Homemade with Love

My friend Jess — a fellow food-obsessed cook who happens to have her own food business Sunday Suppers— sent me Homemade with Love by New York City food writer Jennifer Perillo. She sent it to me as a “just because” gift, and frankly, it made my day.

The book arrived at the right moment, just as I’m beginning to shed my newborn mom-brain cobwebs and wanting to stretch my tired limbs and tackle some writing and reflecting. Jess also introduced me to Perillo’s Instagram feed right before the holidays, and I quickly became enchanted. Her recipes focus on scratch homemade cooking and interweaves her emotive photographs and heart-bending prose, reflecting on being a widow and raising two daughters. It’s basically poetry for food lovers that often brings tears to your eyes.

Her cookbook is an extension of her blog and Instagram; intimate and personal, emitting personal memories of her deceased husband’s food favorites (pistachios), and reminiscing on the Italian American cuisine she feasted on while growing up. It’s like sinking your teeth into the perfect culinary novel.

I highly recommend any of her muffin, scone, or biscuit recipes, and can’t wait to explore more recipes, like the drop biscuit chicken pot pie. This cookbook is quite a gift and has inspired me to cook and write even more. A perfect venture for my second New England winter. Thanks, Jess!