5 comments about The Low-Carb Barbecue Book: Over 200 Recipes for the Grill and Picnic Table.

1. I love to grill and this book has some great recipes for the way I eat.
   Dana Carpender is an inspiration for many with all of her books.



2. Love this book! Lots of recipes that are simple to understand with everyday ingredents. If you love BBQ then this is the book for you!!



3. I am usually a failure in the kitchen. In the past, even the most basic recipes would prove a challenge for me until I discovered Dana Carpender's books. I strongly recommend them to anyone cooking challenged or following a low-carb lifestyle. They are not just quick & easy with limited preparation but delicious as well. You won't be disappointed.



4. I love this book. For those of you who enjoy traditional barbecue and picnic-style foods, this book is a must have.
   
   So many cookbooks are filled with fancy recipes that you would only make on special occasions. What do you do when you're craving onion rings or your Mom's cole slaw but know you can't have those on your low-carb diet? Dana Carpender's Low Carb Barbecue Book is filled with low-carb versions of all the foods you really want and crave.
   
   The first of the book gives tips on grilling techniques and tools and lists some speciality ingredients that are used.
   
   There is a large section on sauces and rubs, followed by pork, poultry, beef, seafood, and kebabs. There are also sections on vegetables, slaws, sides, beverages and desserts.
   
   Dana Carpender uses Atkins bake mixes in the recipes for hush puppies and onion rings, just a warning for those who cannot find those in your area. She also uses Splenda in tons of the recipes if you don't like the use of Splenda.
   
   I think the recipes are delicious and the ones for the low-carb baked beans, unpotato salad, and the peanut butter and jelly pie are worth the purchase of the book alone.



5. I have to say I am biased. I have been follow Dana for a long time, via internet at first, then through her book "How I Gave up my Low Fat Diet and Lost 40 lbs." Now I collect her cook books. Sometimes a recipe is so simple it's more of a "why didn't I think of that" and other times it's an elaborate luxury. Either way, the majority of the recipes in her books fit right with my own tastes. Any serious low carb lifer needs her books as the variety and creativity will enrich their dining experiences.

5 comments about Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse.

1. Haven't tried any recipes yet but I will surely put it to use this spring. Looks like some good recipes in there. I would say well worth the money.



2. My husband actually purchased this book as a bachelor. And, thank goodness!! I'm newer to BBQ and this is a fun, easy to use, and informative cookbook that results in amazingly delicious dishes. The Mutha Sauce is super (even tinkering with the ketchup ingredient). And, the Mojito Marinade (and Mojito Chicken) is outstanding! The Coleslaw and Asparagus, Red Pepper and Potato Salad recipes give these sides new life and will make your family or friend you are cooking for feel loved!



3. I tried for years to duplicate the Dinosaur restaurant's great baked beans. I got quite close, but the book gave me the secret ingredient!. I have not found a bad recipe in this collection of good, down-home, great food. Other favorites are the mac & cheese shepherd's pie, red rub, bbq sauce and ooh, the key lime pie!



4. If you love grilling/bbq this is one of the best books you will ever buy. The mutha sauce recipe is alone is worth the price. I use the mutha sauce on everything. Well written and easy to follow.



5. We have made several recipes in this cookbook and they are all excellent. Some ingredients are hard to find, but they are well worth it.

5 comments about Soaked, Slathered, and Seasoned: A Complete Guide to Flavoring Food for the Grill.

1. I find it impossible to step away from the grill!! Elizabeth continues to find new, easy ways to put fun spins on classics. I am no longer a "flash cooker" thanks to her! Why is that my neighbors happen to stop by more frequently when they see me out by the grill?? Because her recipes and tips are crowd pleasers!!!



2. Great book!!!! Loved the recipes for each type of venue. Especially enjoyed the tips on "How To" for any and all grillers.



3. Soaked Slathered and Seasoned is an excellent reference for anything grilled. I would recommend it to anyone who loves to try new ways to enhance the flavor of grilled food.



4. There are several books that I consider essential for the outdoor chef. Among them are the Jamie Purviance/Weber quartet. For reasons set forth below, I add this book, and Ms. Karmel's "Taming ther Flame" to my shelf of "must haves".
   
   What makes this an "essential book"?
   
