I can easily see this becoming my most used cookbook in my collection. The book is a compliation of some of the most popular and highly rated recipes on the Tastes Better From Scratch site, as well as some new recipes exclusive to the cookbook. Each recipe includes beautiful full color pictures, and a QR code that links to a video walking you through how to make it. Of course, there are also easy step by step printed instructions. Lauren uses plain language, straightforward techniques, and mostly common ingredients, and every recipe I've made so far has been delicious (two of my favorites are the German Pancakes and the Cajun Chicken Pasta). There are foods from a variety of different cultures, including some she learned to prepare in her travels from cooks native to those areas.

This is a book that would be a welcome addition to any cook's collection. Beginners will appreciate how easy the recipes are to prepare, especially with the tips and advice listed throughout. More experienced cooks will still enjoy the delicious meals. I highly recommend this cookbook!

Thank you Netgalley, Lauren Allen, and Greenleaf Book Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lauren Allen’s Taste Better From Scratch Cookbook. I have had seasons in life where it was all about survival and just getting the quickest, easiest sustenance into my body. Other seasons have allowed for more thoughtful, and better tasting, meals made from scratch. I appreciate the attention to detail and willingness to share her wonderful recipes to bring this gift of healthier, better tasting meals to our tables. The tips and notes for make-ahead options, freezing options, ingredient tips and substitutions, and variations are helpful additions that can be found all throughout the book. My favorite parts though are the photographs and the QR codes that lead you to YouTube videos with actual demos. I am thrilled to add this book to my collection of recipes! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

A great addition to any cooks library. Wonderfully written delicious recipes that are easy to follow and replicate along with beautiful photography. The breath of recipes get you from breakfast all the way to late night snacks and everything you could possibly want all through the day. A perfect gift for a a beginner as well as a seasoned cook. It doesn’t talk down to the reader nor does it make things so complicated that you’re afraid to try something new. So glad I was given the privilege of getting an advanced copy of this truly lovely cookbook. Will certainly be buying as gifts for the upcoming holiday season or just because!

I enjoyed perusing the recipes in this cookbook very much and plan on making a number of them soon! The directions for each recipe were clear and concise, and the title of this cookbook definitely reflects the recipes: they do seem to be easy and for everyday life. An added bonus: most of them will make you hungry just reading them!

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. I enjoyed a variety of recipes written in a clear, easy to understand language. Each recipe features notes and suggestions on how to adjust and freeze each dish. It also features a QR code, allowing readers to watch how each recipe is prepared. It is a genius idea! This is a great cookbook to add to your collection or give as a gift.

There are a plethora of cookbooks to buy, and if you're like me, you already have a bookshelf or Kindle full of cookbooks you don't use. Forget all those cookbooks that feature photos on the cover that look like food p*rn, you know, it looks very tasty, but the recipes call for inaccessible ingredients, ingredients you can't find in your local supermarket or ones that you have to order online and only use for THAT particular recipe. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find obscure—okay, unique ingredients for recipes that you want to cook right away.

Well, look no farther than 'Tastes Better from Scratch' and this time the author got it right. The book features (breakfast, lunch and dinner) recipes even your kids can tackle, how cool is that? This is one of those cookbooks where the picture on the cover does the recipe inside the book justice—meaning it looks tasty, is tasty and it doesn't cost you an arm and leg or break the bank.

One last thing, did you peep how the author shared alternative cooking methods for certain recipes where you just want to set it and forget by using your Slow Cooker or Instant Pot? When I saw the recipe for Pad Thai, it was a "deal-maker" for me with no unique, bank-busting ingredients required! Sold!

Buy this Book. Today! :-)

Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook checks all the boxes for me as far as what I look for in a cookbook. Here's what I enjoyed:

1) Divided into six sections (breakfast; muffins and breads; dinner; soup; salads and sides; dessert), it's clear that this book is written by a busy, organized mom, for other busy, organized people or anyone such as myself who would like simple, easy recipes.

2) The recipe layout and fonts are easy to read and a photo accompanies each recipe (this is a big deal for me!)

3) The ingredients are all items typically found in grocery stores--so extra trip to a specialty store for a hard to find item.

This book would be perfect for a newlywed couple or as a housewarming gift.

Many thanks to Greenleaf Book Group and Netgalley for the ARC.

Recipes include many basic favorites with a few standouts like Navajo Tacos made with Indian Fry Bread.
The section on desserts and breakfast baked goods had several family favorites to try.
Overall geared appears to be geared towards newer cooks and bakers and offers lots of recipes to get you started.

