Review by Glenn Kleier

My wife and I were vacationing in the Hudson Valley recently and stopped at a quintessential northeastern town for lunch. Afterwards we browsed an antique store where we bought a very old and heavy wooden rolling pin. I thought at the time, what fascinating stories and recipes this antique must hold. Now I've some idea. "Stir, Laugh, Repeat" is a cookbook that delivers not only delicious snacks, meals and desserts, but stories behind them--real life events that contribute as much to the experience of preparing the meals as the recipes themselves. Martha Cheves has a refreshing sense of humor, a sweet lady--like having a favorite relative in the kitchen advising you. ("Chuck's Fruit Salad" is a quick fix and a favorite). "Stir, Lauch, Repeat" would make a nice stocking stuffer for anyone you know who'd enjoy a warm and friendly hand in the kitchen.

Newest Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat

I found myself going through this entire cookbook, taking notes in between. I've always struggled making gravy and just gave up and brought packets of gravy from the store. Thanks to Martha I went into the kitchen and followed her recipe and my gravy was perfect.

I loved the stories she shared and the tips such as keeping lemons and lime fresh,making your own breadcrumbs, peeling tomatoes and many more are lifesavers. I found so many receipes that I wanted to try for the longest such as Monkeybread, chicken Pot Pie, and many others.

I really enjoyed the stories and tips. They were lifesavers.

Stir, Laugh, and Repeat by Martha A Cheves is the BEST cookbook I have read. You get more than just receipes; You get tips and stories.

Get this cookbook. You will Enjoy it.

Reviewed by AOTR: Dee Dee M. Scott

Amazon Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat

Now here is a lady who loves cheese as much as I do and is not afraid to use it. In Stir, Laugh, Repeat, Martha Cheves has compiled recipes based on down to earth cooking, perfected with patience. Her shortcuts make sense and more than once I slapped my head, thinking - why didn't I think of that.
Her personal notes about the recipes add to the fun and I have already started using some of her "TIPS". This would be a perfect gift for the bride to be. I can see it in a bridal shower basket of basic essentials. But I also see it in the library of someone like me who has been married for over 50 years and always looking for some wonderful, quick meals with a new twist - good old southern cooking. The new twist for me - I'm a New England 'girl'. My first cooking adventure with Martha will be the Salmon Puffs. I recommend Stir, Laugh, Repeat to anyone looking for a simpler way to make old favorites without losing the down home feel.

Elizabeth Wilder
author - The Spruce Gum Box

Quick Recipes - Review by Hank Quense

Cheves cookbook

I do a lot of cooking and consequently, I read a lot of cookbooks. All of them have many complicated recipes calling for a lot for ingredients. I always assumed that was the way of the cook. Until I got a copy of Martha Cheves' cook book Stir, Laugh, Repeat.

This cookbook specializes in simple recipes that should find favor with working couples who haven't the time or energy to cook complicated recipes. Martha's recipes call for pre-packaged ingredients that could be stocked in advance and used as the need arises.

As an example, Martha has a chicken and rice recipe that has similarities to the Spanish classic Arroz con Pollo, one that I make a lot. I use chicken, rice, onions, peppers, tomatoes, broth, saffron and other spices. It takes twenty minutes of prep work and an hour of stovetop cooking; adding ingredients, stirring etc. Martha's recipes calls for chicken and a prepackaged box of saffron rice and a few other ingredients with almost no preparation time and less than a half-hour in the oven.

All in all, this cookbook should find favor with many busy families and others who aren't thrilled by cooking but like to eat.

Review for Stir, Laugh, Repeat