I was approached by the publicist for the book to do a review. this is my first cookbook review, and I want to do it right. A cookbook is more than a collection of recipes. After making 7 dishes, I certainly will give the recipes in the book a huge thumbs up. Easy to follow and complete. PLUS, the book gives dozens of recipes for each category, appetizers, breads, breakfast, soups, salads, meat and poultry, seafood, desserts and a terrific fun section of "extras" (wine pairing to candy making to "perfect" tips). As a collection of recipes, it succeeds as a cookbook.
No cook book could be all things to all people. Different skill levels, comfort zones and specialized cuisine all limit a book to a demographic. I believe the book is aimed at beginning to moderate cooks. There is nothing too difficult in here. There was not a single recipe that left me scratching my head. There are plenty of recipes that will make you shine (like the chocolate pecan cake shown above). But the book also has VERY basic recipes like egg salad, tuna salad (from a can), grilled cheese or S'mores. The majority of these recipes are not restaurant quality, and they make no pretense of being such. What they are; are real recipes, for a real family that will feed that family and will keep them looking forward to dinner time. If you are looking for that book that will get you offered a head chef job at a 4 star restaurant, this is not it. If you want your husband or wife to brag about your cooking to their buddies... This CERTAINLY is it.
Despite the name, it is not a collection of just Cajun food. With few exceptions (and they are well marked), there are not a lot of overly hot spiced foods. What this book mostly reminded me of was the semi-annual cookbook the ladies of Liberty Baptist Church of Pekin, Illinois printed. All good, all stood the test of time, and all easily reproduced. This is a book that Moms will feed their families with.
Da Cajn Critter is a living entity. That is, the author has set up an interactive website, with lots of details about the book, the author, more recipes and entertainment ideas and contact information. You can click HERE to get to her home page. Da Cajn Critter was born out of the tragedy of Katrina. For a good read of the spirit of the city, and the need to rebuild not just the building, but the family traditions that make Cajun Country unique, take a look at the websites "About Da Critter" page.
So, to sum up... The book is not all things to all people. Doesn't pretend to be. It is not a book for advanced restaurant chefs. It is a book for the rest of us. For the beginners, as well as those of us that cook every day. Once you give it a try, you will add several recipes to your "go-to" file. this book has a place on your shelf!
And now for some good news. Over the weekend, I was contacted by the author and the publicist for the book. They were pretty pleased with the recipes I had made, and wanted to keep da critter movin' on... That is, they are going to let me give a book away to a reader.
Easy to enter,
just drop a comment
and pinky swear promise that once you receive the book, you agree to cook a recipe from the book and blog the results. If you like any of the recipes I have done, you can do those, but I would like to see something new from the book!
And now, an update on my move to St.Thomas in the US Virgin Islands...
NOTHING NEW!
And I am pretty pissed about it. It started out with that do nothing Democrat Congress not being able to pass a Health Care bill with a super majority of senators. They had no excuse for their knuckle dragging. But last week, the infrastructure, the support staff (the people who actually do the nation's work (secretaries), as opposed to the Congress) took the entire week off due to the winter storm of the century (Stormzilla).
Jackie and I are one memo approval away from leaving. The virgins of the island wanted me there (and her) on February first. Now, it is looking like March 3rd at best. My birthday is March 8th, so I am thinking that is a realistic target date. Near as we can tell, the memo has been written, approved and is in transit. just have to get the secretaries back to work to get it finished.
So, between goats in the road, a do-nothing congress and snow in the nation's capital, we are in a holding pattern. But, my Speedos are packed and we are ready!
Ah-hah! You are a Pisces, it's no wonder you're heading closer to the water! I pinky swear that if I win, I will cook a couple of recipes from the book. Best wishes with the transition. Can't wait to see what the VI holds.
ReplyDeleteI'm just tickled to cook and blog anyway; better with a new cookbook!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move. We love the VIs.
me..me..me....pick me! I've been loving the dishes you've been sharing with us. And damn those goats!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would absolutely blog some recipes from this cookbook. Thank you for the offer.
ReplyDeleteI pinky swear to cook from this book if I get it. I have been wondering about when you are off to the the VI's. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteAll of the dishes you've made from this book have looked fantastic, Dave! I pinky swear that if I win said book, I will blog a couple of recipes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the VI update; you just can't count on the government.
