to Books. Please link accordingly.

4. All Captions need to be Family-Friendly and PG. If your post has EXPLICIT content, you must label it in the caption. If you DO NOT DO this your link will be removed.

5. You may add ONE Book-Centric Post per URL.

With your help, we can continue to grow the Book Review Linky Party ! Thank you!

We are looking for Co-Hosts. Help us Rock this party!

If you are interested, please contact Estelle at homemadeonaweeknight@gmail.com

By joining the Book Review Linky, you signify permission for the listed Hosts to share your posts and images here and receive an email reminder when our next Book Review Linky is LIVE.

Chili Crisp Carrot Salad

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Carrots are such a flavor packed, nutrient dense, and budget friendly vegetable that sadly gets overlooked so often. Some people don’t care for it cooked on its own. Some think they can’t eat much of it raw. This recipe for Chili Crisp Carrot Salad is going to change all of that for you and your family. The dressing is a slightly spicy quick pickle that balances the sweetness of the carrot with the tang of vinegar and the pop of chili crisp.

If you haven’t tried chili crisp or aren’t sure what it is, it’s most often found on the table at your favorite Asian restaurant. Sometimes called chili crunch or chili oil – though chili crisps have more “solids” in it than most chili oils. It had great flavors of garlic, chili flakes, green onions, and usually sesame oil. Some are extra hot with Sichuan peppercorns, and some are just red pepper flakes added. You can find it either on the international food aisle, Asian food aisle, or even just the condiment aisle in your grocery store. Depending on your location, you may to order from Amazon or go to an Asian market.

Substitutes and Variations:

They type of chili crisp you use will impact the heat level of this simple salad. You can use red onions in the place of the green onions. Just shave them thin with your hand mandolin so they aren’t too bulky. If you want to make this dish more of a show piece, use heirloom or rainbow carrots to add more colors to the mix.

Suggestions for Sides:

This is an excellent salad for a pot luck or to enjoy as a lunch. It goes great with an Asian rice bowl as well. You could put it out with some chow mein, fried rice, orange chicken, and/or mongolian beef and have your own Chinese Buffet night!

Tools that may make this recipe easier:

You will definitely need a good vegetable peeler to get your carrot ribbons. I like to use one with a serrated blade so that the ribbons have grooves to hold on to the dressing.

Now Let’s Get Cookin’!

Chili Crisp Carrot Salad

A simple but flavorful carrot salad that is great on it's own or as part of a rice bowl.

Course Salad, Side Dish, sides

Cuisine American, Asian, Chinese, Fusion

Keyword carrot salad, carrots, chili crisp, rice vinegar, Sesame seeds, soy sauce

Prep Time 15

Chill time 30

Equipment

1 Vegetable Peeler

Ingredients

5 Medium Carrots cut into ribbons
3 stalks Green Onions green parts only
2 cloves Garlic grated
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
1 tbsp Sesame OIl
2 tbsp Chili Crisp
1 tsp Sesame Seeds

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, oil, chili crisp and sesame seeds.
Add garlic, green onion and carrots to a larger bowl. Pour sauce mixture over top and toss to combine.
Cover and place in refrigerator to cool for at least 30 minutes.

I love to link up my posts to lots of blogs around the internet – check out this Ultimate Handy Linky Party List to find some of the places I share to!

Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:

AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS

Don’t miss new recipes from Homemade on a Weeknight – subscribe and get an email with every new post!

Weekly Wrap-up & Senior Salon Pit Stop #370

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Welcome to Senior Salon Pit Stop #370

Welcome to this week’s Weekly Wrap-up and Blog Link-up.

It’s a new year at the Senior Salon Pit Stop and it’s time to vroom-vroom to all the great posts that everyone is creating all around the the blogosphere! Scroll down to check out my Weekly Wrap-up along with my Featured posts from the previous Pit Stop!

What’s been going on at Homemade on a Weeknight?

We had a very unexpected weather change over this week. We went from a blistering 98degF to 45degF and windy rain in less than 24 hours. Sadly, our small greenhouse lost its top, and our build on our new – BIGGER – chicken coop came to a screeching halt. Luckily, we didn’t currently have anything germinating in the green house, so all that was lost was the roof itself. We are head back into the 80s and 90s so we should be able to get back on track!

