Breaking Free from Emotional Eating Review

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(More customer reviews)This book changed my life in all the ways I was longing for it to be changed.
I read Geneen's work in the middle of my eating disorder. I didn't begin using it right away because I didn't trust it. I didn't like it. I didn't think it would work. It does.
Different approaches work for different people. I think this worked for me because, deep down Geneen's philosophy is in accordance with my own. I wanted to be my own authority. I wanted it bad enough to give this a try. I didn't tell myself I had to do this forever. I didn't have blind faith. I also didn't give up on it in the first three months. I gave myself a year to decide. A year, where I promised myself I wouldn't diet. A year in which to work through every exercise I reasonably could. In addition to committing to this book, I continued seeing a therapist on a weekly basis. That helped, but this book is what ultimately gave me coping tools. I know that I was in the extreme, not everybody needs as much help as I did. I also know that distorted eating is very normal in this culture. I feel blessed to have been able to examine something so fundamental, and transform what was a problem to a benefit. I've read all of Ms. Roth's books and enjoyed each of them. This one has a great combination of explaining and exercises to do, which is why I chose it. However, the chapters are widely divergent in terms of work. Her other book "Why Weight" appears to be the same exact work better organized, but less expository. If you are unsure if this work is for you, buy or borrow "Breaking Free". If after reading through it you feel excited but overwhelmed by the work load, you may wish to try "Why Weight" as a work book.
I rarely review books. I chose to review this one because it was life changing, and a big risk. Hopefully my experience is of some help.

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Quick & Easy Japanese Cuisine for Everyone (Quick & Easy Cookbooks Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book from a Japanese bookstore in "Japan Town" in San Francisco on vacation. I am online now buying more for my friends. I compared this book with every other english language Japanese cookbooks in the store (and there were MANY). I found this one to be superior to the rest as it contained everything I would need to prepare meals. I should mention I have lived in Japan for 5 years and have a good feel for what is authentic. This book has allowed me to create some very nice meals at home approaching resturant quality of those found in Japan. I expecially like the pictures that show all the steps of the preparation including pictures of the ingredients. Also included is a section that shows how food is served (presentation on table).
Honestly, I don't see how you can go wrong buying this book. Its inexpensive and contains EVERY aspect you need to be sucessful: tools and utensils, knife skills, ingredients, recipies, and presentation.
Now I just wish I could find similar books for Greek, Italian, Thai, and so on...
-Steve Maercklein
Austin, Texas

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Even those unfamiliar with Japanese cooking can follow the steps in this book and feel confident in achieving great tasting, authentic results.

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Mosh Potatoes: Recipes, Anecdotes, and Mayhem from the Heavyweights of Heavy Metal Review

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(More customer reviews)What a great idea! As a huge heavy metal fan, I found this book to be not only entertaining and filled with recipes from some of my favorite artists, but the food was actually really good! I don't cook often, but I found that these recipes were not too complicated, and the result was a very good meal. Who knew these people were not only artists in the music industry, but also in the kitchen?
In collecting these recipes, Seabury manages to outdo Martha Stewart, and didn't even steal millions by insider trading. Hope he does a follow up.

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Divided into "Opening Acts" (appetizers), "Headliners" (entrees), and "Encores" (desserts), Mosh Potatoes features 147 recipes that every rock 'n' roll fan will want to devour—including some super-charged Spicy Turkey Vegetable Chipotle Chili from Ron Thal of Guns N' Roses, Orange Tequila Shrimp from Joey Belladonna of Anthrax (complete with margarita instructions), Italian Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs from Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society (a homemade family dish), Krakatoa Surprise from Lemmy of Motörhead (those who don't really like surprises may want to keep a fire extinguisher handy), and Star Cookies from Dave Ellefson of Megadeth. Mosh Potatoes comes with a monster serving of backstage stories and liner notes, making this ideal for young headbangers, those who still maintain a viselike grip on the first Black Sabbath album, and everyone who likes to eat.

