Reviews (5)

Worst Cookbook Ever
I hate to disagree with the glowing reviews for this book but since I relied on the other reviews I had read to buy this book, I thought maybe a differing view would be useful.I am a seasoned cook and can say that this is one of the most poorly written cookbooks I have ever cooked from.I have made 3 recipes thus far.All have had major proportion issues and have lacked flavor.Even corrections I made as I went based on previous experiences could not save these recipes.If you like food that is basic in flavor (kinda like standard cafeteria fare) then you will probably like this book.If you like flavor in your food, then I suggest not buying this one.

Best Casseroles cookbook with fascinating informations!
Although it requires some extra time to assemble, I always have plenty leftover to eat on next day.Also, I can freeze them.It is worth of extra labor.We really LOVE Blue Plate Beef and Cheese Noodle and Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole.Those really surprised our guests!Villas really made this close to perfect ones.I enjoyed his details on how he adjusted specific foods and the recipes' history.I like one straight way to a best casserole than trying on many recipes people giving or I find thru magazines. This book is one!Strongly recommend this one! Old School Cooking from an Old School teacher
James Villas has written a book which may succeed in single-handedly succeed in reviving an interest in the great American casserole. I'm not entirely sure what the trendy term `old school' means, exactly, especially as I have mostly seen it in connection with motorcycles, but I am certain that Jim Villas is an `old school' culinary writer and that casseroles are an `old school' kind of food.Read more

Subjects:  1. Casserole cookery    2. Casserole cooking    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - General    6. Methods - Quick & Easy    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    8. Cooking / Quick & Easy    9. Main courses   

Editorial Review

Written by two working moms with four kids between them, Read more

Reviews (75)

Love the quickness but wish for more veggies included
I use this book all the time.Love the quickness of the meals since I've got small children.Just wish that more of the meals were complete meals (meat and veggies together).Most are just meat or pasta with a few veggies thrown in here or there.I still use this book a lot though and some of the recipes do include veggies.I'd recommend it to mothers/fathers of young children. If you don't like pasta or rice then don't buy it though.

I *LOVE* this book!!!
I absolutely love this cookbook!It's really fun to read and all of the recipes I've tried have been very easy and quick and have tasted great!I highly recommend this book and also their two other books: "Desperation Entertaining" and "Cheap.Fast. Good!"I own alot of cookbooks and these three are among my favorites that I use all the time!

A lifesaver
I've had this book for about 5 years now, and while I only rarely use it now- it literally saved my sanity 5 years ago.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Quick & Easy    4. Quick and easy cookery    5. Quick and easy cooking    6. Cooking / Quick & Easy    7. General cookery   

Reviews (1)

Celebrate Good Times!
Real Simple scores again with this gorgeous, oversized hard cover book, "Real Simple Celebrations"! Over the years I have found the Real Simple books to be lush & lavish yet perfect for explaining special touches to make life more lovely! And Real Simple Celebrations does just that.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertainment    4. General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy    6. Etiquette & entertaining    7. Law / Entertainment   

Reviews (49)

hard to use
The recipes are fine, but the book does not contain an index or a table of contents.Recipes are organized by time of day you might want to make them.If you read cookbooks cover to cover then you'll be ok.The only way to find a recipe is to flip through every page in the book.

Rachael you rock, but where is the index girlfriend?
I adore Rachael Ray.Yes, she can be a bit too much, but I love her bubbly way of getting food to the table in 30 minutes - with recipes that are, yes, I'll say it.... YUMMO!!Only flaw in this book, is that there is no index and the book is broken down into mini themed chapters.With no index or any kind of order, I sadly had to remove a star from this review.Still, bear with it and you can cook up some awesome meals!

Overall, a good book...
I love Rachel Ray.Her cooking show is my favorite so I was very excited about this book.The recipes in it are, as expected, wonderful.Like everyone has said, an index would be nice, but that would not be enough of a fault to keep me from buying it again.Also, I am a fan of pictures in cookbooks and this one has very few, but it is still a great buy... and if you watch the show, then maybe you'll get the visual from there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Quick & Easy    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Nonfiction    6. Quick and easy cookery    7. Quick and easy cooking    8. Cooking / General   

Reviews (5)

Easydelicious dishes but watch out for butter and canned ingredients!
It is a great cookbook, recipes are easy to put together and they turn up well. But be warned, the author uses butter a lot in her recipes and if you like your health, substitute butter with olive oil as we do and the end results will be just as delicious. Use common sense, when following any recipe, put your heart and your family's health first. The cookbook authors may be experts in cooking, but they may not necessarily be up to date with nutrition science or medical developments!