What have you been up to this past week?

Just #ICYMI – I have started a Book-Centric Blog Linky with a dear blogger friend. Check out the Weekly Book Report & Book Review Linky

In case you missed it, here are the recipes that I shared to the blog this week:

Have you had a chance to check out the new Facebook group Yum Hungry Hangout & Giggles? It is a place to share your foodie finds, funny facts and in general hangout and get to know each other more through out shared love of food. Please feel free to check it out and maybe join in the fun!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/yumyumhungryhangoutandgiggles/

By joining the Senior Salon Pit Stop, you signify permission (EsmeSalon privacy policy) to share your posts and images here and receive an email reminder when our next Senior Salon Pit Stop is LIVE.

Show off your feature by adding the “I was featured at the Senior Salon Pit Stop” image to your post. Use this code:

You may also be featured on EsmeSalon as part of the Top featured posts.

These posts caught my eye last week! Please check back each week to see if your post is one of the ones that got a feature!

GF Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins shared by My Wee Abode

Mini Charcuterie Boards shared by 24 Hour Family

Church Ladies Potluck Recipes shared by Home with Grace & Joy

Lime Basil Cookies from Coastal Bohemian

Come and meet your Senior Salon Pit Stop Crew.

Meet your SSPS Crew:

Melynda	Blog	Pinterest	Facebook	Instagram
Estelle	Blog	Pinterest	Facebook	Instagram
Esme	Blog	Pinterest	Facebook	Instagram

SSPS Is Hiring – are you interested in joining the Senior Salon Pit Stop Host Team? Please fill out our Co-Host Questionnaire

SSPS Co-Host Post

A few simple rules for the Senior Salon Pit Stop Link Party:

For every post that you share – make one comment on someone else’s post. Help make their day a bit brighter.

Unlimited sharing BUT we ask that you visit one other blog post for each link you share.

Posts can be on any subject that is family-friendly.

Posts with direct sales, shops, or affiliates must contain relevant post content.

That’s it! Come and join the fun and let’s make it worthwhile!

If you are looking for more fun places to link up your posts – check out our Ultimate Handy Linky Party List – check back often as it’s always growing. And if we have missed your Linky Party – please send me a message and we will get it added in!

Don’t miss new recipes from Homemade on a Weeknight – subscribe and get an email with every new post!

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Homemade Cornbread Mix

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In recent months and years, I have been trying to get away from the overly processed “shelf-stable” mixes and packets that so many of us use on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong – there is no shame in those pre-made items. I am just trying to limit how often I am using them as they do have added preservatives that we just dont need in our food. And that is how I came to decide to make my own Homemade Cornbread Mix. I love to have fresh cornbread, but recently, I tasted an oddness coming from that traditional blue box and felt it was time to tackle making my own.

Another big bonus of making your own mixes in bulk is that you half or double (even triple) a recipe as the meal needs it. You can also easily adjust the base flavor and have your favorite mix-ins. You can add whole corn kernels or honey or peppers or cheese or bacon or ham or veggies. I have a lively recipe for Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread that deserves to be on every BBQ platter!

Substitutes and Variations:

As I’ve mentioned above, there are quite a few mix-in ideas when it comes to cornbread. I have seen some wild creations like blueberry jalapeño and spinach goat cheese. Cornbread is such a great base to start with – the possibilities are endless. Just keep in mind how much moisture and/or fat your mix-ins will add and adjust accordingly. You may need less other liquids or more cook time.

Suggestions for Sides:

Cornbread is excellent with so many different meals. You can have it with a big bowl of chili or along side your bbq ribs. Its also lovely with breakfast or on its own with some smooth melted honey butter.

Tools that may make this recipe easier:

Whenever making your own baking mixes, it is best to use a large mason jar with a lid and a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. When it comes to baking, the ingredients come together for a chemical reaction. So you need to be sure you have all the good stuff mixed up well.

Now Let’s Get Cookin’!