Rating: 
Summary: This is barely a cookbook
Review: If you truly have trouble putting the most basic meals together, then this book is fine. But don't expect anything terribly appealing. Most of the recipes look gross, and they're so unhealthy that I wouldn't eat them more than very occasionally. If that doesn't bother you, then give it a shot. You'll find recipes similar to what you'd find on the back of a soup can, and they're very easy to make, but I'm not sure you can call it cooking. It's more like directions for heating things up, with a few extra steps so you can tell your friends you made it yourself. If you want to learn how to cook, try a different book, such as "Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen".
Rating: 
Summary: A good start to expanding your cooking vocabulary
Review: My purpose in considering this book was a hunt for recipes that were fairly simple to make, not too unhealthy, and would please four boys of various ages. The book itself is pretty enough (shiny pages!), and it's certainly entertaining to read, but the layout of the recipes is confusing to anyone trying to get all of the ingredients together; it's too easy to miss the "other ingredients" in small print at the corner of the photo. (Since I input all recipes into a computer program, this didn't affect me too much, but book-on-counter cooks be warned.) On the other hand, EVERY recipe I've tried has been a wild success with my family -- the 2-year-old, 5-year-old, 13-year-old, and husband ALL liked them. Woo hoo!! Considering that there are only 50 recipes and MOST people aren't going to use more than two thirds of those, the price is a little high. On the other hand, how much are new, popular, tasty, easy, health-conscious family-friendly recipes really worth? Recommendation: get it from the library first, to see if it is "for you." I will definitely be giving copies as gifts.
Rating: 
Summary: Tasty recipes, lousy layout
Review: My purpose in considering this book was a hunt for recipes that were fairly simple to make, not too unhealthy, and would please four boys of various ages. I decided to borrow this book from the library before buying it, and I'm glad I did. The book itself is pretty enough (shiny pages!), and it's certainly entertaining to read, but the layout of the recipes is confusing to anyone trying to get all of the ingredients together. (It's too easy to miss the "other ingredients" in small print at the corner of the photo. What were they thinking?) On the other hand, every recipe I've tried so far has been a success with my family. Salmon burgers, pig in a pinwheel, game-day stew, and bean and bull burritos are now official family favorites. The recipes are tasty enough, but considering that there are only 50 of them and MOST people aren't going to use more than two thirds of those, the price is a little high.
So I'm not going to buy this book for myself, but I'll probably be giving it as a gift to several people.
Rating:
Summary: Tasty recipes, less-than-ideal layout
Review: My purpose in considering this book was a hunt for recipes that were fairly simple to make, not too unhealthy, and would please four boys of various ages. The book itself is pretty enough (shiny pages!), and it's certainly entertaining to read, but the layout of the recipes is confusing to anyone trying to get all of the ingredients together; it's too easy to miss the "other ingredients" in small print at the corner of the photo. (Since I input all recipes into a computer program, this didn't affect me too much, but book-on-counter cooks be warned.) On the other hand, EVERY recipe I've tried has been a wild success with my family -- the 2-year-old, 5-year-old, 13-year-old, and husband ALL liked them. Woo hoo!! Considering that there are only 50 recipes and MOST people aren't going to use more than two thirds of those, the price is a little high. On the other hand, how much are new, popular, tasty, easy, health-conscious family-friendly recipes really worth? Recommendation: get it from the library first, to see if it is "for you." I will definitely be giving copies as gifts.
Rating: 
Summary: Recipes that high school wrestlers love...
Review: My two sons are high school heavyweight wrestlers - that means that they are hungry ALL THE TIME. We got this book and now they can make quick, relatively healthy meals that they really like. It's a godsend!!! I am buying extra copies for them to take college (our home copy is staying right here)...
Rating: 
Summary: A Man, a Can, and a Bed Pan!
Review: Nice concept...Gross Recipies. Could not find one thing I had any interest in making.
Rating:
Summary: A great idea, though with slightly flawed execution
Review: Pros: The format of the book is great (complete with the big splatter-resistant pages), was obviously written by a "true guy", the recipes are easy and quick, and has a sense of humor. Cons: The "+" format is deceptive as there's often very significant ingredients that don't show up in the ingredient pictures; you also have to read into the recipe just to find out what tools are needed. Given how much sodium is a problem (especially for men) the use of such heavily salted ingredients is odd for Men's Health to use. Most of the recipes are for 4 to 10 servings: Granted most guys eat 2 "servings", but it doesn't make it very easy to substitute for the "Burger-Rama mega-deal".
Rating:
Summary: Even GIRLS like this book!
Review: That's right, it's not just for men. I really enjoy this book because the recipies are EASY, require minimum ingredients that are easy to find in the grocery store, and taste good! They even provide nutrition information, encourage using low-fat products, and provide suggestions and facts about the meals/ingredients to vary the recipies! You just cannot go wrong here!
Rating:
Summary: A good idea
Review: The idea is solid, a collection of recipes for lazy or less than competent 'cooks'. And to some extent it does deliver, providing simple recipes that use easily obtained ingredients. The nutritional content of these meals is okay, they make an effort to use low sodium or low fat ingredients wherever possible. The recipes are simple to prepare if not quick to prepare, some require overnight marinades. And it would be nice to identify the tools required for the meals upfront. The book does have it shortcomings, the recipes aren't great tasting. The book has only 50 recipes, more than 50 cents a recipe which is quite expensive. Even if cost is ignored 50 recipes is a bit skimpy.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Buy for the Beginning Cook
Review: This book is nearly perfect for its intended market. Some users complained that the recipes weren't exactly gourmet, that they were not appetizing enough, but they are not intended to be anything fancy.
I bought this book for my boyfriend, who was too intimidated by any of my cookbooks to give cooking a real try. He just wanted to be able to cook his own dinner. This meant he would only have to visit the grocery store once a week, so the ingredients would have to be common enough for him to have in his pantry. It also meant the recipes could be cooked in less than an hour with a minimum of preperation, make small servings, and be relatively nutritious. He now makes dinner fo rme sometimes, and they're not half bad. Some of the recipes I refuse to try, but that's a matter of personal taste, not because the recipes are bad.
The book gives detailed information on ingredients, preperation time and skill needed, nutrition, and is simply laid out and is easy to read. A great buy for your guy, college students, or any beginning cook.
|
