What's a Desperation Dinner? How to feed your family well when your spouse is late, the kids are losing it, and the dog is scratching at the door. Features over 250 tempting, nutritious recipes that take brilliant advantage of convenience foods-from individual quick-frozen chicken breasts to chopped ginger in a jar-plus innovative techniques to cut time and "push" flavor. Desperation Dinners Promise: 1. These recipes are not hard. 2. These recipes do not require expensive equipment. 3. These recipes do not lie-every one can be made in 20 minutes, start to finish. 4. Expect to be working, but only for those 20 minutes. 5. These recipes taste good. A Slightly Desperate Cook's Answer to "What's for Dinner?" Skillet Shepherd's Pie Topsail Spaghetti Pork au Poivre Chicken Chili Quesadillas Garlic-Roasted Salmon Buttered Rum-Glazed Ham Fish Florentine Confetti Stuffed Peppers And When You're Really Desperate Southwestern Chicken on the Spot Minute Minestrone Tuna and Fusilli Alfresco Miracle Baked Pork Chops Practically Perfect Peach Crisp "The dinner dilemma is solved! The Desperation ladies deserve to be stove-side in every busy home." -Nathalie Dupree, author of Nathalie Dupree Cooks Quick Meals for Busy Days
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Written by two working moms with four kids between them, Desperation Dinners! fulfills its promise to supply you with more than 250 recipes that can be made from start to finish in 20 minutes. With the help of Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross, you can serve up appealing and nutritious home-cooked meals on nights when that might seem impossible. There are meaty dishes (Fiery Chinese Beef) and meatless ones (Very Vegetarian Chili), as well as Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Cream for pasta-lovers, and even Magic Brownies for those with a sweet tooth.
The authors' technique, which calls for using convenience foods (canned, frozen, boxed, bagged, or jarred), is based on the idea that the time saved justifies extra cost and sacrificed quality. Their Desperation Pantry includes staples such as canned beans and broth, along with onion powder, frozen lemon juice, pre-shredded cheeses, and produce that is ready to use, such as chopped garlic and sections of citrus fruit. This is not great cooking, but the meals will rescue families from a surfeit of fast food and boxed-pasta dinners.
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Mills and Ross set out to share their solution to preparing meals when working moms come home tired and in no mood to start fussing over the family dinner. All separately employed cooks face this dilemma, and Mills admits to feeling panic at the situation even though she is a newspaper food editor. The authors' prudent first line of defense is a well-stocked pantry, which makes daily trips to the grocery store superfluous. But their cooking thoughtfully avoids using merely prepackaged foods loaded with preservatives and commonplace flavors. Mills and Ross instead recommend combining fresh, frozen, and canned items to produce foods dominated by the cook's personality and taste. Thus, a bit of freshly chopped onion and garlic and additional herbs enliven jejune bottled spaghetti sauce. The imaginative cook will find inspiration here to follow in Mills' and Ross' footsteps. -- Mark Knoblauch, Booklist
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
I've never felt compelled to write a review on Amazon, but this book is worth it. Of my massive collection of cookbooks at home, this one is by far the most used. I've made at least 20 of the recipes, and none of them has failed me. My brother in law told me that the pasta dish I made from this book tasted like "restaurant food." A friend from work asked me for so many recipes (mostly after peering over my lunch containers) that she finally ordered the book. My step mom and I both cook from this book frequently and report back to each other on which recipes to try next. I've recommended this book to countless people, and everyone has loved it. The recipes are incredibly fast and they all taste great. If you're going to invest in a quick cooking book, make it this one!
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I'm late to this cookbook, as it's been out for some time. I think I was put off by the "Desperation" in the title--desperation and food together does not appeal. Title aside, this is a wonderful cookbook that IS quick. It's a security blanket for me--to have a cookbook with decent meals that I can prepare in 20 mins or so. I use fresh ginger, garlic, etc. instead of the bottled they suggest, but I think it's worth it in taste and it doesn't take much extra time for me. Recipes I have enjoyed include Jamaican macaroni, Deceptively simple fish, Real-life lasagna, pepperonata with sausage, BBQ shrimp on spicy rice, and the black bean soup. My life is not so rushed that I would ever resort to using canned chicken in a recipe (there aren't many of these, and you can always substitute). I'd also recommend going for low-salt varieties of canned tomatoes, for example, as a can of diced tomatoes and a can of chicken broth can really ratchet up the salt content of some of these recipes. Highly recommended for those who enjoy having a nice meal, but are short on time. I use this cookbook all the time, and I have a shelf full of cookbooks. It's a winner.
By "bmpj72"
Format:Paperback
This cookbook has changed my life! Instead of feeling desparate each night when wondering what to eat for dinner and settling for saltine crackers, I can plan easy and quick meals. These recipes keep the list of ingredients manageable and are designed for lots of freezer/pantry items that you can keep around to increase your flexibility. I have stopped going to the store every day and am eating better and cheaper than ever. My husband enjoys the variety and I am able to plan a week's worth of meals that are nutritious and delicious!
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUST HAVE
I got this for Christmas a few years ago and have used it so much I will have to replace it soon. Everything in it can be made in 20 minutes flat - starting from frozen! Read more
Published on Dec 5 2003 by Joseph H. Lakey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "Must Have" cookbook for busy parents!
I received this book as a gift from my husband (my request) two years ago and since then have made dozens of the recipes from it. It is one of the best presents I've received! Read more
Published on Dec 2 2003 by Stacey Meyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
best practical cookbook for quick meals
My mother gave me this cookbook for Christmas a couple years ago and I've been using it nonstop ever since. Read more
Published on Aug 5 2003 by Andrew Tucker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Cookbook
This is a great cookbook. It is well worth the money.
The book is full of tips and hints and advice about how to speed up the cooking process. Read more
Published on July 21 2003 by apoem
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Pleased and Full!
I wasn't sure about this book at first, because I didn't really think that what the authors claimed could be true. Read more
Published on July 20 2003 by "momeau"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Book for Busy People
I have purchased many many cookbooks, but I have never used one as thoroughly as I have this one. The recipes are very easy to follow - even without pictures of how the dish is... Read more
Published on April 10 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes Home-Cooked Meals On Weeknights Possible
As a new, busy lawyer, I simply cannot make most of elaborate, delicious, time-consuming meals I enjoyed preparing as a student. Read more
Published on Mar 25 2003 by MMG
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hit or Miss, But Worth It
I must admit that a year ago I was ready to throw this book away. A friend had recommended it to me and I am always eager to find quick and easy recipes. Read more
Published on Feb 20 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious even on NON desperation nights!
Hands down winner for quick dinners (20 minutes!) that are easy and taste great! I've shared many of these recipes with families and friends and all have had rave reviews.
Published on Jan 8 2003 by Ellen @CheapCooking.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
I love this cookbook. The recipes are really easy and fast. What I like about this book is that the recipes are ordinary downhome cooking. Read more
Published on Sep 28 2002 by "emilysmom40"
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