Sweet Reads Box Limited Edition Cook’s Box Review August 2021
As a kid my family’s menu consisted of two choices — take it or leave it — but as an adult with my own family, I tend to cater to my kids’ tastes. And by that I mean I ask them what they want their dad to make, ha ha. I wish I was joking but really, I’m more the baker than the cook. But that doesn’t preclude me from collecting and enjoying cookbooks (many, many cookbooks, LOL) and dreaming of meals and desserts I might try, ones the whole fam jam might like. So I was thrilled when Sweet Reads Box announced their latest Cook’s Box, this one featuring the newest book from chef Michael Smith, Farm, Fire & Feast: Recipes from the Inn at Bay Fortune. Like Sweet Reads’ monthly boxes, it’s packed with delicious treats to eat and drink and some other fun and functional items to enjoy with the book. I’ve got a quick look at it here — quick because there’s just a few left and I don’t want you to miss out. Read on, my taste buds! *
* They kindly sent us this box for review
Each box includes a product card with this gorgeous PEI landscape on one side (PEI’s the setting for the book) and a description of the contents on the other (below in italics).
Farm, Fire & Feast
“Farm, Fire and Feast is a culinary journey by one of Canada’s favourite chefs. Filled with all the bounty of a kitchen garden and local Canadian meat, fish, and vegetables. We hope you are inspired to create delicious meals for your family and friends.”
Here’s more from the publisher:
“Famous for its miles of beaches, lighthouses, farmland, and seafood, Prince Edward Island is a destination for travelers and food-lovers alike. Nestled on forty-six acres of land overlooking the picturesque Fortune River near the eastern tip of Prince Edward Island, The Inn at Bay Fortune is a leading five-star country inn with the award-winning restaurant FireWorks offering a unique live-fire culinary experience with unforgettable meals enjoyed family-style at long feast tables.
The Inn at Bay Fortune is first an organic farm, encompassing eight fertile acres, multiple herb gardens, various permanent farm beds, five greenhouses, and a small orchard. As a restaurant with its own farm, award-winning chef Michael Smith brings his culinary knowledge and passion for flavour first to the restaurant and this stunning collection of recipes inspired by the ingredients of the Island and cooking with multiple fires daily to pull off the FireWorks Feast.
Featuring gorgeous food and location photography, Farm, Fire & Feast is an impressive cookbook. Smith’s collection of unique recipes includes Iron-Seared Island Scallops, Oven-Baked Salt-Crusted Halibut, Beach Lobster, Wood Grilled Butchers’ Steak, Smokehouse Pork Belly, Wood-Roasted Spatchcock Chicken and Vegetables, Fire Garden Tacos, Sunchoke Fries, Potato Bacon Cheddar Tart, Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake, and Wild Blueberry Grunt. Packed with recipes to cook over fire, wherever possible, alternative cooking methods are provided so a recipe can be pulled off in an indoor kitchen–and all are well within the reach of the home cook.”
The Cook’s Box just arrived and I haven’t had the chance to pore over it like I’d like but that’s happening this weekend come hell or high water. And maybe a go at the Potato Bacon Cheddar Tart, which looks incredible but totally do-able and with such simple ingredients. (I have a feeling it might even eclipse Michael’s Potluck Potatoes with Parmesan Cream, our go-to for years.) The photography is absolutely stunning and the book just feels good in your hands. Which might seem like a silly thing to say but there’s something to be said for the quality of the paper and the heft of the hardcover. Feels substantial and good for the soul, like the food inside it.
Sweet Reads Box also included a bookplate signed by the author from publisher Penguin Random House Canada.
Bottle Neck Coffee (Detour Coffee Roasters) **
“This medium roast is rich, balanced and incredibly smooth. The coffee components rotate seasonally, but it’s always the same easy-drinking coffee with a creamy body and a toffee-like sweetness.”
Note: ** indicates a Canadian product. (Spoiler alert: Every item in this box!) Also normally I give my two cents on every item but I’ve skipped that in the interest of saving you time. (More time to get that box!).
Dark Chocolate with Toffee and Pecan Cookies (The Shortbread Company) **
“Everything you need in just one bite. Rich, unsweetened dark chocolate, buttery toffee and crunchy pecans nestled in our slightly crisper classic shortbread. 16 oz jar; approximately 35 cookies.”
German Rauchbier Mustard (Brü Mustard) **
“The most delicious accompaniment to one of the meat dishes in the cookbook. Also excellent as part of a salad dressing or marinade.”
Chipotle Honey Hot Sauce (South Pond Farms) **
“Use this wherever hot sauce is called for in the recipes or on top of anything you love hot sauce on. Perfectly delicious.”
BBQ Spice (Walton Wood Farms) **
“A delicious blend of spices to enhance your BBQ meal. Perfect for many recipes in this cookbook.”
Now Designs Mini Spatulas **
“Mix up your favourites with these handy mini spatulas. We love them for all the little tasks around the kitchen.”
Onyx Tea Towel (Danica) **
“Every cook needs a great tea towel. We love the simple pattern and feel of these dishtowels.”
Hummingbird Reusable Bowl Covers (Native Northwest) **
“Bright and colourful bowl covers to help you cut down on plastic wrap. Great for leftovers, over marinading meat, or to cover half a watermelon. Easy to use and wash with a beautiful pattern designed by Indigenous artist Nicole La Rock.”
Sweet Reads Box Cook’s Box is $100 including Canada-wide shipping. A truly fabulous gift for cooks and cookbook enthusiasts alike!
And if you missed July’s box, a little birdie told me there’s a few of those still available too. Those are $85 shipping included.
- Three-month subscription: $230.97
- Six-month subscription: $443.94
- 12-month subscription: $863.88
Sweet Reads Box ships Canada-wide and shipping is included.
And you can save 10% on three- and six-month subscriptions when you sign up for the Sweet Reads Box mailing list. The co. also shares bookish news, discounts and info on upcoming boxes on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Are you a Michael Smith fan? What do you think of this latest Cook’s Box? Which items catch your eye? Tell me all!
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