Customer Reviews

The Christmas Kitchen: The Gathering Place for Making Memories

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Tammy Maltby's latest book "The Christmas Kitchen" is a must for those looking for creative holiday ideas and recipes. It contains ideas to create a beautiful Christmas atmosphere at home and inovative gift ideas that can easily be done on a budget. Practical, well written and full of clever gift suggestions, not to mention the delicious recipes. It is a book that will be perennially re-read.

A very dear friend of mine Tammy Maltby, wrote The Christmas Kitchen. Ladies, Martha Stewart has NOTHING on Tammy....believe me. I've been to her home, she is beautiful, charming, encouraging, she'll pray over you and you know you've been prayed over, and fix you a meal that rates right up there with The Mansion in Turtle Creek! She entertains with such a grace that it's so difficult not to be envious. Well, this is not just a cook book with yummy recipes, but also this book is chock full of ideas for entertaining ....from simple to grand. You've just got to check it out . In fact, Tammy has a blog with recipes and ideas and is generous to share this ideas, and you can find her on Facebook. Be sure and tell her I sent you!

This book is a true nugget of inspiration, creative ideas for the Christmas season. Author Tammy Maltby ventures beyond mere recipes to gift giving & presentation, decorating, plus things to do to celebrate the season when just spending an evening with family. I love sitting down and thumbing through this book. Each time I find the inspiration I need to complete something on my Christmas to-do list that can easily be done without consuming a lot of my time that is so precious during this season. I highly recommend this as a gift for yourself or for others on your list. This is the perfect handbook for making beautiful, warm memories at Christmas time!

Do you know someone that loves getting into the spirit of Christmas? The decorating, the baking, cooking, gift giving, entertaining... all of it? Are you that person? Then "The Christmas Kitchen" is for you.

This book is a great compilation of some fantastic recipes, excellent tips and ideas and everything you need to put you in the mood for the holiday season. It is beautifully done and would be great for gift giving. Check out some of these recipes...

Salmon and Lemon-Caper Cream Sandwiches
French Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce
Curried Chicken-Cashew Sandwiches
Coconut Angel Cupcakes
Teddy Bear Caramel Corn
Bon Temps Cajun Shrimp
Ambrosia Punch
Feliz Navidad Tortilla Soup
Cranberry Guacamole

And this is just the beginning - I can't wait to make some of these recipes myself this month. The one thing about the book that confused me a little bit was all the recipes that were in it, and tons of pictures but no pictures of the food. I love pictures of food to go with recipes. Instead of food pictures there are lots of pictures of people... with no captions of who they are??? But that is probably just me being quirky, other than that I absolutely love this book! Great gift for a Christmas lover or perfect for yourself!

A beautiful little novelty book full of ideas and recipes for celebrating Christmas. From decorating, planning ahead, cooking with children and the importance of traditions, this little gem is sure to be a hit. It's beautifully illustrated with photos that include the author and her family.

It's an easy book to browse through and, along the way, gain a new idea or insight to help you with your Christmas planning and celebrations. If I have one complaint, it would be that there isn't a photo for each recipe. I always want to see a finished product! This doesn't detract, however, from the book at all. It would make a lovely gift.

Does the thought of Christmas preparations send you into a panic?

It shouldn't.

Isn't Christmas the celebration of Christ our Savior coming to earth to dwell among us? (John 1:1)

It seems as though in the hustle and bustle of everything else we feel we "must" do - the gifts, the parties, the decorations - the most and only important part of Christmas gets pushed to the back of our minds.

Tammy has put together The Christmas Kitchen, a delightful book full of tips, traditions, and simple recipes to slow your Christmas focus.

You will find everything from tips for stress-free fun with kids in the kitchen, how to make gingerbread houses, recipes for homemade hot chocolate, to a full Christmas meal. Tammy shares many of her own family traditions, which is something I always enjoy hearing about.

The Christmas Kitchen is a gift-sized book, perfect for you or someone else you know that might enjoy a peek into Tammy's family traditions with hopes to start some of your own!

I'll share one of the recipes that I can't wait to make and package up for my family's Christmas goodies baskets! It sounds fabulous (much better than Swiss Miss)!!! ;-)

GOURMET HOT COCOA MIX
Tammy Maltby from The Christmas Kitchen

4 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 cups French vanilla powdered nondairy coffee creamer
2 cups powdered chocolate milk mix (store brand works just fine)
1 5-oz (6 serving) package cook-and-serve (not instant) chocolate pudding mix
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups miniature marshmallows and/or miniature chocolate chips (optional, but yummy)

Boiling water or milk, for serving

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. For a better blend, mix the dry ingredients in a blender or food processor before adding the marshmallows. Store the mix in an air-tight container. Makes about 12 1/2 cups mix, for 50 servings.

To serve, place 1/4 cup mix (or more) in mug or cup. Add 3/4 cup boiling water or hot milk and stir well.

Tammy also gives several variations to the hot cocoa: Mint, Mexican, Rich Mocha, and Sugar-Free. Mmmm, Chocolate is so good. Warm, liquid chocolate is really good. :-)

Check out more recipes and reviews at thecreativesideofsteph DOT blogspot DOT com!

I really enjoyed this book! It draws you into the Christmas Spirit completely. I could be reading it in July and be inspired to put up my Christmas tree and begin decorating my house! I find it especially refreshing that this book encourages others to grab on to the concept of giving with your life. It's truly a Christian's perspective of Christmas...it's all about others and making them feel loved and cherished. Wonderful gift idea, maybe in a gift basket with a nice mug and cider!

This book is a great resource to flip through when you need inspiration. The very first chapter says, "A good place to start is to let go of perfection." and also "using your life and home to communicate to people how much you value them." - this is my kind of book!!

Not only do I LOVE this little book, but I have already given several copies away to friends and family! It makes the perfect "hostess" gift, also...especially for the upcoming holidays!

This is a beautifully done book, and would make a great gift-especially for someone who is new to creating their own traditions. Nice collections of ideas, recipes and encouragment