Blog Tour: Six Ingredients with Six Sisters' Stuff

Six Ingredients with Six Sisters' Stuff

Book Description:

With only six ingredients or less per recipe, making dinner has never been easier.

Six Sisters' Stuff is one of the most popular blogs for quick and easy cooking and entertaining at home for families. In their eighth cookbook, they tackle how to master meals for any cook with any skill level with more than 100 easy recipes made with incredible flavor combinations from just six ingredients or less.

From beginning cooks learning the basics to busy parents looking to save time in the kitchen, this cookbook is loaded with entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Whether it's a one-pot wings dish or a no-bake peanut butter bar this cookbook is a fool-proof solution to meal planning and features kid-friendly chapters such as “Kid Favorites” and “Kids Can Cook.”

Rorie's Review:

I love cookbooks. Every time I'm near the book section at a book store, I always have to go check out the cookbooks. The funny thing is, I don't actually enjoy cooking. But I really do enjoy eating, so there's that. Most of my cookbooks that get regularly used these days come from Six Sisters' Stuff. This particular book is right up my alley. Only six ingredients? Easy to make? Yes, please!

I used this book for my meal planning one week. I picked a main dish and a side for each meal and then I had one or two desserts picked out as well. But, this is real life, and things didn't go quite as planned. I never ended up trying the desserts (sadness!) and I think the only sides I ended up making were the rolls and the Twice-Baked Bacon-and-Chive Sweet Potatoes. For the main dishes, I ended up making Slow Cooker Swiss Chicken, Barbecue Chicken Tostadas, Ground Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas, 5-Ingredient Turkey Meatloaf, Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops and Slow Cooker Root-Beer-Glazed Ribs.

Everything was a hit, except for the enchiladas, but I think that was because I bought some cheapo enchilada sauce and it was bitter. The filling was tasty, but the sauce ruined the dish. My son even said that the meatloaf was the best meatloaf he's ever had in his life. (I did use half ground turkey, half sausage, because that's what I had.) And the rolls were to die for!

I love how easy these meals come together and how tasty they all are. I also appreciate the color pictures of what the dish looks like. I struggle with cookbooks that don't have any pictures. This cookbook will be used over and over again.

Andrea's Review:

I was introduced to Six Sisters' recipes several years ago, and my family's go-to special occasion meal includes their honey, lime chicken enchiladas and their tres leches cake (so, so yummy). This new cookbook sounds like it should have been perfect for me with the crazy, busy summer I've had. Sadly, I was so busy that even six ingredients was a bit much for the amount of cooking I did.

I did have time to make a few items. First, I made the taco crescent rolls. They were easy and three out of the four of us liked it. There was quite a bit of the taco meat leftover (you can only roll so much into the small crescent rolls). I also made some of their cake mix cookies. It is a very similar recipe to one my kids have been using for years, except this includes vanilla. I didn't have the M&Ms the recipe called for, so I used some Andes mint chips and they were so delicious!

We were invited to our friends' house for dinner, and my daughter made the No-Back Lemon Cookie Truffles and the One-Pan Triple-Berry Cobbler to share with them. Both were delicious and easy to make. We don't really like almond bark, so my daughter melted some white chocolate chips to coat the truffles in. Our grocery store didn't have a good bag of mixed berries, so we used some frozen blueberries and raspberries we already had. Very tasty!

Like their other cookbooks, this one is full color with a beautiful photo of each dish (so important). Although I'd prefer a spiral bound book, the front and back covers have flaps that do a decent job of holding open pages while you cook.

I'm looking forward to trying many more of these recipes.

Tarah's Review:

A classic cover, a clean look, and only six ingredients....yep, this was a cookbook for me and my family. One of my favorite things was that it had a "Kid Approved" cute little hand stamp on certain recipes.  I did have to laugh when I was looking at it with my kids, and one of them said, "Why isn't this stamped on all the desserts?" Because what kid doesn't like desserts?

My kids devoured the Barbecue Biscuit Cups. That one worked well because I had everything already and it came together really easy. In fact, a lot of the recipes call for ingredients that I normally have, so that's really nice for me because I normally think about dinner right before dinner time. It's super frustrating to go to make something in a cookbook only to realize I don't have everything I need. Yes, planning ahead would solve that problem, but let's face it...that doesn't generally happen with me and meals.

I think my kids favorite dessert was the Chocolate-Caramel Brownie Trifle. They've already requested it for a party we are having. It was simple to make (although, I will admit I had to buy those ingredients special). I was super sad that I couldn't eat it. I just started Keto, and if anything was going to tempt me to go off it, it was this recipe. It looked and smelled soooo good. And then with the kids asking again and again to eat more of it, let me tell you it was a challenge.

