A Surprising Dedication

Generally speaking, I’m not a person who gets interested in anything having to do with celebrities. It’s just not my thing. When it comes to books, although I loved Amy Poehler’s Yes Please, I don’t usually gravitate towards anything celebrity.

So when my mother got a copy of Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Table, I found myself really surprised to be thumbing through it and thinking that it was something I needed in my cookbook collection. I don’t dislike the Gaines family or Fixer Upper - it’s just not something I would seek out on my own. I think I heard about how well this cookbook was doing and kind of rolled my eyes. However, I have to say that this cookbook is gorgeous. The photographs are lovely and all the recipes looked delicious. After receiving my own copy, I can confirm that everything I’ve made from this book is absolutely amazing.

I like to cook and I like to try new foods. I generally like everything - I’m the opposite of a picky eater. My kids? Not so much. They are suspicious of anything that looks different, even if it’s something they’ve already tried and loved. Even though both kids love to help in the kitchen, getting them to try the (usually delicious) food can be a challenge.

Of all the things I’ve made from this cookbook, including some really delicious pancakes, the standout is called Dedication Casserole. Joanna explains the name in her book, so I won’t spoil it - and I won’t spoil the recipe by giving exact directions. But here’s some of the ingredients. Wild rice, chicken, marinated artichoke hearts, water chestnuts, cheese. My kids love to eat this, which is surprising to me. My 6-year-old loves it so much he asks for it every week and gets excited if he sees me looking through the Magnolia Table cookbook.

So even if you’re not a fan of the celebrity cookbook genre, I think this one is worth it. Start with the casserole.