Customer Reviews

Cook Something: Simple Recipes and Sound Advice toBring Good Food into Your Fabulous Lifestyle

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As someone who purchased this book on a lark, then continued to buy it for all my gift-giving needs - including a wedding shower only a couple of weeks ago - as well as to use it periodically with fantastic results, I feel compelled to rave about it to anyone interested.

The recipes are easy to follow, the helpful advice and recipe cross references are just that, helpful, and the humourous introductions are truly enticing. This book intends to grab the reader by the collar, send him or her straight into the kitchen regardless of experience or trepidation and produce a delicious, mouthwatering, "you'll be everyone's best friend" dish every time.

What strikes me as invaluable about Cook Something and what separates it from all the other really good cookbooks on the shelf is the fact that it is a great collection of sound, tested recipes. It lists every single modern, homey, comfort food you would ever want in a well-rounded repertoire. For instance, the pancake recipe is the best. There is no reason to use any other. The light and flaky pastry crust has become my secret weapon and I use it everywhere, from tarts, to quiches, to pot pies, to dessert pizzas. You'll want to make each recipe as you read it, if only because you'll want to eat each dish that is listed. If you're nervous, stick to the recipe measurements. If you're daring, mix and match according to taste. The creamy mustard sauce is listed with salmon, but it works just as well with monkfish, scallops and pork loin. In any case, use this book as a reference guide, from checking the ideal temperature for roasting chicken to which ingredients go into hummus. Each recipe works well, so you'll not only build your culinary confidence but you'll be inspired to share your cooking with your friends.

Run, don't walk, to pick up your copy!

Easy-to-read, easy-to-use recipes which will make you WANT to cook instead of eating out tonight. You'll love "Adam's Big Pancake" (my mom prepared a similar pancake for my father and me on Sunday mornings) and you'll impress guests with "Badda Bing Chicken."

Don't let the "for beginners" tag turn you off if you're an experienced cook...this book is fun and full of great recipes whether you never cook or have been cooking for years. Buy one for yourself and more as gifts for friends. They'll love it.

This hip cookbook may have been written for people who've logged little stove time, but it's also a great addition to the experienced home cook's library. I cook a lot (mostly without recipes) and write about food for women's magazines, and I find myself reaching for this book over and over again because the recipes are well written and (so far) have given me good results. I love the fact that they're listed in alphabetical order, forcing me to try new stuff.

Websavvy cooks will also appreciate the layout. Almost all recipes are on one page, with icons that identify about how long they'll take to make, as well as a list of the tools you'll need, and links to other recipes in the book.

Another plus: unlike most cookbooks (which seem to be written for old foggies or hard core foodies), this one is filled with foods that are popular right now--dishes you're likely to really want to eat, like biscotti, hummus and sesame noodles.

The Moroccan Style CousCous Salad is worth the price of the book. I've made this for numerous parties (including for my wedding), and it never ceases to draw raves. One guest told me it was the best he'd ever had, and he'd had couscous in Morocco.

I'm a cookbook junky. You'd think I was a chef but I'm not which is why I rely on cookbooks a lot. I bought this book because the inside flap totally describes me. But now I love this book and use it often because it's so easy to use. I almost always go to the "Before it grows mold" section so I can find a recipe to use something I already have. My fave recipe is the Hamburger recipe. Who knew something so simple could be SO YUMMY?? A couple of other family favorites are the Coconut Curry - deelish!! and the Honey-Garlic Chicken Wings which my husband ALWAYS makes and takes to potlucks and NEVER has any leftovers. I totally recommend it!

This is a really great cookbook for people who don't have the time to search out exotic ingredients or spend hours over the stove. Well laid out, fantastic food, and great hints and suggestions. I've been successful with every recipe that I tried from the book and have gotten rave reviews!

With several indexes, this book is easy to navigate, while having enough attitude to be fun flip through (even when you're not cooking). With witty commentary, the author includes recipes that aren't too complicated but that produce great results. It also has a guide to cooking basics in the front.

Each index groups the recipes differently: by meal, by course, by main ingredient ("Before it grows mold"), by ethnic origin, by time it takes to cook, and more.

This is not your cooking encyclopedia, but I find it more accessible and more fun to read than my "Joy of Cooking." Since it doesn't have every dish under the sun, it's easier to thumb through and pick something quick. And whatever you pick will probably be a success (see below for my one objection).

My favorite recipes: Pancakes (from scratch, I'm a breakfast food junkie), Beef Stew, both the chicken wings recipes.

Disregard the author when he raves about "Cheese Thing;" It's not all it's cracked up to be.

This book was a great find for a college student with little experience with cooking, but a taste for really good home-cooked food. And since it's not just a list of recipes, but a cleverly written book, it makes cooking from it that much more fun.

I bought this book because of the simple terminology and ease of navigation. I am new to cooking and felt this was the right book for me. And it was! The combination of simple, great recipes, lots of information for new cooks, and great photos makes this book a definite winner. It's fresh, cool, and hip. If you want to have FUN while cooking, get this book. You won't regret it.

Best recipe for home fries and Korean ribs! Interesting format and easy to follow directions. We don't feel so lost in the kitchen! A must buy book for the new cook!

I received this book as a gift from a coworker who was tired of seeing me eat microwave tv meals. I have since acquired more cookbooks, but this one is still my favorite. What I like the most is the first section of the book, where the author talks about cooking techniques that people who do not cook often (like me) are unfamiliar with (simmering, sauteeing, etc). He even describes how to make a sandwich! Which you would think it is common sense, and it is, if you want common sandwiches. However, you will read it if you want a great one. I also like that for each recipe he gives you, on the top, a quick warning symbol on whether it is an easy and quick recipe or a long and detailed one. At the bottom of each page he also tells you what main kitchen utensils will be needed. The language is casual and relaxed, just as if you had a friend explain something to you. I highly recommend this book.

I like this book. It's hard to explain, but what it amounts to is that it's a book on cooking for friends -- not so much entertaining, as just having friends over just for the hell of it, because it's better than eating alone. That's because many of the recipes come from the author's friends and family, a number of them coming from one single potluck dinner that the author held to help research the book. As a result, the book has a rather hip, decidedly urban-tribal feel to it that makes it rather different from more typical cookbooks designed for young people starting out in life.

The basics are decently well covered, and the food is decidedly contemporary -- a mix of chic and comfort food from multiple sources, with a touch of humor here and there. It's a little light on the vegetarian food, which may make it problematic for some circles of friends, but the bulk of what's in there should appeal to most tastes.

I found this book on a remainder table some years ago, which makes me think (as I said in the title) that it could have been more influential. The author's gone on to do other work on basic cooking, but this remains a good one to have on your bookshelf. If you see a copy in your local used bookstore, grab it.