Curtis Cooks With Heart & Soul: Quick, Healthy Cooking from the Host of Tv's from My Garden (Hardcover)

by Curtis G. Aikens (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The association of food with love is common among chefs and food writers, but the relationship between food and literacy? Television cook Aikens, who learned to read after the age of 26, shows his dual love of food and reading. What's unusual about his meatless selections is that they must be quick, easy, and convenient; the directions are simple, and the recipes do not require a lot of equipment. Barbara Jacobs

Product Description

Anyone who has seen Curtis Aikens in action will attest to his infectious enthusiasm and warmth. These same traits are captured in Curtis Cooks with Heart & Soul, a new book that will appeal to the millions of health-conscious cooks looking for more meatless dishes -- and lots of enticing flavors.

Many of the dishes have a down-home flair, but his imaginative use of greens and pasta reflects a passion for the fresh flavors of California-style cooking. In wonderfully fragrant and soul-satisfying dishes, such as Creamy Artichoke Pasta, Asparagus with Sun-dried Tomatoes over Pasta, and Peppers and Pasta, Curtis combines America's favorite comfort food with appealing vegetables and fresh herbs. Other hearty dishes include Pumpkin Soup, Wild Mushroom Chowder, Eggplant Enchiladas, and Apple-Squash Casserole. Lighter, vegetable-based fare includes easy-to-prepare stir-fries, curries, and rolls.

Curtis's knowledge and passion for produce are reflected in surprising, palate-pleasing improvisations, such as Lime Soup, Pizza Primavera, Vegetable Paella, and Swiss Chard Quiche. Healthier twists on Southern favorites, such as Red Beans and Rice and Black-eyed Peas, explode with flavor while skimping on fat. For other good, old-time flavors, Curtis includes staples from his childhood in Georgia: Hush Puppies, Biscuits, Stewed Okra and Tomatoes, Mama's Potato Salad, and Mama's Cabbage. And there's even more to Curtis's brand of eclectic, meatless fare-salads, chilis, stews, dressings, gravies, salsas, sauces, dips, and side dishes! Plus dessert. Curtis's repertoire ranges from traditional Southern specialties, such as Mud Pie and Benne Wafers, to family favorites, such as Sweet Potato Pie and Pecan Pie, to the downright, blatantly wicked: Hot Fudge Pudding.

No matter what Curtis cooks -- whether it is sweet, savory, traditional, or innovative, there are two special ingredients he never leaves out: heart and soul.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 225 pages
• Publisher: Hearst Corporation; 1 edition (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688140122
• ISBN-13: 978-0688140120
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,313,758 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cooking ideas for Vegitarians and Non-Vegitarians!, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

Curtis Aikens has assembled some of the greatest recipes for vegitarians and non-vegitarians alike. I have enjoyed all of his recipes particularly, his pizza's. He makes cooking easy and fun. I am not a creative cook and he shows how to use herbs and vegetables - something I have never experimented with before. I highly recommend this book.