INCREDIBLE!!!!!
Not only a cookbook with great recipes, but also recipes with ingredients you can actually find in the supermarket!!!!!!!!Just love everything I've tried so far and, amazingly, so does my husband!Healthy, easy and delicious......what a great combination.Have ordered 3 more for gifts.Highly recommend.Thanks Jyl!

Excellent for the whole family
I have made several recipes from this book and my family has loved every one of them.Even my 9-yr-old loves them.There are many recipes for all day and that is what fits into my schedule the best.Great book and I am recommending to everyone at work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Quick & Easy    4. Methods - Special Appliances    5. Cooking / Special Appliances    6. Gadget cookery   

Reviews (9)

Martin Yan Quick and Easy
Martin's cookbook cuts to the heart of food preparation while making the process quick, easy and concise.I found the his cookbook also works in complete correlation to his cooking show.Whether you are new or experienced in the kitchen his books are a informational culinary delight.Stephanie Lui Jan and Sheri Giblin also deserve a kudos for the photographic expertise.

Martin Yan Quick and Easy
I never got the book, and when I went to select another one, the book was not available.

I love this cookbook!
I bought this cookbook about a month ago and I absolutely love it!I have made several recipes and every single one was delicious.Just as the title states, each recipe is so easy to make and usually pretty quick to prepare as well.I highly recommend this cookbook if you are fairly new to Asian cooking, as I was.Martin Yan provides a glossary of Asian terms and ingredients and discusses various methods of cooking.I make recipes from this book at least twice a week and my husband and daughter have already requested that I make many of them again! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Asian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Quick & Easy    5. Methods - Wok    6. Quick and easy cookery    7. Regional & Ethnic - Asian    8. ASIA    9. Cooking / General    10. National & regional cuisine   

Reviews (96)

Rachel Ray@2
So far this book is as good as the first one. I love Rachel Ray and her receipes.I am retired and have recently takes a part time job again and find these tips she offers to be super easy and very healthy.

30 MINUTE MEALS 2
Just love this girl and her cooking and the book just adds to her recipes.

Rachel Rae is the best!
This cookbook is just like her TV program (on the Food Network -- easy to understand and the food is very yummy!)Or as Rachael would say: "Yummo!" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 30-Minute meals (Television pr    2. 30-Minute meals (Television program)    3. Cookery    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. General    7. Methods - Quick & Easy    8. Quick and easy cookery    9. Quick and easy cooking    10. Cooking / General    11. General cookery   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (74)

My Favorite Cookbook!
This is hand's down my favorite cookbook.I don't do everything the way she says.I adapt it to my family.That's what you are SUPPOSED to do with any cookbook.The ideas AND the recipes we've made are terrific.Ignore the bad reviews especially the ones that say they couldn't even find ONE usable recipe.Who can't find at least one recipe in any cookbook.The pizza blanks recipe alone is useful to any family who makes homemade pizza.

Disappointing
I was disappointed in this book.I previously bought Frozen Assets Light and Easy and love it.It has tons of recipes plus instructions.This one thought, has lots of instructions on how to cook ahead but only has a handfull of recipes and then it repeats the same few recipes over and over.Seems like a waste of paper to me to re-print the recipes like that.I see what the author was trying to do by repeating them like that but I still thought it seemed like a waste.I still gave it 3 stars just for the instruction on freezer cooking.If you are a true beginner with this, it is helpful but if you are not new to freezer cooking, it is a waste of time.

