Cookbook Review: 30-Minute Meals for Dummies

I had to laugh when my daughter saw this book and said "Mom! 30-Minute Meals for Dummies? You're not a dummy!" So I explained that the "Dummies" series of books is written for people who want to learn more about a subject and the author basically assumes they are starting from scratch.

What I like about this book is not only does it provide tons of 30-minute (or less) meals you can make for your family but lots of tips on making mealtime matter. The author, a professional food writer, includes sections on Tools for Speed, Staples for Speed and Focusing on Efficiency--basically tips for helping you streamline your time in the kitchen. She describes the appliances you really need and why (although she does not recommend a slow cooker--something I think every smart cook should have who wants to have less stressful mealtime. She also talks about convenience products and why they may not be as great as they seem. For example, baby carrots are handy and easy but whole carrots take longer to spoil. Both might be a good option but it just depends on how you plan to use or cook with them.

More than the recipes that are included, the author includes TONS of tips on different ingredients or processes that will indeed save you time (and sometimes money!) in the kitchen. It's worth checking out!