Liquid Architecture 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks by Kim Hassarud

The warm heat of the Summer sun is still upon us. Sultry, humid nights spent on decks and patios are always present. We crave good conversation, time spent with friends and family and a cold drink.

Kim Hassarud has created a wonderful treasure trove of cocktail recipes that will satisfy your every drink craving with her book, 101 Mojitos & Other Muddled Drinks ($16.95). It's a wonderful reference guide, how-to and very easy to follow. For the Fourth of July we had a neighborhood block party and I mixed up a batch of Kim's classic Mojito. It was a smash hit! I've made pitchers and single dose drinks of it ever since. Everyone wants the recipe. This book is not just for summertime either. It is loaded with drink recipes for the cooler months too. There are recipes for margaritas, crushes and grappas too.

Haasarud іѕ a James whiskers-honored mixologist, author, аnd beverage consultant. Founder οf Liquid Architecture and its very cool blog, shе creates signature cocktails inspired by items that are high quality, market-fresh ingredients. She believes that cocktails should also be culinary experiences, full of flavors, aromas, garnishes and textures. Hassaraud will teach you how to make a drink come alive. They will be the hit of the afternoon, night, party or whatever the occasion.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.



*Image from givelovecreatehappiness.com

Cookielicious

Just in time for the holidays the new cookbook, Cookielicious ($19.95) by Janet K. Keeler, food editor at the St. Petersburg Times, arrived at my front door.  While it doesn't help me whittle my waistline post-baby it has been fun trying out a few of the many recipes included in this cookie cookbook.

Filled with pretty and delicious photos, Cookielicious is a great gift for anyone who loves to bake and/or loves cookies.  From the traditional chocolate chip to cookie bars it has over 150 recipes that just make you want to get baking!  Each recipe doesn't just give a list of ingredients and how to make the cookie but whether or not it will freeze well for later consumption.  I loved that!  Included in this book are recipes for holiday cookies, dog cookies and easy recipes to make with kids.  It's a really complete cookbook for cookie lovers. 

I had great success making the Buckeye Bars as my first recipe.  They tasted amazing and were a huge hit with my family.  They were also fun to make with my daughter. 

I love Cookielicious and think it makes a great gift for a baker or cookie lover.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for testing and review purposes only.   Opinions are MPR's only.

The Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook

Kim O'Donnel, a meat lover, has created a comprehensive cookbook for meat lover's made up entirely of vegetarian recipes- The Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook ($18.95).  One for each day of the year.  As part of the movement that has you eating less meat we try to eat at least one vegetarian dinner a week.  Most of our breakfast's and lunches are meat free too.  It's not that I don't like meat, I do. I just don't want to eat it every meal and I want to save some energy, cash and be a bit more efficient and not inefficient. 

Broken down by seasons to assist in cooking seasonally the cookbook has a lot to offer. It isn't all tofu recipes.  There are many that simply eliminate meat like the pot pie with cheddary biscuit crust or others that offer eggs or nuts as the main source of protein in the dish.  My family loved the Veggie Stir Fry, which had strips of eggs and cashews.  It was devoured in no time and I made it again a week later.  What I love about this cookbook is that the recipes are not simple, light fares.  They are meals. Hearty, full of complex flavors that you can savor and be satisfied and filled up by.  It is what so many vegetarian cookbooks lack or don't provide enough of.  I am always left wanting more and that isn't the case with O'Donnel's book. 

The Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook is available on Amazon and it makes a great addition to your cookbook collection or as a gift for the carnivore in your life.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only.