Anyway, this cookbook will get a lot more use when I'm finished with Keto. But my kids pull it out and make things from it. It's simple enough that they can make things unassisted and as a mom, I'm all over that!


Title: Six Ingredients with Six Sisters' Stuff
Author: Six Sisters
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: September 2019
ISBN: 1629725994
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon |  Deseret Book

Review: The Space Hero Cookbook by Barbara Beery

The Space Hero Cookbook by Barbara Beery

Book Description:

Breadstick Blasters! Smugglers' Cupcakes! Intergalactic Birthday Cake! What better way to explore a galaxy far, far away than by cooking up some alien-inspired grub and cosmic crafts? With 30 space-themed recipes, bestselling author Barbara Beery provides full-color, easy-to-make recipes for your budding space cadet.

Recipes and crafts include: Wormhole Roll-ups, Red Alert Ravioli, Hyperspace Hummus, Space Pirate Punch, Carbonite Crayons, Space Slug Slime, Gamma Ray Glow Jars, and much more!

So don't go supernova without ideas. Just follow "The Space Hero" Cookbook through hyperspace, and enjoy Crafts, Drinks, Sweets & Treats, Savory, and Dips, Chips, & Snacks."

Review:

This would be the perfect gift for my sisters. They're always going all out with parties for their kids, and this has everything you'd want to plan a party for your young space lover that is out of this world. :)

In order for a cookbook to be high on my favorites list, it needs to have a few things. One is being spiral bound (I hate having to try to find things to hold the book open-especially because that often means covering up part of the recipe I'm trying to follow). Another is a hard cover. Cooking can be messy, and having a durable, hardcover is very helpful. Recipe books should also have good pictures of all of their recipes. How else do you know if you did it right? The Space Hero Cookbook has all of these things!

This cookbook not only has a variety of recipes that would be perfect for a space party, but it has fun little thoughts and trivia throughout the book. AND it has a craft section with great ideas to liven up your space party (or just fun ideas to try with your kiddos-Space Slug Slime anyone?).

Title: The Space Hero Cookbook
Author: Barbara Beery
Publisher: Familius
Published: September 2015
ISBN: 1942934009
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon

Cookbook Review: One Dirty Bowl: Fast Baking, Faster Cleanup by Christina Dymock

One Dirty Bowl: Fast Baking, Faster Cleanup by Christina Dymock

Purchase: Amazon

Book Description:

One Dirty Bowl: Fast Baking, Faster Cleanup is a cookbook with a twist. Another fabulous frolic into the world of food by author Christina Dymock, One Dirty Bowl was designed to appeal to time-strapped dessert lovers (and isn't that almost all of us?) One Dirty Bowl features over 70 delightful, time-saving recipes that can be created with just one bowl. Desserts such as: Chocolate Cake to the Third Power-a three layer/three flavor cake, Cheesecake Sundaes, Turtle Bites, Inside-Out Pumpkin Smore Cupcakes, and Peanut Butter Truffle Bars can be whipped up to perfection in just minutes. Yum!

Baking doesn't have to take all day or make a mess in the kitchen. With One Dirty Bowl: Fast Baking, Faster Cleanup, you'll have the recipes and easy-to-follow instructions to help you make show-stopping from-scratch desserts in no time. All you need is a little time and one bowl! And, since you'll only have one bowl to clean, you'll use these recipes over and over again.

Rorie's Review:

I always love to try new dessert recipes, especially if they're easy. My kids and I have tried 4 recipes from this book so far and all of them have been easy and yummy. The No Bake Peanut Butter Bars were easily the favorite - we've made them two times already. Part of the reason why I don't like cooking is due to the clean up afterward, so I was very happy that these recipes did only dirty one bowl, as promised. 

About the Author:

Christina Dymock graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in public relations. She has been published in Woman's World Magazine and in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She is also the author of101 Things to Do with Popcorn, Young Chefs: Cooking Skills & Recipes for Kids, and The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook. She resides in central Utah with her husband and four children.You can follow their cooking adventures at: TheHungryFamilyatHome.com

Blog Tour: A Year With Six Sisters' Stuff

Review * Giveaway

A Year with Six Sisters’ STUFF:

52 Menu Plans, Recipes and Ideas to bring Families Together

Book Description:

Filled with delicious tried-and-true family favorites and oh-so-easy-to-make dishes, A Year With Six Sisters' Stuff features all-new recipes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each menu is designed to make your dinner plans as easy as possible—and with such wide variety and a photograph accompanying every recipe in the book, you can easily mix and match menus to create a year's worth of dinner ideas.

In addition, the Sisters share some of their favorite family dinner traditions and crafts, as well as 52 dinner conversation starters, a list of pantry staples, and, food storage plan for beginners.

