Cookin' Up Something Good

When I think about the word Hospitality, food inevitably is part of what comes to mind.  I've always found this a tad bit unfortunate because while I love people and making them feel welcome, I'm by no means a chef. My friends and family will tell you that cooking not my strong suit and they would be right.  BUT, I do enjoy creating meals or treats when I have a sure-fire recipe.  I thought I'd share with you three of my all-time favorite cookbooks in case you too enjoy being in the kitchen as long as someone else has already figured out how to make a tasty meal and all you have to do is follow the instructions.
                        ~ Bon Apetité 

Quick note: this blog post does contain Amazon.com affiliate links which means if you click on a link and purchase that item, I will receive a small commission (but it won't change the price for you at all.)  I'm only sharing items with you that I personally own and wholeheartedly believe in - and think you will love as much as I do!

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A Place At The Table: Fresh Recipes For Meaningful Gatherings ~ Kelly Minter
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Kelly Minter has been a lot of things to me over the years: my boss, my dear friend, a mentor and now she's an honorary "Auntie" to my daughter.  She's an author, speaker, musician, Bible Scholar - one of those renaissance women that is amazing at everything she puts her mind to, and she's also a phenomenal cook.  She's fielded many a "how do you make...?" and "what ingredient do I need for....?" phone call from me over the years and so I'm not sure which one of was was more delighted when she finally released a cookbook that I can reference whenever I want to!

​My Favorite Recipe:
​Kale, Sausage and Cannellini Bean Soup​

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Love, Welcome, Serve: Recipes that Gather & Give ~ Amy Hannon

​Spring of 2021 I had an AirBnB booking come through from a gal who was excited to bring her daughter with her to stay at The Carriage House.  We don't always get to meet our guests, but Amy Hannon texted me when they arrived that she'd love to meet me and deliver the gift-bag she'd brought with her from Euna Mae's, the kitchen store she owns in Arkansas, including her cookbook!  Fast-forward a few months and she's now a real-life friend and we even got to share the stage at an event last month: I was played violin and she gave a talk on hospitality.

​My Favorite Recipe:  "Hello Dolly" Brownies

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Balanced: 120+ Recipes For The Healthy Home Cook ~ Laura Lea

I was first introduced to this cookbook by my friend Keely Scott who is both the queen of hospitality in general and also a bit of a foodie. [She and her husband Gabe own LadyBird Taco here in 12 South and you must drop whatever you are doing and go there!]. Her family had had my family over for dinner one night and absolutely everything she made was delicious and healthy...and straight out of the Balanced cookbook.  I ordered my own copy off Amazon on my phone whilst still seated at her dinner table and have used it ever since.  Laura Lea is originally a hometown Nashville gal so that makes it all the more wonderful.

​My Favorite Recipe:
​Blueberry Coconut Morning Porridge