Marie Simmons

Except for one thing, this is a fine cookbook. It includes many different methods for using eggs, and the "recipe" I am copying to my kitchen notebook is really a general method for making breakfast strata. However, I don't know what the deal is with Simmons' method for hard-cooked eggs. Every time I've tried it, following the directions exactly, I've ended up with a dozen or so eggs that aren't even soft-boiled. So I've made a big X over that page and written DO NOT USE on it in case I show more start having memory issues and forget the past trauma. So, mostly recommended with one caveat. show less

I saw this earlier this winter on one of the book displays in the library, and colorful cover of this small-sized cookbook grabbed my attention. Filled with 41 muffin recipes (at least one starting with each letter of the alphabet), Muffins: A to Z is a compact, easy-to-follow baking guide for exploring the world of muffins. Reading through all of the recipes, you'll discover a certain commonality about muffin ingredients. However, there's enough variety in the special add-ons -- nuts, show more fruits, herbs, flavorings -- that there are at least 15-20 different "types" of muffins in this book. None of the recipes are complicated or difficult to prepare. I managed to try three of the recipes before returning the book to the library, and I heartily recommend both the Toasted Almond and Apricot Muffins, and the Fabulous Banana Muffins.

Originally reviewed for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec09-01.htm show less

Short review: Delicious!
Long Review: Delicious! I often read cookbooks as though they were fiction – something nice to read but not relevant to my life. This cookbook is not going to be one of those; it's going to be one of the few that I really use out of the dozens I own. I got an e-book version for review yesterday and have already made the “broccoli and red onion stir fry with tamari walnuts.” Yummy, simple, fast. I have several more recipes already bookmarked to try as soon as I show more make a grocery store run. Note that I said grocery store. Almost all the ingredients can be found in a regular store or farmers' market, don't have to make a trip to the natural food stores.

Before I even got to the recipe part of the book, there were helpful hints – like soaking brown rice overnight to cut the cooking time. Each recipe has cooking time and number of servings as well as “make a meal” suggestions for what to serve with it. The recipes are for people who like to cook but don't want to be in the kitchen all day. They are fast, with lots of rich flavors, healthy ingredients, new ideas. There is also a section of gorgeous, mouth-watering photographs. The recipes are formatted in an easy-to-read, easy-to-follow style. My only quibble is that there is no nutritional information included. While I often ignore that information in other cookbooks, I like to have it there for those self-righteous moods.

This is certainly a vegetarian cookbook, no chicken broth or similar sneaky non-veg items trying to slide their ways in without notice. It is not a vegan cookbook, but there are so many vegan recipes that it is a book vegans will enjoy, not having to search for an occasional vegan recipe. And the vegan recipes are clearly marked. It also has lots of recipes that meat eaters will enjoy, lots of fresh, bright dishes that will keep them from feeling they are making a sacrifice.

I've already marked toasted quinoa, corn, and avocado salad; curried quinoa and apple salad with dried cranberries; curried potato, shiitake, and broccoli stir-fry; curries chickpeas with roasted cauliflower and spinach; pan-seared baby bok choy; and steamed spinach with ginger and garlic oil. And I've barely begun to mark all I want to try. No, it isn't a curry cookbook, but there are several curry recipes and I'm especially fond of those flavors.

I usually don't gush quite this much, but I really love this book. So much so that even though the publisher gave me an e-book copy for review (thanks!), I've put the hardcopy on my wish list and am going to buy it as soon as it becomes available. show less

Pros: colour photo center spread, tips at the start of each section, 'make a meal' box on recipe pages, lots of recipes

Cons: recipes require lots of ingredients and can be time intensive, some ingredients are hard to find

To review this cookbook I tested 6 recipes. Of those, only one wasn't worth the effort (time or taste wise). The other 5 turned out great and required me to use ingredients I've either never cooked with before or only done limited things with in the past.

Based on the recipes show more I tried, it's a great cookbook for people with intermediate or advanced cooking skills, as the recipes required more preparation and effort than those of other books. But the extra effort is worth it for the taste combinations this book will teach you.

I have a more comprehensive review of this cookbook (with photos) on my blog: http://wyvernspeakwriting.blogspot.com/2011/03/cookbook-review-fast-and-fresh.ht... show less