Arts

Cookbook Club

Each month I cook through one cookbook and share my favorite recipes, my not-so-favorites, and what I’ll make again. Then you cook along, send me a short voice memo, and I weave listener voices right into the episode. Sometimes friends from my real-life cookbook club in Portland join in too. New episodes monthly. Follow along on Instagram @cookbookclubshow.

Latest Episodes:

82: Scandinavian from Scratch Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Discovered by Renee at Book Larder in Seattle, this book is a baking book celebrating flavors and treats from Denmark, Norway & Sweden. We both loved creating these treats that were outside the normal things we bake — a perfect book for the baking season!

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

The Life-Changing Loaf of Bread (My New Roots)
Sprouted rye bread (page 198)
Cardamom-scented apple and pear snacking cake (page 76)
Rye chocolate chunk cookies (page 60)
Waffles with kefir & cardamom (page 179)
Raspberry squares (page 57)
Cinnamon buttons (page 224)
Caramel slices (page 47)
Brown sugar “focaccia” cake (page 81)
Royal party cake (page 100)
Soft bun dough (page 110)
Cinnamon knots (page 113)
Saffron rusks (page 64)
Buttermilk “soup” with cardamom rusks (page 103)
Rye crispbread (page 175)

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 12/25/2024): Health Nut, by Jess Damuck

81: Thanksgiving Survival Guide Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

It’s that time again! The super bowl of the cook’s calendar. We talk about not making it a one-woman show, our plans for Thanksgiving this year and strategies for keeping it together during this food and family-filled holiday.

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Cranberry curd tart (NYT)
Mango pie (NYT)
Vegan mushroom gravy (NYT)
Carrot pie (Six Seasons)
French onion stuffing (NYT)
Pecan pie bites with gravy (NYT)
Jennie’s Chicken Pelau (Small Victories)
Chicken and black-eyed pea chili (Now & Again)
Chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric (NYT)

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 11/27/2024): Scandinavian from Scratch, by Nicole Accettola

80: Let's Eat! Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

Instagram sensation turned cookbook author Dan Pelosi gave us a gem of a cookbook filled with comfort food, family and fun here. Sara is obsessed with the breakfast mushrooms and eggs, Renee isn’t sure whether these recipes are that great, but we love how Dan brings his whole personality to the book.

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Grossy’s vodka sawce (page 193)
Spinach & mushroom baked eggs (page 60)
Mushroom bolognese (page 190)
Vegan mushroom gravy (NYT)
Roasted fennel, orange & olive salad (page 115)
Four seasons salad (page 103)
Italian gay wedding soup (page 85)
Chocolate anise biscotti (page 249)
Grandma Katherine’s rice pudding (page 276)
Cinnamon sugar knots (page 138)
The only dough you’ll knead (page 123)
Live, Loaf, Love (page 229)
Aioli have eyes for you (page 35)
Mom's stuffed artichokes (page 112)

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 11/27/2024): Scandinavian from Scratch, by Nicole Accettola

79: Pasta Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

A weeknight savior, a delicious favorite for kids and adults alike, and yet we made it to episode 79 before we had an episode about it?! We’re getting to it, thanks to a great listener request. Join us to talk about delicious pasta.

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Spaghetti with garlicky bread crumbs and anchovies (NYT)
Bacon & egg spaghetti, with greens & herbs (Dinner in One)
Fettucine alfredo (Cook for Love)
Pasta with garlicky broccoli raab (Dinner in One)
Creamy corn pasta with basil (NYT)
Charred corn pasta salad (What’s Gaby Cooking: Grilling all of the things)
Disappearing zucchini orzo (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle)
Instant Pot pasta bolognese (Julia Turshen)
Caramelized shallot pasta (NYT)
Kale sauce with any noodle (Six Seasons)
Green angel hair with garlic butter (Smitten Kitchen Keepers)
Llubav’s green spaghetti (Simply Julia)
A Nice Lasagna (Small Victories)
A Very Good Lasagna (Nothing Fancy)

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/30/2024) will be about Let’s Eat! by Dan Pelosi

78: In Bibi's Kitchen Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

This James Beard-award winning cookbook features a collaboration between Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen, and tells the stories of many women across eight African countries. We love the storytelling aspect of this book. Will we keep it on our shelves?

