Customer Reviews

Gifts from the Southwest Kitchen

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This excellent book is full of creative ideas, delicious recipes, and colorful photos of gift presentations. I bought the book as a gift but in the end I couldn't bear to give it away. There are gifts in here for many different kinds of people who all will enjoy the food and the creative presentation. Many of the recipes cost very little to make, too, so the gifts are economical as well as imaginative. This book is well worth its modest cost.

Another winning book from the team of Judy Walker and Kim Mac Eachern. "Gifts from the Southwestern Kitchen" is filled with easy to create and to prepare southwestern homemade gifts which will make even Martha Stewart turn guacomole green with envy. From Chili Beer Bread Mix, Chameleon Chocolate Sauce, Sloppy "Joses" Seasoning Mix, Copper Queen Rub & Champagne Mustard, to name a few, these recipes take only minutes of your time to prepare. In addition to 70 recipes to choose from, Judy & Kim provide easy instructions & pictures to show you how to package and present your gifts from the kitchen. Gifts from the Southwestern Kitchen belongs in everyone's kitchen library.

I love a good cookbook. Now, I don't like to cook, but if I have recipes that are fun, fast and easy, it can make something I consider drudgery almost fun. Gifts from the Southwest Kitchen meets my needs and wants. And since I live in the Southwest for a large part of the year, it's a cookbook I will save and use often.

'Nothin says lovin' like gifts made from your own kitchen. There are times I would like to give a hostess gift, surprise a friend or even impress guests. It's easy to buy something, but it's more personal when you give of yourself; your time and talents. With the list of supplies, materials, and containers, the 'thinking' is done for me.

Gifts from the Southwest Kitchen includes delicious soups, condiments and seasonings to spice things up, mouth-watering sides and salads, breads that say 'comfort food,' jams and preserves that will have you licking your fingers, snacks to 'scratch that itch' for something lip-smacking good, and desserts to 'die for.' Just pack up the ingredients, include the recipe, arrange it in an attractive basket or jar and you've given a gift from the heart.

If you want to make some of the delectable dishes for yourself, I recommend: The Potato and Green Chile Soup. Or perhaps you'd like a little zing. Try the Pickled Garlic. It's yummy! The Buttermilk Currant Scones are scrumptious. My favorite dessert is the Lemon Pecan Pound Cake (I don't want to share). The Prickly Pear Jelly and the Lemon Marmalade are winners. My best friend, Connie would love the Soothing Citrus Bath Tea.

Armchair Interviews says: Make the recipes for yourself or give a wonderful and special gift that says, I care. And you don't have to be creative in packaging your gift, because the authors give such great tips in how to do it up right.

I've had this wonderful book for months and just now realized that the pictures were made by one of my favorite artists (Kathy Murillo). I have to say I really enjoy this book so much, I don't consider myself much of a cooker or a crafter but these projects make me feel like I can do both. My favorite is the bottle of mango vinrgar (easy to make) with the wind chime hanging off of it.

what a fabulous book - the pictures are so colorful and bright. i dont even cook but this book makes me want to try just so i can make the crafts!

This book just arrived, and I already love it. Despite its modest price, it contains more tempting recipes and packaging ideas than many books many times costing far more. Having always lived in the northeast, I was a little dubious about the southwestern subject for fear it would be filled with ingredients unavailable here -- but I only noticed one containing an ingredient I'm unlikely to locate (prickly pear jelly). All of the recipes appear to be tried-and-true, with descriptions of why they're special (from candies the authors dare not make ahead of time because they'll get eaten to chili powder mix suggesting a drop of sugar to round out the flavors, although that isn't essential). There are many mixes (from soups to enchilada sauce)and gifts in jars (including sand art), as well as more commone ones. Each contains excellent packaging ideas, often with a unique southwestern touch -- and there are even directions for making cornhusk wreaths. Even though it just arrived, my copy is already studded with post-it notes marking those I'm most eager to try. This is a phenomenal book that should appeal to virtually everyone who loves to bake, cook, and give appealing gifts from the kitchen.

Although I've never even been to the southwest, this is one of my favorite cookbooks. It contains a wide range of tried-and-true recipes, each preceded by brief descriptions of why they're special. There are many mixes and gifts in jars (including sand art), as well as more commone recipes. Each contains excellent packaging ideas, often with a unique southwestern touch. Don't miss this one. It is absolutely wonderful!