"Every weekend is worth celebrating when you can relax over a good brunch."So begins Gale Gand's newest cookbook to hit the shelves, Gale Gand's BRUNCH!
Gale is a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and executive pastry chef and co-owner of the world-renowned Chicago restaurant Tru. This is Gale's seventh cookbook, and I was fortunate enough to be asked to read it and whip up a dish from it. Can do!
It was so hard to choose just one, as the book is divided into several delicious sections: Drinks, Brunch Basics, More Eggs, Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast and other Sweets, the Bakery, Brunch Bites, More Savories & Some Sides, Salads & Soups, Fruits and Condiments. As well as tips on Menus and Equipment and Ingredients.
Gale champions brunch as the perfect time to entertain, as the foods straddle sweet and savoury, and the mood is relaxed. She takes some old classics and gives them a fun new twist, leaving you to plan out just who you are going to have over and when.
I chose to make the Cucurumao, pronounced: goo-ga-de-mow. A dish handed down from Gale's Sicilian grandfather-in-law. I have always wanted to make an Italian baked eggs dish and this one looked so very tasty, with homemade bread of course!As promised, the dish came together easily and was absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try some of the other dishes. Hmm, maybe the Iced Coffee with Cinnamon-Coffee Ice Cubes, Baked Eggs in Ham Cups, and Almond Ciabatta French Toast? What about the Ginger Scones with Peaches and Cream, Moist Orange-Date Muffins, Glazed Crullers, and Quick Pear Streusel Coffee Cake?
In the Brunch Basics section, Gale delivers a mini-course in perfect egg making with Omelet 101, Strata 101, Frittata 101 and Crepes 101, each time emphasising that it will take more time to read the recipe than to put the dish together. In this 208 page book, there are 100 delicious brunch recipes and 60 colour photographs to inspire you for your next brunch party. There is something here for every type of brunch, kids fare, romantic rendezvous, friends and family and more!
This is a fun book that you will be going back to again and again, I am very happy with it. It would also make a good hostess gift. But not for me, I already have it. You could bring me something else...
Cucurumao, from Gale Gand's BRUNCH!
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23 comments:
Brunch is by far my favorite meal, and I think brunch parties are always so much fun and so relaxed. This book is now on my "must have" list. But shoot, now that you have the book I don't know what to bring you when I visit. Back to the 'ol drawing board. Your cucurumao sounds great!
First, thanks for reviewing the book for us. Next, brunch has always been my favorite way to entertain, so I'm especially glad to know about the book. Gale Gand is an incredible pastry chef and This book has just gone on my wish list.
I put away the post-it notes since I found out I was marking every recipe!
I've already done several but think it's the one I'm working on now that I'll post.
This does look fabulous!
I would absolutely adore this book because I *love* brunch food. The baked eggs look delicious!
That looks fantastic - and all the other recipes you mention sound tempting. One for the amazon wishlist!
I've never heard of this exquisite dish before (I'm not going to even bother trying to spell it) but it looks so good! And homemade bread? HEAVENLY!
It is a great book and I am enjoying going through it. The eggs look amazing--so savory and delicious! Great job!
I vote ginger scones :) This sounds like a fabulous book, but I'm a sucker for all scones and anything gingery.
Ooh! Those baked eggs look great. I have always enjoyed Gale Gand's books; thanks for the review. I have several brunch-themed cookbooks; sounds like I might need to add this one to the mix!
Yum - looks like a wonderful dish! I love everything brunch related. Thanks for the cookbook recommendation - I'm going to check it out!
Brunch is my favorite! You can eat sweets and savories at the same time--and early enough in the day to work it all off :) I love entertaining with brunch, going out to brunch, and just staying in for a quiet brunch with me and the boyfriend. I think I need this book. Especially after seeing the dish that you whipped up, I can't wait too long to get the book--you've given me quite a craving!
I love brunch, I will have to check out this book. Have you tried Ina's baked eggs recipe? It's a good one!
I am really on an egg kick right now - these look incredible!
I love brunch! Like one your commenters said, you can eat anything, savoury, sweets, and the best part is it is early enough that you still have the rest of the day for yourself. Your guests too can carry on with their day afterwards. I usually do brunch for Christmas and Thanksgiving and let the older members of the family do the traditional family dinner. I'll look for this book the next time I'm out cookbook hunting.
How can a 'brunch' be bad? It usually means it's a weekend or a holiday and you've been able to sleep in and then have a nice lazy late breakfast.
Lucky you! I love Gale Gand - everything she makes is always perfect.
I'll have to hope the Easter Bunny brings me that book....
Whatan awesome review.. Ill have to check this out of the library, asap. Thanks ffor the heads up!
That is one tasty looking brunch!
I have been eyeing some baked egg recipes lately. I really want to try some.
Oh, how fun to be asked to make a dish from the book. Lucky you!
It looks and sounds wonderful. Can't wait to check out the book.
Excellent review and perfect choice from the book Natashya. I agree there were so many wonderful choices it was really difficylt to choose just one. In fact I am making another tomorrow.
Ooh, looks like a great book. I'll have to look for it the next time I'm at Borders. I love making brunch items.
Gale is so wonderfully creative, isn't she? Everything just always looks so special! You did a lovely interpretation of her recipes...fun!
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