The Good Neighbor Cookbook

125 Easy and Delicious Recipes to Surprise and Satisfy the New Moms, New Neighbors, and more

by Sara Quessenberry, Suzanne Schlosberg

Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780740793554
ISBN-10: 0740793551
Format: Paperback
Size: 7 1/2 x 9 in.
Page Count: 224 Pages

“Forget about the same old boring pasta salad or tuna casserole when you need to bring dinner to exhausted new parents, care for a friend recovering from surgery, or contribute to a business breakfast. Sara Quessenberry and Suzanne Schlosberg offer 125 great new recipes inside The Good Neighbor Cookbook. Uniquely divided by occasion rather than food category, chapters include: Get Well Soon, Bringing Home Baby, Welcome to the Neighborhood, Novel Ideas for Book Club, Block Parties, Barbeques and Family Get-Togethers, and Meet and Eat. ” ––Avid Reader Books http://bit.ly/eDDysP

“When it can seem at times that a sense of community is lacking, it’s amazing what food can do to help increase and strengthen it. Whether it’s one-on-one interaction or in a group setting, the authors make the case that the food can help make things a better and more enjoyable. From big life-changing events (having new baby, moving, recovering from an illness, and grieving) to something more ordinary (neighborhood parties, civic and religious group meetings, book club), food can help build and sustain relationships with people. The 125 recipes aren’t difficult but the authors present a wide array of foods: Stewed Chicken with Chickpeas and Lemon, Golden Raisin-Rosemary Scones, Spiced Coffee-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs, and Brown Sugar Swirl Coffee Cake, just to name a few.” ––Epicurious http://bit.ly/ei9nvo

“Neighborliness is seemingly a lot art to most of us. A cookbook to help those acts of kindness along is most welcome. ‘The Good Neighbor Cookbook’ is just that. … This cookbook is chock full of modern recipe suggestions specifically geared to the need at hand: the birth of a child; an illness; a new neighbor; block parties and barbecues; community, religious and business gatherings; book clubs; condolences. Each section offers recipes for that specific act of neighborliness. Additionally, there are tips for preparing food ahead, and how to package and transport it, all geared toward making it as easy as possible on the recipients. … ‘The Good Neighbor Cookbook’ will come in handy for anyone wanting to make that neighborly gesture of kindness. Whether looking for inspiration, or for last-minute ideas, this cookbook has it all.” ––100 Miles http://bit.ly/e3XADd

“Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, recovering from surgery or mourning the loss of a loved one, it’s nice when neighbors and friends bring food so you don’t have to think about what’s for dinner. I’ve been on both the receiving and giving end of this expression of love in the past year, and it’s not always easy to come up with a dish to share. “The Good Neighbor Cookbook” by Sara Quessenberry and Suzanne Schlosberg  offers 125 recipes, and dozens of tips to help you provide comfort in the form of food for people in need. ” –– Austin 360 http://bit.ly/hjlqB7

“The Good Neighbor Cookbook is designed for people who want to bring food that best suits the occasion. … Recipes are simple, fairly quick, fully from scratch, nutritious, and delicious. They are also well thought out. … In short, go get yourself a copy. You won’t regret it.” ––It’s Not Like a Cat http://bit.ly/hqMxF5

“I definitely recommend you check out a copy of The Good Neighbor Cookbook if you’re the type of person who loves the idea of sending some homemade comfort to loved ones and strangers alike. Or if you just want more delicious ideas and recipes for your arsenal…it’s packed with thoughtful ideas and delicious recipes.” ––Girl Chef http://bit.ly/ewGvvn

“Food is a wonderful way to connect with people, especially people in need. “The Good Neighbor Cookbook” by Sara Quessenberry and Suzanne Scholsberg (from Bend), has 125 recipes meant to be taken to someone else’s house. As Schlosberg says in the introduction, “One recipe doesn’t fit all occasions.” Some foods are too frivolous for the bereaved or too staid for a block party, so recipes are arranged by occasion: bringing home a baby, recuperating, welcoming to the neighborhood, block parties, group meetings, book clubs and condolences. … Each chapter contains both savory and sweet dishes that may include appetizers, breakfast foods, side dishes, one-pot meals and desserts. The book club chapter focuses on finger foods. Most recipes include a cook’s tip, explaining ingredients or giving cooking and reheating ideas. ” ––The Register Guard http://bit.ly/gKPfsK

“The Good Neighbor Cookbook is fabulous for many reasons, the biggest being that it’s about caring for others. Sure, you could make any one of these tempting dishes for yourself, but the spirit of the book is to support those around you. You know, like when a friend has a baby and everyone brings food so that the new parents don’t have to worry about cooking, or when you’ve got an event that you’re supposed to bring a dish for. These fast, simple, yet still impressively tasty recipes are perfect for transporting elsewhere, and they’re a lot of fun to make.” ––The Culinary Life http://bit.ly/elMQpp