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101 Healthiest Foods: A Quick and Easy Guide to the Fruits, Vegetables, Carbs and Proteins that Can Save Your Life Review

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(More customer reviews)Healthy foods are the cornerstone of a healthy body."101 Healthiest Foods: A Quick and Easy Guide to the Fruits, Vegetables, Carbs, and Proteins That Can Save Your Life" is a guide to a huge list of nutritious foods that can do wonders for one's health. Covering the many aspects of nutrients ranging from carbs to proteins to fats, getting the most out of one's vitamins, and more, "101 Healthiest Foods" is a fine read for those who want to change their eating habits for the better.

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SAVE YOUR LIFE WITH SMART FOOD CHOICES101 Healthiest Foods is a handy, easy-to-use guide to power-packed superfoods that are chock-full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Using the book's five-star ratings of over 300 foods, you can easily replace unhealthy foods in each area of your diet with life-saving alternatives, including:•CARBSQuinoa-a low-GI grain and great source of protein•PROTEINSSardines-an oily fish packed with heart-healthy omega-3•FRUITSBlueberries-a fiber-filled treat high in antioxidants•VEGETABLESArugula-a lettuce alternative rich in beta-carotene•FATSPistachios-a tasty snack with 5 times the vitamin A of other nutsTaking a positive, empowering approach to better eating, 101 Healthiest Foods doesn't tell you what not to eat-it encourages you to enjoy the most delicious and nutritious foods in the world. From Asian greens and tropical fruits to Italian ricotta and Atlantic salmon, it presents the best of the best and reveals the perfect foods. You'll also find recipes that bring these superhealthy ingredients together in imaginative, tasty meals.

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Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book: Her Biggest Ever Collection of All-New 30-Minute Meals Plus Kosher Meals, Meals for One, Veggie Dinners, Holiday Favorites, and Much More Review

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(More customer reviews)Why the title? Ray herself says (Page 8): "It's orange simply because orange is my favorite color." Simple enough! This has the normal complement of 30 minute meals. However, there are some features to this volume that attracted me to order it: vegetarian meals, holiday menus, some recipes longer than 30 minutes (breaking out of one's mold is a plus to me), Kosher meals. The vegetarian is especially important for me now, since my family is asking me to develop some more vegetarian meals (more on this below). The recipes here are doable by amateur/wannabe chefs. From an earlier cookbook of hers, I found that I could make some tasty meals without a lot of heart palpitations.
This cookbook is well over 300 pages long, so I don't aim to give a comprehensive detailed review (would take too many words). What I'd like to do here is focus on a few recipes and use these as examples of what this cookbook provides. The contents:
30-minute meals
Entree burgers
Vegetarian meals
Kosher meals
Meals for one
A little more than 30 minutes--but worth it
From my family to yours
Starters and snacks
Holiday menus
30-minute meals: "That's Shallota Flavor Spaghetti" (ugh for the bad pun!). A meatless pasta dish (consistent with my family's wishes). Extra virgin olive oil (what Ray calls EVOO), butter, garlic, shallots, salt and pepper, spaghetti (she calls for wheat, but that would not be necessary), parsley, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Very simple to make. I have not yet tried this, but looking at the recipe, this is a "can't miss" recipe.
"Roasted Pork Tenderloins with Escalloped Apples." My family wants me to lay off pork tenderloin. But this recipe might change their minds! Lemon zest, Montreal steak seasoning, thyme, EVOO, pork tenderloins, butter, apples, salt, flour, lemon juice, and sugar. Another pretty straightforward recipe, and one that I hope can get my family to give pork tenderloin another chance!
The section on burgers is pretty cool. Beside the standard beef-based recipes, there are turkey burgers and salmon burgers, etc. Some imaginative recipes here.
As mentioned before, I have been empowered to develop more vegetarian recipes. One of those mentioned here is on next week's schedule of menus--"Popeye Risotto with Beefy Balsamic Mushrooms." Portabella mushrooms are at the heart of this recipe, along with balsamic vinegar. Another that is easy to make and, by the description, a can't miss dish (I don't need to cook something to know that the recipe will work)--"Jaw-Droppingly Delicious Asparagus Penne." Very tempting and a sure winner. Asparagus, penne pasta (whole wheat), EVOO, garlic, flour, vegetable stock, half-and-half, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, pepper, lemon, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. As Ray would say, "Yum-O."
I cook a lot of chicken dishes (lower cholesterol and fat). Here's a goodie. "Chicken cutlets and spaghetti with pepper and onions." Some pasta dishes that take more than 30 minutes. . . . "Elsa's Baked Ziti." And "Basil Cream Sauce with Pasta."
So, this is a fine cookbook, accessible to ordinary folks who want to try some different dishes. I am very much looking forward to trying out some of the recipes already mentioned. As cookbooks go, this is a nice addition to the literature.


