Gooseberry Patch's "101 Farmhouse Favorites": Review, Recipes, and Giveaway

101 Farmhouse Favorites

from Gooseberry Patch

 

Are you as excited as I am that a new Gooseberry Patch cookbook season is here? It really helps to get me through these winter blues knowing that there are new Gooseberry Patch cookbooks on the way to my house. And, for one of my lucky followers, there's going to be a copy of this cookbook on the way to your doorstep, too.

 

I was really looking forward to a cookbook named 101 Farmhouse Favorites. Just the title alone told me that the cookbook would be rich with comforting recipes. The recipes are divided into five chapters:

• Break of Day Breakfasts
• Garden-Fresh Soups and Salads
• Family Dinner Favorites
• Blue-Ribbon Desserts
• Classic Country Canning

It was nice to find some new breakfast recipes to add a little something special to my usual weekend breakfast routine. I made the Country Ham Biscuits (recipe below) that my husband loved. There were a couple of decadant breakfast dishes such as Baked Shrimp and Grits and Fried Green Tomato Biscuits that appealed to the Southern girl in me.

The soup and salad chapter offered up plenty of recipes to use those fresh fruits and vegetables that I'm looking forward to in the spring. But, there are also plenty of soup and stew recipes to enjoy now in the cold of winter. The Family Dinner Favorites chapter offered comforting dishes such as Paprika Chicken and Marvelous Mexican Meatloaf. I made one of my husband's all-time favorite dishes, Shrimp Creole (recipe below), from this chapter. It was a simple recipe and we both enjoyed it.

Blue-Ribbon Desserts covers a variety of desserts from fruit crisps and pies to cookies and cakes. And, finally, when you're ready to preserve the bounty of your garden, you'll find plenty of recipes for canning such as Garlic Dill Pickles, Old-Time Corncob Jelly, and Spiced Blueberry Jam. There's even a little bonus page - whimsical Copy & Cut Canning Labels that you can to use to decorate your jars.

In all, this cookbook is another winner from Gooseberry Patch. It features a broad array of recipes and I'll know you'll find many that your family will enjoy.

 Country Ham Biscuits

Submitted by Terri Scungio

Williamsburg, VA

Chapter: Break of Day Breakfasts

 

Country Ham Biscuits

 

2 c. self-rising flour

1/2 c. plus 3 tbsp. butter, divided

1 c. cooked ham, ground

1-1/2 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. buttermilk

Add flour to a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in ham and cheese. Add buttermilk; stir with fork until a moist dough forms. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes, until lightly golden. Melt remaining butter and brush over hot biscuits. Makes 2 to 3 dozen.  

 Shrimp Creole

Submitted by Jill Heilman

Gilbertsville, PA

Chapter: Family Dinner Favorites

Shrimp Creole

 

1/3 c. shortening

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

2 lbs. uncooked large shrimp, peeled and cleaned

1 c. hot water

2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce

1/2 c. green onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 c. fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 c. green pepper, chopped

1 slice lemon

2 tbsp. sugar

1-1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 bay leaves

Cooked rice

 

Melt shortening in a large stockpot over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook until it starts to brown. Add remaining ingredients except cooked rice. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Spoon over cooked rice. Serves 4 to 6. 

 

 

Disclaimer: Gooseberry Patch provided me with review and giveaway copies; however, the opinion expressed here is my own.

 

***GIVEAWAY***

 

Now, here comes the fun part! Would you like to win your very own copy of 101 Farmhouse Favorites? Here are the rules.

• The giveaway is open to my blog followers. You may follow me here through Google Friend Connect, Network Blogs, or on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wellseasonedlife.
• In the comment section below, let me know that you're interested in winning the cookbook and leave an e-mail address where I can reach you if you're the winner.

Deadline: January 18, 2013