Alex Snodgrass

Author and Creator of The Defined Dish

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Book Recommendations:

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

The Woks of Life blog has been one of my absolute favorites for years—these recipes are not only delicious, but they make me excited to try new dishes and flavors. The Leungs help home cooks by explaining everything from cooking tools to pantry staples, and even providing QR codes to reference techniques you may not be familiar with. I cannot wait to cook through this book with my family! (from Amazon)

JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEE • NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • IACP AWARD FINALIST • PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW • “The Woks of Life did something miraculous: It reconnected me to my love of Chinese food and showed me how simple it is to make my favorite dishes myself.”—KEVIN KWAN, author of Crazy Rich Asians The family behind the acclaimed blog The Woks of Life shares 100 of their favorite home-cooked and restaurant-style Chinese recipes in ”a very special book” (J. Kenji López-Alt, author of The Food Lab and The Wok) ONE OF THE TEN BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, Simply Recipes ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Food & Wine, NPR, Smithsonian Magazine, Delish, Epicurious This is the story of a family as told through food. Judy, the mom, speaks to traditional Chinese dishes and cultural backstory. Bill, the dad, worked in his family’s Chinese restaurants and will walk you through how to make a glorious Cantonese Roast Duck. Daughters Sarah and Kaitlin have your vegetable-forward and one-dish recipes covered—put them all together and you have the first cookbook from the funny and poignant family behind the popular blog The Woks of Life. In addition to recipes for Mini Char Siu Bao, Spicy Beef Biang Biang Noodles, Cantonese Pork Belly Fried Rice, and Salt-and-Pepper Fried Oyster Mushrooms, there are also helpful tips and tricks throughout, including an elaborate rundown of the Chinese pantry, explanations of essential tools (including the all-important wok), and insight on game-changing Chinese cooking secrets like how to “velvet” meat to make it extra tender and juicy. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or if your pantry is always stocked with bean paste and chili oil, you’ll find lots of inspiration and trustworthy recipes that will become a part of your family story, too.

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

Ronny's creations in the kitchen are works of art and out-of-this-world delicious every single time! His recipes are indeed gourmet, but I also find that they are simple and straightforward, which is why they've been staples in my kitchen for years. I have been waiting a long time for this book, and I can't wait to cook my way through it and share these recipes with my family. (from Amazon)

Over 100 gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free recipes based on the popular Primal Gourmet blog, fully endorsed by Whole30. Ronny Joseph Lvovski struggled with a lifetime of obesity, failed diets, and low self-esteem before discovering the Paleo diet. Once he eliminated grains and dairy from his diet, his allergies, asthma, upset stomachs, headaches, back pain, lethargy, excess weight, and cravings disappeared. After losing 40 pounds, Ronny set out to create gourmet-quality meals that followed Paleo guidelines and left him feeling satisfied. He shared those recipes on his Primal Gourmet blog, and became one of the most popular contributors to the @whole30recipes Instagram account. The Primal Gourmet Cookbook, Ronny’s first cookbook, is fully endorsed by Whole30 and includes a foreword by Whole30 co-creator Melissa Urban. The cookbook includes more than 120 recipes, with blog fan-favorites plus all-new dishes such as Mojo Loco Chicken Wings, Short Rib Ragu, Jerk Ribs, and Moroccan Lamb Stew, proving healthy diets really can be delicious.

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

Feeding yourself and your family nourishing meals can feel overwhelming, but Autumn provides an abundance of tips, tricks, and recipes to help you navigate feeding your loved ones. From lunchbox ideas, family-style meals, and tips to dealing with picky eaters, Whole Food For Your Family is a fantastic resource for parents wanting to create a wholesome meal the entire family can enjoy. (from Amazon)

Over 100 budget- and family-friendly recipes from Whole30 Coach and creator of the popular cooking website Whole Food for 7, Autumn Michaelis. This inspired collection is dairy-free, gluten-free, and fully endorsed by Whole30! Changing the way your family eats can feel intimidating, but once Autumn Michaelis experienced the incredible benefits of the Whole30 and cut gluten, dairy, and refined sugar out of her life, she knew she had to bring her family on board. As a busy mother of 5—yes, 5—growing boys, she needed recipes that were tasty and easy. So she started the website Whole Food for 7, where she shares no-fuss, gluten- and dairy-free family meals that are delicious and nutritious. In her first cookbook, she serves up winning breakfasts like Crispy Waffles, lunch box essentials like Paleo Vanilla Wafers and Granola Bars, healthy remakes of kid favorites like Plantain Pizza Pockets and Our Favorite Chicken Strips, along with plenty of desserts like Churro Bites and Oreo Brownie Cheesecake. Kid-friendly, but not just for kids, this book is packed with comfort food favorites as well as  time-saving hacks, and budget-friendly tips. Whole Food for Your Family is destined to become your go-to cookbook every day of the week.