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Food Stories: How Any Man Can Create an Easy Meal for Any Situation Review

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(More customer reviews)I really enjoyed the Author's wit, style and humor. Obviously, he's divorced and "on the make" and he presents some very classy, fun and entertaining ways of living with and adapting to his situation.
While his little book is only 72 pages, that's good for some (like me), it's especially good for single men everywhere who just want to 'get down to it'.

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Food Stories is a fun book dedicated to any single man young, old, unmarried, divorced, or widowed. Every day, millions of men in America and abroad are confronted with a social situation that provides an opportunity for them to prepare a meal. The idea of someone else eating their cooking can be intimidating to some men. By sharing experiences that any man can relate to, Food Stories combines real life and humor to show men how cooking can be fun and provide a sense of accomplishment. Food Stories consists of a series of short stories showing men how to cook a simple and tasty meal. The real-life stories take away the fear and uncertainty for men. Whether a it s a 25-year-old inviting his buddies over for a poker game, a 35-year-old single dad cooking dinner for his daughter and her friends, or a 55-year-old divorced man hosting a Thanksgiving dinner that includes his ex-wife and her new husband, Food Stories has something for everyone

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Gluten-Free Cooking For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I was pleasantly surprised that the book goes far beyond gluten-free cooking tips and recipes. I have read Korn's other 3 books, and all have been tremendously helpful, and even inspiring. The gluten-free diet can be a shocker (give up your beer, your bread, your tasty baked treats, etc.), but the author somehow makes it easy to understand the nuances of this tricky diet. You feel like you are getting one-on-one expert advice in an easygoing, relaxed style. It's weird, but you feel like you know the author after reading the book. The book is even funny.
For anyone starting out on a gluten-free diet, any of Korn's books are winners. If you also like to cook, this is a double dose of education. You will probably refer to it often. Highly recommended on all counts.

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Want to create tasty gluten-free meals and snacks? Gluten-Free Cooking For Dummies is loaded with more than 150 wheat-and gluten-free recipes. These sweet, spicy, and aromatic dishes prove that living the gluten-free lifestyle can be not only fun and easy, but delicious and nutritious too!
This practical, guide shows you how to select the right ingredients and prepare classic healthy dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You'll find out what you can and can't use in gluten-free cooking, learn to spot the hidden gluten in foods, discover surprising ways to save money when you go shopping, and even manage your weight. You'll also learn how to convert your current favorite recipes to gluten-free delights using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Discover how to:
Prepare your kitchen for gluten-free cooking
Shop for gluten-free products
Boost nutrition and flavor in your dishes
Get the kids involved in gluten-free cooking
Make any meal gluten free
Add color and nutrition at the same time
Cook gluten-free without a recipe
Do the "impossible"— gluten-free baking
Make gluten-free sandwiches, wraps, and pizzas
Create fabulous gluten-free fish, chicken, and meat dishes
Go gluten-free and vegetarian, too

Complete with delightful lists of gluten-free comfort foods, kid's favorites, and ways to eat gluten-free while traveling Gluten-Free Cooking For Dummies is the best way yet to stay happy, healthy, well-fed, and wheatless!

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Rachael Ray's Look + Cook Review

