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Desperation Dinners
What's a Desperation Dinner? How to feed your family well when your spouse is late, the kids are losing it, and the dog is scratching at the door. Features over 250 tempting, nutritious recipes that take brilliant advantage of convenience foods-from individual quick-frozen chicken breasts to chopped ginger in a jar-plus innovative techniques to cut time and "push" flavor. Desperation Dinners 1. These recipes are not hard. 2. These recipes do not require expensive equipment. 3. These recipes do not lie-every one can be made in 20 minutes, start to finish. 4. Expect to be working, but only for those 20 minutes. 5. These recipes taste good. A Slightly Desperate Cook's Answer to "What's for Dinner?" Skillet Shepherd's Pie Topsail Spaghetti Pork au Poivre Chicken Chili Quesadillas Garlic-Roasted Salmon Buttered Rum-Glazed Ham Fish Florentine Confetti Stuffed Peppers And When You're Really Desperate Southwestern Chicken on the Spot Minute Minestrone Tuna and Fusilli Alfresco Miracle Baked Pork Chops Practically Perfect Peach Crisp "The dinner dilemma is solved! The Desperation ladies deserve to be stove-side in every busy home." -Nathalie Dupree, author of Nathalie Dupree Cooks Quick Meals for Busy Days
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 1, 2011
Ok, so this is my own book (hee hee!), but it's been around for a long time, coming up on its 15th anniversary. And even though she's an oldie, lots of folks say she's still a goodie. When you're cooking from it, or eating from it, or just reading the stories in it, I have to say it still holds up as surprisingly contemporary....
If anyone out there still has a copy, I'd love to hear from you!
If anyone out there still has a copy, I'd love to hear from you!
November 10, 2015
As written, these recipes make good bases for meals, but are a touch bland. Adding my own extras made them great. They are fabulously quick and easy to alter and that makes a difference in my life.
November 2, 2025
I’m sorting through my cookbooks in preparation for moving and this is one of my most-worn and used. My copy is full of stains and notations.
I no longer have to scramble for dinner after a day of work and little kids and some of the recipes are pretty well established in my head, but I continue using it after two decades!
I no longer have to scramble for dinner after a day of work and little kids and some of the recipes are pretty well established in my head, but I continue using it after two decades!
August 6, 2025
Easy recipes for busy people. Coming home from work short on time, this book is helpful to get delicious food quickly to the table . My kids like the recipes , so the book stays where I can find it.
June 3, 2017
I use this book constantly. Recipes are easy and great quick answers when you are in jam
January 3, 2022
Good ideas but a little meat heavy for vegetarians.
December 14, 2008
I have owned this cookbook for several years - it was given to me as a gift for my bridal shower in 2002 and was one of my main resources as I learned my way around a kitchen. I originally rated it 4 stars - it was user-friendly, the recipes were great for everyday use, and there are several quick tips that can be applied to anything you ever prepare in the kitchen.
I am revising my rating now, 6 years later, as the insanely busy, budget-conscious mother of 2 small children. This book is not just a resource anymore, it is a lifesaver. I had gotten to the point where several evenings a week I would stare into my refrigerator and despair over the lack of options...yet wrangling my 3 year old and my 1 year old into the minivan and out to the grocery store (or even the drive-through!) seemed even more defeating.
This book was written for me. Beyond the many kid-friendly, quick-fix recipes, it strives to use ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. The prep of each recipe is idiot-proof - it will tell you what to do and in what order so that you use as few dishes as possible and get things done in under 20 minutes.
Add to that, most of the recipes are truly fantastic. Most of them have enough flexibility that you can personalize them to your taste - for example, Easy Chicken Enchiladas (p. 269) calls for canned chicken, but is just as good with left-over chicken, black beans, ground beef or turkey, etc. It notes that green taco sauce made with tomatillos will give it an authentic flavor, but if you prefer to use traditional red taco sauce, go for it! (I make this recipe as written, using whole wheat tortillas, lowfat sour cream and reduced fat shredded cheese and it is extraordinary - better than most restaurants and SO much healthier and less expensive)
If you invest in this book, read the introduction before you start using it. It was put together with busy moms in mind, and it will help you maximize the usefulness of the book if you read the authors' explanation of the layout of the book.
I am revising my rating now, 6 years later, as the insanely busy, budget-conscious mother of 2 small children. This book is not just a resource anymore, it is a lifesaver. I had gotten to the point where several evenings a week I would stare into my refrigerator and despair over the lack of options...yet wrangling my 3 year old and my 1 year old into the minivan and out to the grocery store (or even the drive-through!) seemed even more defeating.
This book was written for me. Beyond the many kid-friendly, quick-fix recipes, it strives to use ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. The prep of each recipe is idiot-proof - it will tell you what to do and in what order so that you use as few dishes as possible and get things done in under 20 minutes.
