Seemingly Difficult Recipes in Reality Easy and Delicious
580406
Master pastry chef Pierre Herme has created a delightful book filled with more than enough taste treats to satisfy even the most sated dessert gourmand.  On first glance, each recipe appears difficult to construct; each contains a multiple amount of steps most of which require parchment paper and pastry bag utilization--not the standards of most amateur bakers.  Not worth the fuss?  Au contraire!  Pierre's ultimate products are fabulous--the tastes and textures meld together to form not only a tasty finish to any meal, but create perfect confections that are also a feast for the eyes.
The book is divided into 4 main sections:  Pierre's basic recipes, Fruits, Creams and Cookies, Tarts and Tartlets and Cakes.  A Dictionary of Terms, Techniques, Equipment and Ingredients as well as a Source Guide round out the book.  I guarantee that the hands-on experience of creating at least one of these dessert extravaganzas will act as your own personal  primer to pastry-making, igniting your passion for the French patisserie and insuring that you purchase all other books by M. Herme.  My own interest in the book was cultivated by seeing M. Herme in action on Martha Stewart's kitchen where he piped the beautiful and delicious pear and fig tartlet with such an easy perfection I was astounded.  Bought the book the next day and was not sorry!
3026748
Just when I think that I can get all the recipes I need on Pinterest, a captivating recipe book like this one draws me back to print. I love exotic cuisine, but it can be overwhelming to make. Joachim does a great job at bringing these flavors to you with ease - no airplane or expensive restaurant required. I like the organization of the recipes, which is by region - with detailed photographs of key ingredients. Since only recently acquiring the books, I have a handful of Asian dishes to make, like pork buns and a super amazing chicken tikka marsala. I did find the Eastern European section to be a bit lacking, but I have the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Treasured-Polish-Recipes-for-Americans/dp/1626549494/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Treasured Polish Recipes for Americans</a>&nbsp;to help there!
88921
I received this cookbook about two weeks ago, read it almost cover to cover (which I have never felt compelled to do with a cookbook before), and ran out to buy ingredients for several recipes that I wanted to try first. So far everything has turned out delicious, especially the chicken and dumplings. She provides lots of ideas for vegetables, which I am always trying to add more of into our diet. Despite her obvious extensive knowledge of food and cooking, she provides simple and straightforward instructions and makes you feel like you can tackle anything. I also like that she gives lots of practical tips, like how to make chicken broth, lists of things that are freezeable, how to substitute ingredients, etc. I was previously afraid of dealing with whole chickens and big cast iron skillets, and I have since handled both successfully. My large cast iron skillet (which had been sitting in my cupboard for 3-4 years untouched) has now been seasoned and used at least 4-5 times in the last 2 weeks. This cookbook is great for everyone, not just men and boys.
6/2/14 UPDATE: 6 months later and I am still finding myself paging through it and finding new interesting recipes, depending on my mood of the day. The spanish rice and easy chocolate cake are great!
1483350
I am more that happy with this recipe book. I never had the passion or talent for cooking. But this cook book contains delicious recipes that are very easy to follow. Even if I am not a big fan of preparing meals. I still want to cook for my family once in a while. And I think that because I am enjoying myself with this recipe book, that I might have a change of heart about cooking really soon.
1764051
Practical everyday recipes than anyone can follow.
1100798
I have been reading this cookbook, page by page, since it arrived. Its not like any other cookbook I have that is full of recipe after recipe with only a few that seem like something I might actually make. Gina includes stories behind some of her recipes, tips on how to stock a healthy and accessible pantry, favorite brands to look for, and guidelines for following a healthy lifestyle that is laced with a few treats here and there. The recipes are approachable, easy to follow, and I haven't had one yet that didn't taste amazing. Fast, easy, and delicious? Yes, please!
4746099
Because of some pesky formatting bugs I know I should give this book four stars instead of five but I feel a little uncomfortable doing that because the cookbook is absolutely wonderful and what if the formatting wasn't the authors fault? Benefit of the doubt and all that. My son is autistic and is on a gluten free low sugar, low dairy diet. He used to be on a dairy free diet but last fall the therapist added back dairy in small amounts and eggs. This has broadened my options a lot so i have been determined to experiment a little more, which is how I found this book. For me the best part is the author does not forget that people with restrictive diets still need and want flavor! My son and I are going to be in the kitchen experimenting over Easter break thanks to the delicious and easy to make recipes in this book.
4237160
It is so hard to find meal that's healthy and easy to prepare at the same time and I am surprisingly delighted to have book as my guide in preparing wonderful dishes for my entire family.
4445744
Cooking great tasting but healthy food is something that I've always wanted to master, but in a world full of complicated recipes that require a bunch of obscure ingredients this is something that is far harder than it seems. I don't want to have to spend a fortune and hours of my time to cook and prepare healthy meals only to find that I made a mistake in a final crucial step. Fortunately in 50+ Recipes to Lose 50+kg Sally Symonds clearly explains the secrets to easily making great tasting food that is far healthier than anything you'd find at a restaurant but just as delicious! It's also packed with tips, advice and anecdotes which are a great help in ensuring that you lose weight faster and easier than ever before. I think that this book is invaluable for anyone looking to lose weight whether they've just started cooking their own food, but also the more experienced will find many of Sally's recipes brilliant in expanding their own cooking repertoire.
207963
I love to bake, it's always been one of my favorite activities, but sometimes we are pressed for time. In addition, I'm always on the look out for simple recipes that I can help my daughters learn how to make. Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts fit the bill nicely for both of those needs and in it, author Alice Medrich has compiled a cookbook filled with stunning, yet simple desserts. Alice has written several other titles and her latest offers the knowledge and ability to whip up a quick dessert, all of which, in my opinion, are high-end restaurant worthy. A trip to Paris and the simple dessert she enjoyed there encouraged the author to consider how to make uncomplicated, yet "luxurious" desserts. In Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts she has done a stellar job at that task.

