Real Food, Real Fast

I have to admit I have not cooked from this book. I bought it for my 13 year old niece and told her she had to invite me to a meal that she made. I looked it over before I gave it to her and found it to be very colorful, with clear directions, and real food. It explained basic processes which is really important as my niece is the daughter of a non cook. I can't wait to go for a meal!! I will update this review then.

I am an avid collector of cookbooks and especially love children's cookbooks - meals are usually tasty and easy to prepare. But this book really floored me - written by a teenager for kids his age, how good could it be? Absolutely excellent! It rivals anything Martha Stewart could make and is so much easier! You'll find an amazing assortment of easy to prepare meals that can be made in 5-30 minutes, all using easy-to-find ingredients. * 5 minute meals include little plates that can easily pass for hors do'ouvres: bread, olive oil & olives; prosciutto & mozzarella with special dressing; light meals using salmon, avocado and shrimp, with simple but tasty dressings. Fruit, yogurt and assorted toppings that make for simple yet elegant breakfasts. Eight smoothies and shakes using fruit and milk. Plus all seven toppings for toast - from cinnamon sugar butter to tomato and garlic. * 10 minute meals include sandwiches such as greek salad pita, Portobello arugula and balsamic, French toast with hot fruit, spreads and dips (hummus, guacamole), assorted salads, omelettes. * 15 minute meals include steak with four variations (pepper, teriyaki, lemon and rosemary, chili mustard), sautéed chicken breasts with different sauces (salsa verde, middle eastern style), grilled fish and sauces, roasted vegetables, noodle dishes, couscous, tabouli, and fruit crepes. * 20 minute meals include all types of burgers (beef, chicken, pork, vegetarian), an amazingly easy but complex-tasting Bolognese sauce, mashed potatoes with variations, stir fries, granola bars and cookies. * 30 minute meals include two soups (lentil and tomato, cheese and watercress), pizza (basic, thin crust, deep crust), kebabs (meat, chicken, vegetarian), tex mex meals (homemade tortillas, chicken fajitas, tosatadas, quesadillas), risottos, chicen kiev, salmon fish cakes, cassoulet, cheese soufflés, savory crepes (chicken, ham and cheese, spinach, mushroom, etc), assorted curries, and desserts (molten chocolate cake, fruit crumble, among others). * Finally, there is a section on "Leftovers" which surprisingly is for making them: recipes for making roast beast, roast chicken and ham roast, for when you have loads of time. You can't go wrong with this cookbook, if you're looking for a gift for a young beginner cook, a college student living on their own, or for healthy, tasty meals to make for your own kids.