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(More customer reviews)I love cookbooks, I must have hundreds and my mother (from whom I inherited my passion for cooking) has thousands. A few of my early purchases were of the "Look and Cook" variety, such as French Country Cookery (Anne Willan's Look & Cook) but I have since moved on to cookbooks that rely on the reader to have mastered the different techniques that are required for each specific dish. Then I saw Rachael Ray on television cook some of the dishes from this new cookbook of hers. I must say that I was impressed with both the style of the dishes and their ease of preparation. The recipes are new, trendy and very approachable. The photos that demonstrate the preparation of the dishes do so in a step-by-step fashion are well shot and very easy to learn from. Some of the recipes in this book were posted on Rachael's website before the book was released so I had the opportunity to try out a few earlier as well as some new ones that are only in the book.
The look and cook portion of the book includes 100 recipes and is divided into 3 chapters:
1. Cozy Food - Includes recipes for some great comfort food, such as: Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes; Pimiento Mac n' Cheese; and fresh Onion and Wild Mushroom Soup2.Make Your Own Takeout - Restaurant-style dishes that can be prepared faster than you can pick up something to-go, recipes include: Chinese Orange-Barbeque Cashew Chicken and Crunchy Tuna Tacos3.Fancy Fake-Outs - These are simplified versions of dishes that are usually reserved for the advanced home chef, including: Almost Tandoori Chicken; Individual Beef Wellingtons; and Veal and Olive Ragu with Pappardelle
The back section of the book includes 5 more chapters (125 additional recipes), but they are in her 30 Minute Meals format and do not include photographs. There is also a link to her interactive website where you can see select dishes being made in real-time.
So far my favorite recipe is for the Chicken Cutlets Brasciole. The chicken breast filets are butterflied and pounded; the breasts are then stuffed with a mixture of raisins, toasted pine nuts, parsley, lemon zest, cheese, garlic and bread crumbs and is served atop a tomato, wine and tarragon sauce. Delicious!
This book is full of great recipes, some of which will become regular fare at my house. Although the Look and Cook feature is not really necessary if you are an advanced cook, this book is still worth having for its creativity and ease of preparation alone. It should be a big hit with the beginning and intermediate home chef as nothing is assumed and each technique and process is both shown and explained in detail. Advanced cooks will still be inspired by Rachael's ability to simplify classic recipes and to substitute easy to find ingredients for those that have been used historically in the well-known versions.
Ms. Ray has both her fans and her detractors. Some find her a little too "cutesy" with her made-up words and expressions (like EVOO for extra-virgin olive oil), but I find her somewhat unorthodox style to be refreshing (and she's not too hard on the eyes!). All in all I find this to be a very fine cookbook and one that I will be recommending to quite a few of my friends who would appreciate both the recipes and the step-by-step style of the photography and instructions. This will not become a go-to cookbook for me, but I am very glad that I own it and I will be cooking recipes from it from time to time.


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The Candida Albican Yeast-Free Cookbook : How Good Nutrition Can Help Fight the Epidemic of Yeast-Related Diseases Review

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(More customer reviews)I thought this book was very helpful. What I liked most was the "rainbow meal plan" which listed the vegetables and meat combinations you could have on this diet at every meal. Because there are so many vegetables/meat combinations to choose from you shouldn't get bored. The plan also recommends steaming for all your food so it's easy to prepare - all you need is water, a pot and a steamer. The downside is you do have to chop a lot of veggies - however, it's worth it! I also had a hard time with another recipe which called for "Homemade Potassium Baking Powder" pg.83. In the recipe the book says to use potassium bicarbonate which can be ordered from a pharmacy. However, when I went to pick up my bicarbonate it had a skull and cross bone on the bottle and was rated somewhat toxic. When I talked to the pharmacist he said I needed to know what percentage of the potassium bicarbonate was called for because potassium bicarbonate is a strong base. Anyway I had no way to get that information so I skipped that recipe. So obviously the book should be more detailed about things like that. Yet even with this snaffoo I thought the book was helpful and still use most recipes.

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This is the complete, authoritative guide that shows how nutrition can fight the epidemic of yeast- and fungus-related diseases and disorders including asthma, bronchitis, depression, fatigue, and memory loss. Fully updated, this second edition includes dozens of new recipes utilizing 12 foods that contain the antiseptic enzymes researchers have discovered will eradicate yeast and fungus.

