Taste This! – The Delicious Sequel

I am lucky to have friends who cook. I am unlucky that they live far away.

Luckily, my friend Jennie has a cookbook coming out next year. It’s called City Girl, Country Kitchen. And trust me, I just spent the weekend in her city kitchen and ate some fantastic country fare. You won’t want to miss this book.

And as luck would have it, my friend Gina has her second cookbook out now! I reviewed her first book, Taste This! a while back and still use it as my go-to ideas book when I am stumped for weeknight meals or quick desserts. I have already dogeared the heck out of Gina’s new book, Taste This! – The Delicious Sequel. Not surprisingly, her recipes are accessible and realistic for busy people who want to make a wholesome family meal. The ingredients are easy to come by, and the recipes are easy without being simplistic.

I made the Gorgonzola Cheese Ball for our 14th annual Christmas Eve party last year. There were crumbs left but not much else. This ain’t your mama’s 1970s cheese ball.

I also made the Tortellini Skewers for the same soiree. It was tasty, easy, and hearty finger food fare. I’m thinking these would be good for book club too.

I have a love affair with chicken pot pie and have yet to find a recipe that floods my soul with warmth. Gina to the rescue! The aptly named “Savory Much-Sought After Chicken Pot Pie” is creamy, rich, flaky. A truly lovely homemade decadence.

Next on my list are the Maytag Bleu Cheese Endive Boats, Cabbage Potato Surprise, and Double Chocolate Bread Pudding. Seriously, I’m salivating just writing this post. Gina rounds out her book with several cocktails too, which speaks to me for sure. Gina guest posted a fresh and fruity white sangria on my blog ages ago. I’m eying up her new recipes for a Pisco Sour and Limoncello. If only she and Jennie were here to share happy hour with me…

Oh, I would be a dolt to not mention that Gina hails from a long line of cooking and eating people. Her family owns the well known Fisherman’s Wharf landmark restaurant Alioto’s. Mac Daddy and I actually ate there many years ago, way before “blog” was in my vernacular! You can be confident that Gina’s good stock is evident in her books. You too can own them with just one click.