The Meaning Behind - Let's Eat! - by Denise Burroughs (Guest Post)

I want to take this time to share with you the real meaning behind my book.

I came from a large Italian family. As an only child though, the traditions surrounding me growing up are things I will never forget. I started writing my book two years ago and in those two years a lot had happen in my life. Writing has given me plenty of time to think and to reflect on the things around me. One of those things being my family.

As an only child, my mother raised me as a single parent. A budget was a must for her. Times are harder today and family values have been lost. In a world that has enough problems, two parents work for the most part . Money is tight. Dinners and family time are far and few. Today's life style is all about tv, computers, video games, fast food and frozen meals. I wanted to convey in this book, the small less expensive meals that families can make together without breaking their wallet and to help the single mom who is working two jobs or the single dad. I would like to see a time again when a family can pick one night out of a week and just sit together and eat and laugh and share their day. No tv and no cell phone. Family does not have to be ten people at a table. It could be just two, a mom and her daughter or son. You are what makes your family. I believe that we all need something from the people we love and what better way to do that then to sit down at the table and eat. Food warms the heart and soothes the soul.

I'm proud of who I am and how my children value so much because of what I have passed down to them. I want the same for you and your family. At a time where so much is wrong, we can make one thing right and that's dinner.Find that time in your life to change how you spend time with each other and the people you love most. Best wishes and lots of love!

Let's Eat by Denise Burroughs (Book Review)

Title: Let's Eat!
Author: Denise Burroughs
Publisher: AuthorHouse

My Thoughts: This slim volume starts out with a couple of pages of helpful tidbits for the novice (or even experienced) cook.  You get baking tips, substitutions and handy information.  You will find recipes from pasta to desserts, casseroles to salads. 

The recipes are very simple and can be made from things that you can probably find in your pantry. ( My teenage daughter has already asked if she can have this cookbook when she moves out!)  I think what I liked the best is that she doesn't take for granted that you know what you are doing in the kitchen.  For example, for her potato flaked chicken she says to add cooking oil to the tray - but then says, just enough to coat it, not too deep.  It is those helpful hints that are good for those just starting out in the kitchen.

I was thrilled to see the recipe for mayonnaise cake.  My mom has made this cake for years and years and I have never seen it in a cookbook.  I am forever calling her and asking her for the recipe again, because I am always losing where I wrote it down - so now I have it in a book!  (Until my daughter steals it away from me, of course!)

~ I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pump Up Your Books in exchange for my review.~

About the Author: She was raised in the sun, she came from a large Italian family with very strong ties to their heritage. She was born in Rome, NY and moved to Miami, Florida in December of 1969 with her mother. Raised in South Florida, she attended school until 1983. Having two daughters from her first marriage, she remarried in 1995 and in 2004 moved to Tallahassee, Florida where she currently resides.

She’s the owner of a paint and body shop and a member of NAPEW (National Association of Professional & Executive Women 2007-2008). A love for cooking and a desire to share wonderful family traditions was put to paper to create Let’s Eat. There have been so many people who have inspired her in her life, but no one inspired her more than her mother. Many of the recipes in this book have been served many times over and enjoyed by family and friends. She is happy to share them all with you and hopes you enjoy every bite as they were all made with lots of love.

You can visit Denise at www.deniseburroughs.com.

Let's Eat!

Publisher/Publication Date: Author House, May 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8731-9

49 pages