Just a Matter of Thyme: Recipes

I cannot stress how wonderful this cookbook is. Every receipe is better than the last. The best thing about this cookbook is that the receipes are so simple and they use normal ingredients that you can find anywhere... no matter where you live! I have given over 10 of these as gifts and never a complatint yet... You have to get this. Once your hooked on "Jan's Brownies" , you'll never make boxed brownies again.

I received this cookbook from my mother several years ago. Since then I have given over 10 as gifts myself. The reason I love this cookbook so much is that it calls for normal, everyday ingredients that are not hard to find. I have made 90% of the receipes in the cookbook and have loved them all. The absolute best brownies I have ever tasted are "Jan's Brownies"... you must make them for your family. I cannot tell you how much you need this cookbook in your own collection.

My Dad got this book for me for my birthday several years ago and I have enjoyed it immensely. Then a girlfriend of mine was about to have a birthday. She doesn't like to cook much and leans more towards the artsy side of life. I felt led to give her my copy. I thought if anything, this book would help her to see that cooking IS artistic! She absolutly loves the book -- the only problem is now I cannot get a replacement for myself because the book is on backorder. ::Sigh:: I'll keep at it though until I get another one. I am an experienced cook and this book is perfect for the novice but the food is satisfying even to the most discriminating of palates. - Laura in Arizona

I received "Just a Matter of Thyme" from my husband as a present during our first Christmas as husband and wife. I was a bit put out. So he wants me to make fancy meals for him? This is his idea of marriage? Then I opened the cookbook and laughed at the every day ingredients such as Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice, cream of mushroom soup, and Velveeta. My next thought was that my husband didn't have much faith in me as a cook.I was wrong. I have never made a recipe from "Just a Matter of Thyme" that didn't get compliments. My daughter loves the Chocolate Crinkle cookies. Friends always ask for the Apple Strudel Pie recipe. They take one bite and there's silence. Then, "Wow, this is really delicious." And the most wonderful thing is that the pie looks beautiful but is so easy to make.Speaking of easy to make, there's a Chicken Enchilada recipe that takes no time at all, and is scrumptous. There's a similar recipe in another cookbook I own that took me three hours to make! And it didn't taste any better. That's how I'd sum up "Just a Matter of Thyme." Easy and delicious recipes made from every day ingredients. In fact, I'm ordering a copy for my father who doesn't even know how long to cook pasta. I know he'll use and enjoy this cookbook.Plus, there's delightful illustrations that inspire the artist in me to be creative while cooking, as well as unique gift basket ideas, and a recipe for play dough.There's also great appetizer and soup recipes that I haven't gotten to because I keep making the same favorites over and over again.You'll want to keep "Just a Matter of Thyme" on your book shelf right next to "The Joy of Cooking."

This is the most beautiful cookbook that I have ever seen! The illustrations and print are gorgeous. The book is fun to just look at or to read. The recipes are from tea houses across the country and are really simple, yet elegant and unique. I have bought many copies of this book for my special friends' birthdays, Christmas gifts, and wedding & shower gifts. It's one gift that always pleases. I highly recommend it.