French Country Light Cooking Review

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(More customer reviews)Basically, this book taught me how to cook. As a married male, my wife explained to me that I need to do "my part". So we hired a maid and I bought a cook book. Since my own mother never let me use the kitchen, I was an extreme beginner. This book is wonderful; it provides easy step by step instructions and expectations. I have used nearly 3/4 of the recipes and all of them are consistently wonderful. I have shared this book with many friends who rave about my cooking. Both my wife and I are very partial to Mediterranian, French, and Northern Italian cooking. This book combines them all while making them low in fat. Simple natural substitutions for heavy quantities of creme and butter while still making the entres scrumptuous. This book has given me the skill and confidence to use other cook books which usually are complex and missing a few details. Have fun!

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From the creators of the bestselling Italian Light Cooking and Mexican Light Cooking come 150 delicious, low-calorie recipes for French country cuisine, which reflect the simplicity and concern for healthy eating that has become so important to modern cooks. Slomon is the author of The Pizza Book.

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Everyday Pasta Review

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(More customer reviews)Giada's third entry into the cookbook theater is as good as her first two, and there seems to be no end to her culinary offerings to us. This time, she immerses herself into the somewhat crazy world of pasta and the many "clothes" it wears. Delicious to say the least!
I have to admit that one of the first things that grabs my attention when looking at cookbooks is its presentation; does it make me want to look at because it invites me with with something comfortable and familiar? Or is it something that jazzes up that same familiar look? With it's sharp, fresh, and detailed photography and simple, yet inviting writing, Giada brings to you a compendium of sorts in her ode to pasta.
She begins her introduction with "The Origins of Pasta" then goes into her "Top 10 Pasta-Cooking Tips" which is followed by "Matching Pasta Shapes to Sauces" (I never really thought of how the shape of the pasta actually influences the flavor depending how it attaches to the shape). The book then breaks down into 3 sections: Pasta Go-Withs, Pasta for All Seasons, and Pasta Basics.(Pasta Go-Withs)
ANTIPASTI and APPETIZERS
Baked Caprese Salad (baguette slices w/ tomatoes, mozzarella)
Goat Cheese Toasts
Bruschetta w/ Frisee, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella
Toasted Ciabetta w/ Balsamic Syrup
Crostini w. Anchovy Butter and Cheese
Parmesan Popovers (definitely a big hit w/dinner)
Fried Ravioli (these were EXCELLENT!)
Zucchini and Carrot a Scapece (pickled veggies)
Fried Zucchini
Prosciutto-Wrapped Veggies w/ Parmesan
SOMETHING ON THE SIDE:
Cornbread Panzanella
Arugula Salad w/ Fried Gorgonzola
Spinach Salad w/ Citrus Vinaigrette and Frico (very light and healthy)
Insalata Mista w/ Basil Dressing
Hearty Winter Salad w/ Sherry Vinaigrette
Greens w/ Gorgonzola Dressing
Asparagus w/ Vin Santo Vinaigrette
Anytime Veggie Salad
Sauteed Spinach w/ Red Onion(Pasta for All Seasons)
SOUPS AND PASTA SALADS
Italian White Bean, Pancetta, and Tortelini Soup
Pasta e Ceci (garbanzo beans)