I collect quality cookbooks. This one is definitely a keeper! Lauren has make ahead and other tips that add to eat recipe's value. Worth your money!

This is one of the best beginner cookbooks I've ever read. The book includes easy breakfast recipes, a few desserts, and main courses that use fresh ingredients that are mostly easy to find at the local grocery store. The variety of meals is wonderful and even includes Asian cuisine. I enjoyed the kitchen tips and the codes to watch how to prepare the recipes.

I was not familiar with the author or her website, but I took a chance on this book based on the title and cover. I was SO pleasantly surprised that all the recipes are ones that I WOULD ACTUALLY COOK!!!

She clearly cooks real food for real people, using ingredients that are both accessible but combine to make delicious items. Many of these recipes are similar to those I've honed myself after 25+ years of cooking for my own family, and I found a few new ones try out as well!

The photos are beautiful, and the recipes clear and in a great layout.

The contents include:
Breakfast
Muffins and bread
Dinner - lots of different varieties
Soup
Salads and Sides
Dessert

Tastes Better From Scratch is a great cookbook for novice to moderate level cooks. There’s a good selection of recipes that will tempt even the pickiest eaters. The illustrations are wonderful and really compliment the recipes. I’m looking forward to trying out these recipes for my family. Many thanks to the author, Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was excited to get this cookbook because who doesn't like food that is easy and made from scratch. Unfortunately, though it was pretty underwhelming. As a self-described cookbookaholic there was nothing terribly fresh and new about these recipes. There were a couple that I'm interested in trying however: Teriyaki Pasta Salad and Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats. If you're just getting into cooking for your family and you want some staple recipes this would be a great place to start.

With gorgeous photos of all the items, Allen shows with a minimal amount of extra effort that meals can be ever so much more delicious and healthy. The recipes are easily understood and broken down into uncomplicated steps. Not necessarily for beginners but rather for young families wanting to expand the range of their everyday meals.

I love trying new recipes. Lauren Allen's Tastes Better From Scratch Cookbook is a wonderful collection of comfort food recipes. She does a short intro at the beginning of the book about herself and her family and then moves on to the recipes. I had a little bit of formatting issues in the downloading, but a real book is always best for cookbooks. This book has beautiful pictures to accompany the delicious recipes. If you have trouble with a recipe there is also a QR code that will send you to a video. Everything you need is in this cookbook like substitutions and freezing instructions. I love cookbooks and this is definitely one I will be adding to my collection.

Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. The opinions expressed were solely my own

I like the variety of recipes and that they are all from scratch. She covers pretty much most things you could want. My only negative is that a lot of the recipes called for well over 10 ingredients. When making things from scratch, that’s to be expected….but as a busy mom it’s not always easy to make meals that take a lot of time and ingredients.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. The author said this cookbook took years to make and it comes through. This is the most well executed cookbook. The recipes have clear and easy to follow instructions. Every recipe has an accompanied photo for you to see what the dish is supposed to look like. She also included QR codes to link you to her YouTube video! How cool is that? The ingredients are also easy to find in grocery stores. Some cookbooks have hard to find ingredients which is annoying.

A solid book of cooking basics that also includes some recipes with interesting twists. These recipes are the kind that make it into the regular cooking rotation. The emphasis is on no fuss cooking and the presentation is clear and attractive. In addition to photographs of every recipe there are notes and tips on making ahead, freezing, variations, and substitutions. And there are QR codes that link to videos for some. And there is a good index!

I saw this on NetGalley as a “Read Now” option and knew I needed it. I’ve followed this blog for years! She has some of my favorite recipes.

Her cookbook is just as good! Here are a few things I love;

Ingredients I typically already have or regularly buy

Time frame (prep and cook times) are listed

Recipes my family will eat! There isn’t anything in there that if I served it my kids would ask what in the world we were eating 🤣

From scratch. I love eating food from scratch but don’t always love the time. She has quicker recipes and some more labor intensive.

There are only 3-4 recipes I saw that I instantly thought, “Oh I’d never make that.” 🙌

So I’ve learned I’m terrible at food pictures 🤦‍♀️ Just know that I’ve made the Teriyaki Bowls and Pumpkin Bread (both winners) and have Butter Chicken and Jambalaya up next. My family is so grateful to get real cooked food again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the gifted copy! I will be buying the physical copy to be able to add my recipe notes, I love it! 🍽

The book is out now, enjoy!

QOTD

I liked that this book had a variety of recipes. I didnt feel it was truly a from scratch cookbook because there were instances where canned goods were utilized and that's a but of the cheat. I still enjoyed the recioes on the book and would make a lot of them.