Cookbook Review: Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines
As I have mentioned a time or two, reading is a huge part of my life and I am most often happiest when I have my nose in a book. I love getting swept into a story, whether it is a memoir, long saga, beach read, or nonfiction that reads like a blockbuster film. Around here, where the focus is on the importance of gathering together at the table, and the way recipes and stories are intertwined, it should come as no surprise that foodie memoirs and cookbooks are a bit of an obsession of mine.
From time to time, I will post reviews of cookbooks and food related memoirs that have resonated with me. It could be a cookbook with easy to follow and delicious recipes, instructions that took me out of my comfort zone, or absolutely stunning food photography. Or even a memoir with a lovely amount of recipes featured, incredible descriptions of specific tastes, or an insight into the food world I have never experienced. Long story short, it is going to vary, but if you are obsessed with food literature like I am or are looking for a good intro into the world, this is for you. We are going to kick things off with a review of “Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering” by Joanna Gaines.
I had taken a trip to Target this afternoon and I purposely started by avoiding the Hearth & Hand section. This is the section with the line by Chip and Joanna Gaines (just in case you aren’t familiar) and I pretty much want everything they create. For the sake of my budget, it is usually best if I avoid this section. Today I couldn’t resist peeking despite my initial efforts at self control and I ended up leaving with two new candles and a new sugar bowl. Not as bad as it could have been, all things considered.
Living in Texas, I got to the Chip and Jo party late. I haven’t had TV in many years and I missed the airing of all their Fixer Upper seasons. Everyone in my area seems to love them completely and when they opened their Magnolia Market, they have all made the pilgrimage to Waco to experience it firsthand. I had heard wonderful things about the show and about them as a couple, and the few scenes I had seen of Fixer Upper seemed right up my alley. Faith, family, good food, and beautiful spaces seemed to be what they were all about. The more I learned, the more I realized these were my people.
This past fall, my sister and I visited Waco for the annual Silobration at the Magnolia Silos. This was my first time seeing everything firsthand, and it was wonderful. Vendors lined the street with amazing products and options, the Magnolia Market was open with lovely items and beautiful displays. There were the food trucks, the photo ops, the new coffee shop, and so much more. The silos were lit with twinkly lights, there were interactive displays where attendees could write out what they were thankful for and add it to a display wall. The concert was fantastic and featured two of our favorite artists, Johnnyswim and Josh Garrells.
As the night continued, amidst all the cupcakes and sweet tea and photos, I think it was very clear to everyone that what was happening was something very special. Chip and Joanna spoke and they had the whole crowd laughing and tearing up. People had come from all over the world to be there. When Josh Garrells got on stage he tried to put into words what we were all feeling, why we had all connected with Chip and Joanna Gaines - we were all hungry for community, for a place of belonging. And that what we see through the Gaines’ is a way of gathering together, whether in our homes or at the table or in a gathering place like the Silos, and living life together in a more wholesome way than what the rest of the world is presenting. And I could not have agreed more. As we stood there together on the grass, singing the words together to so many of my favorite songs, we all felt that community that they have created.
That is my Magnolia story, and I am forever a big fan of the Gaines’ and the work they are doing. I read the Magnolia Table cookbook toward the end of last year and thoroughly enjoyed it! I initially read it from the library but loved it so much I had to purchase my own copy for my kitchen. I get the feeling it will be a well worn, well loved, cookbook in our house.
This is a full cookbook with recipes categorized by each meal period, Soups & Salads, Appetizers, Sides, and Desserts. I love the notes Joanna Gaines has included for each recipe, whether it is a family favorite or a favorite from their restaurant (sometimes both) or the memory she associates with that recipe. She also included a lovely introduction of her history with cooking, starting to cook as a newlywed and then becoming more skilled at providing delicious options her entire family would love. She has a fun take on many Texas/Southern favorites that I am excited to try. I especially loved the list she features at the beginning of the kitchen tools she uses most often, as well as her pantry staples. How often have you been reading through a recipe you are thinking of making just to realize you don’t have the safron oil or particular type of flour it calls for? Not that anyone would start said recipe without reading it through completely, that would just be silly. (Cough, cough.)
I was thrilled to find that Joanna Gaines featured recipes from all sides of her family and that there was often a story associated with many of the recipes. I was not sure of her background but her mother is Korean and her father is German and Lebanese. I was so excited to see she featured many recipes from all sides of her family and that it all worked together so beautifully. It was beautiful to read about her memories of each of these dishes from when she was growing up.
The first recipe I tried from the cookbook is the Roasted Cauliflower Soup (page 104) and my goodness was it delicious. My husband and I both loved it and I get the feeling this will be one of our new favorites for the fall and winter. The addition of the pine nuts and prosciutto brings out the flavor and it is just wonderful. Listen to Magnolia Market’s “At Home” Playlist here while enjoying or cooking for the full Magnolia experience. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Check out this cookbook and let me know what you think in the comments or in the submission form under “Contact”. Are you a fan of Chip and Joanna? Have you made the pilgrimage to Waco? What do you think it is that draws so many of us to them?
Happy reading and happy cooking!