*a small info section on "grating" types of cheese for the soup/pasta's
Italian Veggie Soup (perfect during winter!!)
Ribollita (soup)
Tuna, Green Bean, and Orzo Salad
Fusilli Salad w/ Seared Shrimp and Parsley Sauce
Neapolitan Calamari and Shrimp Salad
*tips for a perfect pasta salad
Mediterranean Salad
Antipasto Salad
Italian Chicken Salad in Lettuce Crisps
HEARTY PASTAS
Baked Penne w/ Roasted Veggies
Venetian "Mac and Cheese"
Crab and Ricotta Manicotti
Rigatoni w/ Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Roman-Style Fettucine w/ Chicken
Farfalle w/ Creamy Mushroom Gorgonzola Sauce
Pappardelle w/ Lamb Stew
Cinnamon-Scented Ricotta Raviolo w/ Beef Ragu (very different/tasty)
Proscuitto Raviolo
Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells (the artichokes add a nice twist)
Gnocchi with Thyme Butter Sauce
Ricotta Gnudi in Parmesan Broth
Tagliatelle w/ Short Rib Ragu
Penne w/ Swordfish and Eggplant
Baked Pastina Casserole
Baked Gnocchi (these are heavenly little dumplings)
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Linguine w/ Better, Pecorini, Arugula, & Black Pepper
*no-cook pasta sauces
Saffron Orzo w/ Shrimp
Penne w/ Spicy Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti w/ Sauteed Onions and Marjoram
Eggplant Mezzaluna Ravioli
*stuffed pastas
Orecchiette w/ Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese
Capellini Piedmontese
Spaghetti alla Pirata
Spaghetti w/ Red and Yellow Peppers
Swordfish and Spaghetti w/ Citrus Pesto
Conghilie w/ Clams, Mussels, and Broccoli
Rotini w/ Salmon and Roasted Garlic
Rigatoni w/ Red Pepper, Almonds, and Bread Crumbs
Angel Hair Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
QUICK AND EASY WEEKNIGHT PASTAS
Chicken in Lemon Cream w/ Penne
Little Stars w/ Butter and parmesan
Breakfast Scramble w/ Orzo, pancetta, and Asparagus
Creamy Orzo
Farfalle w/ Broccoli
Wagon Wheels w/ Artichoke Pesto
*flavored pastas
Spinach Fettuccine w/ a Quick Sugo or Salsa
Spicy Angel Hair Pasta
Rotelli w/ Walnut Sauce
Cheesy Baked Tortellini
Cinnamon Pancetta Carbonara
Rigatoni w/ Sausage, Artichokes, and Asparagus
Linguine w/ Turkey Meatballs and Quick Sauce
Ditalini w/ Mushrooms and Artichokes
Mini Penne w/ Parmesan Chicken (this is very tasty and very filling)
Farfalle w/ Spicy Sausage and Kale
Penne w/ Beef and Arugula
Capellini w/ Tomato and Peas
PASTA FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS:
Spicy Baked macaroni
Tagliatelle and Duck Ragu
Spaghetti w/ Eggplant, Butternut Squash, and hrimp
Crab Salad Napoleans w/ Fresh Pasta
Shrimp Lasagna Rolls w/ Creamy Marinara
Pork and Lemon Orzotto
Spaghetti w/ Pinot Grigio and Seafood (very romantic indeed)
Butternut Squash Tortelloni w/ Cranberry Walnut Sauce
Pappardelle w/ Seafood Cream Sauce
Champagne Risotto (light and flavorful)
*reimagining risotto
Linguine and Lobster Fra Diavolo
Corn Agnolotti w/ Tarragon Butter
Turkey and Cranberry Ravioli
*dried pasta versus fresh
Sweet Fresh Fettucine
PASTA BASICS (basic recipes):
Fresh Pasta
Basic Marinara Sauce
Bechamel Sauce
Arrabbiata Sauce
Chili Oil
Citrus Olive Oil
Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Red Wine Vinaigreet
Parmesan Frico (for the Spinach & Citrus Salad; they're pretty & tasty)
Italian Wine Course by Christian Navarro
Topic Menu's
This was a delight to go through in my initial run of cooking; I plan on going through more as the list of requests continues from those who know Giada from TV. Funny how I never seem to run out of volunteer taste-testers with her recipes! Enjoy!


