Stephanie M. (jasonandstephanie) reviewed on 12/18/2007 + 3 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 47

Now that I've used this book for about a week, I'm really loving it. Not to say that there aren't other excellent cookbooks around (I have a huge collection, myself), but this is the first one in awhile that has made me eager to cook and try something new. My husband usually takes over the cooking by the weekend (he's pretty great at it!), but with every recipe I tried, I was excited to try another one. Here's a run down on our responses to the recipes so far:

Meatball Soup: Big hit with my husband, five year old, and 18 month old (as well as myself). Downside was that the prep time took about 40 minutes rather than the 20 advertised due making the meatballs.

Italian Meatloaf: This one got the big thumbs up from my 5 year old. My husband said this recipe is a definite keeper. Due to one of the other reviews that I read, I did add 1 beaten egg to the mixture, but otherwise prepped just as directed.

Mashed Potatoes: Another thumbs up from my five year old! She loves mashed potatoes and had no idea there was cauliflower bulking it up. I let her have seconds with no qualms. My eighteen month old didn't care for them, but she doesn't like regular mashed potatoes, either.

Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins: So-so with a thumbs down from my five year old. They tasted "stale" even when they were right out of the oven. Could have been the bananas from the freezer, but I think it was just the combination of ingredients. We'll try another muffin (pb and j) next time.

Baked Egg Puffs: My youngest and I give them a wonderful, though my five year old didn't care for them. I thought they were awesome, and the presentation was pretty enough that I can see making them for a holiday breakfast when we have guests over. Lots of butternut squash in the mix gave them a sweet flavor. My eighteen month old scarfed them down.

Chocolate Pudding: This is made with avocado puree, I kid you not. It's actually a really rich, extremely chocalately dessert and you should believe the portion size (which looks small at first). It's delicious and packs a powerful punch. And, no, you truly don't taste the avocado. I'd make this one again, but not on a regular basis because it's so rich.

Chocolate Chip Cookies: If for no other reason, you should buy this book for this recipe. The cookies are made with chickpeas (whole, not pureed -- they are added with the chocolate chips) and I will make this recipe instead of my former favorite Toll House recipe. I added both of the optional ingredients (chopped walnuts and raisins) and also added an additional ingredient -- 1/2 cup sweet potato puree. The recipe made so many cookies (about 50) that the amount of butter and sugar per each cookie was approximately 1/2 tsp. My husband, daughters, a friend, and her four year old daughter could not get enough of these cookies.

Pancakes: Wonderful, though I have to say I altered the recipe. I didn't have pancake mix on hand, so I substuted 1 cup whole wheat flour, a scant TB baking powder, a heaping TB sugar, and 2TB canola oil for the 1 cup of mix the recipe called for. I also added in 1 egg. Both of my girls loved them and I also thought they were pretty excellent.

As just an added note for cookbook lovers, this is a really enjoyable book to peruse with beautiful photos of food, fun drawings, and a 50's retro feel. This book will be a pleasure to use.

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