Soframiz: Vibrant Middle Eastern Recipes from Sofra Bakery and Cafe

My Thoughts:
The pictures in this book highlight the amazing food, which you feel like you could eat right through the pages!

The directions for the recipes are very thorough, ensuring that your food should look and taste like the authors.
The recipes usually make enough for 8-12 people, which is great because we are a family of 7.

I recommend this cookbook to anyone looking to make new foods.This will be a wonder addition to our cookbook collection.

Disclaimer:
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest review.

A charming collection of 100 recipes from Cambridge's Sofra Bakery and Cafe, showcasing modern Middle Eastern spices and flavors with exotic yet accessible sweet and savory dishes geared toward everyday cooking and entertaining.

Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick have traveled extensively throughout Turkey and the Middle East, researching recipes and gaining inspiration for their uber-popular cafe and bakery, Sofra. In their first cookbook together, the two demystify and explore the flavors of this popular region, creating accessible, fun recipes for everyday eating and entertaining. With a primer on essential ingredients and techniques, and recipes such as Morning Buns with Orange Blossom Glaze, Whipped Feta with Sweet and Hot Peppers, Eggplant Manoushe with Labne and Za'atar, and Sesame Caramel Cashews, Soframiz will transport readers to the markets and kitchens of the Middle East.

— New York Times, "Best of the Rest" Honorable Mention
— Bon Appetit, Fall Round-Up
— Food52, Most Anticipated Cookbooks
— LA Times, Fall Cookbook Round-Up
— Food & Wine Magazine, Gift Guide
— Tasting Table, Most Exciting Cookbooks Fall 2016 Round-Up
— Mind Body Gree, Best Fall Cookbooks
— Sweet Paul, Best Fall Books
— The Boston Globe, Gift Guide
— Milk Street Magazine, Holiday Recommendations
— Eat Your Books, Fall Round-Up
— The Story Exchange, Gift Guide

How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety: And Abstinence, Drugs, Satanism, and Other Dangers That Threaten Their Nine Lives

The cats of America are under siege! 

 

Long gone are the good old days when a cat’s biggest worries were mean dogs or a bath. Modern cats must confront satanists, online predators, the possibility of needing to survive in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and countless other threats to their nine lives.

For over four decades, the American Association of Patriots have stood at the vanguard of our country's defense by helping to prepare our nation's cat owners for the difficult conversations they dread having with their pets. Written in a simple Q&A format, How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safetyanswers crucial questions such as, “What is the right age to talk to my cat about the proper use of firearms?” and “What are the benefits of my cat living a lifestyle of abstinence?” and especially “Why does my cat need to use the internet? Can’t he just play with yarn like cats used to do?”

Our country—and our cats—stand at a precipice. It will take courage, and it will take hard work, but armed with the knowledge within these pages, we can make our cats—and America—great again!

*My Thoughts*

This book is just downright hilarious! Every cat owner and future cat owner NEEDS to read this book. That's all I can really say. If you are having a bad day, just pick this book up and read it and you will be laughing in no time. 

Disclaimer: 

I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Queen Bees and Wannabes, 3rd Edition | Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boys, and the New Realities of Girl World

“My daughter used to be so wonderful. Now I can barely stand her and she won’t tell me anything. How can I find out what’s going on?”

“There’s a clique in my daughter’s grade that’s making her life miserable. She doesn’t want to go to school anymore. Her own supposed friends are turning on her, and she’s too afraid to do anything. What can I do?”

Welcome to the wonderful world of your daughter’s adolescence. A world in which she comes to school one day to find that her friends have suddenly decided that she no longer belongs. Or she’s teased mercilessly for wearing the wrong outfit or having the wrong friend. Or branded with a reputation she can’t shake. Or pressured into conforming so she won’t be kicked out of the group. For better or worse, your daughter’s friendships are the key to enduring adolescence—as well as the biggest threat to her well-being.

In her groundbreaking book, Queen Bees and Wannabes, Empower cofounder Rosalind Wiseman takes you inside the secret world of girls’ friendships. Wiseman has spent more than a decade listening to thousands of girls talk about the powerful role cliques play in shaping what they wear and say, how they respond to boys, and how they feel about themselves. In this candid, insightful book, she dissects each role in the clique: Queen Bees, Wannabes, Messengers, Bankers, Targets, Torn Bystanders, and more. She discusses girls’ power plays, from birthday invitations to cafeteria seating arrangements and illicit parties. She takes readers into “Girl World” to analyze teasing, gossip, and reputations; beauty and fashion; alcohol and drugs; boys and sex; and more, and how cliques play a role in every situation.

