The Everything College Cookbook, 2nd Edition: 300 Easy and Budget-Friendly Recipes for Beginner Cooks (Everything (R))

by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson

The newest edition to the bestselling The Everything College Cookbook features 300 simple recipes to help beginner chefs cook delicious and healthy meals on a student’s budget.

Just because you’re a college student doesn’t mean you have to endure four years of Easy Mac and ramen noodles. Whether it’s your first day in the dorms or your senior year, there are ways to skip the dining hall and make a variety of quick, easy, and delicious meals from the comfort of your room.

This edition of The Everything College Cookbook is packed with 300 recipes perfect for a fast breakfast before your 8 a.m. class or a midnight snack to keep you energized as you pull an all-nighter. Learn to make everything from a Paleo Sweet Potato Hash to 3-Ingredient Vegan Pancakes to Healthy Banana Ice Cream!

Whether you only have an Instant Pot and a microwave or a full-sized kitchen, this book has the perfect recipe for you to make a healthy and tasty meal—all while sticking to your student budget!

• ISBN10: 1507212763
• ISBN13: 9781507212769
• Publish Date: 4 August 2020 (first published 1 April 2005)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Everything
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Everything College Cookbook, 2nd Edition is a reformat and update of the first edition by Emma Lumsford. Originally published in 2005, the 2nd Ed. is due out 4th Aug 2020 from Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint as part of the Everything series. It's 304 pages (print edition) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions for prep-work and the challenges of working in a small space with limited tools is followed by chapters for breakfast, lunch, snacks, recipes utilizing special equipment (Instant Pot, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker), bowls, party food, vegan, date food, parent visits, and desserts. There's also a chapter with tips for leftovers. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Nutritional info is included in a text box. Variations and alternatives are provided in sidebars at the end of the recipes. There is a metric conversion table at the back of the book.

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery store although some might need to be sourced at specialist (vegan/gourmet) grocers.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of budget friendly (mostly) healthy foods in a wide variety of styles.

Four and a half stars. I've rounded up for the quality of the writing and the distinctly high quality of the recipes themselves (tasty!) and the mission of the book: high quality food with a budget friendly price tag. Good food shouldn't be ruinously expensive or difficult.
Although aimed at college students, this would also make a superlative choice for a young person living alone for the first time to provide a real and healthy alternative to takeaway and fast food.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.