I'm torn on whether to give 3 or 4 stars for this book. I want to give 4, because I do think everything I've made from it has tasted good/been enjoyable, and the title does say "easy"; but on the other hand I really have trouble leaving a higher rating for a cookbook that constantly makes use of pre-made and/or processed stuff. One recipe (cheesy broccoli rice bake p82) even goes so far as to call for a "loaf (16oz) prepared cheese product, cut into cubes"! Yikes!!

What it comes down to is that I use the book to get ideas, and will follow basic directions in some of them, but I have to constantly replace items with better ones (eg a block of cheddar as opposed to the "American cheese loaf" called for in "Mom's macaroni and cheese" p65), or seek out recipes elsewhere (eg alfredo sauce for the "Alfredo pasta pie" p61 that calls for a jar of refrigerated). I know it's called "easy," but how much harder is it really to throw together the 4 ingredients for Bisquick rather than using a box ("Lasagna pot pie" p100, which I made, with homemade "Bisquick" and enjoyed)?? Come on, this is Betty Crocker, I expected more!

Also, it's supposed to be vegetarian, but there's at least one call for Worcestershire sauce (which has anchovies in it), and the bottoms of many pages offer "tips" for how to change it into a meal with meat. If this were a generic cookbook that offered some meatless recipes, which had little tips for those who wanted that meal with meat, I could understand. But why buy a veg book if you just want to put meat in?

Bottom line - if you're strapped for time (or are a very new beginner in the kitchen), and you don't mind processed & packaged food, this can be useful to you. The recipes *do* taste good. But if you're a pro in the kitchen and you don't need some new ideas to play with, you probably want to pass this one by. ( )