A Couple Cooks and 100 Afternoon Sweets

A COUPLE COOKS by Sonja and Alex Overhiser is an absolutely wonderful and rather unique cookbook. The authors offer “100 recipes to cook together” and they even designate preparation to be undertaken by cook 1 vs. cook 2. It’s a practical, but very fun, guide that is filled with beautiful pictures and delicious, healthy recipes. Sections in this cookbook begin with about 20 “Everyday Dinners” (e.g., Baked Tilapia with Feta, Olives & Cherry Tomatoes) Then there is a chapter “Just for Two” (e.g., Grilled Eggplant Parmesan with Burrata or Creamy Scallops with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes) followed by Gatherings (e.g., Smoky Spinach & Artichoke Lasagna). Subsequent chapters divide recipes in a more traditional way (Mornings, Sides, Bakes, Appetizers & Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks). The Overhisers add comments and tips to most recipes, as well as storage information. There is no nutritional data, but they do include a section on essential kitchen gear, provide a few sample menus, and a helpful index. Be sure to also checkout their food blog – it will give you a sense of their cooking philosophy: “to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking!”

100 AFTERNOON SWEETS by Sarah Kieffer (100 Cookies) is filled “with Snacking Cakes, Brownies, Blondies, and More” and will be available on October 1st. Like her earlier cookbooks, this one is filled with colorful photos and chatty introductory comments before each recipe. The eight chapters range from One-bowl Bakes and No Bakes, to the more involved For a Crowd and Weekend Projects (e.g., Giant Pop Tart). There’s an “Extras” chapter, too, with comments and direction for components like Almond Cream or Lemon Curd. Personally, I am looking forward to sampling Orange-Cinnamon Swirl Cake, Coffee Blondies, and Lemon Cake Squares. So much to explore, but seasonal favorites could be Pumpkin Streusel Pie and Pumpkin Caramel Ice Cream Cake. There is no nutritional information, but additional material contains a playlist of “Music to Bake to” and a bibliography of other helpful cookbooks.