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31st out of 35 books
—
33 voters
Urban Pantry: Tips and Recipes for a Thrifty, Sustainable and Seasonal Kitchen
Paperback
Published
by Skipstone
(first published 2010)
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You know, I was doubtful that this book had much to add to the new explosion of food preserving books, but I actually like this a lot. There is a dedicated focus on small-space living (small pantries, tiny kitchens, no counter space, etc). Any good urban-focused book should recognize how small the footprints are inside the city limits. The recipes emphasize fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and good advice on sourcing them (ask your local farmers market producers for seconds to make pickles. th...more
Normally, I wait until I’ve made several recipes out of a book before I review it, but this was just so lovely, I had to share it now. First of all the pictures of her pantry with all the food in jars totally won me over immediately. Put some polenta, or beans, or grains in jars and line them up in your pantry, and I am in love. Then take those simple, lovely ingredients and turn them into simple, lovely meals, I am yours forever.
She divides the book into chapters titled: Breakfast, Appetizers,...more
She divides the book into chapters titled: Breakfast, Appetizers,...more
More than a cookbook, less than a comprehensive treatise on the subject, I got a lot out of this. Most of what I got is to-dos. For example:
I'll be preserving lemons. It just sounds worth doing.
I'm considering the idea of small-batch preserving.
I'm thinking that more of my hostess gifts will be homemade sauces and preserves and things, going forward. I enjoy making these things, I believe people like to get homemade items, and with the small-batch format, it shouldn't be the headache that full-...more
I'll be preserving lemons. It just sounds worth doing.
I'm considering the idea of small-batch preserving.
I'm thinking that more of my hostess gifts will be homemade sauces and preserves and things, going forward. I enjoy making these things, I believe people like to get homemade items, and with the small-batch format, it shouldn't be the headache that full-...more
I thought this would be a fantastic read! I saw this on Amazon and wanted to purchase it immediately, but my instinct was to first check it out from the library before I spent hte money on it. I'm glad I did. I'm an urban organic gardener and I thought this book would be a fantastic compliment to my preserving and gardening, but in reality it wasn't. I'm a mom of four young children and I need speedy easy whole food things. This book is more of a cookbook for a foodie type person where unusual f...more
Some of these style of books look fantastic but end up being something you wish you had saved for a library trip. THIS book is gem that should be in everyone's kitchen.
I love cooking, but I struggle with balancing the fine line between good taste, good health, and good budgeting. Pennington gives a great insight into where this line lies without sticking to one particular way of eating. The only thing I was disappointed with in this book was the fact that she didn't give more resources for wher...more
I love cooking, but I struggle with balancing the fine line between good taste, good health, and good budgeting. Pennington gives a great insight into where this line lies without sticking to one particular way of eating. The only thing I was disappointed with in this book was the fact that she didn't give more resources for wher...more
Soba noodles and almond butter and barley and sesame oil. These are all ingredients that the eco-friendly cookbooks are raving about, and yet for some reason I still fight against working with them, opting for spaghetti and peanut butter and rice and olive oil.
Maybe I'm just stubborn and anxious about working with unfamiliar ingredients that I don't know how to find in the grocery store...Maybe I'm just lazy and don't want to think how the different ingredients would work with different flavors...more
Maybe I'm just stubborn and anxious about working with unfamiliar ingredients that I don't know how to find in the grocery store...Maybe I'm just lazy and don't want to think how the different ingredients would work with different flavors...more
I noticed this book on our trip to Seattle and decided to read through it when I got home. It is definitely concise and a great book for a beginner (someone just going off to college, a new bride) as it helps you set up a pantry that will help you create great meals.
Recipes are included, which seem pretty healthy. Pennington is big on being eco-friendly and thrifty, which are pluses. I was hoping that this would expand my pantry organization/knowledge, but it is pretty basic info. I would love t...more
Recipes are included, which seem pretty healthy. Pennington is big on being eco-friendly and thrifty, which are pluses. I was hoping that this would expand my pantry organization/knowledge, but it is pretty basic info. I would love t...more
This is a great little book, with some great recipes, tips and tricks on how to be a little thriftier and yet have an amazing tasty pantry year round! It is definitely going to be one that I keep around forever. The author even provides a sample list of what to keep around in your pantry, fridge, etc and includes tips on storage (which I always need reminding of).