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Digaag Qumbe (page 73)
Xawaash spice mix (page 74)
Somali beef stew (page 93)
Ma Gehennet’s Shiro (page 45)
Berbere spice mix (page 50)
Ma Kauthar’s Mango chile sauce (page 116)
Date bread (page 158)
Bolo Polana (page 189)
Ginger spritz (page 245)
Iced Rooibos tea with orange, cloves and cinnamon (page 214)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

In Bibi’s Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen
Indian Instant Pot, by Urvashi Pitre

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/30/2024) will be about Let’s Eat! by Dan Pelosi

77: Weekday lunches Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

The kids are back in school, and you need to get yourself fed during the day. Join us for some strategies for weekday lunches, whether you are at home or in the office. Renee works from home, Sara often works from her car, and we offer solutions for every situation in-between.

Cookbooks mentioned in this episode:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (airing 10/2/2024): In Bibi’s Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan & Julia Turshen

76: I Dream of Dinner (so you don't have to) Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

Ali Slagle wrote our dream weeknight cookbook in “I Dream of Dinner.” We talk about Ali Slagle’s camper van adventures and the flexibility in these recipes while we celebrate bringing the podcast back after Renee’s cancer treatment!

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Shrimp cocktail for dinner (page 365)
Gochujang gravy (page 337)
Smoky white beans and cauliflower (page 82)
Marbella chicken salad (page 277)
Ricotta frittata with lemon crumbs (page 32)
Sesame chicken meatballs (page 263)
Tahini herb pasta salad (page 162)
Sticky chicken with pickled vegetables (page 297)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Ali Slagle’s cute cooking videos from her camper van

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/2/2024) will be about In Bibi’s Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen.

75: Mi Cocina Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Rick Martinez brings his warm, fun and exuberant personality to this collection of Mexican cuisine from different regions of Mexico. We love the color and texture throughout this book and talk about one of the yummiest meals we’ve shared together. Somebody book us a trip to sunny Mexico!

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

Enchiladas mineras (page 74)
Aguachile (page 242)
Gaspacho moreliano (page 90)
Arroz blanco con mantequilla (page 50)
Pozole verde, estilo Guerrero (page 116)
Chiles jalapeños en escabeche (page 64)
Salsa macha (page 60)
Tacos árabes (page 93)
Tortillas árabes (page 44)
Pan de muerto (page 102)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Tajín

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Next episodes coming in September 2024 after a summer break!

74: Pie May 29, 2024

Show notes

Pie is wonderful. Dessert pie is the best. And it makes us feel downright patriotic. Join us as we geek out on crust, fillings and baking techniques in this episode all about pie.

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

⁠Tart and pie dough (The Art of Simple Food)
All butter crust (America’s Test Kitchen)
The only pie crust (Alison Roman)
Lime pie with Anzac biscuit crust (Family)
Carrot pie (Six Seasons)
David Liebovitz’s salted honey pie (Grains for Every Season)
Banana cream pie (NYT)
Coconut cream pie (America’s Test Kitchen)
Salted lemon cream pie (Sweet Enough)
Apple ombre pie (NYT)

Cookbooks mentioned in this episode:

The Book on Pie, by Erin Jeanne McDowell
Baking with Dorie, by Dorie Greenspan
Dessert Person, by Claire Saffitz

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/12/2024 most likely — thanks for your patience!): Mi Cocina, by Rick Martinez

73: Vegetable Kingdom May 15, 2024

Show notes

Bryant Terry is a visionary in the vegan cooking world, and we tried out this well-known cookbook. We talk about nesting doll recipes, brilliant vegan flavor boosters and decide whether this book could ever work on a weeknight. (And yes, we know we sound a little breathy in the audio on this episode, we’re working on it!)

Recipes mentioned in this episode:

All-green everything salad with creamy sage dressing (page 148)
Cornbread muffins (page 37)
Dill pickled fennel (page 44)
Red rice with spring vegetables (page 74)
Sweet potato, russet potato and tempeh hash (page 183)
Millet, red lentil and potato cakes (page 175)
Lentil soup (page 215)
Creamy carrot coconut soup (page 208)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Spotify dinner playlist

Join our Cookbook Club!

Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow
E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com
Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray
Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers
Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/12/2024 most likely — thanks for your patience!): Mi Cocina, by Rick Martinez

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