Each chapter includes “Check Your Baggage” sections to help you identify how your own background and biases affect how you see your daughter. “What You Can Do to Help” sections offer extensive sample scripts, bulleted lists, and other easy-to-use advice to get you inside your daughter’s world and help you 

help her.

It’s not just about helping your daughter make it alive out of junior high. This book will help you understand how your daughter’s relationship with friends and cliques sets the stage for other intimate relationships as she grows and guides her when she has tougher choices to make about intimacy, drinking and drugs, and other hazards. With its revealing look into the secret world of teenage girls and cliques, enlivened with the voices of dozens of girls and a much-needed sense of humor, Queen Bees and Wannabes will equip you with all the tools you need to build the right foundation to help your daughter make smarter choices and empower her during this baffling, tumultuous time of life.

My Thoughts:

This is not the type of book I would usually read, but being a dad of three girls(one who is a teen)...I thought it would be helpful. This book isn't about how to deal with "mean girls" as in Teens, but also little girls as well as grown women.

This isn't the kind of book that you can just sit down and read all at once. You need read, and then process what you just read and then go back and read some more and then process that..etc.

Disclaimer

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

The Dim Sum Field Guide: A Taxonomy of Dumplings, Buns, Meats, Sweets, and Other Specialties of the Chinese Teahouse

A whimsically illustrated yet authoritative guide to the "taxonomy" of dim sum, based on a popular Lucky Peach story.

Author and illustrator Carolyn Phillips demystifies the rich, nuanced culinary institution of teahouse snacks in The Dim Sum Field Guide, a pocket-sized, definitive resource featuring 80 hand-drawn illustrations. With entries for all the dim sum classics--including siu mai, xiaolongbao, char siu, roast duck, and even sweets like milk tarts and black sesame rolls--this handy reference is perfect for bringing on-the-go to your next dim sum outing. Armchair travelers and Asian food enthusiasts alike will be delighted by this detailed yet accessible look at the distinctly Chinese art of eating well.

When I requested this book, I thought I would be getting a book with recipes. Sadly, that is NOT what this book is about. There are no recipes in this book, instead, it guides you to dishes with complementary flavors and helps you push the envelope of your taste buds.  

 The only thing I could want from this book is pictures instead of illustrations

If you are new to Dim Sum or have loved it for years, you will find a wealth of knowledge and enjoyment contained in this book. But beware! You will get hungry while reading!

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Marked In Ink

Megan Massacre, one of the most popular tattoo artists and reality TV stars with starring roles in TLC's NY Ink and America's Worst Tattoos, brings her wildly popular art style to a coloring book.

Tattoo artist Megan Massacre invites adult coloring book fans into her whimsical world of sugar skulls, sailing ships, mermaids, owls, and more. Now you can add your own bold, vibrant colors to her signature edgy and artistic tattoo designs--and tear each perforated page out for display!

My Thoughts
I originally got this book for myself(yes, I'm a dude who likes to color), but when the book arrived my 12 year old daughter requested that I give it to her..so that is what I did! The quality of this book is amazing. The pages are thick and markers will not bleed through. The details of some of these images are mind blowing. I will be ordering a copy of this book myself, because it's just too awesome not to own a copy.

Disclaimer
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Modern Potluck | Uncover the best dish- Book Review

                          

{About the book}

Modern Potluck is a cookbook and guide for today’s potlucks that delivers Instagram-worthy dishes packed with exciting, bold flavors. This 100 make-ahead recipes are perfect for a crowd and navigate carnivore, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan preferences gracefully. With beautiful color photographs and lots of practical information such as how to pack foods to travel, Modern Potluck is the ultimate book for gathering friends and family around an abundant, delicious meal.

{My Thoughts}

I know that I say this with every cookbook that I review, but this is my new favorite! I finally have a book that doesn't suggest tired dishes that we've all had one too many time, but instead has dishes that everyone can eat buffet-style and still feel like we are getting  fresh, local, and slow-cooked meals.

