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: Too many ingredients, steps---and too much final product.
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this disappointing book after I was impressed by the "Serves One" cookbook. This cookbook has no helpful pictures, and there was also quite a lack of meat-free meals. I made the turkey meatball recipe, and it took A LOT of ingredients, a lot more time than she said it would take, and it made about 4 meals worth of food. And then I still had to come up with side dishes. Furthermore, when you're eating alone, you might not want to have to make 3 separate dishes just to cull a meal out of the cookbook. I like more all-inclusive meals when I'm alone, because I'm also the one doing the dishes and spending my whole night in the kitchen. Once I decided I had no use for this cookbook, I tried to give it away, but sadly, my single friend GAVE IT BACK!Book Review: "It's the perfect book for a single person" WITH ZERO COOKING SKILLS
Summary: 1 Stars
Just because you live solo doesn't mean you don't know how to cook or follow recipes. These recipes are VERY basic, like the kind you'd find on the back of a Betty Crocker package. I was looking for tasty recipes without having to eat leftovers of the same thing for days. Instead, I got a book of basic recipes I wouldn't even need a cookbook for. If your idea of a meatlof is ground beef, saltines, and an egg.. this book is for you.