Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Student Cookbook: From Chicken to Chili

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My friend gave me this cookbook for Christmas. I wasn't too sure of it at first, but now I use it multiple times a week! I'm no gourmet chef, but I am also not a beginner, which is why I was a bit skeptical at first- a lot of the recipes seemed geared towards young students who may have never cooked for themselves before. While this book would definitely be a great 'first cookbook', it would also be appreciated by mid-level cooks, as there is a wide range of recipes. It's the perfect sized book- not too big to be overwhelming, but still has lots of recipes. The neat thing about this book is it is not set up in the traditional cookbook fashion- there is a picture to go along with every step of the cooking, and a finished product picture for each recipe. This would be really helpful especially for someone just starting out cooking who wants a bit of extra help. There's a quirky charm which also sets it apart- funny pictures and captions of her friends cooking and eating are sprinkled throughout. At the end of each recipe, she has included tips for optional ingredients, serving suggestions and leftovers.
There are 8 chapters, including one-person meals, meals for 4-6 people, house parties, healthy eating, breakfasts and quick meals. All the basics are covered, with cooking eggs, rice, pasta etc. More complex recipes include curries, chili, roast chicken, pasta sauces and soups. Personal favourites include the risottos, lasagna and tuscan chicken. Recipes have been fool-proof so far, and really straight forward.

This book is really geared towards student life- Goodall keeps the recipes simple and uses inexpensive ingredients which are commonly on hand. Maybe not for the more advanced cook, but great for beginners or students who would appreciate some help in planning a nice, easy meal.