The Gluten-Free Homemaker

One of my favorite gluten-free cookbook authors is Carol Fenster.  I own several of her cookbooks and a few of my very favorite recipes come from those books, or were adapted from one of her recipes.  That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to review her newest cookbook,100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes.

The Book

With the exception of five new ones, the recipes in this book are taken from her book 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes.  The cookbook title says it all.  These are 100 of her best recipes and it is put into a compact affordable book with 30 beautiful color photos.  It’s a very nicely done color cookbook with the ingredients listed in red.  It also features icons next to recipes that are vegetarian, kids favorites, and quick to make.

Another feature I really like in a cookbook is variations on a recipe.  Many recipes in this book have a highlighted box at the end with a variation of the recipe.  The front of this cookbook has useful gluten-free information, Carol’s sorghum flour blend, and a description of gluten-free flours.  A couple of special features are a list of gluten-free, dairy-free brands for specific ingredients, and a list of menus that combine some of the recipes in the book to make a themed meal such as Elegant Dinner Party, Southwestern, or Weekend Brunch.

My Experience

Before doing this review I made a couple of the recipes that I hadn’t made before.  The first was soft pretzels.  They are something I miss at times, especially when I’m walking past an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel shop.  I have to admit, that I was disappointed in the result as a pretzel.  I did, however, think they make a good bread stick.  They just didn’t taste like pretzels to me. I even tried brushing butter on top. 


The second recipe I tried was Fresh Chive Flatbread with Dipping Oil.  I goofed a little by adding all of the olive oil to the dough, rather than saving 1 Tablespoon for sprinkling on top.  The dough ended up very thin and wet, and the bread was definitely flat and rather heavy.  Next time I will use the right amount of olive oil and hold back a little of the liquid.  It tasted good though, especially with fresh rosemary in the bread and chives on top.  I served it with the dipping oil as a side at dinner and everyone liked it.

The Giveaway!

I am offering one copy of 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes to one winner.  You must be a US or Canadian resident to enter.  There are several ways to enter, but you must leave a separate comment for each entry.  Also, be sure I have a way to contact you.  The giveaway will end next Wednesday, August 25th at 11:00 p.m. eastern time.  Here’s how to enter:

• Leave a comment on this post telling me if you have tried any of Carol Fenster’s recipes. 
• Tweet about this giveaway, and leave a comment
• Follow me on Twitter or tell me you already do, and leave a comment
• Like me on Facebook, or tell me you already do, and leave a comment
• Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email, or tell me you already do, and leave a comment

There are five possible ways to enter, and you must leave a separate comment for each.  If you receive this post via email, please do not send me an email.  You must click over to the blog and leave a comment.

Disclaimer:  I was sent a free copy of 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes, but the opinions in this post are my own.

This giveaway is now closed.

Labels: books, giveaway, reviews