Product Description
The essential guide to using a slow cooker and creating tempting one pot meals, with over 300 delicious recipes. ... Read more

Product Description
The recipes in this book use fresh vegetables, lean meats, a variety of whole grains and pastas, and light sauces for one-dish meals that are truly delicious and satisfying. And all of the recipes are in line with today's emphasis on taste. Illustrations throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Simply Awful
I am a good cook.I am at the level that I can make a lot of good recipes, from scratch, off the top of my head.The recipes in this book simply don't work.The Porcupine Peppers recipe forgets to mention that the meat needs to be browned before mixing - so you will either ending up cooking the peppers for 1 hour and 15 minutes or, if you follow the recipe, die of food poisoning.The meaty lasagne doesn't have enough liquid in it to cook the noodles (I had to add about 1 cup of water). The Garlic Chicken and Tri-Colored Pasta didn't cook the pasta right, some was hard and crunchy and the rest was gummy.I have a stomachache from trying to eat the mess, and am very upset to be throwing away 2 chicken breasts, a box of pasta and 2 heads of broccoli because it didn't come out.This book is so bad that I am going to recycle it, I do not want to risk giving it away and having someone else get sick from the food.Yuck.

Quite good
THe book has quite good recipes.Lots of comfort food, easy, simple and umpretentious.

Not impressive
I wasnt impressed by the recipes in this book. There was nothing new or interesting in the whole book. Just some simple and already known recipes.

One of my favorites
This is a cookbook with some of my favorite easy dinner dishes. I love to make dinner in the morning (or on another day) and just heat in the afternoon for dinner. I've tried a lot of the recipes and have been disappointed in only one. This is one of four cookbooks I use regularly.

Yuck!
I asked for and received this cookbook last Christmas after I saw it on a cooking show.I was so excited to try it out!So far, I've tried 5 of the recipes and have been thoroughly disappointed. I think the other person whowrote a review for this book must have been paid to do so by the author orpublisher!Please do yourself a favor and don't waste your money on thisone!I'm throwing mine away... ... Read more

Product Description
A good cook once said that a casserole is a blend of inspiration and what's on hand. Beatrice Ojakangas must have had inspiration by the gallon to come up with these 500 casseroles. From a breakfast of Eggs Florentine to a dinner of Pork Chops with Apple Stuffingsoon even the most casserole-wary cook will be dishing about these delights. Yummy treats like Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp are just right for parties. Even appetizers are reinvented in casserole form! The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever will inspire comforting dishes and innovative feasts for any meal of the day—no matter what's in the fridge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

TRULY the best casserole cookbook ever
This cookbook just abounds with great recipes. I cook for a hunting camp and was tired of the same ole recipes, have tried half a dozen so far on the guys and have gotten rave reviews on each and every one of the dishes made. Have had to make a few adjustments for high altitude but other than that they have been a breeze to prepare. Thanks so much for this great book!!!

The title is true!
This really is the best casserole cookbook that I've ever decided to buy. The recipes are not overly complicated. They really bring something new to the table (pun intended) - even old standards. I love to read cookbooks like novels, but so far, every recipe I've tried has been as delicious as it sounded when I read it.

The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever
The title says it all ... this is a wonderful addition to my cookbook library.I have also shared it with friends.

Cookbook
Great seller, item arrived promptly.Haven't used the cookbook yet but highly recommend the seller.It looks like it has some great recipes.

Elevates casseroles to another level
Regarding the print...I read reviews from people who had trouble with the color of the print, which was called orange and gray in some reviews.I thought that I had purchases a different version since I had no difficulty in reading the print.However, on closer examination, I found that the print in my copy is arguably orange and gray--tho more rust and charcoal.

Regarding the recipes, they are mouthwatering!I cook a lot, and have an extensive cookbook collection, mostly of gourmet cookbooks.The recipes in the book may not rise to the level of haute cuisine, however, I think that they will produce family and friend meals closer to the gourmet end of the spectrum than the normal casserole or comfort food cookbook.I was extremely pleased by my purchase! ... Read more

