Member Reviews

I do not remember requesting this and from other reviews this was a freebie from NG. I can no longer access it as it's archived.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really strong cookbook with great details. I thought it was beautiful as well. Really great job by Lauren Allen.

Was this review helpful?

Great read and great recipes. I have shared this book title and recommendation with many people. Lauren Allen was a great new author to myself

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook is full of simple, nutritious, and flavor packed recipes that a great for the whole family. The instructions are clear and detailed, which makes this a cookbook for anyone, whether you are experienced or just beginning to cook.

Was this review helpful?

Lauren Allen's "Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook" is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to add delicious and approachable recipes to their repertoire. As someone who enjoys cooking but isn't always up for complex dishes, I found this book to be a perfect fit.

Allen strikes a great balance between familiar favorites and enticing new creations. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow, with readily available ingredients. Plus, the beautiful images for each recipe definitely boost the inspiration factor.

What truly sets this cookbook apart is the inclusion of QR codes. Scan one and you're whisked away to a video tutorial of the recipe! This is a fantastic feature for visual learners or anyone who wants a little extra guidance.

Overall, "Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook" is a winner. It's packed with delicious recipes, helpful tips, and innovative features that make it a valuable addition to any kitchen shelf. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

Great beginner's cookbook filled with simple, nutritious recipes and colorful photos. Well organized and including tips for those starting out for the first time in the kitchen.

Was this review helpful?

I really love this cookbook. I don't love the ebook version of it but I ended up purchasing a physical copy because I liked what I saw of the ebook. It was difficult to navigate and IMO they should really change all cookbooks into a specific ebook version, because they never translate well on my kindle with the pictures.

Onto the actual cookbook... I think Lauren Allen truly gets it as a mother of four. It shows in the simplicity of her recipes. They pack a punch without you spending an hour prepping. Everything I had made from her cookbook has been delightful and I've discovered several that I will make regularly, like the dutch baby pancakes. The pumpkin chocolate chip cookies were a great surprise. One of our favorites is the beef stew. No need to compare to restaurant quality. I have literally never ordered it at a restaurant but will ABSOLUTELY be making again, especially for my postpartum mom friends.

Well done, I would buy another cookbook from Lauren if she creates any others!

Was this review helpful?

I recently started to get into cookbooks and I’m cooking more from scratch.
This book had splendid pictures, each one looked delicious. The recipes looked pretty easy, that was a huge win for me because sometimes you just want to throw something together fast.
What I really liked is that there are make ahead and freezing instructions. Honestly, I needed these instructions more than I thought. Knowing how to freeze the meals made a big difference.
The author also included ingredient tips and substitutions. I liked having it handy on the left-hand side of the recipe so you don’t have to leave the page to find it somewhere else in the book. The easier it is for me to follow a recipe, the more I’ll cook.
There’s even suggested variations for changing up the flavors so you can make them specifically to your family's tastes.
Overall, I really liked this cookbook.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for this read

Was this review helpful?

Yum! Delicious health recipes for families keeping in mind that families don’t have unlimited time to get good food ready every day. Loved the Belgian waffle recipe!

Was this review helpful?

Great cookbook. Lots of practical recipes and great photography. Will be adding it to my collection.

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook gave me my all time favorite banana bread recipe. I’ve made it a bunch of times.

I like that it uses 4 bananas which adds so much natural sweetness that it only needs 5 tablespoons of sugar. And then of course I add mini chocolate chips 👩🏻‍🍳

Thank you @tastesbetterfromscratch and @netgalley for the copy of this cookbook!

#tastesbetterfromscratch #cookbooklove #netgalley #stlbookstagram

Was this review helpful?

What a great addition to my cookbook collection! The recipes are perfect for my family. Easy, healthy, and delicious! What more could you ask for? I like my cookbooks to have plenty of photos. This one did not disappoint!
We are looking forward to getting a handful of these recipes into our weekly rotation once school starts again! If you're looking for easy, healthy, and delicious options this is the cookbook for you!

Was this review helpful?

I've been cooking for a (very) long time, and I have a lot of recipes saved online and a lot of physical cookbooks. Even though I don't cook nearly as often as I once did, I still enjoy finding new recipes and browsing through cookbooks. I really enjoyed looking through this one and have marked a few recipes to try. And this is the kind of book I would've really loved years ago when I was first learning my way around the kitchen. The recipes aren't complicated, and they're for the kind of "real" food my family likes best. And to make it an especially good reference book for novice cooks - there are pictures for each recipe, and there's even a QR code with some recipes that provides a quick link to Allen's videos on YouTube for a bit more visual help with certain techniques, meal planning, etc. It's a great resource for new cooks and cooks who need a little inspiration to get back to the basics.
Thanks to Netgalley and Greenleaf Book Group for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

Great Cookbook! Would recommend all library have on their shelf! Great recipes and very current! A must read for all cooks!

Was this review helpful?

Lauren Allen's "Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook: Easy Recipes for Everyday Life" is a delightful culinary journey that caters to both novice and seasoned home cooks. Filled with a diverse collection of recipes, this cookbook effortlessly combines simplicity and flavor to elevate everyday meals to new heights.

One of the standout features of this cookbook is its accessibility. Lauren Allen understands the value of time and strives to create recipes that are easy to follow, ensuring that anyone can whip up delicious dishes without feeling overwhelmed. From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, she offers a wide range of recipes that suit various dietary preferences and skill levels.

Was this review helpful?

Excellent basic cookbook. Recipes I'm actually interested in making with normal ingredients I have at home. These are basic and moderately complex, but look super tasty. Thanks NetGalley for a free copy to review!

Was this review helpful?

What an amazing cookbook. Easy to read delicious recipes of scrumptious bread to dinner with side assortments and the desserts to die for!!

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes a person wants a cookbook that has a variety of simple recipes that result in well-made food. This cookbook fits that description. Every recipe that I have tried has tasted delicious and has needed very few adaptations. The directions were clear and easy to follow. These recipes will become standards in my kitchen. Here are some of the ones that I already made.

Belgian Waffles
German Pancakes
Healthy Granola
Blueberry Muffins
Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
One-pan Fajitas
One-Pan Jambalaya
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Authentic Mexican Rice
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

As I scrolled through the recipes again, I was reminded that there are still many more recipes that I want to try. Actually there are very few recipes that I wouldn't make, and that is unusual for a cookbook.

Reviewing cookbooks takes a bit longer because I want to actually have tried many of the recipes before giving them a rating. So I am grateful that I could read this one on NetGalley. Writing a review has taken me a long time, but I have been using the cookbook for many months now.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The directions are very clear and easy to follow. Not all of the recipes are super unique or original but I think this could be a really great cook book for people who aren't super comfortable in the kitchen or don't cook a ton.

Was this review helpful?

I loved the photos and the easy recipes. I haven’t made anything yet, but I think my kids will love to try to make some of the desserts with me!

Was this review helpful?