Reviews by Martha A. Cheves

A Cover-to-Cover Read., December 27, 2008
By LimeyDawg (Punta Gorda, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
Making a cookbook stand out from the crowd is no easy feat, but in "Stir, Laugh, Repeat," author Martha Cheves has the perfect formula. Readers will enjoy "Stir, Laugh, Repeat," as much for the stories accompanying each recipe as they do for the recipes themselves.

Throughout the book, Cheves shares a little of the back story leading to the creation of each recipe. Like the food, Cheves is unpretentious and honest. "I'm a terrible cookie-maker," she admits, but shows how a little perseverance and ingenuity overcame this shortcoming with her outstanding Sugar Bar Cookies (p.43). She also shares a life's worth of knowledge gained by struggling to feed a growing family using only what was on hand, or that which a meager budget would allow. Cheves is unabashed in her admission of trying to imitate some of her favorites from restaurants she has visited, and readily explains that this was the genesis of the wonderful recipes she came up with in the process of experimentation. In this, "Stir, Laugh, Repeat," is approachable by a wide audience indeed.

"Stir, Laugh, Repeat" is not a book one will take out for a single recipe, but rather one which the reader will enjoy cover-to-cover for the gems of wisdom and pointed honesty of the author. If, however, you buy the book for the recipes alone, you will not be disappointed. This is a cookbook for everyone, regardless of skill in the kitchen. The simple recipes produce good food, which is as much as anyone could ask of such a slender book. Just as she did when developing her recipes, Cheves encourages readers to experiment and make the recipes their own. In this way, the reader becomes one of Cheves' lucky testers by extension. [...]

"Stir, Laugh, Repeat" is a wonderful little cookbook. The stories make it a fine addition to the bookshelf as much as the kitchen library. It may well be the one cookbook in any cook's collection that gets read cover-to-cover.

I found this to be a most enjoyable cookery book. Not only are the recipes delicious, but also they are so very easy to follow and I love the stories that appear at the end of each recipe.

One of the things that appealed to me was that Martha uses basic ingredients, the kind you would find in your store cupboard at home. There is no need for a trip to the high-class food stores to find some exotic ingredient for a special recipe that you know you will never use again. Yet the end result is just as delicious as anything you might have spent hours working over a hot stove for.

Also Martha rounds off each recipe with a Tip. Sometimes the tips are about the preceding recipe, while others are there simply for good measure. Either way, they are both useful and sensible and made me wonder ‘why on earth didn’t I think of that?’

This is a cookery book I will refer to over and over again.

Stir, Laugh, Repeat and "KEEP"

Posted March 7, 2009, 11:05 PM EST: Martha A. Cheves has written a definitive cookbook for the ages. I started reading her book today - and could not put it down, except for running to the store for some much needed ingredients. The steak and potatoes recipe literally had my mouth watering. Recipes I had not tasted in years are reborn in Stir, Laugh, Repeat. I smiled when I saw the Banana Puddin' recipe. To have such a wonderful cook guide in these financially stressed times is a much needed; stress relief resource for all families. From Martha's Meaty Mashed Potatoes - to her Breakfast Pinwheels, this is by far one of the most exceptional cook guides that I have ever read. Young cooks just starting out can be guided to great meals by Martha's easy to read directions. SLR is similar to the red and white tablecloth cookbooks Betty Crocker use to sell; that we all spotted on our grandmother's kitchen table. Martha's book has old flavor and contemporary style suitable for meat lovers and vegetarians. I commend this book to all. Thanks Martha! - (Carol Denise Mitchell, Author of Rovella Starr)

A Note From a Special Young Lady and Her Mother
Hey Martha,

Praying that all is well with you since we met you in Books-A-million this past saturday in Charlotte. You signed the book for us and we even got another parting piece of the cracker you were giving out as a sample.

