Award-winning cookbook writer James Peterson (Sauces) imparts the collected wisdom of more than 30 years' experience with the culinary arts in Kitchen Simple. Peterson's principle in this collection is, as the title suggests, simple: to provide busy people with easy recipes, most of which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, using the simplest of ingredients.
This guide begins, as most basic cookbooks do and all basic cookbooks should, with a few pages noting basic ingredients and equipment, specifically outlining what to look for in each instance. Following this is a short section on cooking techniques, in which Peterson explains each with clear detail in unpretentious and reassuring language: "Baking is simply cooking in the oven. Most recipes call for preheating the oven... but if you're baking something like potatoes... just stick the potatoes in the oven and turn the oven on." Each and every recipe includes a short introduction detailing helpful information about the origin of the dish or tricks to make it even more effortless or tastier.
With a solid background in culinary instruction, Peterson easily articulates the basics of cooking and baking the selected recipes for even the most adventurous cook. This diverse assortment of 200 recipes strikes a perfect balance between fundamental and more advanced dishes, making it a useful source for cooks at every level of expertise. The straightforward language and full-color photographs, taken by Peterson himself, combine to create an accessible, well-organized guide to cooking for any occasion. --Sarah Borders, librarian, Houston Public Library