I've seen better
I have purchased several books on freezer cooking and I found this one does not have enough recipes for the average family.It's a good book if you are just looking for new ideas but I wouldn't recommend it if you are just begining the freezer cooking adventure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Frozen foods)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Frozen foods    5. Methods - Quantity    6. Methods - Quick & Easy    7. Quantity cooking    8. Quick and easy cookery    9. Cooking / Quick & Easy    10. Food, Frozen    11. General cookery    12. Make-ahead Cookery    13. Quantity cookery   

Reviews (9)

Very helpful book!
As a busy mom of three, this book has been a lifesaver for me. The meals require very little preparation and few ingredients. It's wonderful to whip up a nice lunch for my husband on his day off, or a quick dinner on the table for my kids in less than 30 minutes. The best part is knowing the meal is healthy. No more fast food for us!

Weight Watchers Cook it Quick book
Speedy and tasty. I turn to this when I want a flavorful, healthy meal in a hurry

An explanation of portion size
For those of you whose major complaint about this book was its lack of portion size, allow me to explain: all the recipes say how many servings they yield. And all the recipes say how many Weight Watchers' points are in a serving. SO: Let's say you've just made a chili recipe, and followed it to the letter. Let's say the recipe serves four, and each serving is 3 points. DIVIDE THE FOOD INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS. Then you'll know that each part is worth three points.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery For Medical Conditions    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Health & Healing - Weight Control    6. Methods - Quick & Easy    7. Quick and easy cookery    8. Quick and easy cooking    9. Cooking / General   

Reviews (10)

Gifts in a Jar: Cookies(Gifts in a jar,1)
I love this book so much I bought one for a friend. I have used many idea's for our church fundraisers and they go over great!! My friend loves hers also!!

Very Informative
This cookbook is great!I will use it for gifts for those people on your list who have been kind to you and deserve a little something.With the family getting bigger, a gift out of a jar is the best gift to give because it's not pricey and someone will always know it came from the heart!
Great ideas for gifts
Bought this book recently and have already easily created a number of the recipes it describes in the jars. For those who enjoy making homemade gifts this is an ideal way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Courses & Dishes - Cookies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Methods - General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Quick & Easy   

Reviews (6)

Carbs are not restricted low enough.
The recipes look very interesting and tasty, however the carb levels are higher than some diabetic diets require. Since it is put out by the ADA I guess that I should have known that in advance.

One Pot Meals For People With Diabetes
A wonderful compilation of diabetic recipes.Easy to understand, easy to makeand delicious.Highly recommend.

An easy way to prepare Diabetic meals
With this recipe book you can prepare simple Diabetic meals into one dish or pot as it says. It could have had more pictures of the dishes that the recipes represented, but all in all it is a good book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Diabetes    4. Diet therapy    5. Diets - General    6. Diseases - Diabetes    7. Health & Healing - Diabetic & Sugar Free    8. One-dish meals    9. Quick and easy cookery    10. Recipes    11. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Diabetes   

Reviews (7)

Gordon RamsayIs The Man
Every time I mention that the fact that I admire "Gordon Ramsay" I have to defend myself from attack.For those who have seen this ex-football player in the television show "Hell's Kitchen", he can be intimidating, ruthlessly efficient and sarcastic all in one breath.But his attitude does not come from any joy of berating contestants.Gordon is a perfectionist and he wants to make sure everything is done right because it is his name and reputation that is on the line everytime a dish leaves his kitchen.
Gordon shows you how to make it easy!
Not only delicious sounding recipes, but a DVD showing Gordon cooking those dishes.Well worth purchasing just to see his cooking tricks and shortcuts in the DVD.

Great Food . . . Easily
Eating great food excites and entices me.Preparing great food however, is a challenge.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Quick & Easy    4. Quick and easy cookery    5. Cooking / Quick & Easy    6. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (36)

Semi-Homemade Desserts
I have tried at least 6 desserts since I bought this book - everyone has been easy and great.I have given the receipe out to at least 5 people.

