The Monday to Friday Cookbook

by Michele Urvater

Monday-to-Friday Cookbook

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

383 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1991

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I decided I wanted to start cooking something beyond my usual rotation of pasta-stir fry-quesadillas, I grabbed this book. It helped demystify the kitchen and spelled out the requirements of a well-stocked pantry. All the recipes are simple and quick, and Urvater's instructions are truly step by step--a huge help for beginning cooks (e.g., Put the water on to boil. Chop the onion and carrot. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a frying pan and saute onion and carrot for five minutes. While the onion and carrot cook, slice the mushrooms.)

Urvater lists variations for many of the recipes, letting you create a new dish by changing just a few ingredients. She also includes suggestions for dressing up the leftovers into a new dish for lunch the next day (e.g., turning a hot pasta dish into pasta salad by adding vinaigrette and fresh herbs) as well as suggestions for adapting recipes for kids' palates.

I love how this book incorporates both the strict step-by-step instructions a beginning cook needs and ample encouragement to be creative and experimental in the kitchen. I've since moved on to more gourmet fare, but it was this book that laid the foundation for my confidence as a cook.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go-to cookbook. It has been for years. The recipes are quite healthy. They are well-written. They are super simple and are generally only a few ingredients.

You need to buy a copy of this cookbook. It contains tons of the most original and yet simple food combinations. Ever had sardines, chickpeas and tomato sauce over pasta? No, you wouldn't believe how delicious it is! How about chestnuts puréed with cocoa and a little sugar? Amazingly simple, healthy and tasty.

If Urvater were to publish a revised edition I would buy it in a second. She is brilliant. However, she appears to have retired so I will be happy with my old dog-eared, tomato-splattered copy.

[Mary]

I love her ideas for feeding a family.