WINNER ANNOUNCED: Commenter #49. RJ says “Anything with pork!!”
“Savory Sweet Life is the perfect title for this book. Most of us either cook or bake; Alice does both – beautifully. Savory Sweet Life offers a peek into Alice’s kitchen, one simple celebration at a time. With James Beard’s ‘I don’t like gourmet cooking…I like good cooking’ epigraph as her guide, she shares creative, appealing recipes that bear all the signs of a savvy cook.”
Mom received the book before I did and I remember her calling me and saying, “I just looked through Alice’s book. She’s a good cook, Maggy, she really knows food. And she’s one hell of a photographer!” My Mom is one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. But she doesn’t pass out compliments like that willy nilly.
When my copy arrived, I paged through the book making notes of what I wanted to make first (tough choice!). Alice’s recipes are broad in scope from rich, indulgent desserts and appetizers to light, weeknight suppers and sides. But they are all something I’d want to eat! (And her photography makes the book even more appealing.)
Alice’s philosophy is clear and one that this family can certainly get behind: celebrating life moments (big and small) with loved ones around a table filled with fun, home-cooked food. From afternoon tea parties and snow days to Dad’s birthday and welcome home celebrations, Alice has a recipe that will have your loved ones running to the table. And in my opinion, that is just what a good cookbook should do.
Here’s a sneak peak at a few more recipes that really caught my eye in Savory Sweet Life:
Breakfast Pizza, Chocolate Cookies ‘n’ Cream Dairy-Free “Ice Cream”, Spicy Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip, The Ultimate Breakfast Pan “Cake” (I can’t even comprehend how much excitement this would bring to a kid!)
We are giving away one copy of Alice’s new book Savory Sweet Life. To enter, simply answer this question in the comments section: What do you cook for your family and friends when you have something to celebrate?
Giveaway ends on Sunday, June 16 at 9 PM EST.
I usually make a Chilean meal, grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce, chilean potato salad, tomato salad and dessert! All out!
Me me me!!!
My family is Latin so I usually do rice and beans with chicken or steaks.
We will grill some steaks and make a creamy gratin of some sort. Homemade ice cream is a possibility also.
Since summertime is when my family gets together at the lake, our meals always involve some sort of grilled meat, corn on the cob, caprese salad, cheesy potatoes and blueberry pie!
My favorite thing to make for a celebration is grilled chicken, potato salad and homemade ice cream!
Homemade gorgonzola chips, guacamole and dips to start followed by steaks, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pasta, roasted potatoes and veggies, cake….and more….we have a big family that eats A LOT!
I love to cook lamb for celebrations. Usually a leg of lamb with fresh roasted vegetables.
family style italian is always good for a crowd w/ a bottle of red wine of course.
Olivenut spread. Nothing fancy, but it’s tradition!
For celebrations everyone always wants me to make them a pie. I make everything from pecan to cherry pies based on the season.
I love to make grilled steak, ratatouille, salad, cheese and wine of course!
Shrimp salad has become my go to celebration dish.
we like to cook chicken, veggies, biscuits and a delicious dessert when we get together to celebrate!
When I want to celebrate, it’s usually a dessert. I’ve made a cherry slice which is yummy. When the guys at work help us to rearrange the office ( and we make them do that often…sigh), I make them a batch of fudge!
Homemade blueberry waffles! Easy enough to make on your own, but fun when you have helpers! They can be a savory or sweet treat and always make your spirits just a little bit higher!
Usually baby back ribs…the sides are switched up, but baked beans are usually there. And homemade desserts. All foods that can be prepared in advance and enjoyed leisurely with minimal work in the kitchen once the crowd arrives.
I usually make a dessert — like TX sheet cake. thanks!
I agree with Janet B…I start with dessert and work my way back. I don’t have a big family, but I enjoy celebrating good food with friends. Fresh fruit tarts with what’s in season. The rest of the meal can be inspired by what I find at the farmer’s market. I’ll roast a chicken and serve it with grilled potatoes, braised leeks and a salad of baby arugula, goat cheese and berries. Keeping it simple.
And good wine, of course.
I want the book because the savory/sweet combo is my all time FAV!
We have such a large family that I usually make a Paella or Lasagna!
My favorite celbratory meal is always for my husband’s birthday. We do burgers, but I make them special. Grind my own meat, make my own buns, etc. We always think of his birthday as the close of summer so we like to finish it off big. We top of the meal with strawberry shortcake! Its my favorite meal of the year.
I come from a BIG Italian-American-German family so food is always at the center of any celebration, whether for our intimate family or extended family.: lasagna,chicken parmesan, and cookies, cookies, and more cookies!
Whenever we go to big get togethers, I bring a fresh baked pie! It’s always fun to make and a great reason to eat something sweet!
depends who i’m celebrating with. homemade pizza is one of our favorites to celebrate…
Desserts mostly, sometimes pasta.
We make Indian fry bread tacos!
Depends on the occasion but I love to make homemade pizza for any kind of celebration or any Italian dish. Pasta is always a fan favorite!
When I cook for my family and friend, I like to bake a summer strawberry cake and serve it with creme fraiche.
chocolate heath bar trifle. It’s incredibly simple to make, takes no time at all to assemble, and is expected to be available for eating as soon as I show up at every family and neighborhood event, or else haha.
My Grandma’s pancakes! I get hugs when I make these wonderful pancakes. I set up a pancake bar so they can add what they want to make it their own. Sweet and savory! Bacon & sausage to blueberries to chocolate chips. Then I melt real butter & maple syrup together in a sauce pan to top them off! Yummy!
My son always requests my chicken cordon bleu, twice baked potatoes, roasted veggies, a berry/nut salad with white balsamic vinaigrette. For dessert the little boy in him wants Oreo delight!!! Now, I’m hungry!!!
Family get-togethers include: platter of veggies and dip, ham AND roasted chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, macaroni salad and lots of desserts like cheesecake or flan, fruit salad and chocolate cake.
I always make brownies! It’s to the point where people request them along with my invitation. “Tara, I’m having a party! It’s on [date, time]–oh, and can you bring brownies?”
It really depends on the season. In fall and winter I love a slow roasted pork roast. Its easy and really good. If’ I’ve got the time I’ll make spaetzle to go with it. I also like to do fun things-that have guests interacting-pizza bar, soup bars with lots of fixings or brats and burgers on the grill with toppings galore.
Usually some kind of desert or whomever we are celebrating’s favorite dish/meal. My siblings and I are big Thanksgiving fans so it’s usually turkey and all the fixings.
When I have something to celebrate, I cook lasagna.
We either grill or I cook pasta!
We usually celebrate with cake…but our family really loves it when my hubby does his ribs!
For holidays, we do a standing rib roast and potatoes au gratin. For regular meals I use Mark Bittman’s chicken with rice, and for informal larger gatherings, I whip up a batch of enchiladas — learned in Camp Fire Girls when I was 12 — I am now 68!!!
Traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings – stuffing, garlic smashed potatoes, veggies and gravy. Always a classic!
We usually have a cookout.
We usually do something on the grill, like ribs or steak.
I usually toss up a Pear & Blue Cheese Salad with walnuts to start, and mains can be anything from Duck Confit to Lasagna. For dessert, I always reach for my Summer Berries Cheesecake Mousse recipe or Tiramisu.
It depends on the event, but often we have a standing rub roast, or paella.
Because I come from an Italian family, I cook Italian food – pasta, ravioli or lasagna. Celebrating with the special people in your life always makes the food taste even better!
It depends on who we are celebrating…we will grill or make pasta, but always a yummy homemade dessert.
I usually serve risotto with whatever fresh veggies I have, and possibly some sausage. Usually with salad on the side. And, wine of course!
whatever they want!
We usually grill steaks or make shrimp scorpios, depending on who we’re celebrating! And either carrot cake or chocolate sheet cake! Love Alice’s recipes!
I make a variety of things for celebrations depending on time of year. Summertime is always something grilled, caprese salad, some pasta. Winter is usually ham,turkey, or beef tenderoloin, and likely some roasted vegatables and mashed potatoes.. Of course for a big crowd, lasagna, meatball,s and garlic bread always are a hit!