Product Description
Cooking Under Cover combines fabulous flavor and convenience in one pot. Whether for family or company, few dinners are easier or more welcome than a one-pot meal, which can bubble along unattended, then be served in the same dish. James Beard Award winners Linda and Fred Griffith present 175 recipes from around the world: soups, stews, casseroles, braises, and other one-pot dishes.Amazon.com Review
Considering any dish cooked in a covered pot (from a plain-oldskillet to a smoke-filled wok) as fair game gives Linda and FredGriffith a wide range. Using it to good advantage, they provide folkcooking that feels timely in dishes like a well-paprika'd chickenfricassee, a brilliantly simplified cassoulet, and a sensiblyoven-baked risotto. Mostly, this book contains wintery simmered andbaked dishes that appeal to meat eaters, though the Ragout ofMushrooms, Shallots, and Leeks and Five Bean Chili will pleasevegetarians. Unexpected dishes like tea-smoked scallops and a creamyrutabaga soup, along with creative versions of more pleasantly mundanedishes make this an interesting book. The Griffith's chatty, casuallyinformative style make it a pleasure, too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Especially for carnivores
"Cooking Under Cover" offers 175 internationally inspired soups, stews, braises, casseroles and accompaniments, with a 15-page section of color photos by Alan Richardson.

The authors ("Onions, Onions, Onions," winner of James Beard Award) prefer fresh, organically grown ingredients (including meat) and suggest wines and accompaniments. Chapters include desserts (Chocolate Pecan Bread Pudding, Maple-braised Plums, Figs and Blackberries) and appetizers (Rustic Terrine, Chinese Pot Stickers) as well as vegetable dishes (Curried with ginger and mint, Creamed Spinach), beans and grains (Red Beans with Spicy Sausage, Polenta with Mascarpone) and breads (Under-Cover Corn Bread).

But the heart of the book is meat. How about Chicken Stew with Virginia Ham and Cornmeal Dumplings, or Nana's Chicken Fricasee which includes veal meatballs? Or Veal Shanks with Braised Lentils and Caramelized Onions, Pork Chops in Plum Sauce, or a real four-day Sauerbraten?

While none of the dishes are difficult and instructions are straightforward, the authors' loving attention to detail makes the book especially suitable for cooking moods and entertaining.

Yet another Griffiths' jewel!
See review under Garlic, Garlic, Garlic.This one features wonderful one-pot dishes that are the equal to those in their other books.Very fine, indeed!

Cooking Under Cover
They sure mean it when they call them one pot wonders.Who would have thought that soups and stews could be so sophisticated.I am someone who often makes various chili dishes, crockpot meals and casseroles because I like to save time, but I needed a new bag of tricks. I like how it is organized by main ingredient which helps when I have meat or vegetables that I don't know what to do with.They also have some great desserts and for novices like me, some help with the basics.This should definitely be a staple in the kitchen ... Read more

Product Description
Casseroles are comfort food at its finest. A mainstay at everyday family dinners across the country, casseroles can also be "dressed up" for special occasions, a perfect answer for leftovers, and great for trying something new and different. Hearty and tasty, casseroles are filled with down-home ingredients ranging from meat and potatoes to noodles and cheese. The over 440 recipes in Casserole Cookbook offer plenty of cherished, time-tested favorites as well as fresh, new recipes your family will ask you to make again and again! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Awesome
Really good book for planning a menu on a small budget as well as inspiration for new meals

The Best Book for Casseroles
If my house was on fire I'd grab this book on the way out... I never fail to find a great recipe in here, there is something for every occasion and for every taste.My family loves the recipes, nothing is too complicated or fussy. All the ingredients are available in the supermarket without a lot of hassle. It's perfect for those busy days when you are thinking 'what on earth am I going to get on the table tonight?' I have over a thousand cookbooks and this one is one of my absolute favorites.I love this book!!!

A Winning Recipe Collection
A classic Taste of Home collection. I have yet to find a recipe that does not work from the TOH people. A valued collection for the TOH reader!

Best casserole book around
The best thing about this cookbook is that it was meant for a homemaker. Virtually all the recipes can be made with items you have on hand in your cupboards and freezer. Simple, easy to follow instructions with excellent pictures of the finished casserole to help you choose which recipe to make! I bought one for a friend and then bought one for myself! ... Read more

Product Description

Call it a one-pot, a casserole, or a hot dish, no one can deny the convenience and satisfaction these traditional meals provide! Whether you've had a late night at work, or have limited ingredients and finicky kids, the mighty casserole is the answer to the grumbling in everyone's tummy. From the authors of the best-selling 101 Things to do with a Slow Cooker and 101 More Things to do with a Slow Cooker comes the sixth book in this million-copy-selling series-101 Things to do with a Casserole!

