Member Reviews
I’m glad I found this recipe book as the recipes all look really yummy, varied and easy to make. I like that there’s a range of different types of comfort recipes from lighter to more indulgent. I’ll definitely be giving some of these a try soon!
I love the pictures in this book and how the recipes are split into sections depending on the time it takes to cook them. Most of the recipes include ingredients easily found at the grocery store or can be grown in a home garden. Many of the dishes are similar to comfort foods my own mom made while we were growing up.
Country Comfort is a beautiful cookbook full of recipes that I can actually see myself making. I love that the recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to prepare. I'm not from the UK, but these recipes definitely look comforting and hearty and like things my picky husband and I will be able to enjoy together! The photos of the finished dishes are beautiful and the recipes are well-explained without being overly complicated and wordy.
Eeeep! this is one of the few cook books I have where I will be trying at least 70% of the recipes featured.
I haven't seen Hari's videos before but she's got a new follower :)
I'm curious why there were 1-2 recipes in each section that were missing a photo (ie: my chopped Cobb salad and spring asparagus & blue cheese). I've seen other cook books do this and am wondering if maybe they're recipes that were added last minute?
ps. I didn't love the picture of the live chickens in the midst of all the chicken recipes LOL
My mom and her whole family are from the UK, so a lot of the meals in here are comfort meals I grew up on, maybe a bit grown up, which was perfect for me. The leftover rainbow pinwheels took me right back to my mom making them for game days.
I loved the division of recipes that could be done in 10/20/30/40 minutes. On a day you're in a rush or are exhausted, you don't want to spend time thumbing through the book looking for something that fits your schedule. Having that designated as certain sections is really helpful.
Including substitution options on the page is helpful and saves the hassle of thinking which ways to change a dish for your family's preferences. As someone who is a more experienced home chef, this is something I've mastered, but I think is good for people just getting into cooking. This is a simple and easy starting guide, but still full of good, filling food.
I personally believe images can make or break a cookbook, since we so often eat with our eyes first in the era of Pinterest recipes and endless pictures of food on social media. The images in here are beautiful and really underline the comfort aspect.
I will absolutely be ordering a personal copy of "Country Comfort" as well as copies for all of our library branches. This cookbook is put together perfectly with cuisine from around the globe presented in an approachable and intriguing way. My husband and I tried the one-pot Salmon curry and the Gnocchi Bake and both were DELICIOUS. The photographs included with the recipes are gorgeous and made me want to try every dish in the book.
I loved that the recipes were organized by the time it would take to prepare the dishes. I don't think that's an approach that I've seen before, and I was SO impressed with the amount of flavor and the complexity of dishes that Beavis shows readers how to prepare in 40 minutes or less. Her attention to detail meant that the 10 minute dishes seemed just as appetizing and worth making as the 40 minute dishes.
I have no doubt that Country Comfort will become a modern classic, used in kitchens around the world by cooks looking for a comforting meal that goes beyond the expected. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Carnival for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. I cannot wait to try the remaining recipes!!
When I saw the cookbook title, I got excited. Country comfort food is my family’s favorite type of eating however, not knowing this was a ticktock star, I didn’t realize this wasn’t an American based cookbook. Oops!
First, the photography is absolutely gorgeous. Every photo captured my attention immediately. It truly was the highlight of this cookbook for me personally. It would make a great decor piece on a coffee table for the photography alone.
Unfortunately the recipes left little to no desire to cook anything. I couldn’t find anything that screamed country comfort or kid/family friendly. It was all very extravagant and garish. I was able to save one dinner recipe and three desert recipes that sound appealing and simple.
The formatting isn’t my favorite. I hate having long paragraphs per step.
I prefer several numbered short steps so I don’t have to go back a re-read the entire page if needed.
I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this cookbook. As a mom of four who loves to cook, I’m always searching for new recipes. While this wasn’t a win for me, I know others are sure to love it!