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

When it comes to getting delicious Paleo food on the table with minimal effort, Mary’s book is the place to turn. From flavorful sheet-pan dinners to speedy skillet dinners and one-pot wonders, this book has it all! (from Amazon)

Cooking Whole Foods Just Got a Whole Lot Easier When life gets crazy, sticking to your healthy Paleo lifestyle can feel challenging― but Mary Smith is here to help. In Quick Prep Paleo, Mary simplifies whole-food cooking with simple, hands-off recipes packed with flavor. With just 15 minutes or fewer of chopping, mixing and sautéing, you can have a real-food, family-friendly meal on the way. Each recipe in this book comes together quickly while cutting out gluten, dairy, grains, legumes and refined sugar, so you will feel your best all day long. Recipes include: • Quick Creamy Bolognese Sauce • Chicken “Parm” and Cauliflower Gnocchi Skillet • Sheet-Pan Baja Fish Taco Bowls • Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops • Better-For-You Mississippi Pot Roast • Instant Pot® Orange-Sesame Chicken • Creamy Salmon Piccata • Meat Lovers’ Pizza Spaghetti Squash Casserole Let the oven, stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot® do all the work while you enjoy extra free time at home. With this collection of Mary’s ingenious recipes and gorgeous photography, you’re sure to find everything you need to make every day delicious!

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

Teri’s work brings so much joy and inspiration to my kitchen every day. She shares everything with such a loving and generous heart, and it shows in every one of these recipes. I can’t wait to cook my way through this book and share these recipes with my family! (from Amazon)

The best-selling cookbook with delicious and healthful recipes from the beloved blog NoCrumbsLeft.com–fully endorsed by Whole30 As millions of people know, one of the toughest things about completing the Whole30 is figuring out what to eat next, the other 335 days of the year. Teri Turner, creator of No Crumbs Left, has healthful and great tasting answers. Food is Teri’s love language, and her approach to getting people into the kitchen, rolling up their sleeves, and cooking is contagious. “Don’t be afraid to fail: it’s just food,” is one of her mantras. Teri’s passion is evident on every page of her first cookbook, as she leads readers through a discovery of new flavors and spice combinations and teaches people to trust their cooking instincts. Teri’s recipes, most of which are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and Whole30 compliant, are what makes No Crumbs Left so unique. Simple and incredibly delicious dishes such as Pistachio Pesto Chicken Breast, Shrimp Pad Thai, and Spicy Pepperoncini Beef are on the dinner table quickly. The impossibly easy Sugar Snap Pea Salad features two of Teri’s signature Magic Elixirs, Green Goddess Dressing and Smoky Pepitas, which are both made in advance and kept on hand to elevate countless meals. Her signature Marinated Red Onions, 999 Island Dressing, Gomasio, and Spicy Almond Sauce are true secret weapons. The Family chapter features the special recipes her own children grew up with and evoke home, love, and motherhood. Teri considers this book a love letter to her mother, and woven throughout are tips and favorite quotes to bring you right into her kitchen, where there is always an extra seat at the table.

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

I love Kelsey's creative approach to wholesome eating! This book is filled with delicious recipes that make it fun to get into the kitchen and cook. (from Amazon)

Healthy, All-in-One Meals for Paleo Eaters Everywhere Little Bits of Real Food founder Kelsey Preciado makes cooking lasting low-carb and high protein dishes the easiest it’s ever been with this collection of satisfying bowl-style meals. Kelsey combines real foods like lean protein, fresh veggies and vibrant produce and ties them together with creative sauces to create clean, complete meals that will keep you full, energized and feeling fantastic. Start the day off right with filling breakfasts like the Chunky Paleo Granola & Fruit Bowl and Bacon, Dill & Sweet Potato Mash. Get your greens in the delicious way with Creamy Chipotle-Ranch Chicken Salad and Citrus-Marinated Carne Asada, served over cilantro-lime cauliflower rice for an extra serving of vegetables. Indulge while still eating healthy with Kelsey’s cleaned-up versions of take-out classics like the Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wrap Bowl and comfort foods like the Perfect Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Bowl, and satisfy your sweet tooth the easy, Paleo-way with desserts like the Microwave Double Chocolate Cake Bowl. Whether you’re a Paleo devotee, a low-carb newbie or simply trying to decrease the dairy and gluten in your diet, this book has everything you’re looking for, right in one bowl.

Recommended by Alex Snodgrass

Michele is a wizard when it comes to using real, clean ingredients to create decadent desserts that my whole family just adores. (from Amazon)

Incredible Paleo Baked Goods for Every Craving Paleo bakers rejoice! Michele Rosen, founder of the cooking blog Paleo Running Momma, has created 60 spot-on Paleo versions of all the cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, pies and breads you love. With these genius gluten- and processed sugar–free recipes, you can indulge in all of your go-to treats without the guilt―whether you’re Paleo or simply trying to eat cleaner meals. This collection of tested and perfected recipes includes showstopping treats for birthdays and events, as well as simple sweets for every day. And with every recipe using natural ingredients and whole foods, not only is everything healthier, but it’s tastier too! Indulge in outrageous sweets, like Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cinnamon Frosting, Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Apple Cinnamon Bread with Walnut Streusel, Salted Caramel Cookie Crumble Bars, Blueberry Scones and so much more. Michele also includes savory treats, like Classic Chewy Homemade Bagels and Authentic Soft Pretzels. Rediscover all your favorites, with this brilliant book of healthy, yummy and foolproof Paleo baking recipes!