Customer Reviews (7)

Cooking 101
While I have not had time to make any of the recipes, Most of them look easy enough to make.You don't need any special equipment to make them, and the ingredients are easy to come by.

Nice cookbook
This book has the most casserole recipes that i have seen and most are mighty good.

Yummy!
Yummy!
I can easily find a recipe to fit what I have in my cupboard.
Easy instructions.
Quick and simple.

101 Things to Do with a Casserole
101 Things To Do With a Casserole contains hearty down home cooking for breakfast and supper meals. Though the majority of the one pan meals are meat-based, there is a whole section devoted to vegetarian cooking. Most of the dishes take about half and hour to cook but many can be prepared beforehand and then slipped into the preheated oven. Preparation is kept very simple with many of the recipes asking for commercially prepared soups, spaghetti sauce, pasta, crescent roll dough, etc.

Though definitely not the fanciest cookbook I have on my cookbook shelf, I think that a few of the recipes in this book are destined to become family favourites. The recipes in this collection are easy to make without a great deal of forethought and the results fill my family's stomach with good tasting food. Really what more could you ask for in a cookbook

A must have!
I am a cookbook addict and I bought this book on a whim.It is my FAVORITE cookbook.All the recipes are delicious and a big hit with the kids!The recipes use pretty basic ingredients, so its great for last-minute dinner plans. I highly reccomend it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Yummy!!
This is a creative cookbook with many casseroles I've never heard of (and some I'd never want to make :). Many are delicious, such as Deep Dish Chicken Potpie.There's wonderful color photographs.Most of the recipes are NOT lowfat, but all recipes do have nutrition facts printed. ... Read more

Product Description
Cooking appetizing, healthy meals for the family is a snap for the cook when the one-dish approach is followed. This book serves up delectable low-fat versions of classic recipes, like lasagna, fish chowder, beef stew, seafood gumbo, and more. Recipes are easy, cleanup is minimal, and the dilemma of what to serve as a side dish is already taken care of. Includes prep time, nutritional analyses, microwave tips, and more. 60+ color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Quick and easy, delicious meals
I loved this cookbook!Easy to follow recipes are simple to prepare with common, on-hand ingredients.Enjoy wholesome, low fat meals that your family will love!

A cookbook really that delivers what it promises!
I recommend this book wholeheartedly!Not only are the finished dishes savory and attractive, but they are also low-in-fat AND elegant enough for entertaining.Add a salad, bread, and a dessert, and you have a dinnerparty, created with remarkably little fuss. Many of the recipes onlyimprove in flavor when made ahead, too, andfreeze well. ... Read more

Product Description
Great Meals with Minimal Cleanup!
The last thing you want to face at the end of a long day is a sink filled with pots and pans. What you do want is to sit down with your family to an easy, delicious, home-cooked meal—no muss, no fuss. The two are not incompatible! Here are dozens of entrées prepared start to finish in one single pot, most in thirty to forty minutes. All are easy to prepare and low maintenance, so you can help the kids with their homework or put your feet up for a rest while these aromatic dishes cook. From contemporary to classic, vegetarian to international, these dishes will please you, Dad, and the kids.
You'll also find shortcuts and secrets to a more organized dinner and cleanup, recommendations for low-stress entertaining and classic Sunday dinners, and suggestions for salads and desserts to round out your meals. Have it all—delicious dinners, fewer dishes, and more time in the evening—with One-Pot Cooking!
Enjoy one-pot entrées such as:
·Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
·Thai Shrimp and Jasmine Rice
·Moroccan Chicken with Couscous
·Pasta with Broccoli, Garlic, and Toasted Walnuts
·Bean and Cheese Enchiladas in Green Sauce
·New England Clam and Fish Chowder
·Pork Chops with Potatoes and Apples
·Spicy Pepper Chicken
·Paella
·Steak Fajitas
·And More! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Fast and easy is right!
I received this cookbook from my mom 3 years ago.I've used it so much since then, I've made almost every recipe.It has many dairy-free dishes in it which is great because I have a son who is allergic to milk.95% of the recipes have been a hit with my family.Each recipe lists the time it takes to make, and most of them are 60 minutes or less.There is a "Weekend Cooking" section in the back, and we have loved each and every one of these recipes!

Fantastic. Simple. Easy. Delicious.
So far, I've made three meals out of this book. All have been fantastic.