Review:

This is the best cookbook I've reviewed and my new favorite cookbook! Not only does it have a wonderful and durable cover, the pictures throughout the book are mouthwatering. And, EVERY recipe has a picture! This is a huge bonus to me and my family, and not something you see very often. It really adds a lot to the book.

Not only is the presentation of this book fabulous, but the recipes are so good! We have tried quite a few of them, and look forward to testing many more (like the Tres Leches Cake-the ingredients are waiting for me right now). When you get this book (because you really should), definitely try the Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas. So, so good.

I love the variety that is included in the book, and I didn't find any of the recipes too challenging. If you or someone you know is looking for some great new recipes, definitely try A Year With Six Sisters' Stuff.

About the Authors:

The Six Sisters—Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra—grew up in Utah, but a few of them have lived in other parts of the country since moving out of the house. Between them there are five nieces and three nephews, and all of the sisters love playing “aunt.” The sisters started the blog in February 2011 to keep in touch while they were apart, but it has since gained popularity, garnering more than 9 million viewers per month and more than 307,000 followers on Pinterest.

Tour Giveaway: 

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Title: A Year with Six Sisters’ STUFF:52 Menu Plans, Recipes and Ideas to bring Families Together
Author: Six Sisters
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: March 2014
ISBN: 1609078160
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
Purchase:  Amazon | Kindle | Deseret Book

Blog Tour: The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook by Christina Dymock

*Review*

Tour Schedule

 The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook by Christina Dymock

Book Description:

It’s every busy mother’s dream-come-true: dinner that makes itself! With the help of your trusty slow cooker and these healthy, easy recipes like Peppery Cilantro Salmon, Sausage Stew, and Dark Chocolate Mini Cakes, you can put dinner on the table even on the craziest of days. Don’t let the whirlwind of life stop you from feeding your family the food they deserve-delicious, home-cooked meals straight from your slow cooker.

Review:

Cooking dinner has been such a chore lately. When I heard about The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook it seemed like just the thing to help me (especially with the tag line "Every mother's dream come true: dinner that makes itself!). Being able to throw ingredients in a slow cooker in the morning so dinner is ready to eat when everyone gets home is very appealing.

I learned a few things from this cookbook. First, I had no idea what size of slow cooker I own. I've had it for years and the box is long gone. I looked and looked and couldn't find the size on it anywhere. I ended up having to measure the amount of water it could hold to determine that it's a four quart slow cooker. Many of the recipes in the book call for a six quart slow cooker, and luckily two of my neighbors let me borrow their larger slow cookers to test some of the recipes (neither of which listed their sizes-slow cooker manufacturers really should include that on their products).

I also learned that I must usually use my slow cooker on the low heat setting. Running three slow cookers at once is probably not advisable when you're trying to keep settings straight. I appreciated the note in the beginning of the book that said one hour on high is the equivalent of two hours on low so my dishes weren't ruined when I didn't start them correctly.

The Citrus Roast and Peanut Butter Lover Brownies were big hits (and easy). The Sweet Potatoes with Thyme were good-not a kid favorite though. The Cranberry Wild Rice was very tasty, but some of the rice was very mushy while some was still crunchy (it's a mixture of long-grain rice and wild rice-possibly the texture would have been different with different brands of rice). We loved the cake part of the Pumpkin Pudding Cake, but the bottom layer didn't set up nearly as much as we expected. If there is ever an update to this book, I would love pictures of every recipe and something that notes what the consistency should be.

I haven't been very successful at planning a weekly menu, and I found that most of the recipes I tested required some ingredients I don't typically have on hand. So, while this is a time saver just before dinner time, I'd need to plan ahead at least by a day to make sure I had the needed ingredients. 

This cookbook isn't the miracle to solve my dinner making woes (honestly the miracle would be a personal chef), but the recipes with long cook times can definitely help me if I plan ahead. 

Book Launch Party:

About the Author:

Christina Dymock graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Public Relations. She has been published in Woman’s World Magazine, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books and is the author of “101 Things to do With Popcorn” and “Young Chefs: Cooking Skills and Recipes for Kids.” She resides in Central Utah with her husband and four children. You can follow their cooking adventures at kidsabletreats.blogspot.com.

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Title: The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook 
Author: Christina Dymock
Publisher: Front Table Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort Inc.
Published: March 2014
ISBN: 1462113621
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
Purchase: Amazon | Books & Things

Book Tour: Pop Art by Kris Galicia Brown

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Book Review:

This was such a fun cookbook! Here is my confession though.  I'm not a baker...in any shape or form. I can cook okay, but baking is not my forte.  However, when I got this book (and never having tried to make cake pops before) Kris just made it look and sound so easy! I thought, "I can totally do this!" and it was fun to try.

