I recently read the most charming memoir/cookbook about raising chickens for the sole purpose of having your own fresh eggs. Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes by Janice Cole is a must-read for anyone who has ever considered raising chickens or is simply enamored with the idea of it. The author tells her delightful journey of raising a few chickens in her backyard in the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota. We’re talking urban chickens here…not a farm.

The delicious chicken and egg recipes are a complete bonus, too! Dishes like: Morning Eggs on Mushroom-Bacon Hash, Chicken and Vegetable Stew over Parmesan Polenta, Cheddar Dill Chicken Cobbler, Holiday Roast Chicken with Cranberry-Fig Stuffing, Pumpkin Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce, Bittersweet Fudge Pound Cake, and many more wonderful recipes that feature chicken and eggs.

Tags: Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes, cookbook, Janice Cole, raising chickens, tips on raising chickens, urban chickens

From Portland’s Palate, A Collection of Recipes from the City of Roses is a compilation of recipes from The Junior League of Portland, Oregon. Some recipes showcase Pacific Northwest ingredients (Northwest Salmon Cakes with Mustard Sauce, Dungeness Crab Fondue, Blackberry-Apple Crunch) while other recipes are more global (Far East Noodles, Cilantro Chicken, Turkish Swordfish).  My favorite recipe in the book  is Grilled Citrus Salmon. I’ve made this delicious salmon many times and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

The Table of Contents includes: Appetizers & Beverages; Salads & Dressings; Breads & Muffins; Soups & Sandwiches; Vegetables & Side Dishes; Eggs, Cheese & Pasta; Beef, Pork & Lamb; Poultry & Game; Seafoods & Sauces; Cakes & Pastries. While there aren’t any food photographs gracing the pages of the cookbook, there are pretty watercolor illustrations of some Portland landmarks and scenery. This cookbook would make a great gift for someone who lives in the Pacific NW, has visited the area or just wants a good, solid cookbook.

Tags: cookbook, Junior League of Portland Oregon, Portland's Palate