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For New York Times bestselling author Giada De Laurentiis, pasta has always been one of the great pleasures of the table: it's healthy and delicious; it can be light and delicate or rich and hearty; it's readily available and easy to prepare--everything you want in a meal. And nothing satisfies a craving for Italian food quite like it! In Everyday Pasta, Giada invites you to share her love of this versatile staple with more than a hundred brand-new recipes for pasta dishes, as well as for complementary sauces, salads, and sides tempting enough to bring the whole family to the dinner table.Without forgetting about the classics we all love, Giada makes the most of the many varieties of pasta available to create recipes that combine familiar flavors in exciting new ways.Although most of these dishes are all-in-one meals in themselves, Giada also supplies recipes for her favorite appetizers, side dishes, and salads to round them out.Whether you're looking for a simple summer supper that makes the most of seasonal vegetables or seeking comfort in a pasta bowl on a cold winter's night, Everyday Pasta offers just the thing. • Tuna, Green Bean, and Orzo Salad• Crab Salad Napoleans with Fresh Pasta• Roman-Style Fettuccini with Chicken• Baked Pastina Casserole• Tagliatelle with Short Ribs Ragou• Spaghetti with Eggplant, Butternut Squash, and ShrimpEasy to prepare and endlessly versatile, pasta makes a wonderful quick supper when time is short but easily becomes an elegant meal when the occasion requires. In Everyday Pasta, Giada shows you how, with a few basic ingredients from the fridge and the pantry, you're never more than minutes away from a delicious pasta dinner.

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The Taste of Home Cookbook Review

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(More customer reviews)I have long been a fan of the Taste of Home magazine & would collect their annual "Yearbooks" of recipes. Naturally I had to add this to my collection and was pleasantly surpised by the addition of a conversion and substitution chart on the inside cover. The lay out of the book itself is orderly and in each section includes a wealth of information on everything from different cheeses, meat preparation, utensils, what goes well with what etc.
Taste of Home recipes have always been a plus in that they were always good food made from readily availble ingredients, yet the addition of easy to read charts and photos provide crucial how-to information that makes this an excellent book for a novice cook while the variety in recipes will offer plenty of new options to try out for an advanced cook.
I also liked that the book is sturdy and very well made, it is designed for endurance and extensive use.
As usual Taste of Home does not disapoint & this book is Highly recomended!

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Your purchase of The Taste of Home Cookbook also includes a one-year subscription to Taste of Home magazine!The 1,000 home cooks who help create the #1 cooking magazine in the world bring you the most comprehensive cookbook yet, The Taste of Home Cookbook! This brand-new cookbook has over 1,200 home-style, kitchen-tested recipes with over 700 full-color photographs. The five-ring binder-style collection is organized into 25 different chapters, so it is easy to use. There are 2 handy pockets to store your own recipe clippings or cards. For quick look-up, you can flip to any one of five separate indexes, including major ingredient, food category, alphabetical, cooking method, and tip/reference. Plus, easy-to-follow reference charts are located on the inside front and back covers.Best of all, The Taste of Home Cookbook includes all of the homemade classics you would expect - from beef brisket to dinner rolls, pot roast to apple pie - plus dozens of fresh taste-twists soon to become new family favorites. Scattered throughout are entertaining anecdotal stories from contributing home cooks that will demonstrate why these treasured recipes earn rave reviews at every meal or special occasion. Each recipe also features a quick-read ingredient list and clear, simple-to-follow instructions.New and experienced cooks alike will appreciate the basic techniques sections, followed by more than 300 additional time-saving tips, handy tricks and helpful how-to's with step-by-step instructions and photos to make cooking easier.Every recipe hand-selected for The Taste of Home Cookbook has been tested by cooks like you and again in the Taste of Home Test Kitchens, and each includes nutrition information. There's even a chapter on light recipes and an information section on the latest FDA food label information, including trans fats. With hundreds of photos inside, you can know what the food will look like on your own table. You can make any recipe in this book with confidence and enjoy guaranteed success.The Taste of Home Cookbook is a must-have resource for every home cook! It is the ideal year-round gift, perfect for holidays, bridal showers, birthdays, Mother's Day and more.

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