This is a great starter cookbook for anyone just learning their way around the kitchen. The recipes are mostly standard American classics or fairly familiar dishes from other cultures. They are neither complicated nor difficult, so it makes for an excellent basic primer. Ingredient lists and instructions are clear and the timing estimates seem realistic. There are attractive photos of each dish and a QR code to bring readers to a YouTube demonstration of this recipe. This would be a great gift for teens and young adults just starting off on their own!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

The cookbook is incredible! There are so many good qualities in it, so let me list them up:

1) The cookbook is clear and easy to understand. The recipes are about a page each, and there is listed the prep time, cook time, the total time and yield. A big plus too is that the ingredients are simple and some that I'm familiar with.

2) There are QR codes that refer you to video guides that the author has made to each recipe. As a visuel learner it's really helpful as I can see what the food should look like after each step.

3) There are recipes for a little bit of everything. I hate it when I read cook books where every recipe is dinner recipes or only desserts. I love the variation, and as someone who struggles to find easy breakfast recipes this was a godsend. There's recipes for: breakfast, muffin/breads, dinner, soup, salads/sides, and desserts.

4) There are pictures of every recipe. I love it when cookbook authors put pictures of the food they write about, but sadly it's rare to see authors like Lauren Allen who has them for each recipe.

My thanks to Netgalley and Greenleaf Book Group for this ARC. This review contains my honest opinion about the cookbook.

This is a fascinating book for those of us who want better alternatives to take out and have better control over what we eat. Still, this book is far from being a repository of everyday recipes. For once, each recipe has a lot of ingredients that require significant prep time, but the author kind of covers it by suggesting you double the recipe and freeze it for the next time – see each meal time and prep as a future investment. You’ll get a lot of recipes that will keep the money in your pocket – great for what looks like the upcoming recession – and guarantee that you get the best (and most natural) version of the dish you crave.

There was not one recipe that I did not want to make from this cookbook that is perfect for everyone, even the picky eaters! All of these delicious recipes are easily put together with ingredients that are easy to find (most I already had in the house). Every recipe was beautifully photographed.

Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook by Lauren Allen is definitely a winner! I am a cookbook collector and I have read a cookbook or two.
The title of this cookbook caught my attention because I totally believe in cooking from scratch when I can.

I love the way the cookbook is laid out. Each section is divided by meal: Breakfast, Muffins and Breads, Dinner, Soup, Salads and Sides and Desserts. Each recipe shows the ingredients and instructions side by side which is a little thing for some but huge for me. I want to see the whole recipe on one page. There is also tips for making all or part of the recipe ahead, tips on freezing, preparation time, cooking time, total time, and yield right on the page with the recipe. The other wonderful thing about each recipe is that it comes with a picture! That’s right, every recipe. What a novel idea. The photographs are beautifully done.

I think this is a great cookbook not only for the novice but the experience cook as well. It has classic recipes in addition to recipes that you would easily add to your own repertoire. Each recipe is practical, family friendly, not overly complicated and easily available ingredients.

This book will definitely become part of my collection and used often. Well done. I am now going online to find Lauren Allen’s webpage. I would like to thank Lauren Allen, Greenleaf Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked that the book was packed with pictures, because I like to see what I'm going to be cooking. The author also included hints for modifying the recipes to allow for different cooking methods (make-ahead, make from frozen) and also modifying for different tastes. These recipes were easy to follow and left the door wide open to personalization. This is a good family-style cookbook. (Netgalley review)

I loved perusing through this cookbook! The pictures made my mouth salivate. The recipes are simple - perfect for busy families or college students. The book is filled with tips and helpful information to make cooking a meal a success. Visit the website of the same name for more recipes and help with meal planning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A lovely cookbook and so cleverly done!

This is a great cookbook with a bunch of great recipes, especially for a novice cook, busy mom, or just someone wanting to expand their repertoire. There are beautiful photos of all the dishes. The recipes are laid out well so the reader can tell at a glance the time, ingredients, or steps needed to complete it. What’s even better are the QR codes with each recipe that link to a YouTube video of the recipe prep. I think that if you have questions on what it should look like or your learning style is more visual, this would be invaluable. I also love that these are mostly “regular” recipes (read: kid - or husband - friendly) with ingredients you don’t have to go on a culinary safari to find. As the author states, the recipes are “fresh, fun, and usually don’t require a ton of effort or prep. They’re from-scratch gourmet dishes, but without intimidating ingredients or techniques.” Hooray!

Thank you to NetGalley and TastesBetterfromScratch for this ARC.