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Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)This book, like many others, is often mistaken as a "I hate to cook!" book, when in fact it is more of a "I have no time to cook!" book. Cooking is one of my favorite passions, however working 50 hours a week really doesn't lend well to cooking elaborate meals. Rachael Ray provides a menu-style book that is both cost-effective and does not require unusual ingredients that are hard to find. The meals are easy and always 'homestyle' delicious. The only drawback, as many have pointed out, is that her deserts leave a lot to be desired. But it IS geared towards getting a meal done in 30 minutes, and as mentioned, I usually don't have time to make creme brulee. :-P

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Table for Two: Meat- and Dairy- Free Recipes for Two Review

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(More customer reviews)Table for Two has been a main source of meals for me. Yes, I live alone, with two cats. I don't have a lot of time, space, or money to cook. Enter Table for Two. Possibly Jo's most lifesaving book for vegans strapped for time and space such as I.
There are a lot of vegan cookbooks out there not suitable for new vegans. This is not one of them. Actually, all of Jo's books are suitable for new vegans! It is chock full of information to ease the pain of leaning to cook such as "Basic Cooking Terms", "Cupboard Staples", and even "Kid-Pleasing Recipes". I have to disagree with the latter...they tickle me pink and I'm no kid!
To start, the book has a great "Lay-Flat Binding" cover. Very convenient in the kitchen. It has recipes for every occasion, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I love starting my Sunday's with "Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes". Oh my! So delicious and still manage to stay in the realm of healthy eating! Another favorite for me and my workmates is Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins. Those always go over well :-) Preparing dinner? Try a side of "Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad" or "Warm Dutch Potato Salad". There is a killer recipe for "Thousand Island Dressing" as well. Low on fat, high on taste! "Pan-Handle Chili" is a bi-weekly recipe for me. This recipe even freezes well for those who are actually a Table for One :) Another favorite is "Old World Cabbage Soup". It is JUST like I remember it from the Polish and Jewish restaurants my grandparents took me too as a child. The tomatoey base of this hearty soup really brings me back. Some vegans feel that they will never have another grilled cheese as long as they live. Not so. "Toasted or Grilled Cheeze Sandwiches" are delicious and they actually melt! Imagine! Cheezy goodness with a pickle spear on the side. Remember those days? Anyone can make a bean burrito but be honest...If you are like me it's usually a can of pre-mushed beans plopped into a tortilla. The "Bean Burritos" on page 101 will keep you wanting more...hearty and authentic.
There is an extensive variation to stir-fries with "Stir-Fries Tonight!" "Aunt Rose's Marinara Sauce" is so delicious and simple...you'll never pop the top off another jar of pre-made sauce again. There is an entire section on my favorite...potatoes! and grains and pasta. "Stuffed Sweet Potatoes", "Aunt Shayna's Potato Cakes" (yum yummy!), "Cheezy Macaroni" and "Brown Rice Croquettes" to name a few. Are you ready for dessert? "Schoolyard Oatmeal Cookies", better than mom used to make! A favorite of mine and my non-vegetarian boyfriend is "Maple Banana Custard" topped off with some "Carob Fudge Sauce". Decadent and you'd think a little naughty...but again, this is vegan cooking and the dessert is low fat.
This nowhere near completes the extensive span in this book, but I hope it gives you (vegan and non-vegan, young and old) a better idea of Table For Two. It is a staple in my house and a staple to my health. Enjoy!

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This book offers you recipes that have the great taste of family-style cooking without all the leftovers and time-consuming preparation you experience with conventional recipes that feed four or more people.

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Spur of the Moment Cook: Spontaneous And Flavorful Meals For The Busiest Days Of The Week Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my all time favorite cookbook! I have it in hard cover and am buying it for friends this year as gifts. It has the most delicious, easy recipes that will wow even the fussiest gourmand. The Sour Cream Onion Pie is incredible, the pasta dishes are easy and inspired. Even if I don't have the ingredients on hand, there is usually something in this book that gives me an idea that I can make from what is in my tiny kitchen. I highly recommend this book.

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How to Cook at Home When You're Not at Home All Day to CookSpur of the Moment Cook offers 175 spirited yet simple recipes that take into consideration today's full schedules while also indulging the desire for satisfying, homemade dinners. Author Perla Meyers teaches busy cooks the secrets of a well-stocked kitchen and shows how to use the seasonal marketplace to prepare the freshest foods. Perla's practical tips and tempting recipes combine to make cooking on the spur of the moment a delicious experience.The Secrets Of A Well-Stocked Kitchen RevealedDried pastas, beans, and mushrooms in the pantryFresh eggs and Yogurt in the refrigeratorCrisp produce in the vegetable binVanilla beans and cocoa in the baking cabinetSavory Dishes With 6 Ingredients Or LessZucchini Frittata with ParmesanSoft Polenta with Braised Leeks and MascarponeGrilled Chicken Breasts with Chinese Mustard and Honey GlazePan-Seared Salmon with Creme Fraiche, Shallot, and Chive SauceOn The Table In Under 30 Minutes Fettuccine in Smoked Salmon and Chive Essence Shallot and Herb-Infused Lamb Chops Seared Swordfish with a Puree of Sweet-and-Spicy PeppersSimple Sweet EndingsCatalan Bittersweet Chocolate, Orange, and Pine Nut TartPeach Gratin with Creamy Pecan CrumbleOven-Baked Rice Pudding with Lemon and Raisins