This book was a pure delight to read. It is put together very nicely; everything from how the sections were divided to the bounty of photographs. There are a variety of recipes, perfect for most taste buds. The alternative ingredients’ section is absolutely wonderful; because sometimes we don’t always have those exact ingredients or crave a way to change the recipe up a bit. Thank you everyone for letting me read this book early.
I received an ARC of this cookbook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderful cookbook filled with delicious recipes!
This cookbook is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! It would be the perfect centerpiece for a table or countertop. The recipes sound delicious and super simple! I loved how the recipes were divided up by how long they take to make! Such a unique and helpful setup!
Hari Beavis’s debut cookbook delivers exactly what it promises: wholesome, hearty meals that offer comfort and warmth with every bite. As someone who enjoys reading cookbooks cover to cover, this one struck a particular chord with me, merging simplicity with nostalgia in a beautifully presented collection.
Visuals & Presentation: The food photography in this cookbook is absolutely stunning, enhancing the appeal of each recipe and inviting readers to try their hand at creating the dishes. The layout of the book prioritizes clarity, with sparse pages that allow the photographs and recipes to shine. Each recipe is accompanied by both imperial and metric measurements, a list of necessary equipment, and a brief introduction that adds a personal touch, making the cookbook not just a guide but a story.
Accessibility & Variety: What makes this cookbook stand out is its accessibility. The chapters are cleverly organized by the time commitment required—from quick 10-minute salads to more elaborate 40-minute meals—ensuring there’s something for everyone, no matter how much time they have on hand. For someone like me, who loves cooking but faces physical challenges, the range of simple to more involved recipes means I can still participate in the kitchen, fully or partially.
Personal Touch: Hari’s personal anecdotes and the inclusion of family recipes lend a warmth to the cookbook that’s often missing in others. Her approach to alternative ingredients is particularly commendable; it acknowledges the reality of everyday cooking where not all ingredients are at hand or within budget. This thoughtful addition allows for flexibility and creativity, making the recipes adaptable and approachable for everyone.
Unique Flavors: Despite the familiarity of some dishes, like curries and stroganoff, Hari puts her unique twist on them, refreshing classic flavors and introducing new ones. This innovation keeps the cookbook interesting and assures that it stands out in a sea of similar collections.
Final Thoughts: Hari Beavis’s cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a companion in the kitchen. Its clear, concise instructions and beautiful presentation make it accessible to cooks of all skill levels. The warmth and care poured into each page reflect Hari’s passion for food and comfort, making it a delightful addition to any cookbook collection. Whether you’re a novice looking for easy meals or a seasoned cook in search of new inspirations, this cookbook promises to be a go-to resource for delicious, comforting meals.
I do love a cookbook, and I often read them as novels, from front to back, reading the introduction, all the recipes, tips and advice. And this book has been on my radar for a while now, and was on my to-buy list, so I was excited to get an early look at it.
I don't know if Hari did the food photography herself or if it was someone else, but either way, it is absolutely stunning and really shows the dishes off well.
For someone who owns about 50 cookbooks, I am not a very good cook. My disability means it's not always safe for me to be cooking or using sharp implements etc. but I still enjoy reading all things cooking, and baking. I used to bake practically everyday - I once did 3 wedding cake sin one day, I did birthday cakes, bakes for work, bakes for funerals etc. It was how I dealt with my emotions. Which makes it even more difficult now as I don't have that regular outlet. But there are definitely some recipes in here that look simple enough for me to, if not do all of, to at least assist with.
Hari covers everything from quick 10 minute dishes to longer 40+ minute main meals, perfect for hosting guests, so there really is something for everyone.
A lot of cookbooks are a bit samey, because surely how many different types of one dish can there be? And yes, there are your favourites - curries, stroganoff, salads - but Hari has put her own twist on them, and has provided us with a few of her own personal and family options.
I love that for each recipe she has provided an 'alternative ingredients' list, necause we don't aways have every single ingredient ready to go, or perhaps we can't afford to go out and buy all these ingredients you'll only use for this dish and then get pushed to the back of the cupboard. So that was good, she gives you options, which is especially good for someone like me who is quite fussy.
