Friday, October 22, 2010

The Family Dinner - Review and Giveaway



I have posted on more than one occasion how much I love my vintage (1960's) "Betty Crocker Cookbook", I have a couple others that I use - "Fix it and Forget About It" is another favorite. I really did not think that I would need - or love- another cookbook but I now do.

I recently had the opportunity to review THE FAMILY DINNER by Laurie David, Kirstin Uhrenholdt.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cookbook. It really is much more than a cookbook - With chapters dedicated to topics such as green living, incorporating more meatless meals into your life, dinner conversation starters, kid friendly recipes, etc, this is more like an activity book, lifestyle guide and cookbook rolled into one. I am not the only one that loves this book - on amazon.com "The Family Dinner" is currently has a 5 star rating by consumer reviewers.

I found the book very informative and entertaining overall. I intently read the information on green living. I learned why it is better to use recycled foil, and what is a great alternative to plastic wrap for storing leftovers. I learned some more reasons why meatless meals contribute to a greener planet. (Ironically the author referenced "Eating Animals", another book I recently reviewed.).

The book included poems, games and various recipes. I would consider most of the recipes gourmet, but not SO gourmet that you would be afraid to attempt to bake or cook what was being featured. Most of the ingredients There is even a section on dinner for divorced families and how the author made it work for her in a unique way. * In reading about the author Laurie, I was surprised that Larry, her ex who was featured in the book in the divorced dinner section, is actually Larry David, actor and co-creator of the Seinfeld TV series. She is also famous in her own right - as environmental activist.

I especially liked learning about Danish culture(guessing Kirstin here) - something that I honestly do not know much about. The only thing I did not like about the book was there was a large bit dedicated to the Jewish Shabbat (and guessing Laurie here) but not too much about other cultures. I was not opposed to the Shabbat feature - quite the opposite. I cannot wait to try some of the recipes! I would have just loved to see what other cultures do for the weekly family meal or how they celebrate holidays with food such as Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Kwanzaa, Bodhi, Hanukka, Winter Solistice, etc. I really feel that with all of the other content the book contained, this could have easily been incorporated. Considering though that the authors come from Danish and Jewish heritages though, it makes sense that these were central.

Overall this book is a HUGE winner. I actually tried one of the recipes that was for the kids but looked so good I went ahead and tried myself. I made the peanut sauce which could be used over pasta. In keeping them with the book, I went vegetarian on this dish. I simply prepared the sauce, boiled the pasta, chopped vegetables and coated with the peanut sauce. It was absolutely delectable and delicious! I could not believe I made it or that it was that simple.












If you are looking for something that will truly be a family heirloom for the recipient (or yourself), this is the perfect gift.I actually keep it on my dinner table. When I sit down for lunch or a drink, I read a new section or re-read one that I previously enjoyed.

One very, very lucky Momanthology.com reader will win a fabulous copy of The Family Dinner (if you do not win, you can always buy the book!)

1) you must be a follower of this blog and 2) share something you learned about this book or the author

Extra entries - Post a separate comment for each entry:
- (1) Follow me in twitter @misaacmom and tweet this giveaway
- (1) share this on facebook
- (5) blog about this giveaway

RULES:
* You must be a follower of this blog in order to be eligible to win
* Winner will be selected via random.org or randomizer
* Winner will be contacted via email
* Winner must respond to email notification within 2 business days or another winner will be selected.
* Email address must be posted in your blogger profile OR you must post it with your entry.
* Only residents of the US are eligible to win
* Winner is responsible for taxes
* No P.O. Boxes
* Hachette responsible for prize fulfillment
* You must be 18 years old and above
* Ends 11/15/2010


I received a copy of The Family Dinner for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information on this blog and on my posting practices, please refer to the disclosure policy at the bottom of the page.



18 comments:

eclairre said...

I follow and I learned that the author is a regular contributor to the huffington post! wow!
eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com

Angela said...

I follow the blog and learned that she is the ex-wife of Larry David! haha.

nomfreebies AT hotmail DOT com

Debbie said...

I'm a follower. I learned that Laurie David is the producer of "An Inconvenient Truth", which I actually watched just a while ago.

Debbie P: rebbiedeed(at)hotmail(dot)com

cpage2323 said...

I learned that she was a producer for An Inconvenient Truth....

Anonymous said...

I've endeavoured to teach myself how to cook this year, so this book would go a long way towards making that goal possible... I am a public follower under Swedish Mamas and I'v learned that the author (Laurie David) is a very busy woman and an activist (good for her!) who has produced Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth', contributed to the Huffington Post (great source of info), been a guest of Oprah, Good Morning America and Today... Please accept this as my entry. Thank you!

Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

Benita said...

I'm a GFC Follower. I like that there is a good deal dedicated to recipes and Jewish culture. I'm fascinated and would love to read that section.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Louis H said...

Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

I learned that the author produced the Academy Award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

Louis H said...

following you on twitter @left_the_stars

http://twitter.com/#!/left_the_stars/status/29534105087

Louis H said...

shared
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=168771736482559&id=100000492008701

Scamozz said...

Laurie David is way cool. After having produced Al Gore's doc and after kicking nutty Larry David to the curb, she grabbed all that cash she made and funneled it into the NRDC and other great groups to help the environment. She found a cute young boyfriend and wrote a book about Global Warming for kids. Now she's writing cookbooks and encouraging family time around the table . . . Laurie, you're a winner! Now make me one, too! :)

Jana SIciliano

topkat said...

topkat@sbcglobal.net she's a good cook

K said...

I follow via GFC (K) and I learned that the book has ideas for conversation starters. I thought that sounded wonderful!
kimberly.reuter at yahoo dot com

windycindy said...

I appreciate why Laura Denny wrote this book. Her belief that sitting down as a family to a wonderful meal can heal our family relationships!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I follow you on twitter @misaacmom!
"Tweet" ~ http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/1460778523688960.
Merci, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Facebook Post!"
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/cindi512/posts/139158682801394.
Thanks very much...Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

susansmoaks said...

i am a follower, i would love to read
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

saturdaynightfever said...

Laurie David produced the film "An Inconvenient Truth"!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Homemaker said...

This book is the guide to the most important hour in any parent's day. I love that concept because I know that is about the only time we get to talk as a family and find out about everyone's day.
sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

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