Add to that, most of the recipes are truly fantastic. Most of them have enough flexibility that you can personalize them to your taste - for example, Easy Chicken Enchiladas (p. 269) calls for canned chicken, but is just as good with left-over chicken, black beans, ground beef or turkey, etc. It notes that green taco sauce made with tomatillos will give it an authentic flavor, but if you prefer to use traditional red taco sauce, go for it! (I make this recipe as written, using whole wheat tortillas, lowfat sour cream and reduced fat shredded cheese and it is extraordinary - better than most restaurants and SO much healthier and less expensive)
If you invest in this book, read the introduction before you start using it. It was put together with busy moms in mind, and it will help you maximize the usefulness of the book if you read the authors' explanation of the layout of the book.
May 11, 2013
The thing I like best about this book is how adaptable the recipes are, even for non-foodie types like me. Some of our favorite meals are ones that have evolved from recipes from this book but are now so different from the book version that they're barely recognizable as the ones here.
There are two things I don't like about this book: the reliance on canned goods given that healthier choices among canned products (such as lower salt, etc.) usually cost more. And a lot of the recipes really do - at least for us - require adaptation. I don't know how many of them we have tried over the years and I've made notes and notes and notes about how to improve the meal. However, for me as a "cook," that's a curse that comes with a benefit, because I didn't have the confidence to experiment with adapting recipes before I started using this book.
On the whole, I really do like this one. It assumes I don't have time, and makes concrete suggestions about how to make decent food in spite of that.
There are two things I don't like about this book: the reliance on canned goods given that healthier choices among canned products (such as lower salt, etc.) usually cost more. And a lot of the recipes really do - at least for us - require adaptation. I don't know how many of them we have tried over the years and I've made notes and notes and notes about how to improve the meal. However, for me as a "cook," that's a curse that comes with a benefit, because I didn't have the confidence to experiment with adapting recipes before I started using this book.
On the whole, I really do like this one. It assumes I don't have time, and makes concrete suggestions about how to make decent food in spite of that.
May 19, 2011
I'm semi-retiring this cookbook, after copying out a few recipes that have become favorites, because, since I'm not working full-time, I don't have as much need for 20 minute dinners. Yes, 20 minutes -- if you follow their directions exactly (including buying frozen chopped onions) you can have supper on the table in 20 minutes. This book was very helpful when I was a working mother. My favorite recipes are Chicken Tortilla Soup, China in a Pot (another soup), and Heartland Beef and Rice (a skillet dinner). But I've tried quite a few more and would make most of them again. Recommended for people who want to cook real food (very little use of processed ingredients other than getting things pre-chopped and the occasional sauce)in a short time.
October 19, 2008
My mother-in-law gave this to me for Christmas years and years ago. I like to think it was because she knew I loved cooking NOT because she thought I was a bad cook.
I think this is a great concept. Fast dinners, under 30 minutes, with common ingredients. I tried many of the recipes and all of them were on the bland side. I always needed to add more salt or seasonings.
This book did help me look at my cooking style and I was able to streamline a lot of recipes I already had. Over the years I've developed my own method of Desperation cooking with recipes suited to the tastes of my family.
I'd recommend checking it out of the library before purchasing.
I think this is a great concept. Fast dinners, under 30 minutes, with common ingredients. I tried many of the recipes and all of them were on the bland side. I always needed to add more salt or seasonings.
This book did help me look at my cooking style and I was able to streamline a lot of recipes I already had. Over the years I've developed my own method of Desperation cooking with recipes suited to the tastes of my family.
I'd recommend checking it out of the library before purchasing.
March 4, 2011
I LOVE this cookbook! I originally picked it up at the library and tried several recipes which were a BIG hit with my family. When everyone likes dinner... that is SERIOUS. I was bummed when I had to return it, but as luck would have it, my sis and I were at a garage sale and she found it for a buck and was kind enough to let me have it. Thanks sis!!
August 14, 2011
What I love most about this cookbook are the suggestions for pantry, freezer and refrigerator staples. By keeping these essential items on hand, then cooking dinner will no longer be a struggle. The recipes are pretty good too. And they are simple enough for someone not very experienced in the kitchen!
October 10, 2015
This book is awesome for quick dinners. Most of them are so easy with stuff you have on hand. There are even some that are pantry meals. All the ingredients can sit on your pantry shelf so you can stock up.
May 20, 2008
This is the best cookbook in the world for working moms! Truly 20 minute meals - with ingredients you can find in your local grocery store.
January 4, 2009
This is very helpful when you are in a hurry--but you have to have a lot of ingredients in the house.
May 6, 2009
I found recipes that I have used over and ove again and that my picky family will eat. The meals can be made in 20 to 30 minutes.
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January 25, 2011A good cookbook, given to me by a great friend. The recipes were just a little bit more than I felt I could pull off on an ordinary day.
July 19, 2011
One of the few cookbooks where when I try recipes I think sound good, 90% of the time they ARE. That doesn't happen much for this picky eater!
May 6, 2013
Very clearly written and lots of new ideas for me!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews