Cooking for Blondes: Gourmet Recipes for the Culinarily Challenged

Rating:
Summary: Gourmet dishes within the grasp of any culinary beginner
Review: Cooking For Blonds: Gourmet Recipes For The Culinarily Challenged is a compilation of recipes carefully chosen and designed to be "novice cook friendly". Each recipes is even rated for quick reference with "Blond", "Blonder", and "Blondest" symbols. From Blue Corn Pancakes; Apricot-Lemon Scones; Skinny Shepherd's Pie; and Coconut-Pecan Biscotti; to Pepper Butter; Avocado Cream Soup; Garlic Shrimp Pizza; and Peppermint Whipped Cream, Cooking For Blondes brings truly gourmet dishes within the grasp of any culinary beginner -- and will prove to have great appeal for even the most experienced kitchen chef.

Rating:
Summary: Gourmet dishes within the grasp of any culinary beginner
Review: Cooking For Blonds: Gourmet Recipes For The Culinarily Challenged is a compilation of recipes carefully chosen and designed to be "novice cook friendly". Each recipes is even rated for quick reference with "Blond", "Blonder", and "Blondest" symbols. From Blue Corn Pancakes; Apricot-Lemon Scones; Skinny Shepherd's Pie; and Coconut-Pecan Biscotti; to Pepper Butter; Avocado Cream Soup; Garlic Shrimp Pizza; and Peppermint Whipped Cream, Cooking For Blondes brings truly gourmet dishes within the grasp of any culinary beginner -- and will prove to have great appeal for even the most experienced kitchen chef.

Rating:
Summary: Blonde or No Blonde, This is a Great Cookbook
Review: I am a closet cookbook collector, and am pleased to add Cooking for Blondes to my bookshelf!

Author Rhonda Levitch's cookbook really brings out the best in food - which is so wonderful and refreshing! If you enjoy the true taste, flavors and melding of such enticing produce (or fish or meat), then this cookbook is for you.

Additionally, Ms. Levitch offers not just single recipes, but she puts them together into menus that will surely get you noticed at your next brunch or dinner party. The shopping lists are completely prepared, and all you have to do is grab your pocketbook and run to the local grocer or market. Preparation is a snap because the receipts are all categorized by the 'blonde' references from easy (Platinum Blonde) to a bit more time-consuming (Golden Blonde) to the recipes that may require you to phone a friend for assistance (Natural Blonde).

I would categorize most of the recipes as gourmet, though some were just downright home-cooked feel-good foods. I took some of the recipes to my kitchen for the true test - passing muster with my husband and children. They loved the puffy omelets, though more for the fun time preparing them (they don't eat many eggs) and they regularly request a re-make of the No-Bake Chocolate, Oat Peanut Butter Cookies! This was really fun for the kids to prepare because they got to make their hands all oohey-goohey! Even for my blonde children!

So, whether you're planning a dinner party, a romantic dining experience with your mate or some fun in the kitchen with kids - I recommend Cooking for Blondes - with or without hair color!

Although the blonde references make this cookbook are not just unique, but also a bit humorous, there is nothing but scrumptious delectable ideas between the cover. Hmmm, maybe folks ought to take a bit of a closer look at blondes, too!

Rating:
Summary: Don't let the title fool you!
Review: When I looked at this book I thought Cooking for Blondes might be a book that would be of no interest to me until I open it up and looked at the recipes. I was quite please with what I found so I bought the book and on the way home stopped at the store to pick up a few things to try out her brownie recipe. My family ate the whole pan of brownies that night and asked me to make them again very soon. Don't let the title fool you because it is a awesome cookbook.

Rating:
Summary: Easy recipes that are also delicious
Review: With tongue-in-cheek fun each of the recipes in "Cooking for Blondes" are ranked as Platinum Blonde, Golden Blonde, or Natural Blonde. The recipes ranked as Platinum Blonde are very easy so that even a Platinum Blonde can prepare them. Those ranked as Golden Blonde require a slightly higher level of ability. And those labeled as Natural Blonde are a little more difficult, but all are easy enough that even a blonde, of any type, can prepare them.

So, with that as the theme, all the recipes are simple, using common ingredients and the preparation instructions are generally not longer than the ingredients list. Of course it has the usual divisions of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. In addition it has example menus and a section on conversions, charts, substitutions, and even a listing of the recipes that are appropriate for vegetarians.

The variety is extensive and includes a sour cream pecan coffeecake that is excellent as well as a grilled snapper with mango pineapple salsa that is also excellent with tilapia. This is a highly recommended purchase for the person who wants a book with simple recipes and ingredients that even young teenagers can prepare with great results.