Customer Reviews

500 Five-Ingredient Recipes (Better Homes & Gardens)

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4 star:		(1)
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Produced by the Better Homes and Gardens and tested through their test kitchens "500 Five Ingredient Recipes" is a wonderful collection of no fuss recipes. Don't make the mistake of thinking these are necessarily fast recipes. While some take only a few minutes to prepare others such as the "Easy Elegant Beef Roast" can take several hours to prepare. The purpose of the book is exactly as the title states - each recipe takes only five ingredients.

If you are tired of recipes that requires so many ingredients that the clean up time is longer than the preparation time then this is the book for you. No corners are cut on these recipes, they are absolutely delicious, just what you would expect from Better Homes and Gardens.

It contains the typical divisions for a cookbook - appetizers, beverages, salads, main dishes, sauces, sides, and desserts. In addition it has a section of recipes just for children and a section on meatless main dishes.

Make sure to try the Stuffed mushrooms in Phyllo or the German style beef roast. They are both excellent. Although I really liked the cookbook and it definitely has its place in the library of anyone who loves to cook, there are two things that I did not like. First, is that it is not spiral bound and so does not lie flat so you can reference while cooking (although I understand that they do have a spiral bound version available - definitely get the spiral bound if you can find it). Secondly, I found the cooking times to be deceptive. You should always read the instructions in detail if preparation time is an issue. For example, the "Easy Elegant Beef Roast" is listed with 15 minutes preparation time and one and three quarters of an hour roasting time. If you read the roasting instructions they state that one and three quarters to two and a quarter hour for medium rare and two and a quarter to two and three quarters of an hour for medium. The preparation time listed under the recipe name should not have the minimum time but either an average time or a time range such as "one and three quarters to two and three quarters of an hour depending on taste preference" or something similar. For this cookbook just keep in mind that the roasting, cooking, baking, etc. times are the minimum times.

Still, a highly recommended read and a real asset to any cookbook collection.

You can add your own little herbs and such to spruce up any recipes, but even on their own, the recipes are tasty and diverse. What's more, the book is filled with recipes for things a person would actually eat -- I seem to have a bit of a knack for picking up cookbooks filled with strange sounding food that require ingredients that aren't readily available where I live, but that's definitely not the case here. This is definitely a must-have for any amateur chef who wants to prepare something quickly, but prefers the taste of a home-cooked meal.

I bought this book about six years ago. I love it! I don't love cooking but I don't love eating out either. This book is great and has lots of budget-friendly recipes, easy to follow recipes.

It's simple yet has so many delicious recipes. Purchased it from an Amazon Seller and have used it every night ever since.

I use this cookbook several times a month when we want to try a new recipe. Everything we have made has turned out good.I like the simplicity of the recipes and the 5 ingredients list. Keeps it simple but delicious.

This book was in fabulous condition. It was great considering it was used. My niece was thrilled to get the cookbook and didn't mind the minor notations next to some of the recipes. She thought it interesting to see what someone else had tried already. A great book for beginning cooks or college bound students with little time.

Thanks so much for the cookbook, it's exactly what I was looking for, great condition

Lots of usable recipes in this cookbook. I have given one to all my adult children and my parents and they all love it. Very useful. Many recipes for different tastes.

I bought and sent this cookbook to my mother-law. She received it quickly and said she is enjoying the many of the receipes already. Thank you...