by Kira Thompson 
When you think of cooking as a mom, “gourmet” isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind. Most nights getting a healthy and nutritious dinner on the table is already a battle. I work eleven hour days and as soon as I get home everyone is hungry and ready to eat. I’ve found that having a plan of attack is the best way to make the dinner routine easier. Having great new recipes is also important when I’m trying to get my family to eat. They love their favorites but like when I try something new.
“Easy Gourmet”, by Stephanie Le, definitely delivers on the title’s promise. All of the recipes scream “gourmet” but are simple enough that you don’t have to be a chef to accomplish them. The recipes are broken down by type (desserts, meats, pasta etc). There is even a gourmet sandwich section which is amazing.
I love that every recipe had a picture. I like seeing exactly what it’s supposed to look like (even if mine doesn’t look quite the same). Every recipe is as simple as the title would suggest. The directions are clear and easy to follow. I’m sure my husband, who never cooks, would have no trouble following along.
I made the “Tomato Basil Spaghetti” from page 52. I loved the way it came out. I’m Italian and I’ve been making pasta my whole life but I liked this twist on what I normally do. It got some extra veggies in my kids so that is always a win. I modified a little but followed all the directions. I used dried basil so I didn’t have to hear any complaints about “green stuff” in their spaghetti. I also used grated parmesan because I love it and always have it on hand. I’m really happy with the results and it was delicious.
Stephanie Le is the creator of “I am a Food Blog” where she posts precipices inspired by her favorite restaurants. Her recipes have been featured in several major cooking magazines.
THE GIVEAWAY
Win it: One lucky US/CAN reader will win a copy of “Easy Gourmet”, by Stephanie Le (valued at $23.99). Enter to WIN via Rafflecopter below. Great way to start the new year with healthy, easy gourmet meals!
Disclosure: I was provided a copy if this book to facilitate an honest review. All opinions are my own.
55 Comments on “Easy Gourmet Cookbook {Review & Giveaway}”
I’m the main cook at home and I love to cook!
My husband is right now because of health issues but i do love to cook and bake.
being a professionall chef I love to cook
I am the cook. Love to cook.
I am the main cook and baker but my hubby love to cook and bake also, he mostly on the weekend! I love cooking, trying new recipes ect..
well that’s me but after so many years I really don’t enjoy it any more. You spend hours preparing a lovely meal, it’s gone in minutes and then there’s a pile of clearing up and washing up to do
My husband and I share the cooking responsibilities. I am not a big fan of cooking, I just don’t like dedicating the time to it right now. Maybe when my kids are older I will enjoy it more.
My husband does most of the cooking but I do enjoy cooking when it’s a special occasion.
I do all of the cooking at home. I enjoy it 🙂
We both are, but me more than him – he’s a good re-heater
my mom is but i enjoy cooking too
I am the cook and I love to cook and bake. It allows me to relax and have some “me” time!
My husband does most of the cooking,but I do the rare meal now and then
I do most of the cooking at home and I love it. But I also love to be treated once in a while, even if it is only a simple grilled cheese sandwich.
My mom is the main cook at home and omg is she ever good at it.
im the cook, and I love it
I am the cook and I do enjoy cooking
we both cook but not my favourite thing
I am mostly the cook at home. I have learnt to enjoy it.
Both my boyfriend and I are the cooks in the house.
I’m the cook but I don’t really enjoy it because I don’t feel that I’m very good at cooking.
I tend to do most of the cooking simply due to our work schedules, but on weekends we like finding new recipes to make together
Im the main cook on weekdays, but my husband steps in on the weekend.
I do all of the cooking and usually I enjoy it. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with new ideas.
Though I HATE cooking with a passion, I am the one stuck with the job unless we barbecue. Think it’d be too mean to get my hubby to shovel a path to the barbecue in this frigid weather?
I’m the cook, and I enjoy it as long as I’m not rushed.
The cook would be me by default cuz i get home earlier
I am the cook and I LOVE doing it.
I am the cook and I enjoy if its not in a rush
My boyfriend is the *better* cook, but we both love to cook. We always joke about buying a pair of hammocks and turning the entire apartment into a giant kitchen.
I cook at home.
I’m the cook and I love cooking.
I’m the cook in our house. I used to really like cooking but after I had kids it’s become more of a chore because i’m always rushing around and never have proper time to do it.
We both cook at home, We don;t mind the cooking just the clean up is a pain!
I do most of the cooking at home. I don’t love cooking but I’m always looking for ways to make it more interesting!
More often I am the cook at home. I do not cook very well but I try. Lately though I have been uninspired with our meals and tend to make the same thing over and over.
I’m usually the cook at home.
My mom is the one that cooks in our house and I do like to cook sometimes
Me , i like cooking
I like to cook when I have the time.
I am the cook at home and I love cooking. The cleaning afterwards, not so much.
We share the cooking here, neither of us are very skilled at it!
I cook about half the time at home. I’m not the better cook though.
I am the cook in the family. I don’t mind it save for the clean-up afterwards.
Cheers.
I’m the cook in our house and I love to cook most of the time.
I’m definitely the cook at home and love every minute of it.
I really enjoy cooking and do all of it in our home
We both do the cooking at home and sometimes we enjoy and sometimes we don’t. lol.
I am the cook and I love it!
I like cooking shrimp and seafood
I am the cook, and I love cooking for my family
I put my pinterest share in the twitter box by mistake, here is the twitter link for the entry, thank you
https://twitter.com/anna7992/status/560240450830102528
Me- I love to cook and bake. My girls love to help me as well.
I’m the cook and I love cooking!
my husband is the cook – I only cook simple meals