I love a lot of the concepts in this cookbook. The author notes which meals freeze well and are easy to double, gives tips (on things such as technique, tools, and even feeding kids) throughout, and even includes QR codes where you can watch a video of the recipe (for some recipes) being made. Some of the recipes (such as avocado toast or overnight oats) seem overly simple to be in a cookbook but I do like that she gives suggestions of multiple ways to create these simple recipes by changing what gets added in or on top. She also has more involved recipes, so both ends of the spectrum seem to be present. All in all, if it's your style of food, then this cook book seems worthwhile.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great cookbook, set up very well with pictures of every recipe, as well as information in the front about how to best use the cookbook and a brief background of the author, as well as kitchen tips. The cookbook is set up with recipes divided into basic food sections, as well as includes an index in the book that is cross-referenced by both main ingredients and the recipe names, making recipes very easy to look up in both the front and back of the book. The author's blog logo is also featured prominently on the cover and title pages, making it easily recognizable for fans/followers of her blog. Each individual recipe includes one beautiful full-color picture of that recipe (so invaluable in a cookbook, in my opinion!! It really helps to see the finished product when picking a recipe to make), prep time, cook time, total time, yield of the recipe, a very brief but informative introduction, and any other helpful notes. Many of the recipes also include a QR code to videos the author has filmed demonstrating the recipe. The helpful notes include freezer times, make-ahead tips, substitutions, how to store leftovers (should there by any! ha ha!), variations, etc. It is evident that a lot of planning in composition of the book and how to make this book very user-friendly. Fans of Lauren Allen's blog (like me; I have followed her blog for several years and appreciate her recipe photos, tips, how-tos, and menu plans) will appreciate having recipes in a printed form that make it easy to reach for (for those of us who still love a physical copy and for those times when our phones don't have Internet access), but this is also a great reference for cooks previously unfamiliar with the Tastes Better From Scratch blog. There are a lot of recipes that are in many other cookbooks, but it's always nice to have some basics and standards mixed in with new recipes to try, to find the recipes you and your family love the best! I reviewed a digital copy of this book, but I will definitely be looking to purchase a physical copy for myself and even adding it to my idea list for wedding presents! This is a great, comprehensive cookbook that covers basic recipes but also includes some more intermediate recipes, making this a great cookbook for beginner/newlywed/college cooks, but I think it's also a great addition to any serious cook's library.

I would consider this to be a fantastic cookbook especially for beginners or just a casual cook maybe looking for a go to recipe for some of their favorite meals. One thing I dislike about many cookbooks is the lack of photos. Not only do we have photos in this cookbook but also QR codes for videos! I will definitely be buying a copy for my brother as his culinary skills are: preheat oven and cook frozen nuggets, pizza, etc for such and such a time. The recipes are laid out in a way that he could follow along.

This is a pretty standard cookbook with basic recipes. There was nothing particularly new or noteworthy about the recipes offered or the ingredients required. It reminded me of Taste of Home or Six Sisters Stuff cookbooks

I just finished my tasty deep dive in Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook by Lauren Allen. I find these recipes are easy to follow and very flavoursome. The best part is that each recipe doesn't require tons of ingredients,
Lauren Allen has extensive knowledge and has shared her hacks brilliantly in her cookbook.
I loved this, as a predominantly veggie eater I find that I can apply most of these in my routine.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this opportunity to have a first peak into this book.

Long a believer in this concept, this collection is valuable for its inclusion of Lauren Allen's Best of the Best recipes, basic and comforting foods. Recommended.

I like to read the introduction to a cookbook to get a feel for what this particular cookbook’s vibe is going to be. With this cookbook the author mentions enjoying cooking a variety of foods and that she’ll talk about some make ahead instructions, and food substitution tips to make it easier. She has also included QR codes that you can scan to watch a step by step video on how to make the recipe which is a genius addition!

The book starts with breakfast recipes and also includes Muffins and breads, Dinner, Soup, Salads and Sides, and Dessert.

The chicken gyro recipe is one of the first that caught my eye. It sounds easy, quick and the ingredients in the recipe are ones you’re likely to already have in your spice cabinet.

The French dip sandwich, Cajun chicken pasta and baked ziti all caught my eye too.

The recipes sound easy, delicious and mostly quick. Everything looks really delicious and I think I’ll try a lot of these recipes.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thankd!

This is such a great all around cookbook. It really has something for everyone. Great for families! Definitely recommend for go to recipes.

This books gives beautiful pictures to compliment such easy, beginner friendly recipes. All of the recipes include very clear, step by step instructions and every recipe has it's own photo - so you can see exactly what you should be aiming for. Substitution information, as well as leftovers storage is also so very helpful. This would make a wonderful addition to any kitchen or household.

I have loved the blog “Tasted Better from Scratch” for years, so it doesn’t surprise me Lauren has come out with a beautiful cookbook!! This is the perfect cookbook for a wedding present or child moving off to college. All of her recipes are delicious and this book is full of some great recipes everyone should know! The pictures are so pretty and make me hungry just looking at them! Overall, this is a fantastic cookbook that will get lots of love over the years!

Excellent basic cookbook with recipes that aren’t too fussy and don’t require difficult-to-find ingredients—with many of them appealing to children. A good resource for working or just plain busy moms. #TastesBetterFromScratchCookbook #NetGalley

This is a great cookbook that has many recipes that are easy to follow, have options for variations and allow for early prep the freezing to be used on a following date. Very useful for the beginning cook and there are enough interesting recipes that even a more seasoned cook can find something worth trying.