Five Marys Family Style

by Mary Heffernan and Jess Thomson

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Five Marys Family Style is a lovely and well photographed style/inspiration guide with recipes by Mary Heffernan. Released 27th Sept 2022 by Sasquatch Books, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a lovely book, lavishly illustrated and full of good food, well prepared and presented. There are lots of photos from the Heffernan family's celebrations along with their ranch and surroundings. The book is arranged around seasonal celebrations which are further divided into 13 menus with all the trimmings. There are traditional holiday celebrations and recipes (Christmas, Easter, etc) as well as more informal entertaining and fun gatherings (Fiesta Friday, and a rodeo picnic).

Ingredient measurements are supplied in imperial (American) measurements only. Descriptions are contained in the header for each recipe. The nutritional information is not included. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in headers with the recipe descriptions. The recipes themselves are beautifully finished with lots of nice unexpected juxtapositions of flavor and texture, for example sheet-pan pork tenderloin served with delicata squash, kale and Brussels sprouts (!?) - amazing and delicious. Many of the recipes are meat heavy, it's a ranch cookbook. There are a significant number of meat-free recipes however, and the overall quality of the writing and neat and hearty fusion style of the foods will allow vegetarians a surprising amount of use for the recipes in the book - notably all of the sauces, condiments, dressings, marinades, and other flavor enhancers (and there are a pile of them) can be adapted to meat-free uses.

The production values are top notch, and yes, the book features their "instagram perfect" family (which few of us can possibly achieve), however, it's honestly written with such warmth and candor that I found myself admiring them going for their dreams and raising their lovely family in a gorgeous rural setting. Serving suggestions for the dishes are beautifully presented and appropriate.

Five stars. Definitely an inspirational book full of useful unfussy full menus and good food to share with loved ones and friends.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.