Review: Not Thrilled
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 22, 2012
The author makes points in the introduction by providing their definitions of "quick," "easy," "dinner" and the like.  While this text is quite wordy and the writing feels rather awkward with occasional typos like "stir clear" (steer) and "were you can" (where), they get bonus points for making the effort.This book left me cold.  This is a mix of recipes that either aren't practical for me or ones I don't want to use.  The description claims that each recipe is a FULL MEAL (emphasis as in original), but many recipes fall short of that.The introduction says "In most cases we try to stir clear of pre-packaged or frozen ingredients, and stick with fresh," and also "that said, there are some instances where a frozen or canned ingredient will work, and for the cost savings, or time savings, will win out."  In many cases, frozen or canned would not be cheaper, just more convenient.  I found recipes calling for canned white and dark meat chicken, canned wild rice, frozen fish sticks, and frozen precooked meatballs.The introduction says that in most cases, they are going with the traditional definition of a protein, a vegetable, and a starch for dinner, and the description says each recipe is a FULL MEAL (emphasis as in original).  It is, thus, rather unfortunate that the first recipe is a protein and vegetable.  The third is turkey hot dogs (ew) and sweet potato fries, and the fourth is chicken with salsa.  Another is egg drop soup.Unfortunately, I found many more examples.  Several of these recipes are just not "FULL MEALS" as claimed.The introduction also says "When these recipes were recently designed, they were all made for under $10. However, with the current trend of rising food costs, and given that prices vary from locale to locale, ultimately your results may be different depending on where you are and what is locally available." All right, fair enough.Some recipes include ingredients that are rather pricy in my locale, like goat cheese, Havarti cheese, puff pastry, raspberry vinegar, canned wild rice, ground almonds.  I rather doubt I could make these recipes for under $10, especially given the price of meat and especially when boneless skinless chicken is the most expensive way to buy it.The Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe (jarred pasta sauce and frozen precooked meatballs, oh yum) calls for mozzarella cheese but never says where to use it.  The next recipe calls for premade ravioli or tortellini.Oh, look, Hamburger Stroganoff with, guess what, dry gravy mix and condensed cream of mushroom soup, along with canned mushrooms.  The next recipe for meatballs calls for another can of the stuff as well, and the next recipe for meatballs calls for frozen meatballs.  The Fish and Chips dinner calls for frozen fish sticks.  God help me, there's a tuna casserole with two cans of condensed cream soup.In the vegetables section, the intro says "vegetable recipes featured here, while not traditionally considered proper "dinners" by the meat and potatoes crowd, still can serve as a lovely meal..."The first recipe is for cooled cucumber soup.  I don't know anyone that would consider that a meal.  The next recipe calls for packaged Boca burgers.  Some of the heartier soups or salads could possibly be considered a meal, at least for adults, but bruschetta isn't a meal, even for "brunch."Someone else may well get some use out of this book, but I didn't find a single recipe I wanted to try.  From my perspective, it's 3 stars.