Can you really live without a grocery store? The answer to this question lies in this book. Although it is not easy today to procure everything on your own, homesteading and self-reliance have become approaches taken seriously since the pandemic. Through this book, one can explore the world of heritage cooking. The author’s reasons for embracing this new lifestyle and writing the book are well articulated in the introduction. While we may not be able to suddenly revert to a completely hustle-free life, aspiring to it can make our present more realistic and grounded.
After discussing the reasons, the book delves into execution. Is it really easy to start living like this? Is it possible? All your answers can be found through your taste buds. Why do you earn? Ancestors used to say it was to have food. If that’s the case, this book immerses you in the world of cooking. From detailing the necessary utensils to explaining measurement conversions, the book will fill your heart with recipes and photographs. These are not ordinary recipes; they are truly self-reliant, and you can definitely try them with the same approach.
To understand the importance of the book, try preparing at least one meal using products directly from the farm. It is amazing to see what the author has achieved living off-grid in just a few years. Perhaps returning to the roots has given the author the courage to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.
I would like to end the review with a quote that might prompt introspection:
“We may not be able to put off the future or turn back time. But we can take the wisdom of the past to make the future a better place for our children.”

This book has a lot of information. And all of that information will help you be a self-reliant cook.

The recipes looked good and the pictures looked good. I have searched for information on all most all of these recipes and how nice that they are all in one place I can keep.

The only time I have done sourdough successfully has been with this book.

NetGalley/ Skyhorse October 01,2024

A Gastronomic Odyssey
As I flipped through the pages of The Self-Reliant Kitchen, I felt like an apprentice in an ancient culinary guild. This book isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s for the kitchen sorcerers who thrive on complexity and flavor symphonies. Here’s what stood out:

Ingredient Alchemy:
The recipes go beyond the usual suspects. Think heirloom grains, obscure spices, and foraged herbs. If you’ve ever wondered how to transform a rutabaga into a star, this book has the answers.

Technique Mastery:
Beginners, beware! These recipes assume you know your way around a whisk and a mandoline. But fear not—the challenge is part of the magic. From laminated doughs to sous-vide experiments, it’s a masterclass in technique.

Seasonal Sorcery:
The Self-Reliant Kitchen bows to the seasons. It’s like a dance with the Earth—spring ramps, summer berries, fall squashes, and winter root vegetables. Each chapter whispers, “Cook with the rhythm of nature.”

Preservation Spells:
Fermentation, pickling, and curing—oh my! The book encourages us to preserve abundance. Suddenly, I’m dreaming of homemade sauerkraut and pickled fennel fronds.

Homemade Elixirs:
Move over, store-bought condiments! Here, we craft our own hot sauces, infused oils, and herbal vinegars. It’s like bottling the essence of a secret garden.

Food Philosophy:
The author’s voice is like that of a wise sage. She nudges us toward self-reliance, sustainability, and mindful consumption. Suddenly, I’m questioning my relationship with plastic wrap.

In summary, The Self-Reliant Kitchen isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a quest. It’s Gandalf saying, “You shall not underseason!” So, sharpen your knives, summon your courage, and step into the kitchen cauldron.

Great book if you love to make things from scratch like I do. This book has so many homemade recipes. It's amazing. It even tells you how to store your items. It's definitely very helpful!

I love cooking from scratch and cooking like my beloved grandmother did, but I also will not consume raw milk so that put me off a little.
These recipes were okay. There wasn't anything I needed in this book but that doesn't change anything for me. There are people who are going to love this cookbook!

Love the idea of doing more home made cooking!

I LOVED that it started with a list of basic foods to have on hand in your pantry. A great resource for a bad grocery shopper like myself.

I didn’t know sourdough was so versatile! Bagels, cinnamon bread, pizza crust, DONUTS!? I could actually now see the usefulness of having a sourdough starter going at all times.

Maybe this is only in the kindle edition, but I did find the lack of page breaks to be a bit bothersome. It would be helpful is each new recipe stated on a new page to better organize my bookmarks.

The recipes are detailed and make even complex dishes seem doable. I can’t wait to start trying some!

The Self-Reliant Kitchen focuses on traditional homemaking recipes.

The Sections are
Chapter 1: Sourdough and Yeast Breads
Chapter 2: Dairy
Chapter 3: Breakfast
Chapter 4: Dinner
Chapter 5: Sides
Chapter 6: Snacks
Chapter 7: Quick Breads and Sweets

Each recipe has the yield, any notes, ingredients, instructions, and storage.

The ebook was slightly odd formatting to be able to follow along on a recipe. The recipes weren’t all on the same which made it more difficult especially if you were reading a recipe that was messy.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although many of the recipes cannot be described as particularly healthy, there are quite a few that made me drool and I will be trying soon. I can't really see myself making tallow or even the sourdough (or local baker makes a great job of that ) but will be trying some of the chicken dishes and the pasta sauce. I am lactose intolerant and allergic to eggs but could see how many of these recipes could be adapted. Not full of fancy recipes with strange unknown ingredients, just good homestyle cooking.

