A great recipe book if you happen to like the same kinds of ingredients the author likes. I don't keep pancetta in my kitchen, and I don't have many of the other ingredients either. I wasn't really intrigued by any of the recipes, and honestly the lengthy discussion of the microwave was unnecessary; it's really not a new invention now, so discussing the brilliant uses for heating up leftovers was silly. So back to the bookstore it goes!

i have to disagree with DawnFinley's review -- just the bit about how expensive these ingredients are. i'm not sure where she lives, so i couldn't guess about how much things cost, but i looked through every recipe in this book (i just got it!) and the only things that looked like they might cost more than a couple bucks are the seafood and meat recipes. granted there is a lot of call for herbs and spices, but i'm only barely a passable cook and i often substitute store-bought ground herbs for fresh, or stock for wine, and have yet to be terribly disappointed with the results. and i don't have much disposable income to speak of, though i suppose that depends on your perspective. my grocery budget is between $60 and $80/week, for two. so you can judge for yourself!

I have been on a long quest for adequate cookbooks with recipes for the single chef, who isn't consistently cooking for "four to six" people. This one is imaginative, and full of strategies for how best to stock your kitchen, how to store or use leftovers, and how to expand recipes for a guest or two. As the subtitle suggests, the meals are simple, but they aren't cheap. The author makes it clear her audience has plenty of disposable income, and enjoys the pleasures of fine dining. I knew that when I bought it, but I was still a little surprised at what it would cost me to cook like this all the time.

If you're unsatisfied with your current menus, or looking for some new ideas, this would be a good selection. If you are cooking on a tight budget, it might be hard to adapt these recipes to remove some of the expense. ( )