It's got a very clear layout. Sparse pages makes the photos take centre stage and the recipe itself easy to read. It's not heavy clunky paragraphs or long instructions. It's clear and easy to read and easy to follow. She has provided both imperial and metric instructions, as well as a list of equipment needed, and a little introduction to each recipe.
I have been writing a baking cookbook on and off for years, mainly so I could preserve the recipes I used to love making. Ad having read this book, it's exactly the atmosphere I want mine to have. Clear, honest, easy to follow, casual, calm, beautiful, and just very comforting.
I may have been given an early digital copy of this book, but I'll definitely be buying it upon release to add to my cookbook shelves; I can see it being used a lot!
Definitely some fun and unique recipes within the covers of this cookbook. This focuses on the country portion of England with some classics and fun twists on recipes. This will allow for the reader to learn some new ideas on recipes they may have grown up with or allow the exploratory cooker/baker a look at some different recipes that are not common with the area they are from. This cookbook incorporates some well written recipes with fabulous photos enabling the reader to try out the recipes and know with confidence they will be successful. Now off to try these recipes. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and author for the opportunity.
Amazing recipe book, I appreciated how it was sectioned by the time it takes to cook the dish as I can quickly look for a nutritious and delicious meal after a busy day at work. The recipe themselves look well balanced and I love the variety within the book- truly something for everyone! I’ll recommend to my family and friends wholeheartedly and very excited to cook more dishes from this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley, Hari Beavis and Quattro Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for a honest review
I was curious how UK country would appeal to US country. I like the novel manner in which the recipes are organized: 10 minutes, 20, 30, 40. Sometimes a person needs to meal prep and get it finished fast!
Some of the recipes look like fare my family will go for, like the salmon in foil. Being in the plains states, lamb or a few others don’t appeal as much but I’m sure it’s lack of familiarity. There are several desserts I want to try.
I found that country is country, no matter which side of the ocean!
Country Comfort is a cookbook that encourages one to create delicious meals with simple to follow steps. The cookbook is laid out based on the time it takes to make a meal (10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes) along with a chapter on baking. One of my favorite features is that most of the recipes have a photo of the dish along with it. Just a couple of recipes in each chapter are missing, which is a refreshing flip from most cookbooks.
The Baking section really redeemed this for me. The cookbook is a sweet concept, but few of the savory recipes felt particularly novel or inspired. There’s nothing new under the sun. (However, the thermidor chips are so creative; the traybakes seem lovely.) But the desserts — smashed the book out of the park.
Country Comfort is full of delicious recipes ranging from the well known to more unique dishes. The cookbook is thoughtfully organized by how long the recipe takes to cook. You get recipes that take 10, 20, 30, or 40 minutes to make. The book ends with some dessert recipes as well as a list of drink pairings for recipes in the book. The photographs in this cookbook are stunning. The author's life and environment are pictured alongside simple, but elegant pictures of each recipes' finished product.
This cookbook is aesthetically pleasing and has the perfect mixture of Beavis' own take on recipes and recipes I haven't seen elsewhere (and I go through every cookbook I can get my hands on). I would recommend this to anyone looking for healthier comfort recipes!
This is a really good cookbook. I follow Hari Beavis on tiktok and love her recipes so I was very excited to see that she has written a cookbook. This book did not disappoint. I loved that it was organized by time it takes to cook. That makes it very easy to use. I also thought the selection of recipes was great. Finally, the pictures really inspired me to make the recipes. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book, and I would definitely recommend it.
This was a beautifully designed cookbook full of delicious sounding recipes that included clear instructions for each recipe. Many also include a photo. While the cookbook is British cuisine I think many Americans will like the recipes. I for one want to try the fish pie, chicken Caesar salad, homemade tomato soup, and carrot cake. But I do have a question: do Brits not frost the outside of their cakes? Seems odd to this American!
If there’s a negative for this cookbook it’s the price. Over $30 for a kindle book? That’s a bit much for me!
Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.