What's for Dinner?: 200 Delicious Recipes That Work Every Time [Paperback]

Maryana Vollstedt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

"What's for Dinner?" The dreaded words the everyday cook hates to hear. But now, you'll never be stuck for an answer. Here is an all-purpose cookbook for the busy cook who needs good results with a minimum of time and effort. Easy-to-follow and healthy, the recipes include tips for menu planning and call for ingredients that are readily available. 40 one-color illus.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Here are dozens of recipes for family meals and entertaining, from Cream of Mushroom Soup and Party Salmon Mousse to Turkey Meatballs and Baked Tarragon Chicken Breasts. Some are rather familiar (Hummus, Greek Salad), and a few seem rather passe (Cajun Blackened Chicken Breasts), but many others offer a simple and appealing answer to the question in this book's title. For larger collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

If Mom or Dad is a seasoned cook, this small volume may well provide some ideas for the family dinner. Vollstedt's recipes are more apt to produce something creative for a small dinner party since most of her main-dish recipes call for a dozen or more ingredients. Simpler recipes, such as her family night chicken stew, can indeed be put together with less bother. Fans of grilling will appreciate Vollstedt's proposals for barbecuing, her Mexican-style pork tenderloin with lime and beer marinade sounding especially tasty. Vegetables and other side dishes aren't ignored, and Vollstedt recognizes the need to dress up vegetables to attract younger eaters. A selection of pies, cakes, and cookies will please, but her best efforts go into summery, fruit-based baked desserts. Mark Knoblauch

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811813959
• ISBN-13: 978-0811813952
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,314,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maryana Vollstedt has written several Chronicle cookbooks in the Big Book series. She lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best cookbook to have on your shelf, March 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What's for Dinner?: 200 Delicious Recipes That Work Every Time (Paperback)

We bought this cookbook on a whim (we liked the title) and have found it is now the first one we reach for when company is coming or the kids are tired of chicken and mac-n'cheese. The recipes are easy to do, many can be prepared in advance, and the author makes life easier by recommending accompanying side dishes and desserts. Every recipe we've tried has been a "winner". For a family on the go, this cookbook has made having a real dinner possible!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Most Often Used Books!, June 11, 2005

By 

IntheGroove "IntheGroove" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's for Dinner: 200 Delicious Recipes That Work Every Time (Paperback)

This is a book that easily answers the question posed by the title. I've yet to have a recipe from its pages fail; much to the contrary, everything turns out great! Even the time I had some aging mushrooms in the fridge and decided to make the Cream of Mushroom soup, wondering why I was bothering to make such a simple thing -- I was blown away! Highly recommended for everyone from beginners to experienced cooks.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have!, January 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: What's for Dinner?: 200 Delicious Recipes That Work Every Time (Paperback)

We were given this book by a friend several years ago and it is a staple on our shelf, to the point that it is starting to fall apart! Every recipe has been fairly easy and delicious, received "rave" reviews from the diners on hand, and everyone to whom we've subsequently given the book has said it is one of the best. This is definitely the cookbook to have on hand when you need to whip together a meal, don't want to spend more than an hour doing it, and still have it taste like you were in the kitchen all day. It is the only "published" cookbook that comes with us when we go on summer vacation.