How did our baking go? We are glad you asked!! :)
Well, my daughter was sure that we followed your directions from the book step by step...and we did. The carmel was burnt and the crackers were burnt. Then I told my daughter, everyones oven sometime cooks a little different. So, this time I will change the times. So, we gathered all the ingredients again and did it like grandma does it without a timer and it tasted almost as good as yours!!! :)

Well, Ashley was very excited and is now looking through the book to see what receipe we will try next. She wanted to send you pictures of the first time crackers and the after, but I did not have all of high tech equipment to do so. Now that I think about it we could have use the cell phone to take the pictures.

Anyway, we look forward to trying out your next receipe.

Wishing you all of God's best in your next book.

Blessings,

Martha Cheves Brings You Stir, Laugh, Repeat A New Kind of Cookbook

5.0 out of 5 stars This Cook Book is Great!!!, January 28, 2009
Yvonne Mason “Author” (Port St Lucie, Fl.) – See all my reviews


In this day and age when cooking is becoming a lost art and young people would rather get take out than cook, Martha Cheves has created the answer to take out.
Most young people can’t boil water much less put a meal together. So Laugh, Stir, Repeat teaches them how. The receipes are simple and can be changed to suit any taste. The stories behind them keeps one laughing until the end.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a gift to give or a new cookbook to try.

I love your recipies because they use things we normally us and have on hand. I hate recipies that I have to buy special things for and then have the left over setting around for weeks or even years.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Karla Barnes

Martha, Martha, Martha !!

I now know that I will eventually have to buy a printer so I can print out some of your wonderful recipes. I have been sitting at my little laptop for waaaaay toooooo long just reading your recipes, but it's hard to stop.
I've also been reading your reviews. Girl, people do love your cookbook ! I do understand why, because when you first gave Mama her copy, I sat and read it all the way through. It's a great read, and the recipes are great, too!
I feel like there will be a time when you will have your own show on the food network....look out Paula Deen and that other Martha.

Perfect for cooking with little ones, July 28, 2009
Review By - Holli Castillo, Author of "Gumbo Justice"

I hate to cook. I'll admit it. I don't mind baking cakes or cookies, but cooking is not my thing. My kids, however, love it. Being that they're only 7 and 10, if they want to cook, I have to do it with them. Enter Stir, Laugh, Repeat.

This cook book is simple enough that I can supervise while my kids do all the work. They have a good time, I have a good time, we all get fed something homemade. It's a win win.

We have tried over half the recipes in this book, and so far they are all easy to make and taste great. The best part is that, with a very few exceptions, most of the ingredients are normal things we have in the kitchen anyway. There is no special shopping trip or big ordeal involved. We just go to the kitchen, open the book, and start cooking.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with children who have an interest in cooking. Not only do you get together time with the little ones and an excellent meal, the kids also develop a sense of pride and self-confidence knowing they did most of the work themselves. All that from one book is amazing!

I recently ordered your cookbook “Stir, Laugh, Repeat” and it came in the mail yesterday. I sat down last night to glance at it and couldn’t put it down….I read it from cover to cover!

I loved the format and all of the stories you added on each page just put a special touch to the book. After reading it, I feel like I really know you and your family. I know your sons-in-law are Yankees, you are a lover of cheese, but you dislike chocolate…well not all chocolate..you have a weakness for white chocolate and I would venture to guess that you never take yourself too seriously. I also loved the fact that you use every day ingredients and don’t mind admitting that you and cakes do not have a love affair. It was such an easy and enjoyable read. I will be waiting for the second book which I understand is now in the works.

I have some pages marked for things that will be first on my list to try. One of them is the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Mini Pies on Page 144. This will be a great addition to a brunch and it is so simple. It made me wonder…”now why hadn’t I thought about that?” Another recipe I definitely have to try is the Cracker Bars on Page73 and I may do a “Martha trick” and use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate. I could mention several others, but I think you have the idea that I really am enjoying Stir, Laugh, Repeat.
Donna, TX