文章基本信息

标题：Novice cooks will be glued to these pages
作者：John Mason Correspondent
期刊名称：Spokesman Review, The (Spokane)
出版年度：2000
卷号：Oct 11, 2000
出版社：Cowles Publishing Co.

Novice cooks will be glued to these pages

John Mason Correspondent

"Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of 30-Minute Dinners"

(Meredith Books, $24.95, 288 pages)

The "Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of 30-Minute Dinners" may just as well be named "The Idiot's Guide to Cooking." Even a person like me, who cooks nothing but Top Ramen, can competently expand his or her cooking repertoire with this book.

Better than Ramen? As easy to cook? You bet, on both counts. Like the cover says, every one of these 250-plus recipes can be made in less than 30 minutes. (That doesn't include shopping time.) A novice cook who holds in awe anyone who can create a meal without using a microwave will be greatly empowered by the simple, uncluttered recipe directions. This book even gives tips with each recipe for variations and experimentation to accommodate the cook's personal tastes.

More amazing, the finished products look just like the colorful, inviting photos of each completed dish and they taste even better than they look. Since this book includes recipes for soups, side dishes and desserts, at $24.95 it's the only cookbook a novice will need to expand his or her menus beyond Ramen.

Fabulous Focaccia Sandwiches

(Serves 4)

1 8-to10-inch tomato or onion Italian flatbread (focaccia) or 1 loaf sourdough bread

3 to 4 tablespoons light mayonnaise dressing

1 to 2 tablespoons shredded fresh basil

1-1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves

1-1/2 cups sliced or shredded deli-cooked rotisserie chicken

1/2 of a 7-ounce jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into strips (about 1/2 cup)

Snipped fresh chives (optional)

Directions: Using a long serrated knife, cut bread in half horizontally. In a small bowl stir together mayonnaise dressing and basil.

Spread cut slices of bread halves with mayonnaise mixture. Layer spinach, chicken, and roasted sweet peppers between bread halves. If desired, sprinkle with chives. Cut into quarters.

Nutrition per serving: 370 calories, 11 grams fat (27 percent fat calories), 25 grams protein, 43 grams carbohydrate, 51 milligrams cholesterol, 4 grams dietary fiber, 148 milligrams sodium.