I checked the book out of the library and have now ordered one for myself to keep at home. I will continue to try more recipes from this book. Already, the three we tried (mexican lasagna, spicy shrimp and dried fruit pilaf, chicken pesto risotto) are staples on our family menu.

I also enjoyed the suggestions at the beginning of the book about making cooking simpler - spending time on Sundays to prep cut veggies for the week, etc.

As a busy mother with only basic cooking experience, if I had to live off of one cookbook, this would be it.

Excellent!
This is my favorite cookbook.Most of the recipes have foods from the entire food pyramid so that I don't have to cook separate recipes for a vegetable, grain, or meat for dinner.I also like that the recipes are very interesting - there are Asian, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, etc. which really give my family a variety in meals and fun to cook also.I would not call this a lowfat cookbook, but there are quite a few recipes that are lowfat and several that you can substitute for low fat.

Great book!
This book has alot of wonderful, tasty, and easy recipes.It has a widevariety of tastes, from not so spicy to very spicy.It has made my lifealot easier to come home from work and know that, in most cases, within anhour or so I can have dinner on the table with a minimum of mess.

Great ideas for fast, hearty and wholesome meals.
I was surprised to learn how many interesting dishes could be prepared inone single pot.The preparation and cooking tips were very useful, too. ... Read more

Product Description
Bubbling cheese, golden bread crumbs, tender vegetables, and succulent meats-what's not to like about casseroles? Comfort food just doesn't get any cozier, or more convenient. Now, thanks to Maryana Vollstedt, busy cooks don't have to call up Mom in order to make delicious one-dish meals for family and friends. The Big Book of Casseroles boasts over 250 recipes (including low-fat and vegetarian dishes), plus handy planning, freezing, and storage tips. For hot-from-the-oven dinners equally at home in the dining room or on the kitchen table, cooks need look no further than The Big Book of Casseroles, because serious comfort food never goes out of style.Amazon.com Review
You will find no canned soups in Maryana Vollstedt's The Big Book ofCasseroles. You will find 250 ways to simplify your weekly mealplanning. The properly deployed casserole is economical of both time andmoney. Anyone living on a family budget--with a family--but eatingaccording to a take-out lifestyle is going to love this book.

Jambalaya is a casserole. So is Coq au Vin. So is classic HungarianGoulash. But let us not forget Turkey Tetrazzine. Or maybe we shouldforget. Maybe it's the Turkey Tetrazzines of the world made with leftoverdried-out Thanksgiving turkey coming at us after the days of turkey soupsand turkey sandwiches and turkey salads that have given the wordcasserole the kind of odor we look for behind the refrigerator. WhileVollstedt's version of Turkey Tetrazzine doesn't ask for a can of cream ofmushroom soup, and while it is made from fresh ingredients, the result isstill going to be the same.

And that's one of the problems with The Big Book of Casseroles. It'sso big, the demands of coming in with 250 recipes are so great, thatclassics of the genre that would be better off left to foggy memory arerejuvenated for another generation of unfortunate diners. The other problemis how the definition of casserole gets stretched by the author. Anysubstance covered with another and baked in an oven appears to be acasserole. When is baked fish a casserole and when is it simply baked fish?Such are the questions raised by Vollstedt's choices.

The book covers a lot of ground. Chapters include those on "Basics" (as inwhite sauce), "Seafood Casseroles," "Poultry Casseroles," "Meat Casseroles,""Vegetable Casseroles," "Baked Pastas," "Grain and Legume Casseroles," "Gratins," and "Low-Fat Casseroles." There are no dessert casseroles.

Vollstedt shows you where the casserole has been, and where it is. UseThe Big Book of Casseroles as a launching pad for your own creativeendeavors. --Schuyler Ingle ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Wonderful comfort food
I got this cookbook last week and am currently making beef stew with parslied dumplings.It does seem like she uses the word "casserole" fairly liberally, like this stew for example, but so long as the results are yummy and she doesn't stray too far, I'm not going to complain.I already own a couple of her other books ("The Big Book of Breakfast", "The Big Book of Easy Suppers") and have always had great results from those books, so I jumped at the chance to add her casserole book to my bookshelf.One of the things I really like about her cooking is it's so easily accessible, no fancy ingredients or cooking methods, just super yummy food that doesn't take all day to make.

Too flawed to be trustworthy
You want a cookbook to be well-tested, so that most recipes work or "nearly" work.This cookbook, simply isn't it.

Too many of the recipes have big or small flaws in them (e.g. a recipe says to add two cloves of garlic to a pot, does it mean whole cloves or minced?A different recipe said to cut garlic cloves in half & add to the stew; I get that. But this recipe looks like it was just a typo, dropping the word "chopped")The book is riddled with problems of this sort.

Too many of the recipes are rather similar.Having tried one, I don't see a need to try the next three.I happen to like red wine slow-cooked with beef, but I just kept coming across one after another... without enough variation it seemed.

Many recipes don't really count as casseroles (baked fish... not a casserole...)

Some casseroles have no rice or noodles at all in them... is that a casserole or just a side dish of artichokes and broccoli in a mushroom sauce?

The collection of recipes looks arbitrarily culled from various sources, e.g. one recipe calls for broccoli florets which must be steamed... another recipe asks for a package of frozen broccoli.Hunh?Why was one used here, the other there?No idea.They both end up heavily cooked anyway.One recipe calls for an onion, chopped... another recipe calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion -- hey, wait, why not make your recipes consistent?Because they were just gathered from different sources and the author didn't take the few minutes to standardize how she wrote out these recipes.You'd do better just pulling recipes off the internet at random, I think.

Many recipes aren't casseroles, but stews.

Who would write a casserole book that doesn't include a single "cholent" recipe?Any way you define casserole, a cholent is one; very long and slow baked in an oven.

The thing you've probably got in your mind as mom's standard "casserole" is fairly scarce in this book.And the ones that are casseroles, seem very heavy on the cream, sour cream, or yogurt.At one point she writes that she hates the typical "can of condensed soup" added to a "tuna" casserole, but rather than give us a huge variety, her casseroles just strike a different single note.

What's more, too many of the recipes I tried simply didn't work well.E.g. I found her french-style stews objectionable (cook something 2 hours, put in onions, cook for 1/2 hour, add mushrooms, cook another 1/2 hour... thicken with flour/water in last 5 minutes... wait, that's pretty horrible.How about making a roux, or flour-coating the beef before browning so it'll thicken on its own as it slow-cooks, that tends to work better than dumping flour/water in 5 minutes before serving it... That was a bad corner to cut.)Sorry, but tossing a can of artichoke hearts into a stew is NOT a great innovation in my book.And if I see one more stew that uses the same 14-1/2 oz can of tomatoes, chopped up and added with the juices ... sigh.She eschews cans of condensed soup, okay, but then she adds other canned goods in much the same manner.

The cassoulet recipe simply didn't cut it; too many substitutions to make it easier but it lost its authenticity.The Moussaka recipe didn't have any sort of bechamel in it -- that's not moussaka!!!

How's this for silliness: fry onions in veg oil, then add butter to the pot, then stir in flour (recipe describes making a roux).Think about it and you'll see the sort of NON-thinking that went into this book.Oil? Then butter?You couldn't fry the onions in butter then immediately make the roux?Or make the roux using the oil already in the pot?There's no brain behind this book.

In other words, my summary is: (1) not a good representative mix or variety of casseroles(2) recipes are troublesome, or cut corners poorly(3) poor writing and errors means the book wasn't edited well.

Great Casserole Cookbook
Although I have not made any of the recipes yet, the book has lots of delicious looking casseroles that are very easy to prepare.The recipes for the most part are healthy and not loaded with gobs of butter and cream.I would recommend this book to anyone who loves casseroles (and casserole leftovers!!).Nothing is better than a steamy hot casserole served with rolls and a crunchy salad!

Casserole cookbook
Purchased this cookbook as a gift, so I didn't get to leaf through it like I would've liked.I'm sure the person who received it is enjoying it.

wonderful.
casseroles are comfort food, and one pot foods may be for peasants but embraced by kings. everything your family needs for a healthy complete meal can be in one casserole. and this book holds many treaures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

NEAPOLITAN ARTICHOKES
For the recipe "Neapolitan Artichokes" alone, this book is worth the small price that used copies are being sold for. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive collection of casserole recipes will provide nutritious, balanced meal ideas that wont take all day to make and dont use every pot in the kitchen. Casseroles are the original economical meal-in-one; they are versatile, easy to prepare, freeze well, and make great leftovers. 500 Casseroles is bursting with recipes for dishes that allow you to comfort, to impress, or simply to satisfy a large familys appetite quickly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Will prove a popular culinary addition to any personal, family, and community library cookbook collections
One of the easiest and 'kitchen cook' dishes to prepare and serve for family mealtimes is the casserole, a single dish entree that is almost infinite in its variety. Compiled and organized by Rebecca Baugniet, "500 Casseroles" is a particularly impressive collection of easy-to-prepare recipes for a wide diversity of one-pot dishes ranging from Tamale Casserole; Rigatoni & Italian Sausage Bake; Coq Au Vin; and Turkey Gougere; to Baked Snapper with Mushrooms; Chilaquile Casserole; Cauliflower & Red Pepper Casserole; and Italian Risotto with Scallops. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with color photography, "500 Casseroles" will prove a popular culinary addition to any personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
... Read more

Product Description
Bake until Bubbly

"Everybody who grew up on tuna noodle casserole or macaroni and cheese remembers that bubbling dish brought to the table with its top dappled golden brown, piping hot and inviting. My passion for casseroles was born from memories of my childhood and my mother's lasagna, thick and rich and gooey and delicious. But once I had three children of my own, casseroles were the solution to many frenzied nights. We all loved the simplicity, ease, and satisfaction of a well-baked casserole. One of my favorite dessert casseroles was the Pear Crisp my kids and I made in late August when our pear tree was groaning from the weight of those luscious orbs ripening. We'd cut them up and arrange them in a casserole with cinnamon and then blanket them with a streusel made of flour, butter, and sugar before baking until bubbly. Hey, what a great name for a book!"
--from Bake until Bubbly

Advance Praise

"Bake until Bubbly . . . the name says it all. Visions of creamy, tender casseroles with crusty, crunchy tops immediately come to mind and Clifford Wright's book delivers. You will find easy-to-make one-dish recipes like the rustic but elegant Veal Saltimbocca and Cassoulet and comfort food such as Blue Cheese Halibut Bake; Sausage, Red Bean, and Apple Casserole; Cranberry-Apple-Walnut Crisp; and Blackberry and Cream Cheese Cr?pes Casserole. I love the fact that you can find everything from breakfast casseroles to vegetarian options to desserts. The Potato, Bacon, and Gruyere Casserole is coming to my next potluck."
--Dede Wilson, Contributing Editor to Bon Appetit magazine and public television host

"Just when I thought there was little left to be exploited in casserole cookery, Clifford Wright comes up with an herby tamale pie with cornmeal mush, an Irish rutabaga pudding, a baked rigatoni with meatballs, a nectarine and almond dessert casserole, and numerous other fascinating dishes guaranteed to add new and exciting dimension to this succulent style of cooking."
--James Villas, author of Crazy for Casseroles and The Glory of Southern Cooking ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Delicious Casseroles
I sent this book to a friend and she loves it.It is full of delicious recipes but a lot of butter and cream is used in too many of them for those are restricted diets. She is very please with the book and plans to make many of the recipes.

Words alone are not enough. A very bland presentation
I am a mild cookbook browser. I don't do the cooking at home, but from time to time, I will look through a cookbook that for recipes that meet the approval of she who does everything better than me.

The biggest drawback to this collection is its total lack of photographs. Not a one, except on the cover. Sorry, but photos of mouth watering dishes help a lot. Lots of photos help even more. No photos suppress the appetite.

The design of the book doesn't help either. Red and brown type. The layout, if not the editing as well, is horrible, A recipe for tamale pie is described in 1-1/4 pages of text. There are no paragraph breaks. Not a one. There should be at least eight by my reckoning. As a result, the description with its directions is difficult to read, not an attribute you want in a cookbook.

The layout is also monotonous with each page looking like all the others.

Finally the recipes aren't all that unique. But there are many other casserole cookbooks that are far more visually appealing, easier to read and whose recipes are more appealing.

Jerry

A Keeper
I've loved -- really loved -- every casserole I've had from this book.

Sure, some of the recipes take some time;most things that are worth it require more than 5 minutes of prep.But the benefit of taking some time making really great casseroles is that you've got really awesome leftovers.And casseroles usually freeze well.

I'm mystified at all the disappointed reviewers who bemoan the lack of pictures.Uh, seen one pic of a 9 x 13 pan with a golden brown top, seen 'em all?Who needs pics?I know what a casserole should look like.And if you're not sure, you can look at the cover.

I like the categories -- makes it easy to decide what I want to make:meat/no meat, rice vs. pasta, vegetables as main ingredient or meat.

I like the range of the casserole offerings -- many different cooking traditions are well represented here.I also appreciate that there's not just one or two chicken casseroles, but well over a dozen.

I dunno, bottom line, I just really like the book.Like most ppl reviewing this book who wrote positive reviews, I'm at home in my kitchen, own lots of cookbooks, don't need a lot of hand-holding, have the confidence to alter recipes to suit my taste.It may be that every recipe in this book is not best suited for the beginner/unsure cook or for those who want or need to make quick pull-together casseroles, but there are plenty that seem accessible to every level.

For those of you who are wavering on whether or not to buy this cookbook, the Tamale Pie recipe is worth the price of the book alone.I'll tell you right up front, it's a time-consuming recipe with some mildly tricky bits.But it's worth it.And it makes a lot.

If you're intimidated, do what I do and make it with a friend.My sister and I get together on a Saturday now and then and make some recipe that's complicated and involved and maybe even a bit scary ("we're really supposed to set this on FIRE?!" "that's what it says" "let me see that book").We always make a double batch so we each get to take some home for leftovers, thus our labor is halved b/c we are sharing the making of the dish and our pleasure is doubled because we get all the fun of doing something together and then we have fabulous food for the coming week.

Btw, there's no fire involved in making Tamale Pie.I made that up.

Order New Book
The book came quickly and the service was terrific.I was notified in advance when to expect delivery and my book arrived as promised.I highly recommend this seller.

What, no photos?!@
The inviting photo on the cover led me to believe this book had photos on the inside --a stupid assumption on my part, but one of the perils of shopping for books on the Internet. A book of this scope should have had photos, and the fact that it didn't means the publisher, for one reason or another, took the cheap way out. No matter how good and encyclopedic the recipes, this is also something of a "lifestyle" book that ought to have had photos. Bummer. ... Read more

Product Description
The author of French Gastronomique combines photographs of each preparation step with basic culinary principles, in a collection of new and classic casserole dishes, featuring pasta, poultry, seafood, and vegetable combinations. 17,500 first printing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Recipes
I use this book all the time.The cassoulet recipe itself is worth paying for.The reason I only gave it four stars is that there are not enough recipes! ... Read more

Product Description
Casseroles are quick, homey, and cost-effective one-dish meals, but they're also traditionally packed full of convenience foods like canned vegetables and condensed soups. Faith Durand's Not Your Mother's_ Casseroles introduces more than 200 recipes that totally revitalize the casserole, maintaining its trademark simplicity while incorporating fresh ingredients for more healthful dishes that are decidedly Not Your Mother's. Redefine casseroles with inspired recipes for Baked Basmati Rice with Saffron, Cashews, and Raisins; Root Vegetable Cobbler with Whole Grain Biscuit Topping; Baked Sweet Potatoes with Smoky Chipotle and Onions; Herbed Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Sauce; and Rhubarb-Lavender Oat Crisp. ... Read more

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This book illustrates perfectly what authentic, original, regional American cooking is all about. This is food at its most appealing: simple, delicious fare that leaves lots of room for variations and that the home cook can feel proud to serve anytime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Terrific cookbook, great recipes
A broad range of recipes written with a facile hand -- well-written with a little background information on each recipe. The layout is a bit loud but doesn't interfere with the information.

There are different sections for various types of casseroles and some unusual but not exotic ingredients and combinations. No apologies are made for store-bought pastry crusts nor use of condensed soups. The tone is worldy but down-to-earth. I'd recently read by Mr. Villas and was impressed enough with that cookbook to purchase this one and I'm not at all disappointed. A friendly, knowledgeable voice throughout. Excellent cookbook overall. Lean but thorough with no waste whatsoever. No outlandish recipes. Highly recommended.

Most of these dishes required being cooked before being put in the oven.
Most of these casseroles require a lot of prep work in the beginning and then after already cooking it you put it in a casserole dish and put in the oven for another 1 to 1 1/2. After spending 45 minutes to cook the rice and then another 20 softening the vegetables and then frying the chicken you could just serve it as is rather than now putting it all in a casserole dish and baking it for 60-90 minutes.I'm making casseroles to beat the clock not fight against it.

The author self-admits he does not watch calories so many of these recipes are full of full-fat sour cream, butter, milk, mayonnaise, cheese, etc.You would just have to make your changes based upon your dietary needs.

I think many might find the food combinations a little bizarre.Pimentos, mushrooms, tuna and boiled eggs.I did make the Chicken Divan with almonds and we ate it before it even made it to the casserole dish.I had to cook the broccoli first, then make the sauce so I just needed to take 10 minutes more to cook the chicken slices rather than pouring it all in a casserole dish and waiting another 35 minutes.How strange to have a casserole book where everything gets cooked before it gets put in the casserole dish.

I would pass on this one, try Bake until Bubbly: The Ultimate Casserole Cookbook instead.

Interesting recipes but not practical
I'm a single girl with very little baking experience, and I took this cookbook out of the library because I like cooking large portions that I can eat throughout the week. I like the idea of making casseroles for that purpose.

While the book is great to read and all the descriptions sound mouth-watering, it's hard to find a recipe that isn't loaded down with butter, cream, cheese, and/or eggs. Even the non-meat recipes are extremely fatty. Tonight I made the Monterey Celery, Almond, and Water Chestnut Bake on page 67. Not knowing enough about baking to be comfortable substituting lower fat ingredients without worrying that it would ruin the dish, following the recipe I used an entire stick of butter, three-quarters of a cup of half & half, and a half cup of Parmesan cheese. I was hoping it would turn out to be a very rewarding bunch of fat and that I'd be so happy I made it. However, tasting the casserole, it's not bad, but it's overly buttery and creamy. I ate one serving of it just now and feel kind of gross, which is not how I like to feel after eating a home-cooked meal. So it's a shame that not only does this recipe involve tons of butter and cream, but it's way more than is needed in the first place.

Another issue I have with this book is that nearly every recipe is complex and involves several phases of cooking before you even get to the casserole dish.

Based on a couple of the other negative reviews, it seems many of the recipes fall into these traps. I'd say the book is worth taking out of the library, or even purchasing, if you want casserole recipes for buffets, potlucks, or other special occasions. It's especially helpful if you're a skilled baker and are just looking for some new inspiration as there are casseroles in here involving a number of different meats, seafoods, vegetables, fruits, and grains. But if you're looking for a practical cookbook of things you can make any day of the week, look elsewhere.

Bad recipes
This is a lovely, cheerfully written cookbook, and only one recipe I have prepared from it has been any good.The rest are boring and flavorless.I love casseroles, but I've finally given up on this book.

Update 11/12/2007:OK, so I didn't give up. I just made the San Antonio Chili Casserole.Sounded good:chili with a cornbread topping.Did he leave out ingredients for the cornbread or what?Butter and eggs and nothing else?Added some buttermilk, and although the chili wasn't terrible -- standard beans (lots of beans) and ground beef -- the recipe had to be tweaked too much to call it a success.Get some Junior League or community church cookbook if you want these recipes -- anything!

Update 01/26/2009:OK, because I am a masochist (and apparently a sadist to my family), I tried one more recipe (Mamie's Ham and Black-Eyed Pea Supper), and I now plan to permanently delete anything by Mr. Villas from my recipe file.You have been warned.

These are too much work!
To me, the whole point of a casserole is "quick and easy," so I want recipes where I just dump things into the casserole dish and put them in the oven.But, like many other casserole and "hot dish" cookbooks, most of the recipes in this book require you to do a tremendous amount of cooking and prep before you put the stuff in the casserole dish -- and, since the ingredients are already cooked, why do they need an hour of baking time?Answer:so they can be called "casseroles" or "one-dish meals".Most of these things could be stirred together and served right after the stove-top cooking process (maybe with minor adjustments), without wasting another hour in the oven.I would also add that many of these casseroles are loaded with butter and are too fattening for me.I took this book out of the library and photocopied about a dozen things -- that was it. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Best Cookbook Ever
This book has some of the best recipes I have ever seen.Everything is so simple to make and I always get lots of compliments on the dishes I prepare.Everyone in my office thinks I'm the best cook ever!!!LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book.It will be a staple in my kitchen.

Every recipe is fantastic!
This has been a cookbook I find myself reaching for 99% of the time. Every single meal I've made in it has been absolutely wonderful. People are always raving about the meals, and asking for the recipes. The ingredients are easy to find, and are usually on-hand anyway. And, thankfully, the results are anything but bland potluck fare! Outstanding book. ... Read more

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175 Fresh & Flavorful One-Dish Recipes! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great bargain.
I wish it had more pictures but it has easy instructions. For the price I paid, I'm a happy customer. ... Read more