The resulting recipes from her efforts range from simply baked pies and tarts to rich ice cream topped treats. Puddings, cookies, cakes and other sweets are also present. In addition to the decadent recipes there are also pages with excellent tips, like the Eight Ideas for a Bar of Chocolate or 10 Ways to Flavor Whipped Cream. I've tried a few of the recipes so far, including My Favorite Flourless Chocolate Cake, which has literally three ingredients, plus a pinch of salt and the berry topping. It turned out amazing and so rich, and my family eagerly awaits the next time I create it. I also tried the Honey Balsamic Sundaes and the Creamy Dreamy Rice Pudding, and other than some stirring time with both, they both came together with very little effort and tasted absolutely perfect. I'm looking forward to trying many more of the scrumptious (and simple!) recipes in Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts.
89759
I own the hardcover of this book and intend to get the ebook for convenience. I absolutely love my copy of 1000 INDIAN Recipes although I am barely beginning to scratch the surface. My favorite recipe, and also often requested, is the whole cauliflower simmered in curry sauce. It looks daunting at first but once you walk through the steps you will find yourself whipping through making this on your own in no time.

The only problem with the hardcover is it is indexed in a manner that can make it difficult to find specific recipes as they are listed by ingredients by page numbers. The Table of contents on the kindle version may make this a bit easier I am hoping but it is well worth the rummaging through and bookmarking your favorite recipes or ones you will want to come back to and try out.

I was sad to see no other reviews for this book as I find it to be too much of a hidden treasure to let it slip through the cracks.
523445
I don't know about you but many cook books lose me with the first few recipes.  The Successful Single Mom Cooks is REAL. As a former single mom I know that I didn't have fancy ingredients in the cabinet nor was I going to go get them for my young daughters who may or may not eat the final product.  At the same time, I wanted to deliver a healthy meal. This book is full of yummy, easy, real life options that require ingredients you're likely to have around the house!
4028794
Wow!!  It just seems too easy to make gourmet food. Have actually had two of the recipes at Chef Midgley's restaurant and loved them. It's especially nice to be able to replicated them at home! I must also add though.....it is all in the presentation!:-)
1578330
There are many recipes I haven't tried because they are very time consuming. But the ones I have tried are fabulous and have gotten rave reviews from my guests. I also have been able to simplify some. It is an unusually great cookbook. Try the bread pudding!
249382
5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness by Camilla Saulsbury is the cookbook I've used most often this summer, which is saying something when you're a cookbook junkie like me! It's packed with recipes that are simple, delicious and healthy, a winning combination if there ever was one!

