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Summary: This book changed the way I cook
Review: My usual routine was to open a can of sauce and throw it over spaghetti weeknights, and then make something fantastic (and complicated) on weekends. Not anymore. Although the recipes in this book are delicious, easy and quick, the real value for me was in the technique lessons he sneaks into every recipe (like searing and steaming chicken breasts) and the encouragement to create your own variations of the recipes. I also liked his flavor combinations- he includes some that I've never tried before as well as the classics, but they've all been very tasty.
I can't recommend this book enough. I also liked "The minimalist cooks at home".
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Summary: This should be a 5 out of 5.
Review: The only reason this book is not 5 out of 5 is that is too short.
The choices are excellent, the directions clear, the results fantastic.While not as dramatic as Flay or Lagasse, these recipes are workable and delicious. And no photos or kicking it up another notch.
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Summary: beware of overlap recipes from How to Cook Everything (HTCE)
Review: The recipes alone deserve 5 out of 5 stars. However, since I own both HTCE and the two Minimalist volumes, I was chagrined to find overlap between HTCE and each of the Minimalist books. The Minimalist books do not overlap. Save your money-- I recommend only buying HTCE. If you are interested in the other non-overlapping recipes, borrow the book from friends or libraries. The Minimalist cooks dinner has a much more user-friendly layout, organization than HTCE and the first Minimalist book. An ideal Bittman cookbook would be all of the recipes from his books together, with the layout and organization of this volume. That would be a truly incredible cookbook, but alas, I keep on dreaming...
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Summary: A TERRIFIC COOKBOOK FOR THOSE "ON THE GO!"
Review: This cookbook is a must for those who want a refreshing, tasty meal but do not have the hours, or the energy, to spend in the kitchen. If you work outside the home or if you live alone and do not want to go to all the effort of preparing a time-consuming meal for one, you will find the recipes here are just what you are looking for. There is plenty of flavour in each of the dishes and the wonderful part is that most recipes can be prepared in approximately thirty minutes. No more frustrated children (or cranky husband) asking, "When will dinner be ready - how much longer?" These recipes are a cinch to prepare and soooo delicious! This book is highly recommended and most deserving of a five-star rating.
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Summary: Lives up to its name...and then some
Review: We love to cook, but often don't have the time to prepare complex meals. Fortunately, Bittman's _Minimalist_ has allowed us to expand our culinary horizons, without a great deal of effort. The Roast Salmon Steaks with Pinot Noir syrup was marvelous. The salmon and Pinot sauce worked well together; the easy-to-cook syrup would work well with a variety of meats. The recipie called for only 7 ingredients, and preparation was a snap. I'm not usually an eggplant fanatic, but the Chicken Breast with Eggplant, Shallots and Ginger was really tasty. Once again, preparation was painless, the list of required ingredients was short, and the results were impressive. As other reviewers have noted, this is *not* an encyclopedic, Joy of Cooking-replacement, but is rather an excellent way to expand your cooking repertoire with quick, healthful dishes. We haven't been disappointed yet.
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Summary: Look, Ma, no ramen!
Review: What this book isn't: a comprehensive guide to cooking. Nor is it a resource for food snobs. What this book is: a simple, straightforward guide to cooking delicious meals without using your microwave or preservative-laden, chemical-laced foods. Most of Bittman's recipes can be prepared in under an hour, with many of them clocking in at under thirty minutes. Lists of ingredients are short, although true beginners will find themselves getting acquainted with new spices and produce. If you're new to cooking and need a starting point, this book is it. If you're more experienced, I imagine this might still be a useful resource for busy days. This isn't a cookbook for vegetarians, as many of the recipes include some sort of meat. The book doesn't include any photos (unfortunate for beginners), and you'll have to look elsewhere for information on techniques if you find yourself wondering exactly how to do something. But then again, these recipes are so simple that you can just wing it and still be successful. Each recipe (and there are lots--106 by my count) includes a conversational description; list of ingredients; thorough directions; suggestions for wine and side dishes; tips about substitutions, buying ingredients, and other pertinent information; and possible variations of the dish. Recipes are grouped by category: Soups and Stews; Pasta, Noodles, and Pizza; Shellfish; Fish; Poultry; Meat; and Salads and Side Dishes. For me, this book has been a gentle introduction to cooking, and from here I feel I can start delving into more complicated recipes. Nevertheless, I'll refer to these over and over again when time is short and the package of ramen no longer appeals. Recommended for busy people the world over, people buying gifts for cooking-inept students (aren't they all?), and anyone for whom cooking is a mysterious activity.
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Summary: More than recipies... Advice to use of what I've got.
Review: Why do you want to buy a cookbook? If you're a restraut chef or caterer who needs to add several very high quality, very repeatable recipies to their menu, then this book is likely not your best choice. However, if you're an ordinary person who buys what's on sale at the grocery store, wants to emprovise to use what they've got in the refridgerator, and doesn't mind an ocassional dish coming out only so-so, then this is a very good book. It doesn't include instructions for everything (like Joy of Cooking or How to Cook Everything), but does include about 200 very good recipies, each with explanations of what purpose the ingredients serve and suggestions for substitutions, ways to kick it up a notch, or skimp on prep time. That's what makes this such a useful book.
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