Oh how we love summer. This year, we are going to love it more than ever. In the Colorado Rockies, it snowed more than 500 inches on us this winter. It was snowing through, well, yesterday. And so this summer is going to taste sweeter than ever.

In celebration of this, we are spotlighting some of the best cookbooks that feature easy summer recipes, including a favorite cookbook review and a roundup of other popular summer cookbook titles.

Bon appetit!

Things We Love – Best Summer Weekends Cookbook
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: APCKelly

I love food. Especially summer food, with its fresh, ripe vegetables and mouthwatering, luscious fruits.

As a supreme lover of such delicacies and delectable delights, I am always on the lookout for great cookbooks. Even my kids love to page through the cookbooks at home and decide what to try out next. I was initially attracted to The Best Summer Weekends Cookbook because of its beautifully designed cover of mouth-watering watermelon, shrimp, tomato, lemon.

The inside of this book is as appealing as the outside. More than 75 recipes, perfect for entertaining friends and family or delicious day-to-day summer cooking. The color photographs make it one of our favorites to flip through to get inspired.

The recipes are varied and include appetizers, starters, sundown snacks, delicious BBQ recipes, summer salads, light main courses perfect for a summer’s day, to breakfast and brunch ideas and amazing desserts. I am sure you will love to try the delicious Mocha Ice Cream Loaf – or how about a refreshing Tabouleh salad and Thai Green Chicken Wings?

The ingredients used in the recipes are relatively easy to come by, but they are seasonal. (Each recipe gives ideas on how to substitute certain ingredients if they are not to hand.)

Overall, this cookbook has an exciting array of summer recipes that will please anybody. I am sure you will get a lot of joy out of trying out these fantastic and mouth-watering dishes.

Here are a few more summer cookbooks to try:

