homestyle in a hurry - review and giveaway!

Let's start off the New Year with a bang, shall we?  How about a GIVEAWAY??!!!

I have raved in the past about my love for Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.  Since I began cooking as a girl, I've always found the best recipes, inspirations and tips within the covers of those books.  Gooseberry Patch has blessed me in 2011 by allowing me to share the love with you!  This will be the first in a series of reviews of new and soon-to-be-published Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.  The best part...I'll be giving away a free copy of each cookbook I review (see bottom of this post)!

Homestyle in a Hurry is the type of cookbook that every home cook needs in his or her repertoire.  All of the recipes are reminiscent of the comfort food we grew up eating as kids, and each has been submitted by real cooks just like you and me.  Though you won't find picture photos of each recipe, the recipes are simple and easy with basic ingredients and instructions.  And although each recipe takes about 30 minutes or less, they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.  It's the perfect book to have on hand when company's coming over or when you just don't have time for gourmet cooking.

I wanted to try a recipe from each chapter of the cookbook to showcase, just to give you a taste of what this cookbook has to offer.  Let's just say that it's been a delicious week! :-)  With the help of my taste-testing husband, we've given each an "award" to describe what we liked about it.

Most Surprising

Scrambled Eggs Deluxe in the chapter "Busy-Day Breakfasts"

We've always been a fan of bacon and eggs, but this dish contained a surprise ingredient - cream cheese!  And you know what?  It worked!  It had a surprisingly good flavor and gave the traditional scrambled eggs a uniqueness that I wasn't expecting.  We liked. :-)

Most Addicting

Heavenly Warm Corn Dip in the chapter "Quick Bites"

"Yum!" was my husband's first word when he bit into this unique dip.  After several more dips, he exclaimed, "This is SO addicting!" - and then he dipped some more!  This dip is addicting.  It's got a nice creamy texture and spicy flavor that go wonderfully with corn chips.  My favorite aspects of this dish, though, have to be that it's great for the health conscious and literally takes only 3 minutes to make.  Next time we have a potluck or get-together, I know what I'm bringing!

Most Likely to Be Repeated

Special Chicken Noodle Soup in the chapter "No-Fuss Soups & Sandwiches"

I decided to make this dish because I honestly wondered what could be so special about chicken noodle soup.  I love chicken noodle soup.  I've shared a few recipes of my own for chicken noodle soup on this very blog.  Did I really need another recipe for chicken noodle soup???  Apparently, I did.  This was the most surprisingly delicious dish for me...it really does deserve the word "special."  I've never had another chicken noodle soup quite like it!  My love for variety often keeps me from repeating recipes, but I predict that this one will grace my table again and again this year.

Most Likely to Be Mistaken for Gourmet

Cordie's Spicy Baked Beans in the chapter "Speedy Sides & Salads"

I am in love with this dish.  I only wish it were summer so I could have an excuse to take it to a cookout!  This dish tastes like it simmered for hours...instead, I was in the kitchen for half an hour (most of that time spent doing the dishes rather than stirring).  Because it has meat, it could be a side dish or a main dish.  In my mind, it could also be a dessert...perhaps I like baked beans a little more than the average individual. :-)

Most Likely to Be Tweaked

3-Cheese Spinach Rigatoni in the chapter "Dinner in a Dash"

I won't lie.  This dish was good, but it wasn't as good as we wanted it to be.  It was one of those dishes that tasted just fine but that we also wouldn't rave to our friends about.  That being said, it was also a dish that inspired me with ideas.  Because the ingredient list and instructions were so simple, I had no problems thinking of ways that I might change it up to suit our taste buds.  I might add a few different veggies...maybe try a different cheese...perhaps mix in a little marinara sauce.  I love dishes like this that provide a good foundation for variations.  I imagine I'll be pulling this out again soon and trying out my own twists.

Most Likely to Be Given Away
Speedy White Chocolate Fudge in "Easy-as-Pie Desserts"

Why would I want to give this away?  Because it's so easy and delicious that it would make an excellent gift!  There is no hovering over the stovetop trying to get the fudge to the "hard-ball" stage.  Nope...this stuff is made in the microwave.  It's also incredibly rich and creamy.  Gift-giving doesn't get much easier than this.

So there's the line-up!  I asked my husband to pick his overall favorite recipe to share with you...he chose the Heavenly Warm Corn Dip! 

Basically, here's how you do it.  

You take this stuff...

You put it in a bowl...

You microwave it for 3 minutes...and it looks like this!

Haha...here's the full recipe:

Heavenly Warm Corn Dip

from Gooseberry Patch's Homestyle in a Hurry

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

10 oz. can diced tomatoes with chilies, drained

15 1/4 oz. can yellow corn, drained

15 oz. can shoepeg corn, drained

2 t. ground cumin

2 t. chili powder

1 t. garlic powder

salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave on high until heated through and cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir to blend; serve warm.  Makes 8 to 12 servings.

So...how can YOU win a free copy of Homestyle in a Hurry?  Just leave me a comment answering the following question - which of the other recipes featured above would you like me to share?  I'll tally up the answers and share that recipe when I announce the winner!  (Please also make sure I have access to a valid e-mail so that I can contact you if you win.)  Giveaway ends next Friday at midnight (Pacific time).  Winner announced Saturday, January 8.

PS - Gooseberry Patch gave me a free book to review as well as another to give away, but the views and opinions presented in this post are entirely my own!   Disclosure...check!

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