I think EVERYONE should own a copy of this book in their home, it will be our go to book for when we have friends and family over. 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

BookReview- The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw| Read This Comic and Start Drawing Today

For the first time ever, drawing instructor and graphic novelist Mark Crilley brings his easy-to-follow artistic instruction to aspiring artists in the form of a comic book, providing you with a one-of-a-kind how-to experience. In The Drawing Lesson, you’ll meet David—a young boy who wants nothing more than to learn how to draw. Luckily for David, he’s just met Becky—his helpful drawing mentor. Page by page, Becky teaches David (and you!) about the essential fundamentals that artists need in order to master drawing, all in a unique visual format. In panel after panel, Crilley provides lessons on shading, negative space, creating compositions, and more, with accompanying exercises that you can try for yourself. Are you ready to start your drawing lesson today?


"The Drawing Lesson" is witty, clever and simple.  The Drawing Lesson presents itself as a drawing book within a graphic novel.  I am always happy to see more authors dressing up non-fiction with narrative.  Because this book is serving two purposes, neither the story nor the drawing assistance goes into much depth, but overall this is a fine addition to our collection of drawing books my my 13 year old.

-Disclaimer-
I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions posted are my own

Book Review: Doodletopia: Manga: Draw, Design, and Color Your Own Super-Cute Manga Characters and More (Includes Bonus Manga Crafts and Cut-Outs)

The world's bestselling author of drawing and cartooning books, Christopher Hart, will show you all the interactive, artistic possibilities offered by doodling, designing, and coloring using characters, scenes, and crafts from the world of manga in Doodletopia: Manga.

Unlike other doodle books that leave you stranded, with no help at all, Doodletopia: Manga pairs fun doodle-based activities with the sort of insightful (and laugh-out-loud funny) advice and tips that countless readers have come to expect from cartooning master Christopher Hart. 

From dressing up super-cute chibis to designing your own manga mazes to completing manga scenes and making manga-inspired crafts like bookmarks, stationery, and more, the opportunities for creative expression are endless. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your pencils, pens, markers, or crayons, and start doodling!

*My Thoughts*
I personally LOVE this book. It is for my 13 year old daughter. Doodletopia: Manga by Christopher Hart is a book full of cute drawings you can do like, Chibi animals and more. You can even create your own manga crafts! Hart makes drawing fun. I would recommend this book for people of all ages who love to doodle!

Disclaimer:
I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

This newly revised edition of Bryan Peterson's most popular book demystifies the complex concepts of exposure in photography, allowing readers to capture the images they want.

Understanding Exposure has taught generations of photographers how to shoot the images they want by demystifying the complex concepts of exposure in photography. In this newly updated edition, veteran photographer Bryan Peterson explains the fundamentals of light, aperture, and shutter speed and how they interact with and influence one another. With an emphasis on finding the right exposure even in tricky situations, Understanding Exposure shows you how to get (or lose) sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, and take the best meter readings, while also exploring filters, flash, and light. With all new images, as well as an expanded section on flash, tips for using colored gels, and advice on shooting star trails, this revised edition will clarify exposure for photographers of all levels.

My Thoughts:

I would say that this book is *THE* book for learning photography. I would give this book 100 stars if possible. I highly recommend this book. I love this book for the inspiring set of updates to an already excellent resource. 

"Understanding Exposure" should be a MUST for every person who owns a DSLR or a camera with an "M" (manual) mode. Since this book was first published, Understanding Exposure has provided a friendly, easy, and accessible way for everyone to learn to use their cameras to create beautiful images. I've dabbled in photography a bit and this book will always be my first recommendation when asked for help with cameras. It really is that impressive of a resource and now has been completely revised and updated with all new pictures and new information.

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Plated: Weeknight Dinners, Weekend Feasts, and Everything in Between

The more than 125 inventive, repertoire-building recipes in Plated will help you cook and eat food you love without having to think so hard about it. Every dish here will work no matter how much (or little) time you have to cook, whether it’s quick dinner on a Monday for two or a backyard barbecue for a crowd.  The recipes are all rooted in a core technique—think One-Pan Roasted Chicken, Slow-Simmered Turkey Chili, or Cheesy Baked Penne—but can also be customized according to peak produce and just what you’re in the mood for. Step-by-step prep instructions and menu ideas take the stress out of cooking, so you know exactly what to do and when. Here, too, are ways for you to stretch these recipes, like basic marinades and spice rubs that can be used on almost anything, reinventions for leftovers, big-batch make-aheads, company-worthy feasts, and perfect sides. Plated is sure to become a well-loved, sauce-splattered staple in your kitchen.