Summer Gatherings: Casual Food to Enjoy with Family and Friends $17.95 Firm, ripe tomatoes. Golden corn. Fragrant basil. Juicy peaches. Nothing compares with the bounty of summer when colors, flavors, and aromas are at their peak and cooking is easier than ever. Fresh, ripe produce is so tasty and perfect on its own that creating a terrific summer meal can be stress-free, delicious, and fun. In Summer Gatherings, award-winning cooking instructor Rick Rodgers has compiled his favorite simple summer recipes that make the most of the season's flavors. Purposely casual, stripped to their essentials, these recipes are uncomplicated by elaborate sauces or fussy garnishes, focusing instead on the fruits and vegetables that make summer cooking what it is. With Watermelon, Tomato, and Mint Salad to Fried Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms; Soft Shell Crab BLT Sandwiches; Chocolate Cherry Parfaits; Grilled Chicken with White Rosemary Barbecue Sauce; Risotto with Tomatoes, Basil, and Ricotta Salata; and Cantaloupe Ice Pops, Rodgers will help you take full advantage of summer's bounty. From family cookouts to neighborhood block parties, from picnics on the lawn to picnics at the beach, the appetizing recipes and photographs in Summer Gatherings are guaranteed to satisfy and inspire all season long. The Big Summer Cookbook: 300 fresh, flavorful recipes for those lazy, hazy days $14.26 The big cookbook that celebrates summer bounty and summer fun Summer means ripe, juicy, fragrant, and delicious fresh fruit and vegetables, barbecues, picnics on the beach and at the park, ready supplies of lemonade and ice cream to beat the heat, and so much more. In The Summer Cookbook, Jeff Cox shares 300 simple, versatile recipes for making the most of summer foods and traditions. The book includes dishes for every meal or occasion breakfast and brunch recipes, finger foods, sandwiches, salads, soups, main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks. It will be the guide to turn to for gazpacho, lobster rolls, a super selection of salads, chilled summer soups, grilled burgers, steaks, veggies, and luscious fruit pies. Offers 300 recipes that bring out the best of the most bountiful season Includes a rundown of seasonal summer foods, reveals which months are the best for finding them, and lists items and ingredients every summer pantry should include Special features: Summer Spotlights on ingredients and Good to Know technique sidebars offer practical guidance Written by Jeff Cox, who is the author of 17 books, including The Organic Cook's Bible and The Organic Food Shopper's Guide Whether you're hosting a big backyard family reunion or just having a few people over for a cookout, The Summer Cookbook is the ideal cookbook for those perfect summer days. The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook $11.58 What better way to enjoy the relaxed, healthy South Beach Diet lifestyle than with a cookbook that celebrates the best foods of summer from garden and market? The 150 all-new quick and healthy recipes in The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook capture the casual, sunny essence of Florida s popular South Beach-and other warm climates around the world. Whatever phase of the diet you re on, you ll find ideas for breezy breakfasts; crisp salads and light summer sandwiches; innovative grilling ideas for meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish; tempting vegetarian entr es; refreshing desserts; and cooling summer drinks. Imagine sitting at an outdoor table with family and friends enjoying Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Grilled Shrimp Caesar, South Beach Diet Tiramisu, and Iced Pom-Mojito Spritzers just a few of the refreshing recipes to be found in this book. But this is more than just a summer cookbook. Tips throughout remind readers that grilling is a year-round pastime and that many of the recipes can be easily adapted to what s freshest in the season. You ll also get Sample Meal Plans for Phases 1 and 2, a glossary of key ingredients used in the book, and dozens of ideas for maximizing the bounty of the garden. The 60 beautiful full-page color photographs show just how appealing summertime recipes can be. Summer in the Country Cookbook (Hardcover) $11.38 Designed to take advantage of backyard gardens and farmer's markets all the over 200 recipes in have been submitted by Gooseberry Patch fans and are proven family favorites. For over 25 years, Gooseberry Patch has been sharing their love of recipes for home-cooked meals and vintage kitchenware, and making memories with family and friends through their wildly successful catalog and Web site. This sense of community and their desire to try and share family recipes is a key factor in the success of the Gooseberry Patch cookbook line. The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining: Spirited Recipes and Expert Tips for Barbecuing, Charcoal and Gas Grilling, Rotisserie Roasting, Smoking, Deep-Frying, and Making Merry $9.98 America's outdoor cooking experts Cheryl and Bill Jamison have something big to say. So it takes a book this big to hold it all. They have put their knowledge about outdoor cooking and entertaining into one gigantic, colossal, humongous, comprehensive guide. Bursting with more than 850 recipes and hundreds of tips and how-tos for grilling, barbecuing, smoking, rotisserie roasting, planking, big-pot frying, and boiling, The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining is the only backyard cookbook you'll ever need. Cheryl and Bill traveled the globe sampling regional outdoor favorites, from barbecued Kansas City ribs to Texas brisket. They feasted on succulent rotisserie chickens from France, and banana-leaf-wrapped dishes from Mexico's Yucat n. They learned from the experts who fry up Chesapeake crab cakes, boil up a mess of Cajun crawfish, or perch poultry on a beer can for a long soak in wood smoke. Then they came home and cooked and cooked until they had it right, so you can get it right. Whether it's hot little tapas, a serious steak, a juicy burger, flavorful fish, a pan full of paella, pizza or pasta topped with grilled vegetables, or chicken done to a turn, Cheryl and Bill will coach you to perfect results. And to round out those party meals, they offer an enormous selection of starters, sides, drinks, and desserts that will win raves from family, friends, and guests. The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining is chock-full of the Jamisons' signature easy-to-follow recipes for dishes like Jalape o Cheeseburgers, Guava-Sauced Baby Back Ribs, Tamarind-Tangerine Chicken Breasts, and Guinness-Soaked Pork Chops. In addition, they've included a load of advice on equipment and tools, tips for the very best results, vignettes on outdoor cooking celebrations, and plenty of menu ideas. With The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining, you'll be the life of your own party. It's not just the last word on outdoor cooking. It's the biggest. Mediterranean Grilling: More Than 100 Recipes from Across the Mediterranean $29.95 Mediterranean Grilling presents a collection of classic and new recipes for flame-kissed dishes from the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, where the great grilling tradition dates back to ancient times, but the flavors are always fresh. Diane Kochilas takes the familiar and much-loved cooking method of grilling and pairs it with the cuisines of the Mediterranean, introducing home cooks to a whole new world of flavors that can be created in their own backyards. From Turkish kebabs and Spanish-style grilled artichokes to French grillades and Greek vegetable kebabs, Mediterranean Grilling offers an irresistible array of contemporary and traditional grilled specialties. Enjoy Grilled Tomato Soup with Spicy Yogurt, Greek Lamb Biftekia Stuffed with Spiced Feta, and Swordfish Souvlaki with Lemon-Olive Oil Marinade. Many dishes are simple and served right from the grill, while others are the basis for more complex soups, salads, and pastas. With recipes as varied as goat cheese appetizers and charred pita breads, fresh fish and marinated lamb, garden vegetables and juicy peaches drizzled with honey syrup, as well as dazzling full-color photographs, Mediterranean Grilling lets home cooks turn on the flame and turn up the flavor as never before.

Chantal 5-Function Fondue Set

You multi-task, so shouldn’t your fondue set? With this 5-Function Fondue set, you’re ready for every course of your fondue meal. The porcelain bowl keeps cheese and chocolate sauces hot without overcooking or burning, and the stainless steel pot is ideal for cooking meat in oils or broth. Both the bowl and the pot can be used separately on the stovetop for sauces, soups rice and more. So cool!

