Cookbook Review: Small Plates & Sweet Treats

There were oodles of amazing gluten free cookbooks that came out last fall and the one I was most excited for was Small Plates & Sweet Treats by Aran Goyoaga. Specifically because of the lovely recipes she shares on her blog, Cannelle et Vanille, and the stories about growing up and returning to Basque Country.

Part of my family tree stems from Basque Country and last September I got to see my family's torre (tower) in the town of Gordexola. So Aran's blog and her Basque influenced recipes are a another little way that I can connect with my heritage. On her blog she also uses sheep milk yogurt in her recipes and it just happens to be one of my favorite foods.

Things I love about this cookbook;

• The recipes use a variety of whole grain gluten free flours and there are short but useful descriptions provided for each of them.
• It's divided by seasons, making it easier to digest and use over the course of the year.
• Most of the recipes don't use gums - and those that do worked alright for me using psyllium husk.
• The recipes and ingredients are simple and the layout is very easy to follow - she also offers ideas for substitutions for less common ingredients.

Fall & Winter recipes I've made and loved;

• Seeded bread
• Fennel and brown butter risotto with parsley pesto (a new house favorite!)
• Creamy red lentil & squash soup with purple potato chips
• Hazelnut butter toffee-chocolate chip cookies
• Roasted cauliflower & leek soup with dandelion green & hazelnut pesto
• Crispy serrano ham, goat cheese, & pesto bocadillos
• Quinoa brioche
• Pistachio & vanilla bean shortbread cookies (best gluten free cookies I've ever had!)

Fall & Winter recipes on my list to make;

• Baked eggs with olive oil-poached tomatoes, coppa, and brie,
• Sweet potato, goat cheese, & herb souffle
• Apple, yogurt, & olive oil upside-down cake
• Chocolate, hazelnut & fleur de sel pots de creme
• Chocolate, beet & almond butter molten cakes
• Swiss chard, pear & gruyere tart
• Amama miren's garlic soup
• Meyer lemon, almond, & yogurt custard pots

After I got this wonderful cookbook for Christmas last year, I sent an e-mail to Aran explaining that I was planning to do a review on my blog and asked if she was interested in giving one of my readers a copy as well. Aran and her publishing company happily obliged and will be sending a copy of Small Plates & Sweet Treats to one lucky reader!

To win the copy, leave a comment on this post by no later than midnight on next Tuesday, March 5th - make sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you. If you want an extra edge in the giveaway, follow me on twitter, facebook, pinterest, or instagram and leave an additional comment for each one letting me know.

If you don't win, but still want the book - it's available on Amazon or even better yet, give your local bookstore a call and see if they have it.

And now the official rules;

1. No purchase necessary.
2. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below with your e-mail address.
3. Only those living in the United States are eligible.
4. The giveaway begins on Tuesday, February 25th at 5AM PST and ends on Tuesday, March 5th at 12AM PST.
5. The giveaway includes one copy of Small Plates & Sweet Treats which will be mailed by Little, Brown and Company.
6. The winner will be determined with a number generator at Random.org.
7. The winner will be announced on this post on Thursday, March 7th and will also be contacted via e-mail.
    

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And the winner is Sarah from Gazing In! Congrats Sarah!