Alana Chernila, mother of two and author of The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making, visited Longfellow Books in Portland for a reading not long ago. Alana’s gorgeous cookbook is chock full of simple recipes for breads, cheeses, snacks, pasta, and more delicious everyday dishes.
After browsing through the book, MP couldn’t wait to test some recipes. Before each recipe, Alana includes humorous personal anecdotes, which help inspire confidence. In a chapter on dairy products, Alana writes; “Ricotta was the first cheese I made at home. When I witnessed the separation of curds and whey, I could not help but announce to my empty kitchen, ‘I’m a cheese maker!’”
No wonder she chose ricotta to start—there are only 4 simple ingredients in the recipe (whole milk, lemon juice, heavy cream, and kosher salt)—and the results are so satisfying. All you need is a little patience and time to prepare.
After having success with ricotta cheese, MP decided to try the basic yellow cake recipe for a friend’s birthday. CP#1 deemed this the best cake batter she’s ever tasted, and MP would agree. The cake itself is dense and delicious… so much better than boxed!
CP#1 selected cornbread for our last test. This simple recipe features maple syrup as a sweetener rather than sugar (love that). MP was able to make the recipe in 30 minutes. We all enjoyed warm cornbread for dinner to accompany our barbecued chicken and beans. Alana calls cornbread, “safety in a pan,” and she’s so right. This is a recipe you can count on for comfort every time you serve it.
If you couldn’t tell already, MP adores this cookbook. She can’t wait to try making graham crackers, sandwich bread, mozzarella, peanut butter cups (yes!) and yogurt with the kids.
To learn more about author Alana Chernila, visit her blog, Eating from the Ground Up.
Hey Jen – Sounds delicious! All of it. Glad to see that you are having a good summer.
Miss you, Bodi! We’ll make you something special next time you’re in Maine.
I would love this cookbook! I tried making my own goldfish crackers…i liked them more than the kiddo 🙂
The cookbook sounds delicious. We have started making some more of our food, but finding time can be challenging. I think we just have to be selective!
Gail, I completely agree. Cooking should be fun! I aim to make one or two new recipes a week… always depending on our schedule.
One day I’ll win one of these giveaways – I will sure love to win this one. My family, especially my husband would be one happy man if I make if this cornbread and homemade cake!
ooooh! would love to win this! looks like a great book!
This looks like a great cookbook! I’m always looking for new ideas- I’ll definitely have to check this one out!
Another great giveaway. This book sounds amazing.
This looks fantastic.
I’ve got yogurt down, so a few more pantry basics would be great to learn.
Sounds like a great cookbook!
I’d love to add this to my cookbook collection! Thanks for the giveaway!
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You had me at cornbread. Our family would LOVE to have this in our kitchen. thank you for the offer.
Tracey, if you don’t win, I’ll happily hand deliver you a cornbread!
This would be such a fun cookbook to win!!!
I’ve had my eye on this one and it’s on my wish list. What fun it would be to win one. You baked a beautiful cake and the cornbread looks good too.
Thanks, Joan!
This book sounds incredible!! I would LOVE to try out those recipes!!!!!
Thanks for the great giveaway.
This book sounds great. I’ve been avoiding mixes for year, but there’s always more to learn. Ricotta — yes!
Sounds amazing! I love making everything homemade whenever possible.
The cookbook sounds delicious, thanks!
Looks like a great one!
I love the idea of being able to make the basics!
Would love this book! need advice to fill up the pantry with goodies not aren’t just jam.