After spending almost a decade on Instagram, one of the things I appreciate most about that platform is when I get a chance to “meet” new people. I find that it’s getting to be a challenge to genuinely connect with people because many are focused on the algorithm and “engagement.” What I crave is true engagement – meeting of like minds to share things we find interesting and valuable. It was during the pandemic that I “met” Michelle Braxton and, I was immediately attracted to her kindness. She is one of those rare people who is both interesting and interested. Her blog and Instagram community has grown into a close-knit group over the years, so naturally, her desire to share delicious and comforting meals with people has become a cookbook – Supper With Love.
When I receive books for review, I don’t often explicitly talk about what the dietary focus of the author is but, in Michelle’s case, her book reflects her own “plant-forward” journey. Her tastes and views have evolved from an omnivorous diet to one that’s vegetarian, with an occasional side of fish (“pescatarian” to some). So, these are the types of recipes shared in her book – a variety of vegetarian and pescatarian dishes. She also offers suggestions on how to veganize recipes too. Her recipes feel more like a guide rather than a strict list of ingredients, techniques, or instructions. Michelle encourages home cooks to enjoy her recipes from whatever place they’re at on their own food journey.
The recipes are divided into 7 chapters: 1) Salads: A Love Language, 2) Soup for the Soul, 3) Handy Things, 4) What’s for Brinner?, 5) Bowls of Goodness, 6) Substantial Sides, and 7) Supper With Love. Since we’re in the middle of winter here in Halifax, I have gravitated toward her soup recipes, with the section on soup having 4 sub-chapters: 1) Feel Good Soups, 2) Got a Little Kick, 3) Comfy Cozy Soups, and 4) About That Chowder Life. Throughout the beginning sections of her book, she outlines useful tools and essential pantry items while also offering home cooks a bit of joy by giving a QR code for her Supper With Love Spotify playlist. There are also helpful notes for what can be made ahead, suggestions for ingredient substitutions, how to veganize recipes, and her own personal tips.
The first recipe to catch my attention was her Loaded Smashed Potatoes because the photo looked like nachos at first glance (which are my favourite) but after reading the title, I could see that something more interesting was happening with this dish. First, little potatoes are boiled until fork-tender, then home cooks use the bottom of a large drinking glass to press down until the potatoes are sufficiently “smashed.” Once drizzled with olive oil and seasoned, they are roasted in the oven until crispy and golden. It already sounds great, right? But, hold on a second because we’re not done! These potatoes get plated then piled with halved olives, sliced pepperoncini peppers, crumbled feta, fresh herbs, Quick-Pickled Red Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce (both recipes are included). Now doesn’t this sound incredibly delicious?? Both my husband and daughter thought so and, I can envision so many ways to customize and vary the toppings too. Definitely a recipe for those “forever files.”
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been spending time in the soup section of the book because the weather here calls for a meal that’s cozy and warming and, with such a selection of recipes I’ve managed to find a favorite for everyone! My daughter’s favourite is the Vegetable & Black Bean Tortilla Soup because Michelle’s version has home cooks blend diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle pepper and broth together to create a thick-ish base to then add spices, black beans, corn kernels and zucchini to. I topped the soup with sour cream, avocado, and toasted tortilla chips. My mother-in-law *loves* broccoli-cheddar soup so I made the Comforting Broccoli-Cheddar Soup when she came to visit – it was such a hit that I made it two nights in a row! My husband enjoyed the soup with a spicy zing: Red Curry Coconut Soup with cubed tofu and sliced mushrooms while my choice was so nostalgic for me – the Vegetable Rice Soup made me think of the soups my mum made my sister and I when we were kids.
There have been a few times since the start of the year that I’ve struggled to cook supper but on each of those occasions, I’ve found something in Supper With Love to help me feel excited about making and serving dinner. The beauty of this book is that Michelle understands how to maximize pantry staples in order to simplify an ingredient list and, the recipes felt quick to make. I appreciate recipes like the Cheesy Baked Pasta because it can be easily prepped and, as it bakes away in the oven I use that time to clean up the kitchen, read a book, etc. Another example is when I was flipping through the book for inspiration and I flipped to the recipe for Tuna Sandwiches w/ Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli. Michelle gave the suggestion of swapping the tuna for chickpeas, and I used some of the quick-pickled red onions I had in the fridge when I made the Spinach Salad component of the sandwich. I opted to use some wraps I had on hand and, I served the sandwiches with a side of potato chips. While I’ve made many chickpea salad sandwiches before, I liked the idea of mixing together a salad – here she uses baby spinach, red onion, chopped olives, lemon juice and olive oil — to use as a layer instead of just using plain greens.
Over a half-dozen recipes into Supper With Love and I can tell you that my family and I are fans! It’s unsurprising that the recipes turn out so well and are really tasty because Michelle had a legion of home cooks testing her recipes as she wrote her book. The type of feedback testers can give really helps to inform authors to create solid, cookable recipes – and it shows throughout this cookbook. In a world of cookbook choices, I found Michelle Braxton’s Supper With Love to be a great book for easy, delicious weeknight cooking.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harvest and Harper Collins Canada for providing me with a free, review copy of this book. I did not receive monetary compensation for my post, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Any links provided are purely for informational purposes (no affiliated links).
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