Set Includes:
1¼-qt. Porcelain Bowl
2-qt. Brushed Stainless Steel Pot
Stainless Fondue Stand and Burner Diffuser
Splatter Guard Glass Lid
6 Stainless Fondue Forks

Learn more about this product from cooking.com (Momscape.com publishes the latest Cooking.com coupons here, so check before you buy.)

Greet your guests this holiday with the lush fragrance of the forest. This Eco-Friendly Fragrant Evergreen Wreath from Organic Bouquet is hand assembled using only materials that are organically grown near the Wild Rivers Coast in the Pacific Northwest. It is 18 inches in diameter, made from Douglas Fir, Oregon Boxwood, delicate wisps of Bear Grass, and Pine Cones.

Your wreath will be made fresh to order and shipped direct from the farm in California.

Until November 30, Organic Bouquet is offering the evergreen wreath for $29.95 (was $45.95) – or you can opt for a deluxe version for $34.95, which includes a large red ribbon bow.

Eco-Friendly Fragrant Evergreen Wreath Only $29.95 from OrganicBouquet.com.
No coupon code required.
Shop through link above for details.
Ends November 30, 2010

If this special offer has expired, check here for more Organic Bouquet coupons and specials >



Today’s Product Pick: Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable Espresso Maker
Where to buy: Overstock.com (Momscape loves Overstock.com, so we publish current Overstock coupon codes. Make sure to check here for new Overstock coupons before you make a purchase.)
Review by: ACMMom

If you love your speciality coffees, and you like to make them at home, then the Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable Espresso Maker is a great investment. You can treat yourself to delicious and perfect lattes, cappuccinos or even a sip of espresso to keep you going.

The espresso maker is very easy to use, but if in doubt, the included Instructional Cuisinart Espresso Maker DVD can help you. Use your preferred espresso coffee or espresso pods and press the appropriate button (single shot or double shot).

The machine automatically gets the right amount of water and you can enjoy a perfect cup of espresso. The espresso machine also comes with various tools, such as tamping tool and measuring spoon, and a stainless steel jug to make frothing milk a breeze. The machine is easy to clean due to its removable trays and covers. The included drink booklet gives you recipes/ideas how to make different coffee drinks just like a professional barista.

All in all, if you like your various speciality coffees in the comfort of your home, the Cuisinart Espresso Maker offers great value for money. In no time at all, you will be able to enjoy a tasty morning latte or a refreshing after-dinner espresso.

Here’s the product description, from Overstock:

Brew your own delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home with this programmable espresso maker from Cuisinart. This appliance features pre-programmed cup sizes and a 15-bar pump.
*Brews single or double espresso
*15 bars of pressure; uses either ground espresso or pods
*Steam nozzle for cappuccino or latte
*Pre-programmed cup sizes
*Frothing cup and tamping tool included
*Removable 64-ounce water reservoir with lid with two options for filling with water\
*Cup-warming plate for warming espresso cups
*15-bar pump
*Manual button: Used for a continuous pour of espresso
*1-cup button: Used for a single serving of espresso, 1.5 ounces
*2-cup button: Used for a double serving of espresso, 3 ounces
*Program button: Used to set the number of ounces needed
*Steam button: Used when making cappuccinos and lattes–will flash until ready for use
*Portafilter holder: Can be used with ground or pod espresso–has two positions, lock and unlock, for ease of cleaning
*Brew head: For easy fit of the portafilter holder *Steam or hot water control dial: Use to activate steam or hot water
*Commercial steam wand: Use to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes
*Removable drip tray: Removable drip tray with grate
*Cleaning pins: Used to clean any excess milk that gets stuck inside the steam wand or any coffee particles that get stuck inside the filter
*Stainless frothing pitcher: Used for steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes
*Measuring scoop/tamping tool: Use one side as a coffee scoop and the other to tamp the coffee grinds in the filter basket
*Filter baskets: Use the one cup filter for a single espresso and the two cup filter basket for the double espresso, and the pod filter basket for espresso pods

Buy now >

Ever since I saw those mother-daughter aprons from Uncommon Goods, I’ve been on an apron kick.

Have you seen the Apron Collection at Anthropologie?

There are so many stylish designs – all so very flirty and feminine – but this one (The Lady’s Apron) is my favorite.

With three kids, each of whom take a lunch to school nearly every day, I go through an embarrassing number of plastic Ziploc sandwich bags during a typical school year.

Sooo, one of my goals this summer was to look at some options for snack and sandwich bags that would be reusable, as well as some more eco friendly lunchboxes.

Here are a couple of the standouts in my search for a more eco friendly lunch for my kiddos.

