Title: Tanya Bakes
Author: Tanya Burr
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: June 30, 2016
Stars: 4.5/5

Summary (from Goodreads): Following the phenomenally successful Love, Tanya, Tanya Burr is back with her very first cookbook. In Tanya Bakes, she shares her passion for baking along with all her favourite recipes. As well as cakes and bakes, readers will love Tanya’s delicious and simple puddings, loaves and pastries.

From everyday staple bakes to sweet treats for special occasions, Tanya’s got the perfect recipe, every time:
– Tanya’s Ultimate Celebration Cake
– Banoffee Pie
– Salted Caramel Cheesecake
– Rhubarb and Custard Muffins
– Earl Grey Tea Loaf
– Tanya’s Nanny’s Apple Pie
– Smarties Flapjacks

So make yourself at home in the kitchen with Tanya and treat yourself, your friends and family to something delicious!

Goodreads | Amazon

If you are a fan of YouTube, you have most likely become familiar with Tanya Burr and her hilarious and informative lifestyle channel. When I was asked by Penguin Random House Canada if I wanted to review this cookbook, I obviously jumped at the chance. This book has the most beautiful images, and it is one that contains some fantastic recipes that even the most inexperienced of chefs can attempt. There are also lots of personal stories attached to the recipes, which make for quite a fun and enlightening read. My only criticism of this book would be that for the average North American reader, this book contains British cooking measurements. This will require the user to convert measurements if the required tools aren’t at hand.

Tanya Bakes has got to be one of the most gorgeous cookbooks that I have ever seen, and I am quite a fan of the genre. The images are so full of life and the pictures just seem to pop with excitement. It is so enjoyable to flip through a book of recipes and see gorgeous images of how the recipe will look when it is all finished. Definitely my favourite aspect of this book.

What is really fun and interesting about Tanya Bakes is the narrative that is included in the book. Tanya shares lots of life stories and inspiration as to why certain recipes are included in the book. This is something that takes this book into the memoir or autobiography  genre, as readers learn little tidbits about Tanya’s childhood and present day life.

Australian Toasted Banan Bread

I typically attempt a few recipes from the cookbooks that I am reviewing, as I find that the process is just as important as the layout. The instructions for the recipes are clear and concise. There are tons of different types of desserts and even some wonderful seasonal recipes to try. I did give the Australian Toasted Banana Bread a whirl, as the ingredients were something I had on hand and the result was phenomenal. Although, I do prefer it untoasted myself. It was a bit time consuming to convert the ingredients, though. There are some great converters online and I did find one site that I found useful for this recipe if you are interested in making something from a cookbook that has different measurements than you are accustomed to.

Tanya Bakes is a gorgeous book that is sure to be enjoyed by all of her fans and those who love to bake. I am looking forward to taking a look at Tanya’s newest cookbook as well, as it centres around my favourite time of the year: Christmas!

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Dinner Plan: The Keepers Guide to Weeknight Meals and More
Authors: Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: September 19, 2017
Stars: 4/5

Summary (from Goodreads): From the authors of the IACP award-winning cookbook KEEPERS, an entirely new and personalized approach to tackling the dinner dilemma:

Between juggling work, family activities, mismatched schedules, and often bare refrigerators, there are all sorts of situations that make weeknight cooking a universally challenging—and frustrating—experience. The Dinner Plan offers five meal strategies—Make-Ahead, Staggered, One-Dish, Extra-Fast, and Pantry—that will help get dinner on the table no matter what the workweek throws at you. The 135 recipes—from main dishes to sides to salads and “lifesaver” condiments—provide lots of practical options whether time is super-tight, you haven’t had a chance to run to the store, or everyone is coming home at a different time.

And most importantly, all of the recipes are “keepers”—brag-worthy, reliable, crowd-pleasing preparations that you’ll confidently turn to again and again. Shrimp Scampi, Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas, Foolproof Carbonara, and Mexican Skillet Lasagna are just a few examples of doable recipes that will earn their place in any busy cook’s repertoire. Rounded out with plenty of tips and a bonus section on healthful snacks called The Forgotten Meal, The Dinner Plan is every home cook’s indis­pensable weeknight dinner guide.

Goodreads | Amazon

If there is one thing that I am always on the hunt for, it is a recipe that is quick, delicious, and simple to make. The Dinner Plan is a well-organized, eye-catching book that has some fantastic suggestions to get a healthy dinner ready no matter what your day has in store. The ideas take into account all sorts of different lifestyles, but they are most definitely geared towards family meals.

What sets The Dinner Plan apart from other time-saving cookbooks isn’t really the actual recipes. In fact, it is in the way the recipes are categorized as to whether it is a make-ahead, staggered, one-dish, pantry, or extra-fast. Knowing what type of ingredients are needed and the time commitment needed to prepare certain dishes takes the guess-work out of where to start. There are also tips included in the book that include what sorts of ingredients and equipment to buy.

If you have a family that eats at different points of the evening, you will most likely find a dish that will satisfy the needs of your family. Making a meal that can be served at any point of the day, or easily reheated makes some of these recipes really unique. For instance, the Kitchen Sink Burritos that I prepared can be made fairly quickly and then the fixings can be set out for anyone to put together at their own leisure. This recipe is also a much lighter and cheaper version than the ones you can purchase at a local burrito bar, as there are no added preservatives.

The Dinner Plan is an interesting take on how to serve dinner to your family when life just seems to get in the way. If you are on the hunt for suggestions on how to eat healthy meals for a busy lifestyle, this may be the book for you. It will give you a new perspective on how to make meals without the stress over the time commitment involved.