Not interested in the book but I had to comment when I saw you are moving to the Virgin Islands...how awesome is that. My partner is trying to talk me into Costa Rica when my daughter graduates HS in two years.
ReplyDeleteI'd totally do a post about it if I won. ;)
ReplyDeleteCross my heart and ... well, I don't want to jinx myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd boooooo on the trip delay! You deserve to miss as much winter as possible! Plus, we're anxious to live vicariously through you.
I'm pisces too!!! March 19th! Just look at it this way Dave about the move, it will be the best birthday ever! I would love to win that book, and I promise I will make something from it should I win!
ReplyDeleteI would love the opportunity to cook and blog about a recipe from this book! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a worthy cook book, but three from K-Paul, Emeril, and The dean of these cooks- John Fosse, should get me through..
ReplyDeleteHolding patterns are the worst. They are such cockteases it's insane. Your time in paradise will come though. I have faith.
ReplyDeleteI am a pisces as well (Feb 25th). Gotta love those fish!
You have done such an awesome job reviewing this book! Everything you've made has made my stomach growl uncontrollably. I would love to cook from it!
Of course, I pinky swear! I will cook not just one, but probably several, and blog, and send happy Virgin Island thoughts your way.
ReplyDeletePoor thing! I complain with an inch of snow on the ground and 30 degrees of winter gray...nothing compared to DC. I am soooooo ready for the summer and the beach and the ocean and the grill and the speedos - on you-not me! I get texts from Obama all the time...want me to put in a good word for your memo?
ReplyDeleteGreat review on this book. I'm anxious to give it a try and hope you can pass it on to me. New Orleans is one of our favorite places...I think I told you that was our honeymoon destination.
I made a deep down South seafood gumbo last week. Did you check that out? Hubby's been handing out extra hugs and kisses all week because of it:)
I double pinkie swear and stick a needle in my eye promise that if I win, I shall post from the cookbook.
ReplyDeleteThat cookbook sounds great and I know I would enjoy cooking and posting recipes from it...I want that cake you made from that book!
ReplyDeleteI thought you did an excellent job of reviewing the book.
ReplyDeleteI have the mustard owed on the Super Bowl bet.. send me your shipping address, so that I may pay my debt.. You can E-mail me..
ReplyDeleteI pinky swear for sure...you know I'll blog about it. Love Cajun food. I definitely could learn a lesson or two.
ReplyDeleteHope your move to the Virgin Islands happens soon! Who wouldn't rather be there right now?!
after all of your killer posts i am dying for this book! i promise i'll post, and probably more than once!
ReplyDeletestormzilla, i like that. good luck with that transition!
I have been to St Thomas VI and had a great time! I love pirate stuff and its all there and hokey but I loved it! Please don't eat the Iguanas! Haha! What one recipe from that cook book would you pick for me to attempt should I win?
ReplyDelete~Really Rainey~
I so hope you and Jackie get your approval memo soon - how frustrating for you both! How dare they skip work due to that pesky snow?
ReplyDeleteAs for the book, I would love to win a copy and cross my heart promise to make lots and lots of the recipes. These last recipes you did made me so homesick!
Never been - is it difficult to move too? The weather here has been cold and wet... We're looking for warmer climes.... Keep me posted...
ReplyDeleteAs to the cook book - naturally, I swear, but as soon as folks find out I live in France they usually don't bother to send the promised stuff (I know you wouldn't be like that - I refer to publishers who continually ask my to review stuff, get my address, and nothing materializes - no freebies for me.....)
I would just love to get this book! And I would make so many thing from it! I will let you know all about my cooking too! thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteAdd my name to the pile! :) You did a great review of the book... most people would have made one recipe... great job!
ReplyDeleteI love trying new recipes. I would be willing to try these out!
ReplyDeletejason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Of course I'll try a recipe from the book and blog about it! You've made so many inspiring recipes already!!
ReplyDeleteGreat offer, but please do not include me in the giveaway. I think the book would be better loved by someone other than I.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy how you go off on our political system.
Dave for President in 2012.
Yes please!! I could use a new cook book--my grandfather was from New Orleans but he died when I was very young--I love spicy food--but I have absolutely no experience with anything Cajun--sorry Cajn. I promise to cook & blog about it if I win!
ReplyDeletekakihararocks@gmail.com