The ARC seemed to be missing pages, and did not include all 80 promised recipes from a homesteader's kitchen. What was included looked delish, but I've removed stars due to lack of completeness.

Some great recipes, and lots of useful hints and tips on how to become a more self reliant chef. I would recommend this to anyone looking to try a more traditional way of cooking

WOW. I'm so glad I decided to take a chance on this cookbook!

I will say, I was nervous at first because I'm a newbie when it comes to from-scratch recipes. I am terrible with sourdough starters. All of it makes me nervous lol. So I was worried I would be overwhelmed with the information in this cookbook. But I wasn't at all!

It truly felt like I was reading a friend's hand written how-to recipe book! I love how she included the pantry staples in the beginning, including the cookware/dishware/kitchen tools that are helpful to her. The sourdough starter recipe was broken down very simply and easily for a beginner and it was encouraging!

Some of the recipes are classic comfort food and other recipes felt like a secret weapon I can use for potlucks and dinner guests. I'm going to make her special chocolate chip cookie recipe tonight!

This is such a sweet and encouraging cookbook that I will definitely buy the physical copy of to have in my kitchen.

If you are a newbie and nervous about diving into all things self-made from scratch, get this! It'll make you feel like a pro in no time!!

This is an okay cookbook by a woman who is pretty new to traditional cooking. Most of the recipes call for white flour, and gluten is in almost every recipe, including the savory ones. It’s an extremely carb-heavy book with lots of recipes for sourdough bread and what to do with the dough (standard stuff like pancakes and pizza dough), biscuits, cookies, quick bread, roasts, pasta, chili and so on. These are very standard recipes and they often contain processed ingredients like canned beans, canned tomatoes and premade bread crumbs. There are no recipes for making your own canned beans, canned tomatoes or breadcrumbs. There are some recipes for homemade things like yogurt but that is just the generic Instant Pot recipe and then there aren’t even recipes for yogurt variations, flavors and stir-ins. There are photos for all of the recipes but no nutritional info. Also, while she heavily focuses on the health benefits of raw milk and bone broth, most of the recipes are very traditional Standard American Diet recipes with lots and lots of sugar (sometimes maple syrup) and refined carbs.

I am a self reliant cook for the most part and I was excited to read this, but I think it would have been a book I enjoyed when I was just starting out in the kitchen. Also, as someone who cooks for family members with gluten allergies, there were almost no recipes that would work for our family.

Lastly, as another reviewer commented, there seem to be some errors in places like the cooking time for fresh pasta and in the sourdough information.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

Some great recipes and homesteading hints and tips. I really enjoyed this and looking through it. The recipes and tips were all doable and easy! This is a keeper and a great addition to your collection of self reliance and homesteading books.

This book had so much potential. It provided a few excellent recipes and I love the notion of making most things from scratch, BUT the constant referencing to raw milk (which can be quite harmful), and the lack of organization towards the end of the book made it a pass for me unfortunately.

I am so excited for this cookbook. Melissa started only a few years ago so it gives me hope I can too. I’ve always wanted to make my own bread and it seems so daunting. I may start with some homemade whipped cream and other recipes first to boost my confidence. I loved how easy the recipes were to follow and loved the pictures. The introduction was very helpful and even explained what you do and do not need in a kitchen as well as how to use them. So many of the dinners are giving me the fall feels and I can’t wait to start cooking some of them when the weather cools off!

I must say I am not sure how many of these recipes I will try but I just loved reading it and thinking, maybe I can make this. I love cooking and would love to be able to make more things from scratch and I think this book is the inspiration I need to get it done. The recipes seems easy enough and the hints and tips, etc are perfect and can be referred to throughout your preparation and cooking.

A well written book that has certainly set a challenge for me. Can't wait to start trying some of these recipes and see how I go.

Thank you NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

"The Self-Reliant Kitchen" is a valuable resource for those looking to reclaim traditional cooking and homemaking skills. The book offers a guide to preparing food the old-fashioned way, with recipes that emphasize scratch-made dishes and farm-to-table inspired ingredients. Mullennix teaches readers how to make homemade butter, jams, sourdough, and simple canning recipes, aiming to foster greater independence from grocery stores and overly processed foods.

However, a notable drawback is that many of the ingredients used are highly processed, which contrasts with the book's emphasis on healthier, more organic options. Despite this, "The Self-Reliant Kitchen" remains a useful introduction for anyone wanting to learn how to create a more self-reliant kitchen and nourish their families with real, homemade food. I enjoyed the photos and the variety of recipe ideas.

Can you say yum?! I love the easy to understand and wholesome approach to this beautiful cookbook. I love the combination of sustainability and simplicity this book provides especially to newbies - who are looking forward to transforming their kitchen into a self-reliant, homestead dream.

There is a recipe for everything from homemade ketchup to lasagna completely from scratch! It covers ingredients (like butter), snacks, and meals showing you how to do each step completely from scratch! It also includes helpful information about conversions, utensils, and more!

I will probably never be one of those people who makes their own mozzarella or marshmallows, but I admire people who do. Plenty of good tips throughout this book for those that are looking to do more for themselves in the kitchen with less chemicals and additives. Maybe someday I'll attempt those marshmallows.