“Stating that the inspiration for The Good Neighbor Cookbook was the kindness of a neighbor who delivered food after she herself had delivered a baby, Suzanne Schlosberg teamed up with chef Sara Quessenberry to devise recipes that will enrich the repertoire of anyone who likes to be a good neighbor (hopefully all of us!). “We’ve fashioned a book that offers one-stop recipe shopping for any good neighbor,” states Schlosberg. “Sara’s recipes, all easy to transport, are uniquely designed to nourish old and new friends - the exhausted mom nursing a newborn, the friend who’s feeling under the weather, the couple who just moved in down the block, the family in mourning.” Organized by occasion, the recipes are created to suit the type of event that brings out the good neighbor in us. In helpful sidebars the book includes practical tips for preparing food ahead of time or freezing dishes for later use, as well as suggestions for extra things to do to make an occasion even richer. ” ––In Mamas Kitchen http://bit.ly/iaxolG

“Homemade food is a labor of love, but it need not be laborious, author Suzanne Schlosberg tells foodies in her new cookbook. Schlosberg and co-author Sara Quessenberry do a fantastic job of proving this point in “The Good Neighbor Cookbook“, an extensive collection of recipes suited for all types of community gatherings. … Rather than being arranged by food category, “The Good Neighbor Cookbook” is separated into sections by occasion, such as “bringing home baby,” “get well soon” and “block parties and barbeques.” Each section contains recipes that especially suit the occasion - for example, the “get well soon” section contains instructions for making dishes that are flavorful but not overpowering, and that contain healing properties and immune-boosting nutrients. In addition to recipes, Quessenberry and Schlosberg include cooking tips on almost every page, as well as short how-to features, such as “how to organize a meal train” and “how to put your extra herbs to work.” Useful and timesaving tips such as how to prepare meals in advance, how to properly store items and preparation shortcuts are also provided. Most importantly, all of the recipes are for easy-to-transport items that ensure you are always able to say, “I care” with no fuss and no mess.” ––The Kansas City Star http://bit.ly/fUlC4l

“Do you have trouble figuring out what to fix for a neighbor who’s sick or just had a baby? Are you tired of fixing the same old thing for every potluck you go to? If you answered yes to those question, then The Good Neighbor Cookbook by Sara Quessenberry and Suzanne Schlosberg is for you. This cookbook is unique in that it is organized by occasion rather than by food category. The dishes are matched for the occasion – high-energy foods for new parents, nutrient packed foods for sick friends, etc. – and fairly simple to create. There are great tips included with almost every recipe and metric conversions and an index in the back.” ––Bermuda Onion http://bit.ly/ejohU1

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 2 hours (includes cooling time)

Makes 32 squares

Candied ginger adds a snappy edge to these chocolaty bars. For the most economical candied ginger, look in the bulk or nut section of your grocery store. Ginger lovers may want to cut back on the chocolate to enhance the ginger flavor.

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
One 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup loosely packed candied ginger, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer with a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix). Stir in the chocolate chips and ginger.
5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for at least 1 hour on a wire rack before slicing.
6. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Restaurants, including pizza, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, bakery, coffee shop, and wine shop
• Grocery store or supermarket
• Farmer’s market
• Dry cleaners
• Park and dog park
• Jogging and cycling routes
• Hardware store
• Movie theaters
• Medical professionals
• Driving shortcuts and parking tips

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Serves 8

The coffee-infused barbecue spice rub gives ribs an unexpected flair that will make your guests say “Wow!” The beauty of a rub is that it adds a last-minute punch of flavor to meat and poultry when you don’t have time to marinate. Experiment with the spices and dried herbs in your spice drawer, like ground cumin, chipotle powder, and dried oregano, and customize your own spice rub to your liking.

6 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground instant espresso powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 pounds baby back ribs (about 3 racks)

Cook’s Tip: Coat the ribs with the spice rub up to 24 hours in advance and deliver them ready to grill, or grill up to 4 hours in avance. These ribs are delicious at room temperature.

1. Heat the grill to medium.
2. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, sugar, chili powder, espresso, salt, black pepper, mustard, and cayenne. Rub evenly over the ribs.
3. Grill the ribs, covered, turning occasionally, until cooked through,  30 to 35 minutes.  Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

To help make the most of your time, The Good Neighbor Cookbook compiles recipes that are easy to prepare and transport. The book incorporates practical tips, including how to organize a meal train and how to fix meals ahead of time, along with helpful sidebars on how to:

• Offer comfort and sympathy without turning on the stove
• Make use of extra herbs
• Put together a “welcome to the neighborhood” list of your favorite local spots

Organized by occasion, The Good Neighbor Cookbook has the perfect dish for every event. For example, in the “Get Well Soon” chapter, you’ll find lighter foods that are packed with immune-boosting nutrients—perfect for a recuperating patient who doesn’t have much appetite. In “Novel Ideas for Book Clubs,” you’ll find innovative finger foods that are easy to nibble while immersed in conversation. And dishes in “Welcome to the Neighborhood” are meant to satisfy families that are wiped out from unpacking.

With practical shortcuts and delectable recipes such as Raspberry-Rhubarb Crumble Pie; Smoky Corn Chowder; Sweet Pepper and Spinach Lasagne; Banana-Hazelnut Muffins; and Soy-Ginger Chicken Drumsticks, The Good Neighbor Cookbook will make you everybody’s favorite neighbor.