   First, it is unique; almost all grilling books have some recipies for rubs, mops and sauces, but this book is dedicated to them. In my opinion, it is these items that make or break what comes off the grill.
   
   Second, the recipies are simple and easy to follow, yet the ones I have tried produce real "flavor bombs". They are intense, yet well integrated into the dish they go with. They support rather than overwhelm.
   
   Third, the book is a teaching tool. Even the experienced chef will learn new techniques, and aquire new and useful information. For example, I learned asbout the differences in paprikas, and why different ones are preferred over others. Where I live, paprika is generic in the market, so learning about the differences, and going online to get them, produced improved results.
   
   Fourth, and most important for most of us, it enables us to put more consistantly well flavored food in front of family and friends. Using this book has enabled me to improve much of what I cook, and I have been at the grill for a whole bunch of years.
   
   My older son got this for me as a Christmas gift, when I was two weeks post hip replacement; I think he thought that it was time for the old man to get back to the essentials. Well, his ploy worked! We moved some snow to get at the grills and I started using these recipies. It's been a whole lot of fun!
   
   There's one other plus, and I'm old enough to mention it without being called sexist: Ms Karmel is kind of cute.
   
   If producing consistantly high quality food from the grill is your thing, I recommend this book to you without reservation. You'll find yourself using it a lot!



5. This grill cookbook is a good addition to anyone who is just starting out grilling or who has been doing it for years.

5 comments about BBQ Joints: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt.

1. I am collecting BBQ books for the southeastern USA. This is a nice addition to this collection.



2. We love the book and are going to look up some of the places on our next vacation.



3. Mr. Gelin has done well in pointing out the authentic places to find REAL barbeque. In this day of expanding, and sometimes disappointing, franchise eateries, this book is a valuable resource for authentic bbq locations. When in the states from Florida to Missouri - from Texas to North Carolina, and have an appetite for the real stuff, from old fashion corn bread to famous ribs or chicken, be sure to get this guide book. It can save you miles of hunting for the good stuff. Not only has this author compiled a list of real bbq joints through the southeast, with photographs, he has included their recipes, and biographical tales. The book is fun to read, as well as an educational resource. It is not an expense; it is an investment in good eating. Don't miss it.



4. This is a nice book containing the reviews of several BBQ joints around the country. The recipes are very basic and really lack innovation. The "secret recipes" lack in any real secret.



5. I bought this book hoping for some interesting tales of BBQ around the country and some inspiring secret recipes to boot. What I got were 1-2 page biographies which gave very little in the way of interesting information coupled with so-basic-it's-insulting "secret recipes," all of which were labeled some variation of 'this recipe is not on the menu at this restaurant.' OK THEN. WELL, THANKS FOR THAT!
   
   Buy Peace Love & BBQ instead.

5 comments about Bobby Flay's Boy Meets Grill: With More Than 125 Bold New Recipes.

1. I am a huge Bobby Flay fan, and this book turns out some great recipes, but they are very time consuming, difficult recipes. If you want to turn out some high-end barbecue dishes, this book is for you. Be prepared to put in some serious prep time though.



2. Bobby Flay has great recipes, ideas and techniques for grilling. This book is great and will take a long time to use them all.



3. This is my son's favorite tv chef; I bought this for him for his birthday, and right away made several recipes, that all worked perfectly (often they do not!) The flavors were interesting and the directions clear and helpful. The desserts are fabulous too, especially the ice cream sundae frozen pie; I've already made it twice. The cookbook is a fun read and the recipes delicious! My family loves grilled food and bobby flay just makes it more interesting with his combination of flavors and unusual food pairings.



4. My husband loves to cook and grill and this is by far one of his favorite and most practical cookbooks.



5. pretty nice cookbook, some very colorful pictures, the recipes sound good... made a great graduation present for my boyfriend, he really loved it

2 comments about Taste of Home: Freezer Pleasers.

