Boards and Spreads Review

 

Review

As an empty nester, and as summer holds on way past fall, cooking, even putting things in an Instant Pot is not always something I want to do at the end of the day. My apartment has been so hot that when I pass the kitchen window to open the front door, I can feel the heat of the day coming out of the apartment. Ugh. This book, however, just gives me other ideas to use for a last minute dinner or long snack session from the refrigerator. 

My usual go to is some type of cracker, something sour and salty like olives or pickles, something fresh like cucumber, an interesting mustard or jam, some kind of meat and a couple of cheeses. 

This book takes care of all of that and offers some recipe ideas that I donʻt currently use, bu the recipes are easy enough to make ahead and leave in the refrigerator. I definitely want to try the quick-pickled jalapenos, marinated chickpeas, garlicky white beans and jammy eggs. 

The book goes through types of serving boards but it also goes beyond boards to what I usually call a "dinner/lunch bar" For example, Farh offers a Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner board which is basically a sheet-pan chicken thighs + mushrooms + smashed garlic recipe and then you put the accouterments to this sheet-pan dish on another board (jalapeno, cheese, lime wedges, sour cream). Diners then just make their own bowls of dishes, which is why I call it a bar like a salad bar with options rather than the same dish for everyone. 

This is a fun, no pressure cookbook with lovely pictures and a wide range of ideas. 

From the publisher:

Go beyond cheese with 65 recipes for delicious boards and epic spreads for dinner, appetizers, breakfast, snacks, and more.

In Boards & Spreads, you won’t find cheese boards--instead, you’ll find simple ideas and scrumptious recipes for a variety of meals and snacks to share on platters or boards. From the Top-Your-Own Chili Board to the Crispy Chicken Bites Spread, and from the Charred Salad Platter to the Egg Pita Sandwich Board, you’ll find something for every meal and mood. Even drinks can be served in this fun fashion, whether it's a Bloody Mary Bar at brunch or low-ABV cocktails at an afternoon picnic. There are also plenty of quick recipes for dips, spreads, and other tempting add-ons you'll turn to time and again, like Smashed Olives, Quick-Pickled Shallots and Jalapenos, and Two-Minute Feta Dip.

Whether you’re looking for a snackable spread for two, a grazing board to share when friends come over, or simply looking for easy-to-make recipes you can throw together on a whim, Boards & Spreads shows you how to turn everyday ingredients into festive, low-effort meals.