My Thoughts:
This cookbook is absolutely amazing! It was written for any type of cook from beginner to well seasoned cooks who want to give something new a try. 

It's no surprise that I love to cook, but I also love the ability to change up recipes by season. The photos are breathtakingly beautiful.Thought I've never heard of "Plated", but after researching and reading other reviews I have found this book to be very consistent with their easy to follow recipes. 

I plan to add this book to my collection of cookbooks, but also purchase a copy to give as a gift to a friend. 

Disclaimer- I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Wonderland: A Coloring Book Inspired by Alice's Adventures

Follow the White Rabbit into this imaginative coloring book inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, featuring intricate pen-and-ink drawings by acclaimed artist Amily Shen. Meet the Cheshire Cat, attend the Mad Hatter's tea party, and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts in this evocative tale that invites you into a strange and beautiful new world of coloring.

My Thoughts-

My oldest daugter is a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I thought this coloring book would be a nice "just because" gift for her.  “Wonderland” has a really fun and different take on the illustrations compared to other Adult coloring books I've seen. In this book, Alice has an updated and trendy look...which I found a bit weird, but my daughter said she is cute, so I suppose it's "cute". The artist (Amily Shen) has put her spin on the story.

The book is both a coloring book (in chapters) and an activity book. 

"Wonderland" has 76 pages of coloring and activity & is broken into 9 chapters and each of the chapter title pages has a decorated china plate for coloring

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Malibu Farm Cookbook: Recipes from the California Coast |One of my new favorite Cookbooks, can't wait to cook my way through it!

Situated at the end of the pier, Malibu Farm is a restaurant beloved for its spectacular Pacific Ocean views, the freshly sourced ingredients on its ever-changing menu, and its warm vibe. Chef-owner Helene Henderson opened the space after the once-intimate dinners she hosted on the grounds of her home grew too large. Now, in Malibu Farm Cookbook, she invites you celebrate the coast and mountains of Southern California with dishes like Ricotta and Pea Frittata, Butterfly Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish, Seared Fava Beans, and Grilled Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce. Helene captures the spirit of her own farm with recipes using the morning’s fresh eggs, the catch of the day, the luscious vegetables that grow all around, honey harvested steps from where it’s enjoyed, and olive oil straight from her grove.  Punctuated with luscious, vibrant photography, Malibu Farm Cookbook is a stunning sensory experience that transports you right to the edge of the Pacific.


My Thoughts:

I love this cookbook, oh who am I kidding...I love just about ALL cookbooks. I couldwan't it for the “Malibu Farm Cookbook” to arrive. I must say it has quickly become one of my favorite cookbooks.  I have read this book cover to cover and I am really inspired..and hungry. Every recipe in this book is simple yet gourmet,using the freshest of ingredients from Southern California.

Disclaimer:
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Hairstyled by Anne Thoumieux

Spruce up any outfit with your best accessory—your hair!
You don’t need to be a professional to get show-stopping hair. Hairstyled presents 75 deceptively simple techniques for creating your favorite high-fashion hairstyles. Dress up your everyday look with a ballerina bun or accessorize with a scarf bow. Turn heads at special occasions with the woven crown braid or a regal bouffant. 

Each style has how-to photographs that are easy to follow, and chapters dedicated to a variety of hair lengths and textures help you update your look whether you have a pixie cut or long, curly tresses. With product tips and countless ideas for accessorizing your ’do and inventive variations on classic styles, Hairstyled is your guide to getting gorgeous hair every day.

My Thoughts:
Obviously since I'm a guy I won't be using this book on MY hair, but as a dad of three young daughters I thought this book would be helpful for my wife and myself. There are some hairstyles in there that our 12 year old says are "too girly", but our younger two LOVE. The pictures are really nice, & there are step by step instructions on how to do the hairstyles. 

I guess because I'm a guy and don't "fix" my hair in styles like this, I find it confusing. It would have been nice to have step by step pictures along with the instructions. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars

Disclaimer:
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest review. 

Paris Street Style: A Coloring Book | The adult coloring book is reinvented in a brand new format.

