Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer
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Book Reviews of Going Solo in the Kitchen
Book Review: Not in my kitchen, not on my stove!
Summary: 2 Stars
I fancy myself an expert reader, but confess to barely emerging from my novitiate as a chef. I'm busy compiling a library of cookbooks to garnish my newly reacquired bachelor status and freshly cultivated culinary courage. Alas, this particular tome is working its way to dust-gathering status. My most recent experience: I attempted the "Piquant Boneless Chicken Breast," the recipe for which spans pages 132-133. First of all, the split breast at a medium-high heat took far longer than the suggested 4-5 minutes to cook. So perhaps, I thought, the stove was not hot enough. Nevertheless, I allowed some time for the pan to cool to "medium" before adding the garlic and cooking for 30 seconds, as indicated in the recipe. Although the chicken took longer to cook than suggested, allowing me to believe the temperature too low, the cooled pan burned the garlic (and optional added tarragon) almost instantly. Adding the chicken stock and lemon juice produced a scorched brown paste in the pan. Now, I happen to love the taste of burnt garlic and tarragon, and I count lifeless brown among my favorite colors, so I quite enjoyed my dinner, but I'm glad the recipe produced but a single portion. I would never have served this mess to guests.
I've now tried and taken notes on six of the recipes in this book, all with similar experiences. I'd think the problem was my equipment and my incipient dotage were I having similar problems with recipes from other cookbooks. Alas, such is not the case. "The Joy of Cooking," Pepin's books and the stuff the Silver Palate people put out all yield reliably splendid repasts. I note the five star reviews that precede mine and marvel incredulously.
Book Review: A First
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first time I've gotten a cook book that I wanted to read from cover to cover. I can hardly wait to prepare so many of the recipes. I especially like the suggestions for using leftovers! Wow, that helps take care of waste and with todays' prices, this is big plus! Thanks Jane Doerfer for your efforts. I'd love to take one of your classes.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: Good book but...
Summary: 3 Stars
While I like that she uses alot of fresh ingredients, I would have greatly appreciated it if the receipes included the dried/canned equivalent. I don't necessarily have the time to go out and buy fresh sage. I also would've liked pictures to go with the receipes, so I had more of an idea of what I was getting into.
Still, it's nice to have a cook book that gives such a variety of receipes for the single cook.
Book Review: A solid book for going solo in the kitchen
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is a basic guide for making semi-gourmetmeals as a single person. Although it's a great book
for the experienced cook, I only found about two recipes that sounded
tasty and affordable as a single guy.
I was expecting more traditional recipes
that were easy to make and affordable.
Meals that didn't require many items. This book is geared more towards a female
audience with plenty of ingredients at home. Halibut
and mussels for dinner is probably not the most affordable meal out there to prepare.