1. Taste of Home has finally added to the arsenal of make-ahead cookbooks available. Their contribution is an attractive and well-organized volume with pictures of many of the recipes. It stands out for the special section on "single servings," for freezing dinners and treats in single serve portions, and for "creative leftovers," to help you turn leftovers into new dishes. I have almost every other make-ahead cookbook available. I like this book because it is based on double-batch cooking, where you make two dishes, eat one now, and freeze another. This works better for my family than other freezer plans that have you make multiples of dishes for freezing. I have children off to college so my needs for stocking the freezer have changed. The single serving idea works well for me because I need quick meals and snacks for kids in sports and music. The double-batch meals do depend heavily on cheese and meat, but there are a few meals that are vegetarian or could be adapted for vegeterian/vegan lifestyles(like the veggie calzones). There are several recipes for making rolls where you can freeze the dough or the rolls. For the newbie, there are a few pages with general freezing information, such as what containers to use, what foods do and do not freeze well, and how long foods last in the freezer. Many of the freezer dishes are casseroles, which lend themselves to use for pot-lucks and gifting to new moms or convalescing friends. There are drinks, appetizers, main meals, side dishes, breads, and desserts. The variety works well for planning easy entertaining, where you can make some items days ahead and have less stress on the day of the event. The focus in on comfort food, so many of the recipes are not low-fat, low-calorie, low-sugar, or low-sodium--but some could be adapted to specific dietary needs, or could be used as a suggestion of a type of dish to look for and try that could fit in with your diet. The abundance of pictures makes the dishes appealing and is unique for this type of book. I have waited eagerly for this book to come out ever since I heard about it, and it didn't disappoint. This book would work for families of any size, and also for people cooking for just one or two.



2. I was looking for some make-ahead meal ideas so I can stock my freezer, but I don't usually have time to do a full-day cooking session like "Once a Month Cooking" calls for. That is why this book appealed to me. I liked the idea of the "Now and Later" section, where you make two batches of something at a time-- one to eat now, and one to freeze for later. I love Taste of Home magazine, and have always been pleased with the TOH cookbooks. I eagerly tore into the package when this one arrived, hoping to start making a list of recipes to try. I was surprised to actually be disappointed with a TOH cookbook. :( Here's my list of gripes:
   
   1. Almost everything is very heavy-- high fat, heavy on the meat (lots of sausage, ground beef, ground pork, etc). I'm not a health-food freak by any means, but I don't cook with heavy cream, half and half, or Velveeta cheese, and I found those ingredients in many of the recipes that caught my attention. I guess fatty foods freeze better. Bummer.
   
   2. Too many very specific pre-packaged convenience foods in the recipes. Besides the aforementioned Velveeta, there were also rather odd-ball ingredients that I don't keep around. Here are a couple of specific items called for in various recipes: 1 package (6.4 oz) lasagna dinner mix (what is that? like Hamburger Helper?? Or is it a frozen thing?); 2 packages (8.8 oz each) ready-to-serve long grain and wild rice (I've never seen this-- is it in the frozen food section? Or is it like those tuna pouches in the regular isle?); 2 packages (7.2 oz each) rice pilaf (is this a mix? is it seasoned? not seasoned? is it dry? is it already cooked?); and then every condensed soup known to man. Condensed tomato bisque, beef consomme, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cheddar cheese, cream of onion, and cream of potato, to name a few. I have NOTHING against cream-of-whatever soup. I actually cook with it semi-regularly, but I was hoping for more pantry staples instead of prepackaged stuff in everything.
   
   3. Many of the desserts are ice cream, which makes sense for a freezer cookbook, but some of us don't own an ice cream maker, so it's kind of a bummer when you're excited to make a recipe, only to find out you can't because you don't have an ice cream maker.
   
   4. Many of the "sweets" that aren't ice cream were jams, spreads, and butters, which really aren't anything I can't get off of the box when I buy the pectin that is called for in the recipes.
   
   Those are the gripes. On the positive side, it was inspiring to look through and think "Hey, if that works in the freezer, then my recipe that's almost like it will probably work too!". So pretty much what I ended up with was a list of my own recipes that I already have that I'm going to try freezing and see how it goes. And yes, I did find a handful in the book that don't require funky ingredients and look good that I'll probably try out. The Breakfast Burritos sound interesting. I've tried freezing those before with poor results, but their instructions were different and I'm looking forward to trying this one. Also a muffin mix that you store in the freezer and pull out as needed for quick muffins, and a couple of cookie doughs that you can freeze in rolls, Pillsbury style. And the Creative Leftovers section has some good ideas for preparing one mix of ingredients and using it for various things. I'll try some of those.
   
