J.M. Hirsch's 2010 cookbook contains 133 indexed recipes designed for quick weeknight meals. The 86 recipe reviews from members average 4.2 out of 5 stars, with the most popular recipes being Maple-Roasted Squash with Prosciutto, Garlic-Lime Steak with Avocado Salsa, and Warm Carrot and Asparagus Salad with Sesame Dressing. The book itself has received an overall rating of 4
In general, I like this book. The recipes are interesting and fun, and they are certainly flavorful. However, I find that many of the recipes are just "too much" -- too many ingredients, too much fat, more than I'd like to cook for a weeknight dinner, which I prefer to keep light. I'll keep this cookbook around for weekend blowout eating but probably won't turn to it for everyday cooking.
This book has a really good goal - rapid and flavorful meals (dinners). The book succeeds, and is interesting, because the author has been really transparent about his approach. Flavor is pumped up by the liberal addition of a few key ingredients, for example balsamic vinegar and prosciutto. I have tested recipes from most sections of this book, and in general they are very good.
My only gripe is that maintaining nutrient dense and low fat (or low calorie) food is not a goal here. When fat is no limit, its not so challenging to be delicious. Nevertheless, there are some low fat, and many moderate fat, meals that are off-the-scale delicious.
I have now made 11 recipes in this book..enough, I think, to add my two cents worth. Every recipe I have tried has been very good. They have all been easy, really easy. And accurate, which you can't always say about cookbooks. Flavour is intense in most of the recipes...ingredients are commonly found, recipes are quick to make and quick to cook. Calories and fat are reasonable. My only "beef" with this book is the lack of nutrient information. In fact, I rarely buy a book without the nutrient information accompanying each recipe, but my curiosity was piqued by this challenge...and I'm glad it was! All in all, a good buy!!