We have roughly two more months of reading to cram in before 2018 rolls around. I’ve read so many awesome books this year that I figured I’d share my top ten favorite ones so far, and I don’t know, maybe convince you to add them to your list, if you haven’t read them already. …
Can an Audiobook Make or Break a Book?
I’m a huge fan of audiobooks, and have been for quite sometime. My days are typically spent in someones kitchen, whether it be mine or a clients. One of the perks of personal cheffing is blissfully working in solitude for hours on end. I take advantage of this by popping in headphones and loading up an audiobook, while I begin preparing recipes for the next several uninterrupted hours.
Which brings me to a topic I’ve wanted to tackle for quite a while.
CAN AN AUDIOBOOK RUIN A BOOK?
That is a serious question. I’m leaning towards HECK YES. Though, a lot of different factors go into it. For one thing, I truly believe that the narrator of said audiobook carries the weight of whether or not it’ll be a good listen. Does the narrator pour emotion and tone in while reading? Do they give different characters different voices? Does it feel like someone is simply reading a book out loud to nobody in particular? OR does the book simply suck? Because even the best narrator can’t make a poor story shine….
Book Review | A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
Shari Lapena released her long awaited second novel, A Stranger in the House, last month. I say long awaited because her first novel, The Couple Next Door, was just so damn fantastic. I literally could not be torn away from it last October and finished it over one weekend. The Couple Next Door was fast paced, suspenseful, and though the plot was a little off the wall, it was oh so good.
Like many readers who were blown away with TCND, we all knew we’d read Lapena’s second novel, A Stranger in the House without a second thought. But let me just tell you, it was sort of painful to get through. Let me explain why……
Oven Roasted Salmon with Fresh Tomato-Basil Relish
We eat salmon at least once a week in my household, all year round. And to keep it fresh and exciting, I like to find fantastic in-season options to keep it from getting too stale. In the summertime, you bet this tomato-basil roasted salmon dish is my go-to. What says summertime better than the combination of tomatoes and homegrown basil from our own herb garden? This dish comes together in less than 25 minutes.
Also, this is an oven roasting technique for salmon that you’re going to want to learn. It’s the best method in my humble opinion.
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Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty, delicious recipe if you’re into tomatoes and mushrooms. Last week, I made this dish for every single one of my families, and it was so popular, it was requested again the following week. That’s how you know it’s good!
Typing out this recipe is making me crave a serving, and it’s not even 11AM. Sigh. Pro Tip: let the mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and bell peppers simmer for as long as possible with the wine. The softer, and longer you allow it to cook, the better!
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Herb Crusted Salmon
Salmon is one of my fish go-to’s. At home, it’s all too easy to slap a piece onto an aluminum lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, a little bit of seasoning, pop into the oven and call it a day. Sometimes it’s fun to jazz it up a bit, and that’s exactly what this recipe does.
This particular herb crusted salmon calls for a base of mustard, mayo, and tarragon, topped with a mixture of thyme and panko breadcrumbs as the crust. Talk about a flavor explosion!
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