How to Cook Like a Man by Daniel Duane Review

Imagine a man with no food identity to speak of deciding to cook gourmet meals for his family. Add in the fact that he's barely dabbled in cooking and you have the beginnings of a wonderful memoir. After all, many people have preset notions that cooking is woman's territory, unless it's professional cooking and then women aren't welcomed into the kitchen as easily. However, this book isn't discussing professional cooking. In How to Cook Like a Man by Daniel Duane, the author discusses his adventures in the kitchen as he learns to cook for his family.

From a woman's point of view, How to Cook Like a Man, had lots of promise. Some of the passages had me giggling, but I was also turned off by the book at the same time. While the book would be perfect for someone that is a true gourmet, it isn't something the average foodie can enjoy. I was also turned off by the author's blatant disrespect as his role of a father. The fact that he learned to cook to basically get away from his other duties as a father was not something I could enjoy.

If you're a true gourmet cook, you'll find How to Cook Like a Man a real treat. However, if you're the average foodie, or a woman, you may find Duane's book hard to swallow.


I give How to Cook Like a Man by Daniel Duane 3 out 5 stars.

Available May 8th, 2012 for $24.


Writer of this review was given an ARC of this book to review through NetGalley.

Doritos Locos Tacos From Taco Bell Need a Midnight Premiere?

Movies, video games, books, tacos.......Wait, tacos? Tacos are getting a midnight premiere? I get the idea that Taco Bell is trying to make a huge statement by getting 100,000 fans to check in on Facebook saying that they had the new taco, but it still seems a bit crazy. Either way, let's take a closer look at the Doritos Locos Taco to determine what makes it so great.

The Doritos Locos Taco is a Taco Supreme Taco with a Doritos shell. That's it. There's really nothing mind blowing about this taco other than the shell being made from a popular brand of tortilla chips. Of course, the Taco Supreme is a delicious taco and Doritos are amazing as well so the taco is sure to be great, but not worth driving to Taco Bell at midnight for.

However, if you do want to get out of bed on an early Thursday morning for a fourth meal, or midnight snack, you can enjoy the Doritos Locos Taco starting at 12AM to 1AM on March 8th.

America's Favorite Cookie, the Oreo, Turns 100

Whether you twist them or dunk them, chances are you remember Oreos from your childhood. Personally, I'm a Double Stuft twister kinda girl. However, I had no idea that the Oreo was about to turn 100 years old! As a foodie, I've used Oreos in many different recipes and am always looking for new ways to enjoy the treat. Of course, it would nice if Nabisco decided to remove the high fructose corn syrup, but this is one treat I'm willing to poison myself for. Anyway, here are a few delicious recipes to help you celebrate Oreo's 100th birthday:

Vanilla Cream Oreo Dream
Oreo Birthday Cupcake Cake
Chocolate-Caramel Creme Pie
Chocolate Covered Oreo Celebration Cake

What's your favorite Oreo recipe?

5 Free Kindle Books in Cooking

I can't count the amount of cookbooks I've found for free through Amazon. I love to check the top 100 free Kindle books at least a few times a week. Today, I was searching through the selections and thought I would share some of the free cookbooks I found. Please note that these books may only be free for a limited time. Also, if you enjoy this post, please see my new blog A Girl and Her Kindle for even more Kindle goodies.

Cookie Recipes: How to Make Cookies Like a Pro by Judith Stone

From classic chocolate chip cookies, to the traditional Dutch and German "Pfeffernusse" Christmas treats, "Cookie Recipes - How to make cookies like a pro!" is crammed full of 25 of the best cookie and biscuit recipes to bake at home.

This concise collection from best selling author Judith Stone, contains easy to follow, quick to make, and utterly delicious cookie recipes which will delight children and adults alike. Inside you'll learn how to make:

Gingersnap Cookies
Coconut and Walnut Cookies
Pfeffernusse Cookies
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies
Iced Pumpkin Cookies
Cranberry Orange Cookies
No Bake Preacher Cookies
Chocolate Mint Cookies
...and much, much more!

Great fun to make with the kids, and delicious on their own or served with a lovely cup of tea! This is yet another superb collection from the author of "The Cheesecake Recipe Book" and "How to bake cup cakes and fairy cakes like a pro!"

Ooh.......Chocolate, My Favorite by Kitrin Haas

Whether company is coming or you have just had a really bad day. Every body loves chocolate. Now you can easily create any of your favorite chocolate recipes.

Joyful Momma's Guide to Shopping and Cooking Frugally by Kimberly Eddy

Have you noticed the cost of groceries absolutely skyrocketing?

As the cost of feeding our families well on a tight budget continues to climb ever higher, we need to reevaluate how we spend the money in our grocery budget. That’s where Joyful Momma’s Guide to Shopping & Cooking Frugally comes in.

If you’re like me, you’ve been frustrated by the rising prices of groceries, while the family income either remains the same or goes down. It seems like everyone is looking for ways to cut back on their grocery bill.
Let me help you learn how to save big money at the grocery store with some simple and easy-to-implement tips!

