Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

It takes a formidable cookbook to gain entry to my kitchen. Counter and shelf space is limited. I doubted a cookbook this year would make the cut. Then How to Cook Everything Fast came along, and now it's in the kitchen--which makes sense because some of my other books in the kitchen are Mark Bittman books. How to Cook Everything Fast is a veritable encyclopedia of how to get anything on the table in less time. With this book, you'll be able to fix something to eat much faster than by calling and waiting for takeout. It is a sturdy, hardbound book that lies open without the aid of a cookbook stand so that you can toss it on the counter and cook from it. The type for the actual recipes is a bit larger than I am accustomed to in my other cookbooks which is a huge perk. Those of you who buy cookbooks for the pictures will be a tad disappointed. In the tradition of Bittman's other "How to Cook Everything", you'll find a few sparse, line drawings. Bittman's recipes need no pictures. He is a concise and clear recipe author. Another reviewer noted this book might not be for a beginner cook or someone who has a difficult time with directions. I agree. Bittman uses the principle of multi-tasking to get food on the table more quickly. The recipes use both blue and black type. The black type is an actual cooking step while the blue type directs you to prep another ingredient while your dish cooks. It's a terrific layout that illustrates how a seasoned home cook gets food on the table. Think of how often you chop veggies while your pasta water is boiling, and you'll get the picture. He also utilizes some different cooking techniques to streamline the process or add flavor to your food such as putting a little oil in the bottom of a roasting pan to get a nice sear on your meat. I had a dozen "Why didn't I think of that?" moments when I paged through the book for the first time. Bittman also includes a terrific intro in the book that includes a handy substitution guide, the quickest methods to cut fruits and veggies, how to store pantry staples, what convenience items are worth the price, and how to reorganize your kitchen for speed. There is a short introduction before each recipe, and at the end of each recipe are lists of variations, suggestions to make the recipe faster or in some instances more leisurely (if you have extra time), and side suggestions. The ingredients are run of the mill, mostly whole foods that can be picked up at any supermarket chain. You will find that the end product may not be completely identical to the original will be just as flavorful. Recipes range from the practical (pizza wedges, creamed spinach, fish and chips) to the more updated (goat cheese truffles, cheddar waffles with bacon maple syrup, herb-rubbed leg of lamb with chopped Greek salad). There is something in this book for everyone! Sections include: salads; sandwiches, soups and stews; pasta and noodles; rice and grains; vegetables; beans and tofu; seafood; chicken; meat; breakfast; appetizers; sides; dessert. The index is wonderfully done. I applaud the ease of use. One can use the traditional index or the vegetarian index. There is also a separate index for "kitchen notes" if you wish to brush up on a kitchen technique and an index for "fast navigation". I can't say enough about the features packed into this book. I was absolutely floored by the pumpkin mousse. Having made a very technical mousse for a birthday party recently, the pumpkin mousse recipe was streamlined and a reminder of why fall is my favorite cooking season. The rosemary popcorn is also a new favorite. I also want to add that I have never had a Bittman recipe fail, and even top tier chefs deliver a flop every now and then! The bottom line? I could have written a ten page essay on why this book is a must have in your kitchen. You will not find a more useful or informative cookbook on the new release table this fall. Buy it and enjoy it!