The Goodbyn Lunchbox - $22.95

The Goodbyn Lunchbox is designed with five compartments that are perfectly sized to keep lunches from spilling, sloshing, or mixing. The little compartments keeps tastes (and moisture) separate, so you don’t need individually baggies. It’s made of FDA-approved materials and is free of BPAs, phthalates and lead. You can wash it out by hand quickly and easily, but it’s also dishwasher safe.

Best for kids 5 and up. Available in red, blue, green, and pink – and it comes with a reusable drink bottle.

We found the Goodbyn for $22.95 from Diapers.com.
Momscape publishes all the latest Diapers.com coupons here >

Reusable Snack and Sandwich Pack $15.95

Did you know the EPA estimates that one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year, and each bag takes more than 1,000 years to break down? During this time, they don’t biodegrade; they photodegrade, which means that, over time, they break down into more smaller and more toxic polymers.

What’s more, fewer than 1 percent of these bags are recycled. (I’m so ashamed!)

But here’s a good solution, if you don’t ditch the plastic bags altogether and get the Goodbyn. Each of these $15.95 packs come with a patterned sandwich size (about 7.5” x 6”) and a solid blue snack size (about 6”x5”). And cleaning them is a breeze. You can throw them in the washing machine or the dishwasher — though for the longest life, you should probably just wipe them with a soapy sponge and let them air dry.

These reusable sandwich bags are from the awesome and amazing Isabella catalog, which we like so much that we publish all the latest Isabella Catalog coupons and specials here, so check before you buy.

We were also impressed by the:

The Wrap-N-Mat from From One Step Ahead - 8.95

This reusable sandwich wrap keeps food fresh and protected and doubles as a personal placemat, so your kids have a more sanitary surface than those lunchroom tables.

The wrap-n-mat has a cotton/poly exterior, an FDA-approved PEVA lining and a hook and loop closure. (Hand wash only.)

The Wrap-N-Mat is available from OneStepAhead.com. Momscape publishes OneStepAhead coupons here >

Peel and Stick Chalkboard Panels

I bought a couple of these for each of my kids at Christmas this year, and we love them.

A patent-pending product from WallCandy Arts, these chalkboard panels are removable and repositionable. Because they are simple vinyl chalkboard sheets, they stick to walls wherever you need them – any smooth surface, really – and are great for the office, kitchen or playroom. My daughters each have one of the outside of their bedroom door (so we can write notes as we pass by) and one on the inside (so they can write notes to themselves.)

These chalkboards wipe clean with a dry tissue. Each set includes chalk and 4 convenient 9”x12” sheets.

From Lillian Vernon. (We publish coupon codes from Lillian Vernon whenever available, so make sure to check here before you buy to see if there’s a way you can save even more – or get free shipping on your order. This link will open in new window so you don’t lose your place.)

Cuisipro® Herb Keeper

This is clever.

I love to use fresh herbs whenever possible in my cooking. Problem is, I get inspired at the store with all of the savory meals I think I’m going to cook, I buy the herbs (for a small fortune) and put them in the fridge, and by the time I get around to wanting to use them, they are all sad and dark and limp.

This Herb Keeper by Cuisipro is a great idea.  The suspended tray holds even large bunches of herbs together. The stems of the herbs are immersed in water so they stay hydrated and fresh. The tray rests on interior supports so you can easily access the herbs whenever you need them, and it lifts for easy draining. (The keeper is small enough to fit in refrigerator doors.)

We found this herb keeper at Organize.com where you can get 2 free samples with any purchase (no coupon code required – click here for details.)

One of my favorite gifts this year was this Fruit Infusion Pitcher. (Okay, I bought it for myself, wrapped it and put it under the tree with a tag to myself. I even feigned surprise when I opened it. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does that.)

Anyway, I’m one of those moms who dilutes the kids’ juice to the point where it can’t really be called juice. The kids don’t like that so much. Sometimes I think that when I turn my back, they are slamming back the Simply Orange straight up in great big gulps.

So I got this Infusion Pitcher mostly with me in mind, but, turns out, the kids love it, too. There’s an “infusion rod” in the center of this acrylic pitcher in which you insert your choice of sliced fruit. (We love oranges and lemons – and occasionally strawberries). Then you can fill and refill the pitcher using the same fruits in the center. The holes in the infusion rod are small enough that no seeds or rinds get through. I read a good suggestion on the amazon.com reviews for this product, which I’m going to try: add some fresh rosemary or lavender instead of (or in addition to) fruit.

The result is a delicious and subtle, natural flavor to your water. Yum! And when water is appetizing, it sure is easier to drink those 8 – 8 ouncers.

You can get it from cooking.com and also from amazon.com (Amazon.com has it for 20% off, at the time of this writing.)