The Everything College Cookbook by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson

The Everything College Cookbook (Everything (R))

by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson

Even college students need to eat. How else do you expect to stay energized for early-morning classes and late-night study sessions? With The Everything College Cookbook as your guide, you can jumpstart your meal plan in minutes. Whether you're cooking for one or multitudes with a hot plate, studio stove, or microwave, you'll find everything you need to create fantastic meals that won't take tons of your time.

Packed with ideas for tasty snacks, easy-to-make lunches and dinners, and delicious desserts, The Everything College Cookbook will help you eat smart, from the proverbial good breakfast to midnight munchies-but that's not nearly all. You'll also learn how to prepare:

Microwaveable meals, such as Easy Onion Soup au Gratin for One and Baked Potatoes
Stress-free dinners, such as Simple Beef Stir-Fry and Gourmet Chili
Easy-to-pack treats, such as Homemade Trail Mix and Low-Cal Blueberry Smoothies
Luggable lunches, such as Greek Salad Pita Pockets and Asian Lettuce Wrap Sandwiches
Vegetarian alternatives, such as Roasted Pepper Medley and Steamed Jasmine Rice
Delectable desserts, such as Lemon Cranberry Sorbet and Easy Apple Crisp

With tons of convenient recipes to suit your every need and mood, The Everything College Cookbook is the one book you'll want to crack open every day of the week!

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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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.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 July, 2020: Finished reading
  • 27 July, 2020: Reviewed