PLEASE, FOLKS!Just save your money...
Remember, this is Sandra Lee.Good grief!Has anyone who's given this book a favorable rating seen her TV show where a lot of these "masterpieces" have been showcased?
Some good ideas, nice layout
Okay, I am a fan of Sandra Lee, I think she has some clever ideas and enjoy her show on the food network.I own her semi homeade cooking 1 and 2, which I truly enjoy, and so I purchased this book as well.I think that there are some really good recipie ideas in here as well as some that are either not for me, or not so yummy...of course I think that is how it is for any and all cookbooks I have ever used, I have never liked every single thing in the book, hey people have different tastes.As far as the recipies...they are easy, come out as pictured and are for the most part tasty (though I do agree truffles out of icing seems a bit odd).Anyhow, I am not dissapointed with my book and have made a few things from this dessert book--harvest walnut cookies, mocha phyllo cups, berry cookie cobbler all good--This is not her best book but I still enjoy it! :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    4. Desserts    5. Quick and easy cookery    6. Cooking / Quick & Easy   

Reviews (71)

Once a Month Cooking
I am an avid meal planner.I plan my meals for the month and shop for the majority of the food once a month.This alone saves me time knowing that I have the product in my cupboard waiting to be cooked.I stumbled upon this book and thought OK I will give it a try.It took me about a year to finally try the system and to my amazement, it wasn't so bad.It was a LONG day of cooking, but very organized.Than I was pleasantly surprised that every recipe was actually very flavorful.This is an excellent book for busy moms that loves to make home-cooked meals for their family.I strongly suggest buying and using this book.Just don't wait a year like I did.

This book has made dinner a hit at our house.
I have had the first edition of this book since 1995 and use it over and over.I have cooked all the plans.My family still loves the recipes, and it saves me money.I have taken a break from it from time to time.Sometimes I have incorporated my own recipes.Sometimes I have modified the ones in the book to fit our pantry stock.That is the beauty of it!We are a family of 5, and a lot of meals give us leftovers my husband can take to lunch the next day. It's easy to double recipes and have another night's meal, too.
Too-big, starch-rich recipes. Still, worth a shot!
When I first got the book, back in the 90s, the recipes were way too big -- serves 8! I got rid of the book only to buy it again a few years later when I realized I could store the food in smaller portions (duh!).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Make-ahead cookery    4. Methods - Quick & Easy   

Reviews (48)

Great!
The book was in great condition, better than expected, it looked brand new. Fast shipping as well. Thanks

I was surprised that this is such a good book
When I see Suzanne Somers I just see Chrissy from Three's Company and all that snorting and dumb blonde-ing!I never paid any attention to any of the Suzanne Somers books because I figured this was just another celebrity attaching their persona to something.My library happened to have this on the shelf and since I had some time to kill while waiting for my daughter to pick out her books I decided to flip through the recipe section since I knew it was a low carb type of diet and I do atkins.I was very interested at what I saw so I checked it out.I have been totally shocked at how easy and terrific her ideas are and in fact her philosophy is quite interesting too.I am really impressed.I have a totally different viewpoint now of Suzanne Somers.I love this recipe book so much I had to buy it so I"d have a copy.

Great book, great recipes!!
My husband & I just started the South Beach diet.Since Somersizing is a very similar concept (similar to Atkins too), I thought I'd check out these recipes.The book explains the concept of cutting out sugar & sugar forming carbohydrates (anything containing white flour). I looked into the other somersizing books & this one really has the best recipes.So far I've only tried a few & they were very delicious.The cream cheese pancakes & balsamic dijon chicken are yummy.I also bought Somersweet, some of the recipes call for it, but you can use Splenda or other sweeteners instead.All of the recipes in this book are appealing as well as healthy.And they are fast & easy to make. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carbohydrates, Refined    2. Consumer Health    3. Diets - General    4. Diets - Weight Loss    5. Food combining    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Physiological effect    9. Quick and easy cookery    10. Reducing diets    11. Family & Health    12. General cookery    13. Health & Fitness / Diets    14. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Editorial Review

Mark Bittman, award-winning author of such fundamental books as Read more

Reviews (299)

