Gluten Free Book Review: Make Ahead Paleo & The Food Blogger Cookbook Swap

By Calvin Eaton @glutenfreechef5

Last year I missed the deadline to join Faith Gorsky and Alyssa Brantley’s Food Blogger Prop Swap so I was more than excited when the announcement for their Food Blogger Cookbook swap rolled around last month. What a cool concept. Right?

The Food Blogger Cookbook Swap, hosted by Alyssa of www.EverydayMaven.com and Faith of http://www.anediblemosaic.com is a virtual swap where food bloggers are paired and each mails a new or gently used cookbook to the other. This provides an opportunity for networking and finding and receiving an amazing cookbook to add to one’s collection.

Unfortunately an unexpected death in my family threw off my timeline and schedule so I was unable send a cookbook to my assigned blogger partner. However, I couldn’t have asked for a better blogger partner. Glenda Embree of Busy At Home sent me this amazing cookbook:

I love to read. I love to cook. But most importantly I love to read cookbooks so after excitedly ripping off the packaging I was enamored by the stunning full page and full color photos. Make Ahead Paleo is written by Paleo living maven and food blogger (The Healthy GF Life) Tammy Credicott. Tammy has written a gorgeous how to guide on how to live and eat paleo for the whole family. The book features simple easy to follow and prepare recipes. The book gives a college 101 approach to paleo living and how busy families can easily adapt the paleo lifestyle.

What struck me right away is the number of meat friendly recipes that the book contains. Chicken, pork, turkey you name if meat is your forte there is a recipe for you. I for one am not much of a meat eater but there are more than enough plant based recipes to choose from. Of course, as a baker I was most interested in the desserts and in this category Tammy does not disappoint. There’s an abundance of grain free and naturally sweetened takes on your favorites sweet treats. Tammy’s Nut Free Granola Bars were an easy choice since I’ve been on a homemade granola kick as of late. These bars are super simple to assemble (like 1-5 scale, a 1) and contain some of my favorite ingredients including: coconut, coconut oil, sunflower seeds, and sunbutter. My version came out wonderful albeit slightly crispy since I was distracted for a split second and they over baked in my convection oven. (Granola is very easy to over bake. My tip is bake at a lower temp for a longer time for best results)

Paleo, gluten free, or sugar free it really doesn’ t matter what food lifestyle you ascribe. This is a cookbook works for even the most basic cook. Ideal for anyone looking for a simple guide to cooking healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals using whole, clean, and organic ingredients. With tips and tricks for making ahead, a week long meal plan, and other features Make Ahead is a must for every cook. I look forward to delving deeper into this gem and making more of Tammy’s recipes part of my growing collection.

I cannot wait to read about the experiences of my fellow bloggers and their swap experience. In fact you can read about their experiences as well by clicking on one of the links below.

A Baker’s House
An Edible Mosaic
avocado bravado
Blue Kale Road
Blueberries And Blessings
Cheap Recipe Blog
Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Create Amazing Meals
Cucina Kristina
Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Cupcake Project
Dinner is Served 1972
Done With Corn
Eats Well With Others
Everyday Maven
Flour Me With Love 
From My Sweet Heart 
girlichef 
Great Food 360° 
Healthy. Delicious. 
I’m Gonna Cook That! 
Je Mange la Ville 
Karen’s Kitchen Stories 
Kitchen Treaty 
Olive and Herb
OnTheMove-In The Galley 
Our Best Bites 
Paleo Gone Sassy
poet in the pantry 
Rhubarb and Honey 
Rocky Mountain Cooking
Shikha la mode 
Shockingly Delicious
Sifting Focus 
Spiceroots
Spoonful of Flavor 
Tara’s Multicultural Table 
The Not So Exciting Adventures of a Dabbler 
The Suburban Soapbox 
The Whole Family’s Food 

P.S. Special thanks to Faith and Alyssa for this wonderful opportunity and your patience throughout this process.