Book Reviews and Summertime Library News

Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes by Jeanne Kelley

Recipes from a modern kitchen garden

Did you know that from a circulation standpoint, our sweet Sierra Madre library lists cookbooks as one of the most frequent and popular types of books that we patrons check out? When Polly turned me on to this cookbook, I just HAD to test some of the recipes in it. Then Stephanie admitted using it as well so I thought – why not review it? After all, we’ve reviewed novels, non -fiction, do it yourself books and memoirs, books for guys, girls and everyone else.  Just look at the photo cover of this book, celebrating summer and all things bright. This cookbook is impressive, and it is as beautiful as it is practical – here is the review:

Jeanne Kelley lives on the outskirts of Los Angeles and raises her own chickens, grows her own herbs, cooks ‘from scratch’, and believes in using the freshest and organic (if possible) ingredients.  Her introduction includes advice on stocking your pantry as well as the best types of equipment. She offers practical, modern suggestions on items as basic as salt and complex as pomegranate molasses, not to mention appliance pros and cons (do I use a blender or a food processor for the finest puree?)

It is the recipes and photographs themselves that are the stars of this cookbook – YUM! - a cornucopia of colour and taste, delighting the eyes, tempting the taste buds.  For summer I suggest her Eggplant and Herb salad with Sumac dressing or the Mexican Fruit ‘Gazpacho’ Salad.  She has an array of pizzas like the Wild Mushroom Pizza with Fontina and Chives. And for dessert, nothing beats her Lime Pie with Blueberry Compote or Bittersweet ‘One Pot’ Brownies that are guaranteed to excite the most jaded of chocoholics. Every recipe seems to be a winner in this book – I highly recommend checking it out.

Here is the authors website for your information: http://www.jeannekelleykitchen.com/Site/Book.html

Happy summer and ENJOY!