Food with Friends: The Art of Simple Gatherings
When it comes down to creating happy memories, what kind of entertainer are you? Do you like to make others feel special and loved? If you do, Food with Friends is the cookbook for you. Leela Cyd the author is a food, lifestyle and travel photographer and she is based in Northern California. Many of her food and spices are from her travels around the world which she blogs about at LeelaCyd.com.
The Food with Friends cookbook is focused on entertaining, the dishes are colorful and fun. Most have some sort of whimsical artsy twist that feels sincere and natural. There are six chapters: Breakfast and Brunch, Teatime, Happy Hour, Potlucks and Picnics, Desserts, and Tiny Takeaways. Every recipe comes with a beautiful photo and a personal introduction or story, which I found to be very charming. In her Onion Jam recipe she writes that it is so good she would happily marry a jar of it. Now that did it for me, later that day I made my own jar and it was delicious!! (see picture below).
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| Onion Jam |
My favorite chapter was the “Style File” section. Here she talks about adding your own personal touches. Forget perfection and embrace what you love. It’s okay to add pine cones, driftwood or whatever it is that you treasure, use what you have.
What I gleaned from this cookbook was that with a little work we can make our family and friends feel special and cared about. Whatever the occasion Leela Cyd will show you how to keep it simple but exceptional at the same time. Food with Friends is for the artist in everyone of us.
“I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.”
It's such a pity you cannot share recipes from these books Cheri.
ReplyDeleteI know, this book has such great recipes and ideas too. Thanks Tandy.
DeleteTeatime with food and friends make for the best moments of life! Bet that onion jam with a bit of turkey bacon and toast would be delicious too =) Thank you for the intro to the very charming cookbook =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, you said it better than I, it is a charming book for sure.
DeleteI would love to try that onion jam. Looks really great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, it is fabulous, who would of thought that cooked down onions could taste so good.
DeleteVery nice, Cheri. I love the sentiment of making food your own with garnishes and your unique style. I'm heading to check out the book and blog right now. Oh, and the jam looks delicious. Too bad I'm already married! D
ReplyDeleteha! you are so funny Dena, hope you enjoy the book as much as I do. take care xo, Cheri
DeleteOh gosh! That onion jam is so intriguing, Cheri. I will have to check the book right away! Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anu, have a wonderful week-end!!!
DeleteHi Cheri,
ReplyDeleteThe onion jam looks delish.
I'm with you ... keeping the food colourful with simple garnishing if I'm hosting events at home. Enjoy your weekends!
Thanks Karen, it's always fun putting your own spin on things.
DeleteThe book sounds awesome! Perfect for all the entertaining we do during the summer! Love your onion jam too!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheri, Food With Friends sounds positively terrific, and certainly a genre many of us who regularly entertain could take some inspiration from! Sometimes I think I have so many food preparations in my head- it becomes overwhelming- so a book as this might give me a bit of ease. The Onion Jam looks terrific too. I'm really enjoying your ongoing 'summer series!' See you soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy, I can relate to what you wrote as I can easily get overwhelmed myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am having fun. Have a wonderful week-end!
DeleteI absolutely love to casually entertain. My favorite is Sunday Supper. Family and friends around the table.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post. Loved it.
Velva
Thanks Velva, have a great week-end!
DeleteDear Cheri, I have been looking at this particular book for a while now - your post has me convinced now that this is certainly a book worth investing in. And your onion jam looks wonderful - love these little extra special and personal touches for entertaining guests.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
I do too Andrea, she reminds us that it can be fun and creative all at the same time. Take care!
DeleteOnion jam, who knew? Thanks so much for reviewing the book.
ReplyDeleteI am all about entertaining my guests and serving great food and a pretty table.
You certainly are Linda, I could definitely take lessons from you. You really know how to set a beautiful table. Have a great week-end!
DeleteWhat a nice concept for a book, Cheri. Thanks for the introduction. I have to say that the beet-soaked eggs (at least that is what I think they are) on the cover are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteYes that is exactly what they are. I liked how she encourages others to put their own special touches when entertaining. It's the little things that count.
DeleteI remember reading about this book being in the works. That is a great review and sounds like a great message and a very nice book. I will keep an eye out for it, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica, it is a beauty. This might so silly but I love the texture of the paper too.
DeleteI"m going to order this book because it sounds like something I would love. This is such a great review, Cheri, and I normally spend a lot of time deciding on cookbooks before I order them (my house is overrun with books! lo) but you have me convinced. Love it and love the cover picture.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is the best looking food blog! You've motivated me to go ahead and tweak some stuff on mine that I've been wanting to do forever. Congratulations on your new look - gorgeous!
Ha! my house is overrun too but I can't stop myself. Thanks, Linda has done such a amazing job, everything works and looks so much better, I still can't beleive it!
DeleteLove the premise of this book, Cheri. Very clever idea and something we can all use in our kitchen libraries.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara, you are so right. I like the fact that she impresses upon the reader to relax and make it their own, it's supposed to be fun.
DeleteHi Cheri, I love to cook for friends and family. Thanks for the book introduction, your onion jam look appetizing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,regards.
Amelia
Thanks Amelia, we loved the onion jam.
DeleteI love your take-away from trying this cookbook. A great theme for certain! Sorry to be so behind - I have been so sick :( On the mend now and hope to keep it that way. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better Tricia!! Take care!
DeleteOnion jam sounds yummy! Love the new look of your blog :-) Have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteThanks Kushi!!
DeleteSounds like a great book, and your eggs look delicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cakelaw, it is a great cookbook.
DeleteFood with friends = quality time!!!! I love having meals with my friends especially during the weekends. We make salads together and then binge on chocolate LOL :)
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds like my kind of fun, my 2 favorites!!
DeleteThis sounds like my kind of entertaining! I'll be sure to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth, love that she is saying it's okay to put your own spin on it.
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful! Love the onion jam and your new layout is beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly!!! so glad I made the change.
DeleteThose eggs on the cover are beautiful! And the onion jam looks lovely, too! Sounds like a terrific cookbook.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, it is a wonderful cookbook! The pictures are wonderful!!
DeleteThis sounds like a cookbook I would really enjoy! I love to have friends and family over and feed them, but also make things pretty and fun. That cracked me up about her wanting to marry the onion relish! I feel like that about food sometimes! :) Thanks so much for a great review of this cookbook, Cheri!
ReplyDelete