I attempted to make the heart cake pops. I probably should have started with just a plain old circle one, but I didn't :) They actually turned out okay too! I'd show a picture, but they got eaten too fast, and I was told that they were super delicious (and they were, I had two myself). My problem was that I live in a really small town and so I don't have access to all of the things that she recommended.  The two hardest parts for me were getting the right consistency for the dough, and the right consistency for the candy coating. She highly recommended using paramount crystals (which I'd never heard of) but I couldn't find them in my small town, and didn't take the time to order them online. I'm also a wee bit impatient (which is probably why baking isn't a good fit for me) and so I had a couple balls fall off the stick when I tried to dip them. I think this was because of two reasons. First, like I said, I'm impatient and I don't think I let the candy coating set long enough, and second, I don't think my candy coating was thin enough. That was probably because I didn't use the paramount crystals. I did try oil, but didn't want to use too much because I didn't know what I was doing. 

 These were super fun, and all her pictures in the cookbook were really really cute.  Nothing is better than having pictures of what your food is supposed to look like :) Her instructions were really straight forward and easy to follow. If you haven't ever tried cake pops before, I'd definitely give this book a shot. I'd probably even recommend it if you have tried them before. She has really great recipes in there for the cake. I can't wait to try some different ones in the book.  My kids really liked the first ones.

Book Description:

You've never seen cake pops like these! Hot Air Balloons, Pineapples, Giraffes, and Easter Baskets--cake pop artist Kris Galicia Brown shows you how to shape, dip, and decorate over 40 amazing designs. Make your cake pops phenomenal with "Pop Art"!

Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, cake pop artist Kris Galicia Brown shows you how to shape, dip, and decorate over 40 amazing designs for any  holiday or event. Learn her personal techniques, tips, and tricks to create the most mouthwatering and beautiful cake pops.

Here is a quick video showing you how to shape Christmas Tree Cake Pops!

About the Author:

With a love for sweets and a passion for design, Kris Galicia Brown is a light of inspiration in the cake pop industry. Kris skillfully crafts her sweets like works of fine art.

After graduating with a degree in advertising from the Art Institute of California-San Diego, she pursued a career in graphic design and worked as lead Creative for a local advertising and PR agency. After entering motherhood, Kris founded kCreative and began work as a freelance designer and ultimately stumbled upon the world of cake  pops. Her background as a graphic designer has proved to be an excellent foundation for her newest venture.

Kris's originality, eye for detail, and addiction to precision sets her apart from other cake pop makers and has landed her a global audience. Kris lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and two daughters. In addition to running her business, Goods by kCreative, Kris also teaches cake pop classes and blogs regularly. Learn more about Kris Galicia Brown at www.goodsbykcreative.com.

Title: Pop Art: Decorating and Shaping Custom Cake Pops
Author: Kris Galicia Brown
Publisher: Front Table Books
Published: 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4621-1258-6
Source: I received an eCopy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle

Blog Tour: Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook by Shannon M. Smurthwaite

*Review*

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Title: Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook

Author: Shannon M. Smurthwaite

Publisher: Front Table Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.

Published: March 2013

ISBN: 1462111092

FTC FYI: I received a Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Deseret Book | Books & Things

Book Description:

Italian cooking has never been easier or more delicious! From her mother’s meatballs to easy but authentic pasta dishes, focaccia bread, and truffles, Shannon’s recipes will excite even the pickiest eaters. Bring your whole family together for a little taste of Italy with this delightful and entertaining cookbook filled with Word of Wisdom–approved recipes!

Review:

I am a big fan of Italian food, but the extent of my Italian cooking at home is usually boiling some pasta and heating up a jar of sauce. I was excited when I read that Shannon Smurthwaite's new cookbook includes authentic Italian recipes, some of which are fairly simple to make.

The Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook is very attractive-definitely one I'd pick up off a shelf to look at the recipes. The pictures of completed recipes inside are also great. I would have liked pictures with every recipe, although that doesn't seem common in recipe books.

Some of the recipes are very easy. My nine-year-old made one or two without help, and at least one more with minimal assistance. The recipes we tried were quite good and enjoyed by most of our household.

I noticed the order of the ingredients on at least one recipe was unusual (wet and dry weren't separated-everything mixed together at once), but the end result turned out well.

We have enjoyed this cookbook so far and are looking forward to testing more of the recipes.

About the Author:

Shannon McClary Smurthwaite grew up in Los Angeles, California.  The oldest of three daughters, Shannon loved spending time at her Italian grandmother’s side. She attended Cal State Northridge and BYU, studying art and design. She is married to Donald Smurthwaite, and they are the parents of four wonderful children. Shannon’s family happily serve as her official food taste testers and share their mother’s love for cooking and creating in the kitchen. She resides in Meridian, Idaho, and serves as her stake’s Young Women president.

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