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The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World Review

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(More customer reviews)I've tried three recipes so far from this collection, each one more complex than the last, as I gain my trust in this author. The Baked Eggplant was ridiculously easy (just cut the eggplants into cubes and cook on low for 4-6 hours, then add the seasonings after the cooking is done.) Next I tried the Tuscan White Bean Soup, which was excellent and not at all watery, like most crock-pot soups. Finally, I made a pot of Mexican Chicken in Peanut and Ancho Chili Sauce, and I can finally say that I've found a crock pot book that really does work.
The author encourages crock-pot users to lift the lid and stir while the food is cooking; I heartily agree, because the food ends up well cooked and NOT the watery, insipid mess I usually got. These are recipes that will not taste like a well-meaning, "good-for-you" home economics project. But this means you can't start your supper in the morning and have it done when you're back from work: the result may be watery. That's been my experience with other books, like Judith Finalyson's.
So if you're going to be home and willing to keep an eye on your slow cooker while it's doing its thing, you will be very satisfied with the recipes in this book.

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Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens Review

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(More customer reviews)I guess you could say I have a small and crappy kitchen by the standards of most cooking shows. This you could say for pretty much all Americans. I found this book to be very helpful! The recipes are not overly complicated and the author gives you tons of tips on how to save time and space. But here is the best part: the meals you learn to make are actually extremely GOOD! You can tell this lady is a talented chef. The book shows you how to make very complex dishes in a simple manner. If you've been wanting to get into cooking but don't seem to have the time or the space this book is for you. It's already helped me a ton.

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If you think gourmet meals in crappy little kitchens is an oxymoron, think again!In her debut cookbook, Jennifer Schaertl tackles the myths about gourmet cooking (you don't need expensive cutlery and a gazillion ingredients!) and shows you how to make delectable meals despite the lack of counter space. Everything from appetizers and salads to soups and one-pot wonders to side dishes and entrees, and of course, dessert is included along with Jennifer's tried-and-true advice for working with limited space, appliances, cookware, and ingredients all on a limited budget.More than 130 Crappy Little Kitchen (CLK) recipes await you inside, plus:Why a CLK can actually be an asset, not a liability

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Slow Cooker: The Best Cookbook Ever with More Than 400 Easy-to-Make Recipes Review

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(More customer reviews)"Slow Cooker: The Best Cookbook Ever" has many excellent recipes and meal ideas, is well laid out, clear, and nicely photographed. Whether it will prove to be the "best cookbook ever" for you probably depends on how you use your slow cooker. I usually turn to mine on busy days when I have little time to cook and will be gone most of the day. I want to quickly combine a few ingredients with minimal fuss, clap the lid on, walk away, and come home eight or ten hours later to a ready-to-eat meal. Unfortunately, many of the recipes in this book require extensive preparation, cook for only three or four hours, and involve the slow cooker almost incidentally.
For example, the Asian Honey Wings, although they sound delicious, are all but finished before the slow cooker even makes an appearance. The wings are cooked in the oven while the sauce is prepared in a bowl, and the sauce and wings are then combined in the slow cooker and heated through. The book suggests serving them from the slow cooker to keep them warm. Heating and serving an already cooked dish from a slow cooker hardly qualifies as a slow-cooker recipe, and I don't really need a book to know that serving from a slow cooker is a good way to keep food warm.
Another typical example is a casserole for which the cook must first make 2 cups of cooked rice; chop several vegetables; have 3 cups of cooked, diced chicken at hand; and grate 2-1/2 cups of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. While the rice simmers on the stovetop, the cook sautés the vegetables in separate steps, then removes them to a bowl and adds several more ingredients to the pan to create a sauce. The rice and some of the vegetables are then combined with half the sauce in one bowl, and the chicken and other vegetables are combined with the rest of the sauce in another bowl. Finally, the rice, chicken, vegetables, and cheese are layered in the slow cooker and heated through. Frankly, if I have time for this level of involvement and kitchen mess, I'm just going to go ahead and cook a meal. Once again, the slow cooker seems to be involved only so this can be called a slow-cooker recipe.
A recipe for enchiladas calls for 17 different ingredients and 10 cooking steps before it is ready for the slow cooker - and then cooks only 3 hours. The cook can neither save time by using the slow cooker nor leave it unattended for the day.
There are some interesting suggestions, such as making snack mix or spiced nuts in the slow cooker in a way that is much simpler than the usual oven recipes. There are good dip recipes; again, no surprise that a slow cooker works well for warm dips, but new ideas for dips are always welcome.
I find myself using this cookbook as more of an idea book than a slow cooker reference. Leafing through, I find a recipe for something I like - cabbage rolls, say - see that it's just as much work as making them in the oven, and decide to make them soon - in the oven. One more thing: All of the recipes are sized for 6 to 10 servings; if you need to adjust the recipe to make fewer, that will add one more step.

