Review: Tasty, quick recipes, some with "Tex-Mex" flair
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2013
This is a lovely little cookbook for quick recipes. I saw one of my favorite combinations, salmon grilled with a pineapple salsa. And a turkey-tomatillo chili, also a Tex-Mex layered salad. Not all the recipes are Southwestern or "Tex-Mex" but there are some really good ones in here. The recipes are for the most part healthy or can be made that way by subbing in light cheese for full-fat cheese. One other recipe I really like is the Couscous Chicken Salad (red grapes, lemon, arugula.) No reason you can't make this with quinoa instead, if you prefer that over wheat-based couscous. One recipe featured artichoke hearts and white beans and greens--very hearty but completely vegetarian and low fat.There is a section on sandwiches--so you could have a soup-sandwich dinner (or just a sandwich) if you make soup up on the weekend (or--open a can) and you could pack an additional one for lunch the next day. Goat cheese with arugula, chipotle raspberry turkey wrap, all kinds of "artisan" sandwiches. For those that like more traditional comfort foods, a 17 minute salisbury steak with mushroom sauce. The sides have a "twist" and look good on their own; curried peas and potatoes, roasted cauliflower, brussels sprouts with bacon and tomato. As to soups, they take time, so there are few recipes in here; just a gazpacho, a coconut rice chicken soup and a bbq chicken soup.In fact, I found so many things I liked or want to make, I'm amazed. For a small cookbook, it is packed with good things.The desserts are rather simple; fruit-based like zabaglione and fruit or fruit kebabs. I don't have an issue with this as I don't eat dessert often (if I do, it's usually an apple or something like that.)The salads are dinner salads which are always welcome in warm weather. In summary, some great recipes that I found a welcome addition to my dinner repertoire.