Category Archives: *4 Star Books

Cookbook Review: Luke and Scott Clean Living (A 3 Week Healthy Lifestyle Plan to Help You Change Your Life)

My rating: 4 stars
Clean Living: A 3-week Healthy Lifestyle Plan to Help You Change Your Life

An accessible food and body workout ‘Paleo-Style’
Luke and Scott were the Bondi loving personal trainers from 2013’s series of My Kitchen Rules.

 

Much like the authors, this is a slim, beautiful book about paleolithic eating and functional training.  As a cronut fan I was naturally very suspicious.  Fortunately, the recipe section of the book is exciting, fresh and uses superfoods in a very appealing way.  50% of the book is about exercise and has lots of detailed instructions and pictures on how to work out right.  I wish though, that the boys had put up some you tube videos on how these exercises are done.  I enjoyed looking at the pictures of people exercising while I sat on my couch.

Luke and Scott Clean Living Exercises
Luke and Scott Clean Living Exercises

More after the Jump! read more »

Cookbook Review: Donna Hay’s Simple Dinners

My rating 4 stars

 

As is typical of Donna Hay, this book has impeccable styling, chorizo, and canned caramel.

I made her cheat’s chocolate and salted caramel tarts which were very sweet but a quick win.

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Cookbook Review: Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals

My rating: 4 stars

 

 

 

Perfect for the busy worker bee. read more »

Cookbook Review: Our Family Table by Julie Goodwin

My rating 4 stars

Our Family Table = Julie Goodwin = Solid, Simple, Reliable, Strong. Buy this book to give as someone’s “first cookbook” or as a leaving home gift. This book is idiot-proof.

 

 

Julie Goodwin was the first winner of Australia’s Masterchef 2009.

With “Our Family Table” Julie gives us a book that every Aussie household needs. This is not a dazzling culinary journey designed to transport your palate to a new universe. Rather, this is warm comfort food that’s easy to make. There’s no need for any special trips to the supermarket. In fact nearly all the ingredients will be in your pantry or could be sourced at a larger 7/11 (note her spag bol suspiciously contains no herbs). read more »

Cookbook Review: Hungry by Guy Mirabella

My rating 4 stars

This is one of the most creative and beautifully presented books I’ve seen from an Australian publisher. It is visually stunning combining artwork and food in a gorgeous way.

This relatively slim volume covers modern Italian Australian cuisine in a tasteful semi-posh way. This is an ideal book for anyone who fancies themselves a cross between Picasso and Jamie Oliver (but grown up).

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Cookbook Review: Marion – Recipes and Stories from a Hungry Cook by Marion Grasby

My rating 4 stars

4 for styling/3.5 for content


I absolutely loved Marion on the Masterchef series and dreamed of being her best friend forever!!

Obviously I desperately wanted to love her new book. Alas, it was not meant to be… does this make me a frenemy?

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Cookbook Review: Manu’s French Kitchen by Manu Feildel

My rating: 4 stars

Manu Feildel is hot. And after seeing him at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival I can confirm that he knows it.

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Cookbook Review: The Balthazar Cookbook by Keith McNally, Riad Nasr & Lee Hanson

My rating: 4 stars

Balthazar is my favourite restaurant in NYC and I had to buy the cookbook on my last visit (also available online).

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Cookbook Review: Nigella Kitchen by Nigella Lawson

My rating 4 stars

 by Cookie McBookie

Nigella is the perfect foodie – crumbs fall off her lips and ricochet off her massive bossoms back into her plummy mouth.

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Cookbook Review: The Barefoot Contessa – Best Chocolate Cake Ever?

Review: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

My rating: 4 stars

Fark I lurve Ina Garten. (Yes I speak English).

She is the human version of Martha Stewart. I “HEART” INA. Ahhh Ina.

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