Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer
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Book Reviews of Going Solo in the Kitchen
Book Review: excellent cookbook...for most singles
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always disliked cooking, but I finally got fed up with warming up frozen dinners and eating take-out. It was too expensive, unhealthy, and didn't even taste that great. I wanted home-made food. So I bit the bullet and started cooking. I was pleased to find that, at last, the publishing industry has seen the need to cater (heh) to single folks--suddenly, I didn't have to worry about preparing an entree that would feed five people.
Overall I've been very pleased with this cookbook. It suits my needs almost perfectly, although I can see how it would miss some audiences: some of the recipes do require you to keep expensive, perishable ingredients on hand, and some do take a little longer to prepare than the book suggests. But I pick and choose, and I'm pretty good about figuring out which recipes I can handle (like I said, I'm a novice) and which ones are still beyond me. The ones that work, work really well. Suddenly I don't feel like a moron in front of a stove, and I've actually started to look forward to grocery shopping and cooking so I can try new things.
I wish the book had better nutritional information about the recipes, and some more precise instructions on food preparation ("Heat the oil in the skillet and add the meat"? What heat level should I use before everything turns into smoke and char? I'm new at this!). But overall, I'm very pleased. I highly recommend this book to single cooks who aren't exactly geniuses in the kitchen, and who don't want to spend hours fixing dinner, but who want home-made food that's not all out of a can. Trust me: if I can cook from this book, anybody can.
Book Review: well tatered and loved book
Summary: 4 Stars
i bought this book several years ago when i was a novice cook. it is now falling apart i have used it so much. it is still my "go to" cookbook even now that i am not single. the shopping/storage strategies were common sense ideas that i found very helpful when i was first starting out. there is nothing complicated about this book, simple straightforward recipes. there are recipes for downsized versions of the classic family food (meatloaf, pot roast, roast chicken, etc) as well as some options that are vegetarian friendly. there are even bread recipes and a yogurt cheese recipe (i have yet to try my hand at making cheese)! the book also gives variations to the recipe so that you may change it up or use what is on hand. and thank goodness!!!! what to do with the dreaded leftovers!!!! that was the real biggie for me! i guess that my one thing would be that it still be sold in hardcover..Book Review: good basic info, some good recipes
Summary: 4 Stars
lots of great basic advice - kitchen utensils, food storage, shopping tips. one of the best things about this book is that following nearly every recipe is a section on possible variations, and then suggestions for leftovers. perfect for someone like me who likes to plan out meals in advance. plus that sort of thing keeps me creative in the kitchen. the recipes are very user friendly, and her tone is conversationally fun. the actual recipe's themselves are good but not outstanding. I haven't disliked anything I've made from this book. I think the recipes are better in Toni Lydecker's SERVE'S ONE, but this book is definately a solid buy, especially if you are semi - new to cooking for just yourself. (another plus is that most of the recipes I've tried up-size easily if need be)Book Review: A must for the solo cook
Summary: 4 Stars
I hate math, which is why I hate cooking. I don't know from the English system of measurement. It takes me longer to reduce a recipe than it does to prep it. Even if you reduce the ingredients correctly, the cooking time is always iffy. Also, I am not a good cook. I can't "wing it".
Thank god for solo cook books. This has actually inspired me to head into the kitchen, knowing if I make a recipe, there is a lot less probability of me making a disaster out of it.
There is good information in this book on shopping for one, how to store and freeze things, and supermarket tricks for the solo shopper. Not to mention FANTASTIC and super easy recipes.
Book Review: Cookbook for One
Summary: 4 Stars
gave this to a friend who'd recently lost a partner as a gift - although I've been single for 30 years, thought I'd get copy for myself. Good hints and have already tried some of the recipes.