I love looking through any cookbook just because I love food. But this is absolutely the best one I've found for actually providing successful recipes. I've tried probably 20 different things from this book, and all were outstanding (except for the crab quiche, which was probably because I bought a funky cheap brand of canned crab). The Italian Bean Soup, the Samosas, and Tomato Olive Feta Pasta are some of our favorites. Sooooo good!

For those who have issues with some canned items, you can EASILY substitute them for whatever fresh (or frozen) alternative you want, and still have a delicious simple recipe. Like I said, I love food, but I am unfortunately very kitchen-lazy-- so, if I can make yummy food from this book, you can too.

It also has lots of menu ideas for various seasons/events, substitution and measurement charts, a nice ingredient-based index, and pantry-stocking suggestions.

Buy it-- you won't regret it!

I have always loved to cook. I also love to make things from scratch, so normally I wouldn't look for a book such as this. However, in anticipation of purchasing a home in the country, at least 15 miles from a grocery store, and with gas prices soaring, I decided to check this out of the library after doing some homework online. I picked this book up today and within an hour I had made, and my family consumed, the corn chowder recipe. I was expecting that "canned" taste what with the evaporated milk and cream corn but it was actually really good. Bread and a salad rounded out a nice meal. Before I decide to buy a cookbook, I make a list of all of the recipes I would be willing to attempt to serve my family, and if the list is at least 75% of the total recipes in the book, I find it worthwhile to own a copy. There are only about three or four recipes in the this entire book I wouldn't try and even then, I am only opposed to those because they use ingredients that can't really be replaced that someone in the family doesn't like, like the mushroom pate. Overall, the recipes are simple but elegant and would be easy to use for entertaining. This is the kind of cookbook that can appeal to almost anyone and is very helpful if trying to stick to a small food budget, many of the ingredients in this book can be purchased in bulk or at stores like Aldi. Five stars all the way, this may be one of the best cookbooks I have used lately.

Love this one, I'm "on the go" most of the time and this book enables me to have quick and really good meals. The Baked Crab Cakes are outstanding. Grab this one if you want good food that take less time and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.

A busy woman's stand-by. Make sure your pantry is well-stocked and you'll always have the means to make a good dinner. My kids especially enjoy the Spanish Rice and the Quiche. A cookbook well worth having.

This book is excellent. It provides easy to follow recipes using canned ingredients that turn out great. The recipes require simple easy to find ingredients. It saves time cooking and yet the meals are delicious and full of nutrients. There is not one meal I have cooked out of here that my kids have not enjoyed or my husband not liked.

I have actually put together a box of meals on the go- that is meals that can be done at the last minute and cooked by my husband or older children. They all come from this book.


Well worth the money.
Enjoy.