Tried, Trusted, and True...
I grab for this cookbook every single time I need cook.I did not know how to cook before this book.Left the crinkle skin on the garlic when I made salsa... Yuck!Heck, it wasn't spelled out in the recipe so I didn't know...This is how bad I used to be.This cookbook explains, in intimate detail, just about anything and everything that is in the kitchen, including food and utensils.The recipes are simple and made from things most everyone will have in the kitchen.This is NOT a dieter's cookbook as most recipes call for a large amount of fat.In our mouths, fat is responsible for most of the taste.If loosing weight is your goal, you will need to find a different book, or you will be disappointed.If you want simple, tasty, flavor-filled recipes that even a beginner can follow, this book is highly recommended.I have made everything from pot roasts, to birthday cakes, to punches, to grilled shrimp and BBQ rubs.I have yet to be disappointed.Best of luck and Bon Appetite!I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Great Reference, Good Recipes
Whenever my daughter and I have a question about techniques or ingredients, we're the most likely to find a useful and clearly presented answer here. And while the title is overblown, the variety of recipes is amazing - kasha varnishkes to chicken cacciatore. 5 stars for the information presented, 3-4 for the recipes. A welcome tool for fledgling foodies.

Recipes need changing!
The person who wrote this cookbook obviously likes everything fatty and unsweetened. I found this cookbook useful only if I changed just about all the recipes by reducing the fat content by half, and doubling the amount of sugar.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Reference    6. Cooking / Quick & Easy    7. General cookery   

Reviews (3)

Not what I was looking for...but I'm still glad I ordered it!
My daughter is turning eight months this week. She is not eating textured foods yet or finger foods, but she is getting bored with one-ingredient foods and bland food like just sweet potatoes by themselves, so I'm starting to make her some varied purees with different ingredients and spices. Hence, why I ordered this book!
Excellent Book, But Use With Caution
This is a great baby cook book.My son liked almost all the meals I made out of the recipes and they even tasted good to me.It is a fine book with colorful pictures which made it fun to read and use.
Excellent Resource
These fresh and healthy purees sure beat the processed foods I used to buy in the jar.The recipes are not time consuming and I never imagined baby food could taste so good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Baby foods)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Healthy Living    6. Infants    7. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    8. Methods - Quick & Easy    9. Nutrition    10. Nutrition Of Infants And Children    11. Parenting - General    12. Cooking / General   

Editorial Review

What happens when a world-class chef--Jean Georges Vongerichten, to be exact--writes a cookbook with a culinary minimalist, theRead more

Reviews (19)

Want to be popular? Entertain with recipes from this book.
Buy this book. I try to cook at least one item a week out of it, and sometimes several. Tonight I had the basic roasted chicken and the mustard and shallot potatoes with a side of lemon-garlic satueed spinach.
Simple to Spectacular
Great book
Gourmet cuisine made simple!!!!
I loved this book, its "going from simple to sophisticated in one same recipe" format is amazing, really enabling you to practise with different levels of difficulty. It also gives room for improvisation and uses ingredients readily available in any supermarket. It is worth it alone just for Jean George's technique for cooking eggs, a total revelation!!! Don't miss it! The recipe on the cover is his most famous in his restaurant in New York. So if you don't have a trip planned soon, DO TRY IT AT HOME, it is amazingly simple and renders spectacular results. Your guests will be amazed. The only downside is, you will never want to eat eggs the old way again!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Quick & Easy    5. Cooking / General   

Reviews (9)

mixed bag, cook at your own risk!
I've tried many recipes in her Modern Classic I book and I have to say it's a love hate relationship with her books. They are gorgeous and inspiring to look at (5 stars), but instructions or results can sometimes be disappointing (2 stars). I always recommended her books to friends with a warning (great looking books but the measurement and instructions can be inaccurate, cook at your own risk!). Some instructions are so streamlined to the point of skipping seasoning all together, and dishes came out beautifully to the eyes but are totally bland to the taste. Her Asian recipes are not authentic either, when cross referencing other books with the same recipe.

Very happy with Donna Hay's recipe books.
They are beautiful, they have elegant and -- more important -- easy recipes with an international flair.I am considered a gourmet cook by others...and I couldn't be happier with this and her other books.

Perfect
I first discovered Donna Hay's work about two years ago, and I just love her books!The simplicity is blended with her amazing creativity, and every recipe is a knockout!I have always loved simplicity, and I love how it shines through in this book, and isn't lost with the goal to prepare amazing dishes fast.Donna Hay has another winner with this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - General    5. Quick and easy cookery    6. Reference    7. Cooking / General