Since I have gone gluten free, I find that I am so much happier (and healthier) making my own food and this is just another way to en...more
Since I have gone gluten free, I find that I am so much happier (and healthier) making my own food and this is just another way to en...more
At first, I thought this book was more of a way to make your pantry more "cottage" and "simple". Then, I found myself referring back to this book several times for simple recipes as well and suggestions on what to do with and how to store specific ingredients. I hate to waste food and Amy offers suggestions on stocking the pantry with easy to find items that fit into the small urban kitchen. Buy in small quantities and use them up before buying more. Her dense whole grain bread recipe and Onion...more
I can't think why I picked up this book in the first place, because neither the title nor the cover is especially compelling. I'm glad I did, however, because some of the recipes inside are gold! As a vegetarian, I found a fair number of recipes that I could use or easily convert. I like the fact that there is an emphasis on thrift -- and full flavors -- in the kitchen. I can't wait to try peach-hibiscus preserves and cashew potato gratin. Mmmm.
Nice tips and recipes. A lot of the information I already knew but I copied down the recipe for vanilla quinoa pudding and quick cucumber pickles, and I am interested in trying preserving this summer. A lot of the information seemed suited more towards the beginner who doesn't know what the essentials are in a well-stocked pantry. I would recommend this to people who are looking to eat fresh and seasonally.
The author's self-congratulatory tone is a little abrasive at points and kept this from getting a higher rating, but there was a ton of great material on exactly what the title promises -- a thrifty, sustainable and seasonal kitchen. Lots of interesting ingredient and storage ideas, and the recipes I've tried have been great. Looking forward to having it in my kitchen.
This book has inspired me to rethink how to stock my kitchen. There is some really good and well-researched/tested information in here that I plan to implement this week. I borrowed this book from the library, but the recipes make me want to buy this for my kitchen. Some really great and useful information in here. One of the only "cookbooks" that I've read cover to cover.
Chock full of clever and inspiring hints and shortcuts for storing and preserving food. This author's approach fits with mine - I don't like the grocery store trip every night I want to cook something unique with flavor, but I'm not keen on weekly menu planning, either. I have a feeling this will become my kitchen bible!
To say I love this book in its entirety might be jumping the gun since I haven't made one recipe from the book. BUT I loved the core of the book. It gives your smart tips on how to create an efficient pantry/kitchen and live a sustainable life. I think this book needs to be part of my collection as in I need to buy it now.
Not a bad book, however her tastes are so very different to my own that the tips and pantry items aren't something I have to begin with let alone would look at buying. I would suggest people get the book from their library (as I did) before committing to buy. I'm sure it has an audience, I'm just not it!
Best cookbook for small urban kitchens!! All the recipes in here are health conscious, scrappy, and made for small kitchens. There's a berry-lime syrup I make every time we have waffles now. And the canning recipes are for small 4-6 pint recipes - again great for a small kitchen.
I need to learn how to cook from a well-stocked pantry more than just on weekends when I have time to plot, plan, and soak my beans. I'm not sure this book really provided me an answer other than, "Plot, plan, and soak." Nonetheless, it is a beautiful book and very inspirational.
A unique take on cooking and keeping a larder (yes, I DID just use the word larder) in a small kitchen. Especially interesting and useful is the author's take on a kitchen garden. Also, what initially drew me to the book were gorgeously textured b&w photographs in the opening pages.
Urban Pantry has some nice ideas and some good looking recipes, but it kind of goes together in a strange way. Some things are very simple and seem aimed at people just getting into cooking from scratch, and then other things seem quite a bit more involved. I skimmed this book and most of my interest was in the section on small-scale preserving.
I like the idea behind the book: stocking your pantry and buying seasonal. There was only one recipe that I was tempted to try (Fizzy Ginger Soda) but I imagine this book would be right for someone who is more of a foodie than I am.
I love the concept of the book, but it didn't fit my needs. Many of the pantry items in the book were not what I have, or would want to have, or even really need. If you are a lover of all-things herbs, and grow them, and want to learn about other herbs, you'll love this book! Of course there are lots of other items in her pantry!
don't have caster sugar? icing sugar? make your own from raw sugar. full of now obvious tips, and details on how food is processed into other food, so I don't needs 10 types of sugar in my tiny pantry anymore.
I loved the idea of this book, but found the actual book to be lacking. Would have loved a recipe for granola! While I realize it is a small book, I thought that recipes were lacking a bit.
It was filled with recipes more than actual stocking of the pantry or preparation. The recipes didn't look very spectacular either.
there were some good tips in this book on using and keeping staples in your kitchen, but I don't think I am going to buy a copy.
If this were gluten-free, it'd be perfect.
Where is rice?!?! Brown rice is NUTRITIOUS!
Where is rice?!?! Brown rice is NUTRITIOUS!
Loved this book! Can't wait to try out some of the tips and recipes.
I wanted this to be amazing. It was just good.
Oct 22, 2010
Ehrrin
marked it as to-read
Recommended by Jess S, via Goodreads review.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Goodreads Librari...: Please Combine: Urban Pantry | 3 | 143 | Jun 02, 2012 05:43pm |
Oct 28, 2010 07:39am