   Anyway, it's inspiring, and has some good ideas, but not anything too exciting. I was hoping I could recommend this to my busy working mom friends, but I'll keep looking for a better one.

5 comments about Competition BBQ Secrets: A Barbecue Instruction Manual for Serious Competitors and Back Yard Cooks Too.

1. I received this book as a gift, This book was a HUGE disappointment! If your a beginner it is ok, if your a seasoned competitor or pitmaster save your money, the only secret I can see is how they feel charging you $29.95 for a book like this is with such a deceptive title is amazing. I'll be selling mine alot cheaper then they are listed here, sorry but this one isnt worth your time or money! If your looking for a good beginners book I would buy Smoke and Spice!



2. If you are an aspiring competitor or simply an improving backyard cook, this book will give you information and advice on how to produce better food. It is written in an easy-to-understand format.



3. I bought this book based largely on the title after searching for select BBQ cook books. I've been cooking BBQ for just a couple of years and am trying to reach the "next level" by refining my recipes and techniques, and looked forward to a better understanding of BBQ competition and the techniques\recipes for preparing all the meat categories. There are four things I found disappointing:
   
   1) The recipes rely on rubs or sauces that are only available through certain commercial sources.
   2) There are several rub and sauce recipes, but none are referenced or used in the book.
   3) The descriptions of trimming and preparation could be greatly improved with the addition of more photographs.
   4) This is a useful book only if you already have experience with BBQ.
   
   I also have to agree with one other reviewer that the book cost is about $15 more than it's worth.



4. Book was awful. Looked like a paper printed into a book, definitley not worth the price. My husband was looking for a book..he does competition BBQ and this was not helpful.



5. For [...] I figured you would get a book loaded with infomation, Instead, you get a 100-page book. (I expected much more!) You also receive information about the website BarbecueCoach.com, which will set you back [...] per month for full videos on cooking. You won't get to the really good stuff to cook for a few months. If you buy his full membership for [...] you get all videos immediately. There are other books and websites (such as YouTube and [...]) that will give you this information for FREE!! Would I buy this book again or recommend it? If you want to line the author's pockets with money then YES; if not, there are other sources of information that are a lot less expensive.

5 comments about Pig Perfect: Encounters with Remarkable Swine and Some Great Ways to Cook Them.

1. real informative book on how to raise a pig the old and real way.raising world class hams



2. Most ham is the U.S. is barely edible. There are exceptional country hams put up in the South, but these are seldom available to the casual shopper. If you do love ham, you just have to try the Pure Bellota Iberian ham from Spain.
   
   Now what this book does is illustrate, educate, and sharpen you taste buds for the incredible delight of eating great ham. There are taste matches made by the Creator: Iberian Pure Bellota ham with an ice-cold glass of Fino Sherry is one of them.



3. I am a lover of all pork products. This book presents the history of pigs, ham, and how it has evolved to what we know today. The author has an entertaining style, and his love of ham shines through. I was moved to buy a Kentucky Country Ham, just after I had finished the first third of the book. My knowledge on the history, raising, breeding, and processing of hogs has increased dramatically from this book. An interesting look into the present and future of pigs is given. This brings back memories of Fast Food Nation, and its description of the cattle industry.



4. God, I loved this book! At times fascinating (why is pork eschewed rather than chewed by millions of muslims and jews?), funny (the stuffing of sausage), and evocative (virtually every description of a meal well set), I was enthralled by this most excellent jaunt through the porcine world. Kaminsky pulls off a difficult balance: making us admire and care for the pigs even as we long to eat them as soon as we can apply some of the author's recipes. He makes a valid argument that we must eat them in order to save them, offers a call to arms to take back pork production from the industrial torture chambers that pass as 'agriculture' and return to a more humane and respectful treatment of this remarkable animal.



5. A most entertaining and informative journey through all sorts of pork and the many aspects of its production and enjoyment. Not a how to manual but a great story. The education is just the cherry on top!

5 comments about Bobby Flay's Grilling For Life: 75 Healthier Ideas for Big Flavor from the Fire.

1. I'm by far an inexperienced amateur chef...I tried one recipe so far: Salmon filets w/ pepper relish & anchovie vinaigrette. It took me two hours to prepare a 1/2 hour meal but the end result was great. I'm looking forward to my next conquest. Give this book a shot. Happy Grilling!



