As a young boy following his Norwegian grandmother ("Mormor") and great-aunt Gunnvor around the kitchen, Paul Lowe never dreamed he would one day share their recipes with the world. But when he started a food and craft blog, Sweet Paul, he combined the Scandinavian cuisine of his childhood with the American food he had since grown to love. Lowe's blog has grown into a successful magazine, and Sweet Paul Eat & Make presents a collection of nourishing recipes and simple, rustic craft projects.
Lowe loves eggs in any form; the Morning and Brunch sections feature egg-based dishes along with several versions of pancakes and French toast. The Noon section offers fish tacos, kale Caesar salad and his signature feta and lemon dip. The Night section suggests richer fare such as Norwegian meatballs, boeuf bourguignon, several potato recipes and a host of delicious desserts, from an airy pavlova to a rich tiramisu.
Many of the craft projects involve repurposed kitchen items, such as a tart tin transformed into a mirror or a punch bowl turned pendant lamp. Lowe believes in simple, whimsical projects with only a few steps and materials, and he doesn't mind a bit of imperfection. Following his Mormor's motto, "perfection is boring," Lowe gives readers the tools and techniques to experiment and make the projects their own.
Sweet Paul Eat & Make offers a refreshing dose of realism balanced with charm for crafters and cooks overwhelmed by the world of Martha Stewart. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams