Fresh & Easy: What To Cook & How To Cook It

by Jane Hornby, Steven Joyce (Photographer)

A brand-new collection of irresistible, light and simple step-by-step recipes using fresh ingredients by Jane Hornby, author of What to Cook and How to Cook It.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2012

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cookbooks I've gotten usually only have a few recipes that I actually end up making because either a) too many ingredients that just add up to $$$ b) they take forever to make, and who has time for hours in the kitchen? Many of the recipes in this book only take 4 steps and don't need a million ingredients. And I actually want to eat most of what is in here! Another plus is that the recipes includes side dishes like potatoes or salads paired with the main dish so you don't have to decide what else to make with your chicken etc. I would recommend this if you're looking for easy and healthy recipes and are bored with what you've been cooking. Also, I love that it's so british and has a recipe for scones :)

[Laura S]

Just grabbed this at the library because it sounded cool but I am impressed! If you are a person who loves the simplicity of meal kit recipes (Home Chef, Blue Apron, etc), you will love the layout of this cookbook— there are step by step pictures of every recipe. I am often annoyed when cookbooks don't have pictures of the recipes, but this book definitely doesn't have that issue. I haven't tried any of these recipes, and I don't know that I will, but I am incredibly impressed with the production and layout.

[Reb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made four recipes in a week - amazingly simple layout with clear instructions. This book is great for occasional/confident cooks as it has 6+ how-to pictures per recipe.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner! As previously shared reviewing other Hornby cookbooks, I just love her!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book - the photography and illustrations are really amazing. However, I find it to be an awkward size for actual use in the kitchen - it's very big and bulky. Because so many steps are illustrated, there aren't as many recipes as you'd think in a book this size. The food is very good, but very trendy. Some of the combinations were just too much for kids, or even for me during the week (vegetable gnudi). Most of the recipes cook quick, and she does give cooking and prep times that are pretty accurate (she also includes cup measurements, a nice improvement over last time). I also liked that in the grilling chapter she included 'if it rains' tips, so that you don't have to finish the food on the grill if you can't or don't want to.

The sides (even the ones that aren't sides but are parts of actual recipes) are the strong suit here; the mouse with cherries is amazing. I'd borrow this book from the library or a friend; it's not worth the investment.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't get enough of this book, the recipes I have cooked so far have been delicious (my partner would quite happily lay testament to this as he has been a very willing guinea pig). The photographs throughout are beautifully presented and the recipes themselves well laid out and easy to follow. This is not an exhaustive guide to cooking, but the various recipes are diverse and fun and they don't take too long to prepare and cook. What also sold it to me was that the ingredients lists didn't include ridiculously hard to find food stuffs as you quite often find with contemporary cookbooks (one of Jamie Oliver's Cookbooks had a recipe that included cactus....good luck finding that in Southern England).

I am not a seasoned chef but I am always looking through cookbooks for inspiration and guidance, this one really hit the spot for me as it delivers both these things well. A lovely addition to anyone's cookery shelf!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made a couple of these recipes--they are OK. I already know how to cook well, but I was really smitten with the orderly, step-by-step photography of the cooking process. In the end I didn't find the recipes to be anything new for me. This book would be excellent for someone who wants to cook but feels intimidated by it; this book will hold your hand as you learn.

[ibrunnin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite cook book! So easy to follow. Really a great cook book for those times you have hardly any ingredients but you still have a standard of fresh and flavorful. I just flip through the book and quickly determine if I have the ingredients to make something . The pictures of the ingredients are what makes the cook book in my opinion.

[Marie Corbitt]

Love love love this cookbook! Probably my favorite cookbook I've ever seen. Love the setup of pictures and the step by step layout. So helpful and informative, not to mention beautiful. I just might buy this one!

[Seana · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple food, beautifully & cleanly presented

[Beth]

SFP 2/9/13

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Great clean recipes with vivid photos. I have to buy this book because I check it out too many times at the library!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a cook (or a baker) and don't even enjoy doing either but sometimes, you gotta. So make it easy and good -this cookbook does that.