Everything I've made so far has been delicious and I've got lots more recipes bookmarked to try this fall and winter.

Recipes I've tried: Pumpkin Yogurt with Quinoa Crunch, Waldorf Salad, Mesclun Salad with Dates and Goat Cheese, Chopped Greek Salad, Broccoli Carrot Slaw with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds, Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad, Lemony Lentil and Quinoa Salad, Summer Salmon Panzanella, Summer Vegetable Orzo Soup, Sweet Potato Bisque with West Indian Spices, Winter Squash and Goat Cheese Enchiladas, Eggplant Parmesan Melts, Easy Ratatouille with Poached Eggs, Lentil, Mushroom and Kale Burritos, and Farfalle with Tuna and Tomatoes

Recipes I want to try: Whole-Grain Blueberry Maple Muffins, Multigrain Cranberry Breakfast Cookies, Chewy Cherry Granola Bars, Thai Curry Pumpkin Soup, Tabbouleh Soup with Lentils and Bulgur, Green Club Sandwich (with hummus, avocado and watercress), Spicy Salsa Joes, Greek Pizza, Speedy Black Bean an Quinoa Skillet, Spicy Skillet Chicken with Avocado Mango Salsa, Wagon Wheels with Broccoli, Turkey and Parmesan, Soba with Shrimp, LIme and Cilantro, Spiced Date Bread, Pumpkin Biscuits, Maple Oat Drop Scones, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Whole Wheat Maple Applesauce Cake, Spiced Carrot Cake with Currants, Maple Pumpkin Micro-Pies, and Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies and Cocoa Truffles made with dates.

All the recipes include nutritional information and cooking tips. And you'll find informative health notes and superfoods highlights scattered throughout the book. There's also a very useful chart on cooking whole grains that provides grain/water ratios, cooking times, and expected yield, which I keep meaning to copy and stick on the fridge for easy reference.

There are not lots of pictures, but the 25 full-page photos appearing in the middle are mouthwatering.

5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking covers all the bases, with recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, bread and snacks. Chapters include:

Breakfasts
Power Snacks, Spreads and Nibbles
Salads
Soups, Stews and Chilis
Wandwiches, Warps, Burgers and Pizzas
Meatless Main Dishes
Poultry and Lean Meat Main Dishes
Fish and Seafood Main Dishes
Multigrain Pasta and Noodles
Side Dishes
Natural Sugar Sweets

This is a very useful, cookbook for those of us wanting to eat healthy food that is also easy and delicious. In 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness, Camilla shows us how to make wholesome food that is simple and creative, familiar yet interesting.
2141573
I love to use cookbooks with recipes created by "real people".  This is one of my favorite.  The recipes are usually simple with a reasonable number of ingredients, but unusual and delicious.  My favorite is the Holiday Cranberries on page 99. I made it one year for a family get together and now it's one of the most requested.  It is so simple to make I can put it together while concentrating on other dishes and it still tastes like I spent a lot of time on it.  I omit the pecans because my boys don't like nuts but it doesn't take away from the overall dish.  It's also a very interesting read with the history of Evansville in-between the sections.
3497433
I bought this book when I bought the Cuisinart ice cream maker, on recommendation from another reviewer. There are so many recipes, so much variety, it's a bit overwhelming at first! But I've worked my way through several of them. I particularly appreciate the first section that explains all the details - what type of dairy and why, what type of flavor ingredients, how to make the custard-like recipes step by step. But I do have a criticism, though perhaps it's just because I'm a pedestrian cook. The author recommends ingredients that are probably the best of the best, but frankly, can be difficult to find. I am fortunate enough to live in a large metro area, but even then, I've had to drive distances to specialty stores (or order from Amazon!) to get the specific ingredients. I am amused at the author insisting on full-fat dairy when we are in a no-fat society, and it can be hard to find full-fat yogurt at the local grocery store (I had no luck finding full-fat Greek yogurt)! Again, I'm a simple cook, and many of these recipes are not that simple with many steps, but the end results are hard to beat! Now that I've been doing this homemade ice cream thing for 6 months, I'll have to see if I can find a simpler recipe book when I don't feel like working that hard for a delicious dessert!