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This is the only slow cooker book for busy people. With over 400 recipes, The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever saves time and money week after week with easy meals that keep one eating well at home every day. From Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie to Mexican Hot Chocolate Lava Cake, this cookbook contains recipes for everything from soups and roasts to cobblers and puddings, inspiring night after night of great meals. Prep a few ingredients, toss them in the pot, and let the cooker work its magic while you're gone for the day. Return to a slow-cooked, deeply flavored, great-smelling dinner for you and your familyevery night!

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Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy Review

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(More customer reviews)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.
This book is no different. Gordon spells out his recipies in a clear and concise format. Unlike some other chefs who use their books just to dump some bland exercises in cooking, Gordon livens up (or sexies up - as he calls it) his presentation with photos. But I especially appreciated the fact that there is a DVD attached to this book which goes into detail on how to make some of his dishes.
GORDON RAMSAY IS THE MAN!!

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Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals Review

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(More customer reviews)Jamie Oliver's cookbook is beautiful. It is full color, complete with step-by-step pictures and easy to follow traditional recipes but with a definite twist. Jamie's cooking hook is that the recipes are fairly quick, good for you and easy. So easy in fact, that Jamie has rounded up a bunch of every day folks who would never consider themselves cooks and challenged them to cook the recipes in his book. He challenged them by teaching them how to make the dishes. Jamie believes that non-cooks can cook these meals and proves it by including some of these folks, in full-color glossy glory, with their now-mastered meals!
The result is brilliant. The reader is tempted, inspired, and motivated, just as I was last Sunday, when I attempted "The Perfect Roast" on page 192. I followed the recipe to the letter and served my family a delicious roast dinner complete with horseradish sauce, p.210 and evolution cucumber salad p.114. (note to Jamie, as you suggested I improvised and added bacon bits to the cucumber salad and it was delish!)
You see, Jamie's cookbook has a challenge attached to it. He wants folks to start cooking again in their own kitchens! So... he challenges his readers to "pass it on." He asks readers to try some of the recipes in his book and then teach someone else the recipes and so on and so on and so on, you get the idea. Although I will probably skip signing that actual pledge which you can find on his website at [...] I will continue to try delicious recipes from this book and will pass them on to my friends and family.
Some of the other recipes that look terrific: Classic Tomato Spaghetti, p.43, Hardly Any Prep Shrimp Stir Fry, p.66, the entire Chopped Salad section p.120-p.125, Baked Creamy Leeks, p.123, and Pork Kabobs, p.238. Oh heck, the entire cookbook is full of terrific recipes. The desserts, including the Mega Chocolate Fudge Cake, look pretty awesome, too. Jamie combines traditional cooking with conventional time and money constraints making this book a pleasure to work with. I also love that fact that Jamie tells us, with more gorgeous pictures, the equipment we will need to get back to cooking and the essential ingredients we will need to stock in the cupboard for cooking success. Cooking this Fall is going to be a breeze!

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