self reliant kitchen

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The introduction starts with a little bit about the author, and what the author always keeps on hand in her pantry, fridge, tools (mesuring cups, spatulas, ladles etc.), spices, dried goods…
Then the author explains how she sources her ingredients.

Chapter 1
Detailed explanation on making Sourdough starter, breads, muffins, bagles, and most importantly for me, pizza dough!

Chapter 2 is all about dairy, detailing how to make homemade mozarella which I found super interesting, butter, sour cream among other things.

Chapter 3 covers breakfast food

Chapter 4 is about dinner, some pasta sauces, the classic that is grilled cheese with tomato soup, mac n cheese and many other super appetising recipes.

Chapter 5 is on yummy sides, and chapter 6, snacks. Pickles, ketchup, guacamole, mayo, applesauce, hummus…

Finally, chapter 7 is about breads and sweets.

I don’t think I’ve ever said this, but this book is about to be a STAPLE in my kitchen. So many useful recipes that are classics, or bases for other recipes, and ones that are healthy replacements for store bought items. So happy with this book, and will definitely be buying the physical copy when it comes out. And will be recommending to everyone.

This is a great cookbook! The photos showcase the recipes well. If you are looking for a cookbook that tells you how to prepare many pantry staples homemade, then I would recommend this. The recipes I'm most excited to try are sweet dinner rolls, home churned butter, vanilla ice cream, sourdough donuts, Ooey Gooey Mac & Cheese, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Homemade flour tortillas,Potato Chips,Mild Salsa, Homemade Apple Sauce and Homemade Maple Vanilla Marshmallows Special Thank You to Michelle Mullennix, Skyhorse Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

One thing that is trending nowadays is the avoidance of preservatives and additives in our food and going back to the basics and making our own rather than relying on convenience foods. A perfect way to start this at home is to pick up an excellent cookbook that addresses going natural, The Self-Reliant Kitchen: From-Scratch Sourdough Breads, Homemade Cheese, and Farm-to-Table Meals, by food writer and recipe developer, Michelle Mullennix, who lives on a homestead in Arizona.

The first chapters cover an introduction to self-reliance in the kitchen, cooking tools, and ingredients, including the steps to making a sourdough starter and keeping it going. Then there are wonderful recipes. The recipes are written in the traditional manner with a list of ingredients followed by step-by-step instructions to insure that beginners and seasoned cooks can successfully make each recipe.

Another good thing about this cookbook is that most of the recipes include beautiful, professional photographs which make it possible for readers to see what their finished dish looks like. The book also includes well-written tips and explanations of how to make new things at home that most of us previously bought at the grocery store.
Anyone who wants to get away from all the crap found in most of the store-bought foods will definitely want to pick up this book. Not only are the dishes made from scratch more nutritious, but they taste better, too.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This was a great cookbook, I haven't done any of them but I am a big fan of almost any cookbook that does their recipe by weight. I am definitely not going to be a homesteader but I would still use this.

I really enjoyed what I was able to read in this ARC copy of the book. I'm looking forward to reading a finished copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I loved this cookbook! I think every household needs a copy! I liked that it had several basic, made-from-scratch recipes that everyone should be familiar with. There was lots of information about cooking equipment and pantry staples that I found very helpful. I also liked that it included a sourdough starter recipe with specific instructions on how to keep it going and several recipes to make using the starter. That was insightful. It is one of those cookbooks that will be used regularly. I plan on buying a hard copy for each of my children this Christmas to keep in their collection of cookbooks.

Thank you NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a great cookbook with great recipes. I can not eat processed foods. So this cookbook is well suited for me. Beautiful photos and setup!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Skyhorse Publishing for a copy of this cookbook in exchange for an honest review.

If you want to cook from scratch and do it on your own, this is the book for you. There are so many helpful hints and tips along with recipes to get you started. You will be making everything on your own in no time and will certainly be self reliant.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

This was informative and incredibly interesting. I struggled with the authors use of personal beliefs written as fact and some inconsistencies throughout the book. However, the photos were lovely and I enjoyed the concept of the book.

Super from scratch...

This can be a very involved from scratch cook book.
I liked the idea you can do a lot of stuff at home, like make butter.
Not sure on the raw milk. Not something I'm down for, but other could be into it.
Some very unique recipes along with some old fashioned ones.

"The Self-Reliant Kitchen: From-Scratch Sourdough Breads, Homemade Cheese, and Farm-to-Table Meals" by Michelle Mullennix offers a practical, heartfelt guide for anyone wanting to step away from overly processed foods and embrace homemade, wholesome cooking. Mullennix shares many traditional skills and heritage recipes, from sourdough starters to bone broths, with a warm, encouraging voice that helps demystify cooking from scratch.