Wherever you’re off to, take this cheeky and charming coloring journal with you. Transport yourself to the corner pâtisserie, and give life to the stylish essentials laid out from your suitcase. Beautifully detailed outfits, accessories, and hairstyles complement the equally ornate cityscapes. Embellish whimsical, full-page patterns and classic dresses with your own style. Window shop the elegant stores of Paris while you give life to playful fashion.  Like a high-end journal, this sleek package has an elastic closure and a satin ribbon marker so you can dip in and dip out of your own French fashion week. With nothing more than some colored pencils, you'll be on your way to a stress-free, Parisian-chic day.

My Thoughts

This isn't my first go round with adult coloring book, I've gotten a few in the past for my oldest daughter. I did flip through the book before giving it to my oldest, and I really liked the Paris life scenes.I think for older people might find this book a bit frustrating rather than relaxing.

There is a nice variety of pictures to color including, Paris street life and shops, people,flowers and perfumes. 

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest review. 

4 Key Foods, 4-Minute Workouts, Four Weeks to the Body You Want

Discover the 4 key foods and the 4-minute workouts that will change the way readers look and feel in just 4 weeks. Celebrity trainer and former marine Erin Oprea's motto is "lean and clean." Her unique 4 x 4 diet shows readers how to get clean by reducing the 4 major hitches in most diets: sugar, starch, sodium, and alcohol. She also tells readers how to get lean, using her 4-minute tabata workouts: 8 repititions of 20 seconds of high-intensity moves, then 10 seconds of rest. Within 4 weeks, the average person will be able to reduce bloating and belly fat; gain increased muscle definition in the arms, legs, and stomach; improve cardiovascular endurance; and break sugar and sodium addictions. Complete with meal plans and recipes, the 4 x 4 diet is perfect for anyone looking to streamline their body and lifestyle.

My thoughts:

Erin has found a way to incorporate diet and exercise into our already busy lives, without having to add a ton of added expense or unrealistic expectations! The 4x4 diet is really simple and easy to understand, and Erin's ideas on a healthy lifestyle are very easy to implement. She eases you into the program slowly and each week is a new challenge. The recipes are absolutely delicious! I've tried a few of them already and I have loved every one! 

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org

Create the cutest versions of your favorite dogs in just a few simple steps

Whether you adore dachshunds or dalmatians, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make charming miniatures of them with a felting needle and some raw wool. Great for beginners, the two dozen projects in Little Felted Dogs provide surprisingly life-like results—choose from a litter of golden retriever puppies, a pug ready to fetch, a begging bulldog, a protective chihuahua, and more. Even better, you’ll go from ball of fluff to perfect pooch in no time at all!

*My Thoughts*
This book is super cute if I may say so myself. I mainly got this book for my wife and 12 year old daughter. They are always looking for new crafts to try, and this book is just right! I can't wait to see all of the cute lil' pups they create! 

If you are looking for a new craft, I suggest you check out this book! 

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. 

Become your own budget wedding planner with this classic book—fully revised and expanded...

Become your own budget wedding planner with this classic book—fully revised and expanded to include advice on personalizing your event and using online planning tools

Designing a wedding that is priceless and perfect for you has never been easier. No matter how many guests you hope to invite or what kind of setting you choose, you don’t have to take on big debts to achieve your big day. 

For more than a decade, Priceless Weddings for Under $5,000 has helped couples craft unique and meaningful celebrations while saving money on every aspect—even the high-ticket items. Completely revised, updated, and expanded with more than 25% new material, this edition reveals the secrets and resources for planning a wedding like a pro.  You’ll learn how to make every detail and every dollar count with:

·         All-new chapters on envisioning your ideal event as well as using online resources and apps to find the most creative options and the best deals 

·         A questionnaire to help you decide—as a couple—on your top priorities for the day

·         Strategies for making—and keeping to—a budget 

·         Dozens of unexpected ideas for booking a low-cost venue

·         Tactics for negotiating with caterers, florists, musicians, and photographers

·         Advice on which elements you can DIY to save thousands (without risking your sanity)

·         Menu plans, recipes, and many other low-cost alternatives for the food and drinks 

·         Tips for finding stylish attire at a fraction of the cost

·         Real-life couples’ wedding stories, including complete budget breakdowns

Priceless Weddings for Under $5,000 proves you can create a celebration that everyone remembers forever, and still end up with plenty of money for the happy future.

*My Thoughts*

When I deployed in 2010,my wife took a course and is now a certified Bridal Consultant. It thought this book might help her out not only when helping others plan their wedding, but alsot help her(us) plan our vow renewal ceremony for our 10 yr anniversary. 

