The Prairie Homestead Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Heritage Cooking in Any Kitchen

I've been on a cookbook buying spree and I can't even express the quality difference between this book and most of the other ones I've ordered. As soon as I opened it I understood why it cost as much as it did. haha. The book itself is very sturdy and the spine keeps the book open when you want to lay it on the counter. The pictures are gorgeous! They definitely paint the picture of a simply beautiful country life.The recipes have been great. There were a couple I tried that my family felt neutral towards, but for the most part everything we've made we've loved. The pulled pork was great, as were the cream puffs. I'd steer clear of the haymaker's punch though. Unless you like drinking vinegar. That one was less than great.My favorite thing about this cookbook is that with most of the recipes, I already have almost all the ingredients on hand. It's the simple, yet good tasting home cooking that we're all missing in our lives! The instructions are clear and easy. There is rare use of sugar in the recipes and a focus on eating food that you would ACTUALLY find on a homestead! (Some other homestead cookbooks I've looked at have not been quite the same)There's good info on starting a homestead. I read a bit of it, but I am not ready to tackle having my own milk cow yet. I'm so excited to try curing my own bacon though! And making my own cheese. Those are next on my "to make" list.I honestly just wish she had like 3 more cookbooks I could buy. This is quality and I can't get enough of it!

Between my husband and I, we already do a fair amount of cooking from scratch, it’s been difficult to find new recipes / inspiration / ideas from cookbooks that aren’t loaded with processed ingredients or convenience food. I wasn’t really sure if I was going to learn much new here, but this book is a total gem, with page after page of simple recipes made from simple ingredients. I’m just over halfway through and have nearly run out of post-it flags already, noting each page to revisit of a recipe I want to try. More then just a book of recipes, it’s packed with practical & old fashioned tips and guidance (like caring for cast iron, dressing a chicken, or cooking a stewing hen), all shared in Jill’s down-to-earth voice and writing style. And the book is just so beautifully put together, with incredible photos - a true coffee table style book that won’t be spending much time on a coffee table in my house - my new kitchen companion!

I am not a cookbook kinda girl but I absolutely love this cookbook. The recipes are easy and quick to make. Most ingredients are common and most kitchen would have them already. The book is beautiful and is also fun to page through and read all the extra notes and comments. It is truely an asset to anyone wanting to learn to cook or needing some fresh quick ideas. It is also a great resource for anyone who wants to begin their own homestead journey. I would 100% suggest Jill's book. You won't be disappointed!

This is so much more than a cookbook ... It is inspirational and real! This cookbook has a great story to start, which really sets the tone and gets your mind working on your own dreams! It walks you through nutritional recipes, which lets be real, most of us are lacking that good old heritage cooking and wholesome meal in our homes now-a-days. I for one have been craving something more in our home meals and today's recipes call for so much pre-made, preservative filled ingredients. And then to top it all off she gives an easy to follow breakdown of growing your own food and it can be adapted to any level!I love how easily Jill can inspire you to take a chance and jump right in (totally fits my personality) but also keeps it real and informs you of ups and downs. So often we get caught up in the fantasy of someone else's life without truly knowing what the downs are... Jill does an amazing job of showing all sides of homesteading and teaching you in an understandable way (I suppose this also pertains a little to her blog - go check it out)! I am so excited to try some of these recipes and I love that she makes them for all walks of life. I am not on a full blown homestead but rather just bought a home in a rural area and thanks to Jill I am finding it very easy to start growing my own food in a large vegetable garden. The book breaks down the planting process, which for a beginner was a daunting task. I look forward to using my own veggies in her recipes and have even contemplated doing a "Julia & Julia" style cook marathon through every recipe in the book. But lets be real...I want to take my time and savor every recipe and in no particular order!I encourage you to order this book just based on all the extras, without even trying one recipe yet I am in love with what she has created. I will update once I make it through a recipe or two!