Miss Sweetblack's Cupcakes

In the 1950s, the cupcake was a very fashionable cake made by housewives to celebrate family events. Despite its success at the time and its incredible cuteness, the cupcake has gone largely underappreciated. It has come to be seen as a simple household pastry. And although it is finally integrated into certain establishments specializing in cake design, unfortunately it still suffers from a rather bad reputation. It is certainly considered aesthetic — cute, even — but also too fatty, too sweet, and without real taste, sophistication, or refinement.

Here is a book that will deconstruct all your received ideas about the cupcake and make you see and appreciate them like real pastries; those you like to see in French patisseries or restaurants, presented in lovely and delicates plates. Yes, the time has come finally to elevate cupcakes as integral part of pastries thanks to the recipes of the one and only pin-up pastry chef, Miss Sweetblack!

From Lady Ralston's Kitchen

Lady Carolyne Lederer-Ralston is a creative cook by nature. She rarely uses cookbooks, preferring to develop her own original, no-waste recipes inspired by diverse sources and cultures, particularly European foodstuffs. Documenting her process with meticulous handwritten notes, some dating back decades, she recreates dishes later in her ‘spirit-filled kitchen’. She keeps copious handwritten notes while she cooks so she can return to the notes promptly to recreate the recipe in proper printed form. Some of her original recipes go back to the 1970s, long before “Gourmet” became the buzzword it is today.

A natural multi-tasker, she balanced a demanding full-time career with preparing full homemade meals daily. Planning and organization (mise en place) are vital to her approach, as is a well-stocked pantry. She includes practical hints within her recipes, and readers often say they feel she’s right there with them in the kitchen – a compliment Lady Ralston cherishes.

New Jersey Brewery Guide

In the last 10 years, the micro-brewery industry has exploded in New Jersey. The New Jersey Brewery Guide provides first-hand insight into the well over 150 breweries and brew pubs across the Garden State.

Each brewery is reviewed in detail as are the beers they serve. There is space to provide your own ratings so you can begin your own tour of the New Jersey brewery scene.

It’s a trip worth taking and the book serves as an invaluable guide for that journey.

Cook'n With Nana

Cookin’ With Nana is more than just a cookbook – it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and the simple joy of gathering around the table. Passed down through generations of country living, these recipes capture the essence of fresh, wholesome ingredients – straight from the garden, farm, or local market.

From the rich flavors of garden-fresh vegetables and home-raised meats to the comforting aroma of time-honored herbs, this collection brings the heart of country cooking to your kitchen. Crafted over decades by three generations of farm homemakers, each dish is a loving tribute to the warmth and care that make family meals unforgettable.

Whether you’re reaching into your backyard garden or selecting the finest produce from the store, these recipes promise to fill your home with the tastes and traditions of a simpler time – fresh, healthy, and made with love.

Welcome to the table. Welcome to Cookin’ With Nana.