Seriously Simple: Easy Recipes for Creative Cooks

by Diane Rossen Worthington, Noel Barnhurst (Photographer)

The subtitle says it all. One of the biggest challenges for the good home cook is creating delicious, healthy meals using just a few ingredients and simple steps. And good cooks know that Diane Worthington is an expert at finding the one strong flavor component that will turn a ho-hum dish into something memorable-without spending the whole day in the kitchen. In Seriously Easy Recipes for Creative Cooks she does it again. Here are over 90 recipes for everything from Butternut Squash Soup with Chipotle Creme to Lemon-Lime Pound-cake that come together in a snap. Gorgeously photographed, Seriously Simple is full of practical tips for saving time without sparing the savor, such as advice on developing a busy cooks pantry, making one-pot meals, and creating sauces, rubs, and marinades that will spice up any dish in a flash. Guaranteed to cut down on the prep time, streamline techniques, and pump up the flavor, heres a new kitchen standby thats seriously fast, seriously delicious... Seriously Simple .

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a project where I go through one of my cookbooks that I have in my cupboard to see whether or not they're "keepers," I went through this entire cookbook and cooked all of the recipes that appealed to my family and I. Of those 26 recipes I tired, nine were good enough to be made again. 14 were so-so and were not worth making again. Three were failures.

I liked that for pretty much every recipe the author gave ideas of how you could switch it up and steps for how you could prepare the recipe in advance. However, with there being so many recipes not worth keeping, I think I'll copy those recipes that I liked (Vermont coleslaw, Tagliatelle with quick Bolognese sauce, Baked pasta with spicy tomato and sausage sauce, Island braised short ribs, Sunday night brisket, Sautéed Brussels sprouts, Two-vegetable rice pilaf, toasted coconut rice pilaf, chocolate fudge cake) and then place this book in a Little Free Library, hopefully to be discovered by someone who might appreciate this book more.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my few and favorites for the kitchen.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great menu ideas from snacks, meals, to beverages. I think the title says it all "it's easy if you're creative". This is more than just "bring a cheese tray" type of meal. Although there is a great section on the cheese tray use :) Menus for different times of the year as well as events.

I only wish it wouldn've had a few more photos. We eat with our eyes first...

[Ryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best cookbooks I have read. Whip up delicious meals in no time at all with minimal ingredients. It's a lifesaver and several of the recipes are mainstays in my arsenal of personal care and potluck. All get rave reviews from my friends when I cook them.

Bottom line: Get this book!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for over 5 years and I keep "reading" it until the pages are grease stained at my favorite recipes. When you are ready to move beyond the old standard cookbooks, this one will make you look good to your guests. I keep giving this as a gift.

[Shannon Wheeler roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite go-to for a nice (but easy) dinner