Smart School Time Recipes by Alisa Marie Fleming

This e-cookbook was created to encourage whole foods living for families, while offering ample alternatives to prepackaged meals and snacks.

Within you will discover 125 healthy recipes and over 100 full color photos for quick breakfasts, on-the-go snacks, and portable lunch items. And of course, the recipes are kid-friendly (and adult-friendly!), easy, and delicious. The chapters include:

Morning Muffin Mania
Sensational Smoothies
Easy Freezin’ Waffles, Pancakes, and French Toast
More Smart Starts
Dips, Fillings, and Spreads
Soups and Stews
Salad-Style
More Lunchbox Love
Sweet Snackin’
Craving Cookies
Essential Extras

Please download and enjoy, and let others know about this fabulous eCookbook! Share it, Tweet it, Buzz it, and Email it to help spread the word about the easy and delicious world of whole foods for the entire family.

Healthy Whole Grains for Dinner by Judith Hollier

Healthy Whole Grains for Dinner is a compilation of delicious, healthy and easy to prepare dishes for those seeking a healthier lifestyle or those who just want to experiment with new and different grains. The recipes are low in fat, but flavorful and interesting and should appeal to both the vegetarian and the meat eater.

Two Tips Rachael Ray Taught Me

While it's been years since I've watched Rachael Ray on Food Network, there are still a few tips of hers I used on a regular basis. While I may not turn out delicious meals in less than 30 minutes (unless you count frozen foods). I found two of her tips incredibly useful.

Use a Trash Bowl

This may sound trivial, but this tip can save a lot of time in the kitchen. The idea is to use a bowl for vegetable scraps, packaging and anything else you need to throw away. When you're finished preparing the meal, dump the trash bowl in the trash and you're done. The only thing I would change about this tip is to use a separate bowl for "trash" that may benefit your compost bin.

How to Perfectly Hard Bowl an Egg

I hated hard boiling eggs only to find a green ring when I cut the eggs open. However, Rachael Ray taught me the perfect tip to prevent this from happening. All you need to do is boil the eggs for 5 minutes and turn off the heat and cover the pot for 30 minutes. Once the 30 minutes has elapsed, rinse the eggs with cold to make them easier to peel. This method works to prevent the dreaded green ring at least 95% of the time.

While Rachael Ray may have taught millions how to cook meals in 30 minutes or less, she taught me two tips that made cooking much easier and less time consuming.

Photo by superfloss

Organic Foods May Contain Arsenic

Though there hasn't been any recalls at the time of this post, a study done at Dartmouth College found that samples of baby formula had up to 6 times more arsenic than allowed by the U.S. Federal limit. While a number of things contain arsenic, including drinking water, there are no regulations on fruit juices and most foods. It wasn't until February 8, 2012 that the FDA was approached to limit the amount of arsenic and lead in fruit juices. But, the real question is what is causing the spike in arsenic found in organic foods?

The culprit is actually brown rice syrup and this ingredient is not limited to baby formula. In fact, the ingredient can be found in everything from cereal bars to energy shots. While this ingredient is used to sweeten these foods, it's easy to see that the risks can be anything but sweet. In fact, infants may be getting a significantly high amount of arsenic from their formula.

It is important for anyone who chooses organic products to scan the label for brown rice syrup. Until the FDA does something to change the rules about the amount of arsenic allowed in food and fruit juices, it is up to you as a parent to make the right choices for your children. Remember, organic may not be the best option. In fact, the two formulas tested contained 20-30 times more arsenic than other brands.

Photo by amdavis

5 Candies Nello Ferrara Created

On February 3rd, the world lost a culinary legend. I didn't recognize the name when asked to cover a story on Nello Ferarra, but after a bit of research realized that this man was a huge part of my childhood. Nello Ferrara was of the Ferrara Pan Company and had created many candies I had enjoyed in my childhood. Here are just five candies Nello Ferrara was known for.



Atomic FireBall

The Atomic FireBall was released in 1954 and made a big bang, literally. After sending out samples to various candy stores, the company was soon producing the candy in large numbers. Just three weeks after the release the company was making 50,000 cases a day.

Lemonheads

Developed in 1962, Lemonheads has become loved the world over. Ferrara Pan Company makes an outstanding 500 million Lemonheads per year! That's a lot of pucker power. 

Red Hots

Red Hots is another popular cinnamon candy produced by the company and was released in the 1930s. Popular for their delicious cinnamon flavor, Red Hots are a great candy to decorate with and were in good company with another delicious candy being made that year.

Boston Baked Beans

The other popular candy produced in the 1930s was Boston Baked Beans. A sugar-coated peanut candy, Boston Baked Beans was made in honor of the delicious, savory side dish. 

Jawbusters

Last, but not least, Jawbusters Jawbreakers is another popular candy made by the Ferrara Pan Company and was one of the first jawbreakers to ever be made, with the company labeling their candy as "the one and only original jawbreaker candy".

It's hard to believe that one company created so many hits. It's also hard to believe that decades later, these candies are just as popular. Of course, after trying these candies, it's much easier to see why.