Food with Friends: The Art of Simple Gatherings by Leela Cyd {Review}

We received Food with Friends: The Art of Simple Gatherings by Leela Cyd to review. I was so excited when I received it that I took it with me to our friend's home. We were having a tea party and I had to show it off.

The book contains recipes for:

• Breakfast and Brunch
• Teatime
• Appetizers and Drinks
• Potlucks & Picnics
• Desserts
• Gifts 

There are additional sections for secret ingredients and a style file. The secret ingredients section includes some great ideas for things to have on hand. The style file provides some tips for collecting items for decorating your table. It also includes an introduction section and a thanks section.

We decided to try out five different recipes (Apple Fritters and Cinnamon Yogurt Cream page 31, Assorted Spa Water page 63, Almond Honey Financiers page 72, Think Pink Faloodas page 168, and Thyme, Pepper and Parmesan Popcorn page 195) .

The first recipe that we tried was for Apple Fritters and Cinnamon Yogurt Cream. These things were heavenly.

Although they are fried and look like they would be grease laden fair food, they are so not. They are simply yummy! The recipe calls for cored, slices of apples tossed in breading and fried, then covered in cinnamon and sugar.

I have tried other yogurt dips before and this one definitely wins for taste hands down. The recipe calls for powdered sugar, which I think is the difference.

We love spa waters. Some of our favorites are apples and cinnamon, cucumber and mint, and lemon balm with lemon. Leela provides other new ideas that we are so excited to try.

Then the next thing we attempted were the Almond Honey Financiers. Ceesa actually made these herself for her baking club. They were wonderful. She got an award for the food her great-grandmother would be most proud of for her financiers.

The picture on the back of the cook book shows the Think Pink Faloodas. When I saw them, I knew I had to make them. My picture doesn't do them justice, but these things are definitely beautiful. This was probably our least favorite of the recipes we tried, but a drink with rice noodles in it is sure to be a little different.

And lastly, we tried the Thyme, Pepper, and Parmesan Popcorn. I am not a fan of popcorn, but the kids did like it.

This is one of my absolute, favorite cook books. The pictures are beautiful and the foods are so light and just perfection. If you like to experiment with specialty foods and enjoy simple, but elaborate tasting foods, this cook book is for you!

You can learn more about Food with Friends and check out an author bio, too.


I received a free copy of  Food with Friends from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way for writing the review. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,

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