My sister really likes food. She also really likes celebrities. She has been known to say “I feel like we could be best friends” about several A-listers (and some B-listers too). But I won’t tease her too much because she’s moving to another country soon and I’m afraid if I’m not nice to her she’ll never come back.
Posting this photo isn’t a great start.
Anyway. Every time we talk she is raving about a new recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow, so I told her to send me a guest post. And she delivered. Take it away Laura…
Fact: Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook is bomb-diggity (yes, I just said bomb-diggity). My Dad gave it to my for my birthday this year, which I found very appropriate because of its title, My Father’s Daughter, and I keep finding myself flipping through it for more and more recipes. Also, since I am currently living with my parents in limbo (recently back from 9 months of travel and moving to Australia in April) I not only have great test subjects, but a vast array of spices from which to choose. One of the main things that annoyed me about trying to cook when I was living in an apartment in San Francisco, was that a) I didn’t have much cabinet space to stock up on spices, and b) they cost SO freakin much! Who wants to spend $8 on 1 tsp of something that you may or may not ever use again??? It can really up the cost of cooking for one. So, ANYWAY, back to the point….I recently made Gwyneth’s "Best Stir-Fried Chicken" and paired it with her "Fried Rice with Kale and Scallions." As my BFF Gwyn puts it, it’s great for when you’re "in the mood for good Chinese takeaway but don’t want to have the MSG."
Here are the recipes:
Fried Rice with Kale and Scallions
Best Stir-Fried Chicken
And here’s how it went down…
I am obsessed with sesame seeds, so I added a sprinkle handful to the chicken at the end.
I can’t tell you how delish this sauce is…sticky, gooey delightfulness with a bit of a spicy kick…yum! The rice is really good too! I had never attempted fried rice before, but it was ridiculous how easy it was.
I had made some cookies the day before (also from the same cookbook) so I thought those were worth sharing also…
Lalo’s Famous Cookies
After reading this blog, you might assume that this is my only cookbook, or that I’m being paid under the table to promote her book (I wish) but, alas, I am just a fan of the recipes. Healthy and delicious…hard to beat that combo!
Thanks for the guest post Laura!
It figures it takes an A list celeb like Gwyneth Paltrow to convince her to try kale when her own sister has been singing the delicious green’s praises for years, but whatever.
Now I want this cookbook, too! The kale and brown rice dish is similar to some previous meals I’ve shared, but I am definitely trying the chicken stir-fry recipe (replacing the chicken one with tofu).
Who has a favorite cookbook to recommend?
My favorite cookbook is the PDQ Vegetarian Cookbook. It’s a little Sandra Lee-esque in that it uses a lot of semi-prepared food but everything I’ve made is really good and super easy to throw together.
Wow that stir fry looks amazing!!!!
My fav cookbook is Tosca Reno’s eat clean cookbook – super healthy recipes.
Also, Eat, Shrink, and be Merry and Crazy Plates are two really fun, healthy recipes (both are by the same authors)
I mean cookbooks not recipes*
I adore Gwyneth, have the cookbook, but haven’t actually tried any of the recipes. This is motivating me to stop being lazy and do it! Great/fun review 🙂
sweet photo.
Haha now I want that cookbook too! That kale and brown rice recipe looks absolutely delicious!
I love the College Vegetarian Cooking, by the Carlie sisters. Super simple, quick, delicious meals!
Perhaps I shall be adding kale into my mix of forever re-occurring chix “fried” rice in my life. Gracias señorita Laura!
I’m always skeptical about celebrity’s cookbooks because much like celebrity’s perfumes, I question whether they actually eat or wear the stuff they’re promoting. I have a feeling this cookbook is probably different, though. I’ve seen Gwyneth on talk shows before and she always seems really into nutrition and eating healthy and as though she totally practices what she preaches. Thanks for sharing some of the recipes from the book. I can’t wait to give both of them a try. What country is your sister moving to soon? Lucky gal
I made a variation of lalo’s famous cookie and they were ridiculously good. Such as easy recipe filled with good-for-you foods. Thanks so much for sharing! I would have never discovered it otherwise!
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One of my absolute favorite cookbooks is ~ The Passionate Vegetarian, by Crescent Dragonwagon. I ADORE THIS BOOK! It has over 1,000 (!) recipes & is full of wonderful tales. If I had to choose only one cookbook (& I’m addicted to cookbooks, over 150+ and growing) this would have to be it…and I’m just a vegetarian flirt. I’m like your sister, I’ll sing the praises of a cookbook if I enjoy it. After reading this post, I’ll have to check out a copy of Paltrow’s cookbook, I always like finding books that inspire others. Cheers!
p.s. ~ Yesterday, I made your Tempeh Stew & WF Tempeh Salad ~ they were both fantastic!! I have a blog, too, & post what I’m really cooking in my kitchen. It’s nice to follow someone else who does the same thing. 😉
hooray! glad you liked 🙂
thanks for commenting, im looking forward to reading your site too vicki
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Do you think the cookies could work w.out the almond meal??
what would you replace them with? another nut meal would be ideal i think, but another flour may not have the same flavor or texture and you may need to tweak the liquids due to the absorbency of the different flours vs. meals.