Saturday, January 9, 2016

Brunch with Bobby - Cookbook Review + Recipe

I'm a big fan of Bobby Flay's.  Every recipe I've tried of his has been amazing and his Burgers, Fries and Shakes book has made restaurant burgers look mediocre at best.  So when I saw his new book - Brunch at Bobby's was out I knew I had to get my hands on it.  If it had been a regular cookbook I would've book it sight unseen but I was a little hesitant about this one since it is brunch and while I do like breakfast for dinner at times my family's tastes are pretty simple.  Luckily my library had one and I was able to get it pretty quickly.  

After flipping through it I am glad I didn't buy it.  The recipes look absolutely amazing but aren't really dishes I would make (or that my picky family would eat) but it was fun to look through.


The book is broken down into 8 chapters - Coffee, Tea & Cocktails, Spreads & Syrups, Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast, Egg Dishes, Pastries & Breads, Sandwiches, Fruit Dishes & Fruit Salads, and finally Savory Side Dishes and there's a good variety in each chapter. There's coffee drinks, smoothies and ideas for a Bloody Mary Bar.  The Spreads & Syrups are full of interesting sauces and syrups to have if you were serving pancakes and waffles as well as a recipe for Quick Homemade Berry Jam.  There are 9 different types of pancakes, 4 types of waffles and 3 different French Toast recipes.  If you're looking for something a bit heartier there's a Mole-Rubbed Steak and Eggs in the Egg Dishes Chapter or even a Crab Cakes Benedict.  I've had nothing but amazing food from Flay's recipes so I can almost guarantee anything you make will be amazing.  

This cookbook isn't for my lifestyle but I think if you do any entertaining and enjoy having people over for brunches than you can't miss with this one.

I thought I'd share this recipe.  It looks so yummy and decadent that I couldn't resist.  I could handle waking up to this!

Yogurt Creme Brulee with Fresh Fruit and Granola (From Fruit Dishes & Fruit Salads)
16 ounces plain 2% Gree yougurt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
1 pint fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries (or a combination)
granulated sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup granola
8 teaspoons turbinado sugar

Mix together the yogurt and vanilla in a medium bowl until combined.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Put the berries in a small saucepan, add 1/4 cup water, and simmer until just softened, about 5 minutes.  Add granulated sugar to taste and stir in the lemon juice.  Let cool slightly.
Divide the fruit among four 8 ounce ramekins and top with the granola.  Fill the ramekins to the top with the yogurt (discard the vanilla bean if using).  Cover and put in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of turbinado sugar over each ramekin.  Caramelize the sugar with a blowtorch by slowly sweeping the flame back and forth.  Let the sugar harden, about 2 minutes before serving.

I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads

29 comments:

  1. I don't think those recipes would be stuff I would make for my family but they sound amazing!! I love brunch food so much!

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    1. I need someone to get the book and make a few recipes for me!

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  2. That would be a great thing to have anytime, makes a good dessert too. Bobby Flay always has good cookbooks.

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    1. I thought it was a very versatile sounding dish. I've never had Bobby lead me astray!

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  3. I need to use the library more for cookbooks instead of running out and buying them right away. My goal this year is to not spend so much on cookbooks and/or books. (this is me crying!!!) But really---what a good resource the library is.

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    1. I so understand your tears! I have saved a ton of money getting cookbooks from the library first. There's been a ton of books that I knew I would just love that ended up not really working for me.

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  4. Boy that does sound good! I like the tip of putting it in the freezer for a bit. I doubt I'd pull out my blow torch (I actually do have a kitchen one), but that'd be ok. I too have been trying to test cookbooks out before buying by using my library more.

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    1. The testing before buying has saved me a ton of money!

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  5. I've never been a huge fan of his, but I have read at a few of his cookbooks.

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    1. He's definitely not for everyone but I've always had good luck with his recipes.

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  6. I'm always looking for egg dinners, so I think I might like this one. I'm going to check it out!

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    1. Definitely check it out! I've always had good luck with Bobby's recipes.

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  7. I like the idea of the book, but I probably wouldn't use it very much either. My breakfasts are generally so simple.

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    1. Mine are to if I manage breakfast at all! I need someone to buy the book and cook some of these for me!

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  8. I would try this without the sugar added. sounds good.

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  9. It's great that you could try it out via the library. Yeah, we're not a big brunch family either, but I bet everything in the book would be delicious!

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    1. Oh I know! I need someone to make the food for me!

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  10. Your intentional choice of a book (which is from a library) seems fabulously honest... so many bloggers concentrate on books they get for free, which means they aren't really being selective. I love brunch, but I see your point about these being flamboyant recipes for fancy entertaining, not just family affairs.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! I do try to read what interest me instead of just what's offered though I get over my head with ARCs a pretty good bit!

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  11. I enjoy Bobby Flay. When we had cable TV, I used to really enjoy watching his shows. I don't buy a lot of cookbooks though. My family has to eat gluten free which really changes how I have to cook. I love looking at cookbooks though so I sometimes just check them out at the library to flip through them. The recipe that you shared is one that I could actually use at my house....expect my picky husband would never eat it. I enjoy these posts!

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    1. Thanks! My husband is picky too so I understand! I can imagine breakfast and desserts are especially challenging to keep gluten free.

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  12. This recipe looks fabulous for breakfast, I'm going to try it. And my sister-in-law's family loves Bobby Flay's milkshake recipe.

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  13. We actually sold this one a lot at work. But then again any big TV personality has no problem selling their cookbook. From what I've seen anyhow. I like brunch food but don't really eat it. I should think about having it more often.

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    1. I like brunch food too but it occurred to me when I was flipping through this one that I don't actually enjoy making brunch food! I do want to start going out to brunch more often though!

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  14. We actually sold this one a lot at work. But then again any big TV personality has no problem selling their cookbook. From what I've seen anyhow. I like brunch food but don't really eat it. I should think about having it more often.

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  15. I watch Beat Booby Flay pretty regularly, but he never gets beaten! This looks fabulous, but too much work for someone who regularly has a cup of coffee and a banana!

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  16. I liked how Bobby was gracious and humble in his Throwdown show. I've only been to one of his NY restaurants once years ago and what a good meal and drink I had.

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