Pasta Dinners 1, 2, 3: 125,000 Possible Combinations for Dinner Tonight (The 1, 2, 3 Dinners) (Paperback)

by Virginia Willis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The 1, 2, 3 Dinner series publishes the consummate page-flipping books for those who like to browse cookbooks until they see something inviting to make for dinner tonight. It is also a series for the menu-impaired--those who decide to make Lasagna Spirals, but then have no idea what to include alongside.

The long, narrow "pages" of 1, 2, 3 Pasta Dinners have been cut into three recipe-card-size sections with a different recipe on each card. Reference numbers are on the cards rather than the full sheets; this way you can view pages 3, 62, and 129 simultaneously. The top recipe (Marinated Goat Cheese, Peppers, and Olives) is for a first course or appetizer; the middle recipe (Vermicelli with Scallops and Orange Butter) is the pasta course; and the final recipe (French Upside-Down Apple Tart) features breads or dessert.

According to the publisher, this method allows for 125,000 possible menu combinations. If you don't like the idea of marinated goat cheese, for example, but the vermicelli is exactly what you want, flip through the top third of the book until you land on something more suitable, Spinach Soup (page 37), say, or Marinated Vegetables (page 18). The backside of each recipe card lists additional food matches and corresponding page numbers. All recipes are for four to six servings. --Brenda Pittsley

Product Description
This new mix and match series offers a fun way to get past that stumbling block about what to make for dinner. The recipes are fast and easy, the ingredients are readily available, and the flavor combinations are wonderfully appealing. The text explains which ingredients can be substituted for others, and how to coordinate everything to come out at the right time. 50 two-color illustrations.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517886987
• ISBN-13: 978-0517886984
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,727,297 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just fabulous!, December 3, 2000

By	cookbook addict (atlanta, ga usa) - See all my reviews

Cooking for the cooking impaired! All the recipes are simple and easy, no difficult techniques or sophisticated equipment needed. The ability to show all three recipes on the same page while you are cooking in the kitchen is a winner. Bright fresh flavors, beautiful easy presentations, and wonderful tastes make this a must have for the novice cook and for the intermediate level too for new ideas.

4.0 out of 5 stars What a life saver!, December 6, 2000

By A Customer

I was so pleased to see this book available online ! I bought it several years ago and use it all the time. It really helps how the recipes are divinded into thirds on the page. Such a great idea, I like the whole series.