Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan Carr

Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan Carr

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Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan Carr and Nicole Blum is a recipe book that really took me by surprise. There is quite a bit of history and backstory about the authors and their approach for a sustainable orchard. Admittedly, I did find this aspect to be a little to lengthy, but it is nice to understand the authors behind the recipes. Most of these recipes will require some special cider ingredients that you can either make yourself or purchase. If you are looking for traditional recipes on how to make things with apple cider, this book may be a bit more than expected.

Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan CarrTitle: Ciderhouse Cookbook: 127 recipes that celebrate the sweet, tart, tangy flavors of apple cider
Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC
Genres: Cookbook, Lifestyle
Publication Date: August 7, 2018
Rating: three-half-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Inspired by the full flavors emanating from their idyllic ciderhouse located in the heart of a rustic New England apple orchard, Jonathan Carr and Nicole Blum’s recipes, developed in collaboration with chef Andrea Blum, celebrate the versatility of fresh cider in all its forms.

Ciderhouse Cookbook teaches home cooks how to make a full array of traditional cider products, including cider syrups, molasses, vinegars, shrubs, and switchels, as well as apple preserves. The 127 cider-enriched recipes that follow are simple yet elegant, ranging from Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Garlicky Apple Vinaigrette to Braised Lamb Stew with Apples, Switchel, and Yogurt Mint Sauce; Cider Mimosas; Apple Pommeau Cake; and Crêpes with Fried Apples and Cider Caramel Sauce. With beautiful photography that captures the ambiance of the ciderhouse, this book is a deliciously loving tribute to America’s favorite fruit.

Amazon “iBooks”

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃


Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan Carr

❀ Gorgeous Images

The introduction to Ciderhouse Cookbook is one that is beautifully written and contains some gorgeous images as well. I learned quite a bit about the process to create a wonderful apple cider. Once the recipes become the focal point of the book, you will discover that the recipes will require you to create your own cider, cider vinegar, and cider syrup ahead of time. The authors also sell these products on Amazon, so if you are like me and aren’t interested in extra steps in your cooking, this might be an option.

Image of June Shrub

❀ Not as Many Recipes that involve Apple Cider

I was hoping that this recipe collection had some more recipes that involved straight up apple cider. As such, I didn’t have the opportunity to create the yummy looking dishes in the book. I did enjoy reading about all of the interesting meals that are detailed in the recipes book. I was also inspired to try making my own shrub and really enjoyed the June Shrub. It is definitely a cookbook to check out for some interesting fall recipes.

About Jonathan Carr & Nicole Blum

Image of jonathan carr and nicole blum

Jonathan Carr is a coauthor of Ciderhouse Cookbook. He is a cidermaker and orchardist at Carr’s Ciderhouse in Hadley, Massachusetts, and his hard ciders, syrups, and vinegars have been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and in Town and Country and CiderCraft magazines. Carr is passionate about traditional hard cider, pest- and disease-resistant apple cultivars, as well as low-input, sustainable orchard systems.

Nicole Blum is a coauthor of Ciderhouse Cookbook, Stitch Camp, and Improv Sewing. She runs Carr’s Ciderhouse in Hadley, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jonathan Carr. Blum is an artist and crafter whose work has been featured in FamilyFun and Parents magazines.

Lori

About Lori

Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.

13 thoughts on “Ciderhouse Cookbook by Jonathan Carr

    • The Candid Cover says:

      Yeah. It was one surprising aspect for me. I understand the authors’ approach after reading the book. I think that those purchasing it will probably have a better opportunity to flip through it a bit before committing to a purchase. 🙂

  1. reasonedandseasonedblog says:

    Interesting looking book. Can’t say I have the fascination in creating my own cider. More intrigued about good desserts perhaps that use shop bought ciders in. Some possetts and sylabubs do I think. Got a favourite cider ? For sustainability some orchards are better than others. Wyld wood cider refrains from chemicals. One of the great Weston’s products.

  2. Rosie says:

    One thing I haven’t done is make our own cider. We have cider mills in the area, and it is so good. I’d like to have this cookbook to try it, and to have on the coffee table!

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