2. This is an exceptional grilling book. The information about how to grill is as important as the recipes. Mr. Flay deserves his excellent reputation.



3. The recipes were easy to follow, his descriptions and advice were awesome and the food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommended.



4. I bought this book on a whim for my father for father's day. I couldn't have made a better choice. Every recipe he's tried has been fantastic so far and it's really sparked his passion for cooking.
   
   Flay gives easy step-by-step instructions and great advice on purchasing grill accessories, etc. I cook all the time and was able to glean some interesting information from the text as well.
   
   I couldn't recommend this book enough. It's the best grilling book we've found (and we've tried a bunch).



5. Having had great success with recipes from Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill Cookbook: Explosive Flavors from the Southwestern Kitchen and also being interested in healthy cooking, this cookbook appealed to me.
   
   Bobby's philosophy in this book, as he explains in his introduction, is about showing people they can make healthy choices when grilling while still maximizing flavor. This book also seems to be a response to the Atkins Diet as several times throughout the book it is called out that Bobby is interested in carbs and wants to show people that good carbs can be healthy and delicious. It is also pointed out that the recipes are low in simple sugars and refined carbs. If this is one of the aims of your diet or lifestyle you will appreciate the focus of the book. It is worth noting though that this is not necessarily a low fat or low calorie cookbook. Many recipes are well above the recommended limit of 20 to 35 percent of calories from fat. However, most recipes are low in saturated fats and high in good fats. Many of the recipes could easily be lowered in fat by reducing the amount of olive oil used.
   
   That said, if you don't mind that many of these recipes are not necessarily low fat you will enjoy a diverse selection of recipes based around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats, and seafood. The recipes are all very unique and pack the strong soutwestern flavors that Bobby has perfected. The recipes are not difficult to prepare and similar to other Bobby Flay cookbooks in the time and skill level required. I'm particularly fond of the Grilled Chicken Tenders with Spicy Chipotle Sauce and Blue Cheese-Yogurt Sauce, Grilled Duck Breast with Black-Pepper Sweet Mustard Sauce, and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Stacked with Spinach and Manchego Cheese. All are perfect for a delicious weeknight meal.
   
   Thus, this is a great cookbook to turn to if you're looking for healthy (but not necessarily low fat) grilling recipes. It's great for when I want recipes that are healthier than average fare, but am not necessarily seeking low cal/low fat recipes. However, if you are specifically looking for low fat recipes I highly recommend books like Canyon Ranch Cooks: More Than 200 Delicious, Innovative Recipes from America's Leading Health Resort, Conscious Cuisine: A New Style of Cooking from the Kitchens of Chef Cary Neff, or The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life. All three are great examples that low fat cooking can be flavorful and enjoyable.

5 comments about Grill Power: Everything you need to know to make delicious, healthy meals on your Indoor Electric Grill.

1. Do listen to the sour grapes reviews. This book is for people looking for meals that you cannot pull together without first shopping at multiple locations to purchase the ingredients. I prefer simple recipes with items I can find in my pantry or pick up on my way home from work. Save your $$$!!!!



2. I can boil water except I usually burn it, so imagine my joy to find a cook book with so many easy to use and tasty ideas. My favorite cooking item is my George Forman grill and everything I have tried so far comes out great.Her varied uses for chicken are most welcome to those of us on special diets or just trying to cut the fat from our diets. The ingredients are easy to assemble and instructions easy to follow. I also gave a copy of this book to my uncle in Missouri. He is a legendary griller. The back yard is his kingdom. He has enjoyed her book and has gotton some great new ideas from it. Thank you Grill Power for bringing me and my George Forman even closer than before.



3. This book has a lot of good information on portable grills. It contained a lot of things that I did not know that were extremely helpful. After reading this book, I feel that I can use both my George Foreman portable grills easily. Thanks for writing such an informative grilling book.



4. 3rd book bought here on Amazon to bring me hopefully from Novice Griller to Pro Griller, indoors, that is. Good suggestions by the author, good recipes.



5. love my grill but have no use for this book! have you ever heard the expression "Keep it simple stupid"? This book is for Chefs! not everyday people. I can't afford all the ingrediences...even is I knew what they were! If you wonder, I'm 71, live along, and a male. I need something for a noncook!