The Homemade Kitchen

I’ve been a fan of Alana Chernila for ages, and actually have her very first book, The Homemade Pantry, as well. I received it as a birthday present some time ago, but I’ve been lagging at life in actually writing a review for it, so you get my review of her second book, The Homemade Kitchen, first, just because I can. (Translation: I’d totally review her first book first if it wasn’t currently ~3000 miles away!)

The Homemade Kitchen

By Alana Chernila

Genre: Cookbook
Pages: 320

I like to think that I’d really get along with Alana–you can hear how passionate she is through her words, and the life philosophies she lives by are very similar to my own.

I can choose, day by day, to pay attention to the small moments, to love the work of life, and ultimately, to love the days I get to live… And when I cook and eat in a way that reflects how I want to live, it means I have the opportunity three (or more!) times a day to make decisions that help me live that life.”

Start Where You Are

This cookbook is sectioned into chapters using a collection of phrases that she keeps taped up on her fridge, to remind herself to create the life that she wants.

Be A Beginner

What I really like about this book is that no matter where you are on your cooking journey, there’s a wealth of knowledge to learn in here. She doesn’t just include recipes–she writes about how to cook. Ever wanted to learn all the different ways to prepare an egg? The optimal ways to steam or roast different types of vegetables? How to cook grains (rice cooker option included), roast a chicken, make piecrusts, pickles or pasta? This will be your go-to section!

Feed Yourself

How often are we completely uninspired to cook if it’s just for ourselves? (I’m definitely guilty of not putting any effort into my cooking unless it’s to share with others.) This section is devoted to recipes with a serving size of one.

Each chop of the knife and sizzle in the pan is its own affirmation that I am worth it.”

Bread with Radish Butter

Put Your Hands In The Earth

This section so makes me want my own space so I can finally have that fruit/veggie/herb garden I’ve been dreaming of. Learn to grow your own garlic to throw into Queen Garlic with Chèvre and Tomatoes, make roasted red peppers for a Roasted Red Pepper Corn Chowder, or super versatile platter salads!

Be Active

Learn to make your own chèvre (goat cheese) so you can make a Chèvre Cheesecake with Mint & Berries from scratch! (Or your own kefir, feta cheese, kimchi, sourdough…)

Chèvre Cheesecake with Mint & Berries

Use Your Scraps

I also love that she advocates for saving and re-purposing food scraps to reduce waste, and offers ideas for how to use peach pits, strawberry hulls, orange rinds, carrot tops, and other bits and scraps that we’d normally throw out.

Do Your Best, and Then Let Go

This section talks about how to buy different cuts of meat, and offers a number of recipes on how to prepare them into tasty meals and appetizers. It even teaches you to make your own tofu!

Hiyayakko

Be Helpful

She also goes over how to make crowd favorites (e.g. goldfish crackers, animal crackers) from scratch!

Do the Work

If you adore bread, this is the section for you! This includes Honey Wheat Bread, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Seeded Bagels, flavored cream cheese, muffins…

Slow Down

Apple Chips, Rhubarb Snacking Cake, Turkish Breakfast, Braised Lamb Shanks… *-*

Eat Outside

These recipes are all great for picnics and (as the section suggests) eating outside! :]

Cold Buttermilk Borscht, Corn Salad with Nectarines and Basil, Sesame Noodles, Ice Pops…

Invite People Over

I think good food is best when shared with awesome company, and this section is all about that! Maki Rolls, Jambalaya, Chili & Cornbread…

Swiss Chard Tacos with Fresh Cheese + A Fried Egg

Don’t Be Afraid of Food

What cookbook would be complete without a dessert section?! Learn how to make Pound Cake, different flavors of ice cream, chocolate syrup, Pear Gingerbread, or this Summer Trifle! (In case you’re wondering, the cover photo of this book is the Plum Tart!)

Each of her recipes is accompanied by the serving size, a short intro/background, ingredients, instructions, and most include different variations and/or storage instructions! As you can probably tell, there’s a whole lot of gorgeous food photography that I may or may not have used to get my brother hungry so that we could go eat dinner. If you get a chance to pick The Homemade Kitchen up, I’d definitely recommend it! *-*

Connect with Alana through her blog or on social media!

facebook | pinterest | twitter

• What’s one of your philosophies in life? Does it apply to food too?
• Have you had a chance to get your hands on The Homemade Kitchen?
• Do you frequent Eating From The Ground Up? I’m so sad that I missed her CA appearances! If you live in Massachusetts, she has two more book signings/demonstrations/dinners planned this month!