After skimming through the book, I gave it to my wife. We both found book to be wonderful! It has real-life solutions for brides-to-be. The average wedding in the U.S. costs tens of thousands of dollars and that simply too much if you ask me(and even if you don't ask, haha). In the 5 years that my wife has helpd couples plan their wedding I have learned that the he bridal industry takes advantage of brides who want their day to be a "once in a lifetime" event. Kathleen Kennedy helps you do just that, but with budget conscious ideas. This book is not about cutting corners. It is about making priorities and planning a wedding that truly reflects who the bridal couple is; that, as Kennedy explains, does not have to break the bank.

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my review. 

Book Review - Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen "Is there anything more satisfying than a well-made Asian dumpling?"

Plump pot stickers, spicy samosas, and tender bāo (stuffed buns) are enjoyed by the million every day in dim sum restaurants, streetside stands, and private homes worldwide. Wrapped, rolled, or filled; steamed, fried, or baked–Asian dumplings are also surprisingly easy to prepare, as Andrea Nguyen demonstrates in Asian Dumplings. 

Nguyen is a celebrated food writer and teacher with a unique ability to interpret authentic Asian cooking styles for a Western audience. Her crystal-clear recipes for more than 75 of Asia’s most popular savory and sweet parcels, pockets, packages, and pastries range from Lumpia (the addictive fried spring rolls from the Philippines) to Shanghai Soup Dumplings (delicate thin-skinned dumplings filled with hot broth and succulent pork) to Gulab Jamun (India’s rich, syrupy sweets). 

Organized according to type (wheat pastas, skins, buns, and pastries; translucent wheat and tapioca preparations; rice dumplings; legumes and tubers; sweet dumplings), Asian Dumplings encompasses Eastern, Southeastern, and Southern Asia, with recipes from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Tibet, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 

Throughout, Nguyen shares the best techniques for shaping, filling, cooking, and serving each kind of dumpling. And she makes it easy to incorporate dumplings into a contemporary lifestyle by giving a thorough introduction to essential equipment and ingredients and offering make-ahead and storage guidance, time-saving shortcuts that still yield delectable results, and tips on planning a dumpling dinner party. 

More than 40 line drawings illustrate the finer points of shaping many kinds of dumplings, including gyōza/pot stickers, wontons, and samosas. Dozens of mouth-watering color photographs round outAsian Dumplings, making it the most definitive, inviting, inspiring book of its kind.

-My Thoughts-
I am a foodie, so I absolutely loved just about everything in this book. It brought back memories from when I spent 6 months in Korea. I cannot wait for my wife and children to try some of the items in this book. The photos are gorgeous and the recipies are easy to follow. If you are looking for a new cookbook, I highly recommend this book! 

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from the pusblisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions on my are my own. 

Plump pot stickers, spicy samosas, and tender bāo (stuffed buns) are enjoyed by the million every day in dim sum restaurants, streetside stands, and private homes worldwide. Wrapped, rolled, or filled; steamed, fried, or baked–Asian dumplings are also surprisingly easy to prepare, as Andrea Nguyen demonstrates in Asian Dumplings.

Nguyen is a celebrated food writer and teacher with a unique ability to interpret authentic Asian cooking styles for a Western audience. Her crystal-clear recipes for more than 75 of Asia’s most popular savory and sweet parcels, pockets, packages, and pastries range from Lumpia (the addictive fried spring rolls from the Philippines) to Shanghai Soup Dumplings (delicate thin-skinned dumplings filled with hot broth and succulent pork) to Gulab Jamun (India’s rich, syrupy sweets).

Organized according to type (wheat pastas, skins, buns, and pastries; translucent wheat and tapioca preparations; rice dumplings; legumes and tubers; sweet dumplings), Asian Dumplings encompasses Eastern, Southeastern, and Southern Asia, with recipes from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Tibet, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Throughout, Nguyen shares the best techniques for shaping, filling, cooking, and serving each kind of dumpling. And she makes it easy to incorporate dumplings into a contemporary lifestyle by giving a thorough introduction to essential equipment and ingredients and offering make-ahead and storage guidance, time-saving shortcuts that still yield delectable results, and tips on planning a dumpling dinner party.

More than 40 line drawings illustrate the finer points of shaping many kinds of dumplings, including gyōza/pot stickers, wontons, and samosas. Dozens of mouth-watering color photographs round out Asian Dumplings, making it the most definitive, inviting, inspiring book of its kind.