I received an intriguing email awhile back. Susan Thacker, author of Supper Swapping, asked me to review her cookbook. In light of this, you can see Susan is brave, and maybe a bit of a gambler.
I emailed her back that if her cookbook required that I cook a bunch at one time, or switch meals with a friend, I wouldn’t do that. She sent me the cookbook anyway, and I was pleasantly surprised. The only time I saw a cookbook where you cook with a friend, it seemed that every recipe called for 9 cans of cream of mushroom soup. Um, GAG. I was thrilled to discover this was entirely different.
Supper Swapping has a very nice quality feel to it with thick, glossy pages. The recipes do not overwhelm with eleventy hundred ingredients, and are all from chefs at successful restaurants.
I tried Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore, and adored it. I mean, YEA. My kids don’t eat what I cook. THEY ATE IT. And then…?! Then they said the following:
Ethan-5yr: "It gets my vote, all the way up to the very top!"
Kim-11yr: "Can I have this in my lunch tomorrow?"
Caden-2yr: "Mmm!"
If necessary, re-read those comments after reminding yourself that chicken cacciatore HAS VEGGIES.
(It smelled heavenly. This is right before I added the chicken. And below is proof it’s easy enough to make with a kid on your hip. And dude. That’s important around here.)
What else is there to say?! I made it, they liked it. This is a success unlike 99% of my other cooking ventures. You go, Susan Thacker!!
My mom laughed at the blob on the bowl’s edge. But whatever, it’s still pretty, huh?
My next effort was Zucchini Bread, and I LOVE zucchini. The batter was so delicious, I licked the bowl. Really. It had no chocolate, and yet – I snarfed it as if it were fudge. That’s how good.
Make it in a loaf pan, not an 8×8 like I did. But it was soooo good. And the kids liked it, too!
Is this too glowing of a review? Sorry. I do not get along with cookbooks usually. NOT AT ALL. And this one? I love it.
Go here for more recipes and to order your own (autographed) copy. Really, GO.
Updated to add:
While I wrote the above, the third recipe i tried was in the oven. I didn’t mention it, because I didn’t know how it’d turn out. It was Coconut Pineapple Tart, and – in true Kelsey style – I messed it up 3 different ways. First, I figured that ‘unsweetened dried coconut’ and ‘ sweetened moist coconut’ were probably close enough. Um, WRONG.But my grocery store didn’t have unsweetened dried. Then, I didn’t soften the butter. (Because, hello? That means planning ahead, and I don’t do that) Then, I didn’t decrease the sugar to allow for the super sweet of the sweetened coconut I used. Oh, well maybe I messed it up four ways, since you were supposed to get all fancy and make your own tart crust, and — don’t read any further, Susan Thacker — I just used a ready made pie crust. But! Despite all that it was pretty good. If you can screw up a recipe 4 ways, and still have a nice dessert, that’s worth mentioning, dontchathink?
I love you.
12:22 am
You go girl! They all look Yum-O (sorry Susan T. for the R.Ray-ism!) You know if the kids liked it you scored big time!! I might have to check this one out…anything in the crock is a bonus for me.
3:40 am
Great post! I am not a plan ahead cook either. And I can’t handle eleventy hundred ingredients. So I appreciated this (and I love Chicken Cacciatore). You have a real zest for life that shows in your writing – I love it.
6:03 am
You crack me me up, girl! I somehow missed that other post–don’t know how–so I’m glad you linked it.
6:32 am
That’s it, I need to get that book!
8:00 am
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYY! It looks sooo good. I am up for trying anything crock pot that tastes good and is MOST IMPORTANTLY easy.
Funny, because today, I posted a crock pot recipe too! I’m definitely gonna make this one! (And get the book!)
8:48 am
Wow! You did great. I will have to see about getting that book!
congratulations on your successful cooking venture!
8:57 am
Wow, I’m so impressed!! You even cooked with a baby on the hip, that is a major accomplishment!! Sounds like you really enjoyed it. I’m going to have to try that out!!
9:39 am
Wow, now I’m really hungry. I could really go for that zucchini bread.
9:54 am
WAY TO GO KELSEY! Watch out Cooking Network, there’s a new chef in town.
11:22 am
If you can cook, well then (drawing in big breath here)—so can I!
Congrats, HM!!!
12:38 pm
Well, dang it – now I have to buy a cookbook?! Then, I have to COOK?! Okay, I’ll do it. Nice post! Nice Review.
12:39 pm
Huh! Look at that! It really DOES look deeelish! Way to go!!!
2:08 pm
Thank you, Kelsey, for the great review!!!! The Coconut Pineapple Tart you made (with it’s 6 ingredients plus crust) is one of the more advanced recipes in the book. Don’t feel bad. I get stressed out thinking about making it. But all the others are easy. If anyone wants to order a signed book today at a discount of $12.00 plus shipping, you can email me at susan@supperswapping.com. (I can’t change the price on my website, it’s too complicated, so you have to email me.)I’ll also include my personal list of easy favorites. Thanks again!!!
2:41 pm
Oohh, that looks delish!!!! YUM!! And you said you weren’t a cook…
2:49 pm
Sounds like a great cookbook. Where on earth do you find dry, unsweetened coconut? Other than inside a coconut? And …. come to think of it, the coconut would not be dry inside, would it? Isn’t there “milk” or something inside those things?
Like I ever plan to crack open a coconut.
2:55 pm
Way to go, Kelsey! I love this book too — Susan Thacker gave me permission to post the Blueberry Spinach Salad recipe in my blog if anyone wants to try it. I bet your house smelled so good when that chicken was cooking!
http://mom2momconnection.com/2006/03/21/blueberry-spinach-salad-recipe/
3:26 pm
Thanks for the tip! I don’t get along with cookbooks, either, but this one looks like a winner!
4:45 pm
snarfable zuccini bread YUMM (by the way that chicken looks fabulous. Now Im hungry.
9:39 pm
OMG I NEEEED that book! No, you don’t understand, I really NEEED it. If I make sloppy joes one more time, I will gag.
11:34 pm
Ok I am so not a cook, but those recipes sound awesome!! I am so tempted to buy that book! Great review!!
7:20 am
We’ve enjoyed the cookbook too! I just had it out again today to plan my next week’s meals. My daughter loves to cook and new cookbooks are a treat for her.
I’ll have to try that coconut thingy. I love coconut and making desserts. We’ll see how this one goes.
12:28 am
I’m so enjoying the cookbook too. I’ve tried out 7 recipes now and the were all big hits. I’m supposed to review it soon too. Yum!
5:49 pm
Mmmmm. That chicken cacciatore looks delicious! I love veggies and did I see green olives in there? Yummy!! If anyone ever wants to know how I can be overweight without eating chocolate? Olives, cheese and pistachio ice cream. Not together of course. Well, the olives and the cheese are good together. Okay, now I’m hungry.
BTW, is that a Longaberger basket on your counter? I am a complete Longaberger addict and that looks suspiciously like one, though I can’t place which basket it is.
10:57 am
You don’t have to plan ahead to soften butter. That’s why God made microwave ovens. I always nuke mine to soften (uh, semi-melt) it. The recipes look great though.
And for Jeana’s mama; the coconut meat is sorta dry and chewy, and then there’s a hole full of coconut water. I know this, because my husband makes ice-cream from fresh coconuts, which he grates himself. And before you’re all impressed, pause a moment and imagine what the kitchen looks like when he’s through…little bits of coconut shell and meat everywhere, driblets of milk, etc. Ok, the ice-cream is worth it, but I didn’t want to make you jealous