The recipes are diverse, ranging from comforting staples like Chicken Pot Pie and Pot Roast to more adventurous endeavors like Homemade Pickles and Maple Vanilla Marshmallows. There's something so satisfying about making something yourself, and Mullennix taps into that joy. I especially enjoyed the Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread!

However, the book is not without its flaws. The organization and development of topics could use some improvement. And Mullennix’s recommendation to use raw milk is not something I want to do. In any case, though, if you're looking for a resource to guide you toward a more self-reliant, from-scratch kitchen, this book is a solid option—just be prepared for a bit of extra research along the way!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have mixed opinions about this book.

On one hand, it's a great book if you want to cook from scratch more, with pretty basic recipes, and most of them sound really good.

On the other hand, it's not organized in a simple, clear way, which may appear messy and usually doesn't explain why you do some things. Another thing that could be problematic for some people is the fact that the author recommends using raw milk and raw cream. Personally, I bought raw milk and in my country it's not uncommon, especially if you have relatives that grow cows or live near farms. However, you have to boil it before you can consume it. There's also the fact that depending on the country, you might not know how healthy are the cows or how hygienic is the whole process. That being said, I personally wouldn't recommend this to people. As a person that consumed both types of milk (but again, I boiled the milk before consuming it, and it spoils way faster than pasteurized milk) I can say that indeed, it's more flavorful, but that's generally it. Pasteurization makes sure that the milk you consume is safe and has a longer shelf life.

For me, it does what a cookbook is supposed to do, and personally, if I see something that I don't 100% agree with or some new information, I usually check the facts using reliable sources. Is it worth the price? I think it really depends on what you want and what believes you have.

Thanks to Netgalley and Skyhorse for this copy in exchange for my review.

I always loved cooking and want to get better at more homemade foods and this book was a goldmine for those kinds of recipes. Not to mention all of the tips and tricks Mullennix sprinkles throughout. Really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to be able to try some of the recipes.

The Self-Reliant Cookbook, by Michelle Mullenix, is an enchoridian of options to breaking free from over-processed foods.

I tried the sausage gravy with biscuits, and the whole family loved it. I'm excited to try more of the recipes. However, Mullenix recommends using raw cream, milk, etc. I prefer pasteurized and used that instead. (I don't believe it affected the taste in any way.)

I have been looking to be more self reliant for a long time so this book is definitely a push in the right direction for me, many beautiful recipes here to try.

If you’re looking to cut back on processed foods and focus on healthier, homemade alternatives, this cookbook is an absolute game-changer. I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of processed stuff in my diet, mostly because I started noticing how much junk was sneaking into our meals through store-bought items. This book has been a lifesaver for transitioning to more wholesome, made-from-scratch options.

One of my favorite recipes has to be the Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Not only does it taste incredible, but it also fills the house with the most amazing smell—there’s something so satisfying about knowing I made it myself. I’ve also fallen in love with the Homemade Pickles recipe. I never thought I’d enjoy pickling as much as I do, but now I can’t go back to store-bought!

There's so much talk lately about how our foods are not healthy. That store bought foods are processed foods with all kinds of unhealthy chemicals. So this book is the answer to those problems. Michelle Mullennix takes us on a journey to healthier foods. How to know exactly what you are putting in your foods when you cook at home. There is an extensive pantry list of things to have on hand so you can make from scratch foods for your family. My favorite chapter is about sourdough. I have attempted sourdough and it hasn't turned out well. She goes into details about the sourdough starter, which is the foundation of all good sourdough breads. Step by step how to create and feed your starter. Then there's lots of things besides just bread you can make with your starter. And what do you need for all those sourdough items, fresh churned butter. Yes this takes us back to our grandparents generation but there's nothing that says you can do it now. And you can make your own breakfast sausage as well. The good food continues to roast with gravy, mac and cheese, and even beef jerky. Take back your family's health by learn to cook from scratch.

I was enjoying the book until I read that the author recommends using RAW milk as an ingredient. Ummm.... no. no way is that happening. Not only do regulations in the US and Canada prohibit the sale of unpasteurized milk, but it can be incredibly dangerous to consume if one were to obtain it.

It is incredibly irresponsible to publish a book recommending the consumption of raw milk without, at the very least, including information about how dangerous this can be. The author states that she prefers raw milk for its added nutrients. What added nutrients? I searched online and could not find a reputable, scientific source outlining what additional nutrients can be derived from consuming raw milk; you can definitely be exposed to dangerous bacteria, but no additional nutrients.

Will not be recommending this book to anyone.

I received an eARC from the publisher; obviously all opinions are my own.

Interesting, but for a person starting baking it should have more detail. It tells you to remove one tablespoon of starter and add to clean jar. It doesn't say why, it doesn't say what to do the remainder. I found that you would have to read most of the book before starting. While everything looked and sounded delicious, I think it needs more of the 'why'.