Member Reviews

Mostly easy to make recipes, but I'd have liked for the photographs to be better quality and the design also be better laid out.

Was this review helpful?

The inclusion of beautiful pictures for every recipe was a well-thought-out decision, and the dishes look absolutely delicious. However, one aspect I found slightly disappointing was the relatively high number of ingredients required for some recipes. Given that it's a bite-sized recipe book, I expected the ingredient lists to be shorter. Despite that, I'm excited to add this cookbook to my collection and can't wait to try out some of the recipes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Beautiful photos and I love how the recipe book is all about bite size food. Perfect for all parties!
I was able to get so many ideas and I can't wait to try them out! The recipes seem very easy and doesn't require tons of ingredients. Absolutely perfect cookbook for people who love to entertain. But there are so many cute recipes! They would even be perfect for just you and your love on movie night etc.

Was this review helpful?

A very creative take on small bites Very much geared up to the US market rather than the UK Nevertheless, inspiring and great photography

Was this review helpful?

This book gives appetizers a new twist! So many tasty bite-size treats in this book from BLT bites to Sushi tacos, the author takes it up a notch on simple foods and recipes, cut down to mouthful morsels. I definitely recommend this book for entertaining.

Was this review helpful?

This appetizer book is honestly fantastic. Each recipe includes the image which is always a huge plus for cookbooks in my opinion. The images all are beautiful and there are fun family pictures included as well. It is a great selection of bites as well and from the table of contents I was excited. I super enjoy that it explains how to store each individual recipe and tells you how many it makes. I also really found the holiday festivities recipes super fun.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fun book for anyone who likes to entertain, wants to bring something fun to a gathering, wants to have fun with your kids in the kitchen and or be more creative in the all kinds of recipes. There are varied recipes that are pretty simple and many use items you may already have or are easily purchased at any market. This book isn’t necessarily about the specific recipes themselves, but about the fun and creative way of putting them together that makes it so much fun.
The accompanying photographs are wonderful and a big help in putting the bites together. Looking forward to making some more (tried a few already) with my young nephews. I may even be able to get then to eat more than nuggets!

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely bright book. I appreciate the good photos of the bites across each recipe. It clearly shows what each dish should look like. However, I must admit that I would probably never use this book for recipes as each 'bite' has too many ingredients and is too complex for its serving value. I could create a whole meal instead of a couple of plates of these bites.

Was this review helpful?

I found a few recipes that looked tasty and simple enough. For me many of the recipes were more involved than I have the energy for at this point in my life. I feel like for the same effort I could create a light meal. Still it does offer some creative bites for people who attend potluck appetizer parties.

Was this review helpful?

A sound and well illustrated set of ideas for the buffet table, a bit out of the ordinary at times and simple enough to prepare. Ingredients are mostly for about 24 of the bites and easy to find, rather too many, for me, are just buy and cut up and group but that's me and the author does make the Hollandaise sauce for the Eggs Benedict bite.. I guess my parties are not typical 'American Mom' type affairs and I'm afraid I just don't get these themed events. Still, the book would, I'm sure, give some party givers really useful ideas and make their parties go well. Just not totally my idea of parties. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Really excited to make use of this cookbook for entertaining friends at dinner parties and potlucks. So many fun things to try.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoy the kind of parties where everyone brings something to eat. I actually recently went to one of those again and it was full of delicious things to try. Sadly, I didn't have anything to bring because I had been super busy. But when I saw Brilliant Bites I figures it could prevent me from ending up in that situation in the future. The only "downside" for me is that I'm currently in a friendgroup with a lot of vegans, which means I'd have to do quite some thinking in order to make all the recipes vegan friendly. Or rather, I'd have to find replacements for many things. But that's something for me, not something for the book to do.

I like the bite-sized approach to the entire book, which really makes all the different dishes perfect for bringing to a party. Brown covers everything from breakfast bites to specific party food and even includes drinks. At the beginning of the book she also has a short section on preparation and, more importantly, how to transport some of the food. I had some favourites, which I'll definitely consider making in the future. On the sweet side, there's the Fro-Yo Bites, the Baklava Bites, the Apple Pie Bites, and the Chocolate Cheesecake Strawberry Bites. On the savory side, I'd love to try making the Taco Salad Cups, the Bacon Mac 'n Cheese Jalapeno Bites, and the Deep-Dish Pizza Bites. The "Sips" also look really interesting, although I'm definitely more of a big drink kind of girl.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of “Brilliant Bites” by Maegan Brown. All opinions are my own.

This brilliant cookbook showcases 70+ recipes for delicious and refreshing bite size foods. For all meals of the day, plus holiday themes and drink specials, this book has everything.

These recipes sound delicious and I look forward to trying a few of them out for myself. They would be great for hosting and parties. Also this book would make a nice gift.

Was this review helpful?

Many thanks for this ARC, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point! I was wowed with this entire book - there truly is a recipe for everything! I loved the photography, the simplicity and the creativity of the recipes. I also really loved the different categories to choose between! This is exactly what I was looking for, for hosting! Can't wait to make my way through most of these recipes.

Was this review helpful?

Okay but nothing particularly inspiring here for me. Perhaps aimed more for those who want to feed children and young adults

Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

This book was so fun! I love a tiny bite to eat and this had so many varieties I’m absolutely salivating. Creative and simple enough with great instructions.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 Stars
A well-organized cookbook for entertaining with a wide range of recipes for anyone (except those with restricted diets). Alas, most recipes, although cute, wouldn't work for my daughter's metabolic disorder. It's a fun gift idea, and I love that each recipe comes with clear instructions and gorgeous photos.

Net Galley Feedback

Was this review helpful?

Easy ideas, often using prepared or partially prepared foods, for small bites to serve as appetizers, party food, snacks, desserts, or even meals. While often the recipes are less cooking. and more assembling, the ideas are great.

Was this review helpful?

TLDR: Pinterest worthy bites that are usually pretty creative! Somewhat time intensive, but easy to find ingredients and most actually seem do-able.

More details:
Full disclosure, I love the BakerMama. I own both of her other books, and I love the creativity of her presentations. This book is another that I will be adding to my collection. She definitely delivers on cute, insta-worthy bites here. Most seem do-able if I'm only making one or two for a party, but unless I'm a stay at home mom I don't think I could manage multiple of the more time intensive ones (caprese snowmen and mummy meatballs...😍😍😍). I like that there is a decent mix of bites that can be prepped a few days ahead and some that have to be prepped a few hours ahead, and that almost every recipe notes that (hoping it's just an editing error that a few are missing a note to tell you storage/or how early you can make them ahead of time). There were a few obvious bite recipes that felt overdone or not as creative as her other bites (ex: multiple pie bite recipes in desserts). I also didn't like that none of the recipes included prep/cook/hands off time, which is crucial when I'm planning a menu for a party. This book doesn't have the most fancy/pretentious flavor combos, but almost all seemed like flavors that would actually go over well at a party. Overall, solid book for the person who wants to impress with insta-worthy cuteness.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was around 3.5 stars for me.

This book has beautiful pictures! The tiny food is appealing and makes for some nice photos going by what's in the book. There's also a nice variety of recipes including things like blooming onions, salads, and charcuterie boards so you can probably find something to enjoy, including desserts. That being said this food looks really tiny and potentially work-intensive. These seem like nice recipes for hosting or when you want to impress, but not something I'd normally whip out for fun. The instructions are also high-level at times which may be difficult for those if you haven't made the foods before. This book combines ingredients and pre-made foods for some fun, bite-sized snacks.

Was this review helpful?