Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

People- buy this cookbook. I am an avid cook and I have cookbooks resting by my bedside table at night. But I still consider myself a novice, with zero formal training. The structure of this cookbook is brilliant. She gives you a recipe and then adds 2-3 "spin-offs" at the close of each recipe telling you how to riff on whatever ingredient or technique you just used to prepare the original dish. I mean, it's like jazz for cooking! The photos are drool-worthy and the ingredients are all things you will likely have at home or be able to grab with ONE trip to ONE store. There are a few exceptions, but not many and she notes these up front and offers substitutions. I cook for my family of 5 each day, while running my own business and minding the household duties. I am so excited to cook from this book and make it a regular staple. Something about Julia's manner reminds me of a mashup of Deb Perlman from Smitten Kitchen plus Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa fame. She brings the "no nonsense, I cooked this in a tiny NY kitchen and tested it a thousand times" vibe of Deb with the basic, simple ingredients and "how easy is that?" vibe of Ina. The end of the book concludes with 7 lists of 7 things you can do with chicken, ground meat, pizza dough, seafood, etc. the versatility is endless. And helpful, come 6pm when you're staring a fridge with various leftovers that need a little transformation. Your families and belly will thank you! Dig in! (This is my own opinion. I paid full price for my book and have no connection to the author or Amazon. I hate reading reviews and feeling duped at the end by folks who got it in exchange for their 'honest' review.)