Stairway To Simplistic Cooking (Step-by-step Cookery - Gary Rhodes)

Member Name: BestMum

Product:	Step-by-step Cookery - Gary Rhodes
Date:	24/05/02 (1349 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good english grub!, Step by Step Instructions, with pictures!, Lots of different variations to try

Disadvantages: Not suited to the more experienced cook, No salads or low fat recipes

I have been a huge fan of Gary Rhodes ever since I caught a glimpse of his cookery programme on Satellite based on his book, New British Classics. I have been hooked ever since. When I couldnt decide on a Christmas present last year, hubby decided to get me all three of Garys new books (as well as a blender, a new iron and ironing board, washing machine - you see a pattern forming?!).

Some of his books I have found to be quite complex and certainly not for the beginner like myself, but this is a nice refreshing change with good illustration and easy to follow instructions. Its so versatile that you can use it for a midweek evening meal or a dinner party for ten; you will find a recipe to suit.

I always associate Gary Rhodes with good traditional English grub, with a twist of lime, and this certainly doesnt disappoint.

---ABOUT THE BOOK---

There are over 100 recipes, more suited to the beginner and intermediate cook; nothing too challenging, just how I like it! Believe me, I've had more than my fair share of disasters in the kitchen.

The book includes recipes for light meals, main meals and desserts, all illustrated with full colour photographs and step by step instructions showing exactly what you should do, from start to finish. The follow on page of each recipe includes:

*Variations, or Why Not Try
Encourages you to be a little more adventurous and incorporate your own ideas into the recipe, or gives a vegetarian option. For some recipes there can be five or six different alternatives to try

*Eats Well With
Helps you to choose the best accompaniment for your meal

*Garys Special Touch
Suggests what type of main ingredient to use for that recipe. For example, if youre cooking with chicken he may recommend a free-range bird for a fuller flavour

---CHAPTERS---

The first section of the book covers miscellaneous items that he will be using in some of h
is recipes, like beef stock, chicken stock, fish stock, puff and shortcrust pastry.

Chapter One, Light Meals
----------------------------------

Recipes under this chapter include:

FISH:
Fish Soups, Fish Tarts, Fish Quenelles
MEAT:
Tortillas, Meat Pasties, Meat Terrines
VEG:
Omelettes, Savoury Egg Tarts, Savoury Tartes Tatin

Chapter Two, Main Meals
----------------------------------

Recipes under this chapter include:

FISH:
Roasted Fish Fillets, Pan Fried Flatfish, Deep Fried Fish, Fish Pie
MEAT:
Roast Beef, Steamed Meat Puddings, Steak and Chips, Stroganoff, Roast Leg of Lamb, Shepherds Pie, Sausage Casseroles
POULTRY:
Roast Turkey, Roast Duck, Pot Roast Chicken, Chicken Kiev
VEG:
Risotto, Rice Galettes, Lasagnes, Macaroni Cheese, Vegetable Crumbles, Veggie Burgers

My Recommendations:
Fish Pie: containing spinach, smoked haddock filet, cooked prawns with a creamy potato topping

Shepherds Pie: containing minced lamb, vegetables, herbs, tomato ketchup, lots and lots of red wine, with a creamy potato topping

Post Roast Chicken: containing chicken portions, celery, onion, garlic, mint, peas, mushrooms and cream

Chapter Three, Desserts
-------------------------------

Recipes under this chapter include:

Sweet Pancakes
Profiteroles
Fruit Mousses
Caramelized Fruit
Crumble Tarts
Biscuit Puddings
Arctic Roll

Recommendations:

Sweet Pancakes:
Crispy pancakes with a chunky banana filling and toffee cream, yum!

---SUMMARY---

I think the variation section is a great idea, encouraging you to experiment with the recipes. This means that you will never grow tired of them and instead use them time and time again, making them your own.

The book doesnt contain any low fat recipes and there are certainly no yummy salads to tem
pt your taste buds now that summer is around the corner (hopefully!). I find myself using this book from autumn through to spring.

If you are dieting you may have to substitute items like double cream and butter as there is a lot used throughout the book, and bypass the desserts section; I dare you to try!

If you like a good challenge with your recipes then this is probably not the book for you. As I said I have this book purely for its simplicity (a bit like myself!) and it doesnt disappoint. Its worth buying for the fabulous Shepherds Pie alone!

The retail price for this book is currently £14.99, but is available to buy online at just £11.99.

Published by Ebury Press

Happy Eating

Summary: