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'.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I love cookbooks. I'm a horrible cookbook and recipe hoarder! But I've also been cooking since I was 3. I really enjoyed parts of this book - as the author states, it does seem like a labor of love. But there are some comments made in the book that are more antidotal than factual - but presented as factual. Additionally, some of the details seemed inconsistent, but I am reading an uncorrected proof of the book, so fingers crossed those details get fixed before publishing!
Overall, it was interesting and I will probably try a few of the recipes. I doubt it would be my go-to book, but it's worth the time to look through.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for "really liked it - hope it's fixed before printing!"

The recipes are good and some of them are pretty straightforward and easy to make. However, I didn't like the organization of some of the recipes.

Thank You NetGalley and Skyhorse for this ARC.

Book Review: The Self-Reliant Kitchen by Michelle Mullennix

Rating: 3 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Self-Reliant Kitchen: From-Scratch Sourdough Breads, Homemade Cheese, and Farm-to-Table Meals by Michelle Mullennix, and it was an okay cookbook! The premise of the book is all about embracing traditional cooking skills and heritage recipes that have been passed down through generations. It’s a call to action for anyone tired of the overly processed foods that dominate grocery store shelves and looking to nourish their families with healthier, homemade options.

Mullennix offers a variety of recipes that range from comforting to adventurous, such as Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Home-Churned Butter, and even Homemade Pasta. I was particularly intrigued by the idea of making nourishing Bone Broth and healthy Grape Gummies, which sound like fun projects for a lazy Sunday. It's obvious that the author wants to empower readers to take control of their kitchens, one recipe at a time.

However, while I appreciate the sentiment and the overall goal of the book, I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. For starters, it was somewhat wordy in places. And there were also moments of inconsistency—some recipes felt straightforward, while others seemed a bit convoluted.

Visually, I was hoping for something more stunning. A cookbook should inspire you not just with its content but also with its presentation. Unfortunately, The Self-Reliant Kitchen didn’t quite hit that mark for me. Despite these critiques, I have to admit that all the recipes sound delicious! There’s a genuine warmth to the way Mullennix writes about food and the joy of cooking.

In conclusion, The Self-Reliant Kitchen is an okay cookbook that serves its purpose in promoting self-sufficiency in the kitchen. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into some hearty, homemade meals, you might find it to be a valuable resource. Just be prepared for a bit of extra reading along the way!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I think that Michelle did a great job of introducing us to the herself and the book. She talked about cooking ingredients and tools that would be used in the book, gave a nice introduction to herself & talked about sourcing ingredients. After that it dived into the recipes.

I love that it goes over the basics to use the recipes like making a sourdough starter, making your own butter, yogurt, mozzarella cheese, etc. After that some of the recipes use those items and some are stand alone recipes. I thought the layout of the recipes was nice and easy to follow along to. The recipes had pictures too which is great. I am more likely to try a recipe if I can see it. Overall I think it is a great book for anyone who likes to cook or wants to go back to some of those basics like making their own sourdough!

I found this recipe book alright. The recipes were pretty basic and some that I tried I didn’t really like (of course that is personal taste). I found it was very unorganized the way it’s put together

The title of this book says it all. Mullennix shares her journey to become more self-sufficient, and she provides a variety of recipes that assist in doing so. Many of the recipes are reliant upon sourdough, for which she shares a recipe. The dairy section highlights butter, mozzarella, yogurt, sour cream, cream and home-made ranch. My family eagerly dug into buttermilk biscuits that turned out oh so tasty. Then, I moved on to toaster pastries with raspberry filling. This was the easiest and best pie crust I have ever used as it was flaky and buttery- just perfect.
Overall, even though some of the recipes are not highly original, it is obvious this cookbook is written from Mullennix’s heart. I will definitely want a print copy to use for my library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

The recipes in this one are good but I really couldn't stand the organization of the book as a whole. Av good concept but needs work

I like the recipes in this book and I like the concept. My one complaint is the organization of some of the recipes. Sides in mains and mains in sides, etc.

Oh. My. Yum! The Self-Reliant Kitchen gives you everything you need to start your own sustainable food sources. All good guides start with a “how to” and the rationale behind it, which is very helpful. Michelle pours so much encouragement and suggestions, that it does feel easy and not overwhelming to just start. And what a better start than sourdough. She even provides a starter recipe, if you don’t have one, and then uses this to build on her bread recipes. The pictures are perfect for inspiring you to create your own. The dairy section includes butter, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, and buttermilk ranch. Again, super easy directions and ingredients. Now breakfast takes it all to a whole separate level, because my goodness, who does not love a fresh homemade breakfast. Cinnamon rolls, donuts, pancakes, waffles, sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits, homemade toaster pastries, French toast, potatoes and more. I am not going to spell everything out because discovery is part of the fun, but hopefully, you’re hooked and ready to get your own copy! Wait until you read dinner, sides, snacks, and of course, you cannot forget desserts.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

You do not need to go to the grocery store for a lot of the staples you buy. The recipes are easy to follow with pictures. In-depth information on groceries and tools you will need. Sourdough starter is something I always wanted to try and with this recipe I feel confident I can make it. ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

This cookbook is perfect for anyone wanting to move away from processed foods and start cooking healthier meals at home. With easy-to-follow recipes and tips on traditional cooking, it helps you build a more self-reliant kitchen. It’s great for both beginners and experienced cooks, making it simple to prepare nutritious, delicious meals for you and your family.

The cookbook has a lot of recipes that help you get started, such as cinnamon rolls, yeast, rolls, meatloaf and breakfast potatoes, some of these recipes. I've already made and enjoyed seeing them in the cookbook.I believe that I could use this cookbook for years to come. Although mini recipes are reliant on the Sourdough starter. There are some recipes that don't rely on that, and I will definitely be trying those recipes. I've already made the breakfast potatoes and potato soup, it was very delicious comfort foods such as chicken noodles soup and scallop potatoes so you're not buying can products excite me as you can see I love potatoes! She shows us staples we use daily and how to make them instead