The Carefree Cook

This remains one of my favorite everyday cookbooks precisely because the recipes are so delicious and easy to put together. True, there may be some out of the ordinary ingredients, but since I make some of the recipes calling for those ingredients many times over, I don't mind. I consider myself lucky if, out of any cookbook, I get two recipes that I'll make with any frequency. I've gotten many more than that out of this book, as well as some new solid stand-bys. The "osso bucco" with chicken thighs (what a great idea!) is amazingly good, as are the salmon cakes and chinese cabbage slaw. Serving suggestions are a much appreciated inclusion with each recipe in this book, making the whole meal a more easily done deal. I sent this book to my sister and she loves it as much as her Barefoot Contessa books.

All of the recipes in this cookbook require minimal active time. While some take longer (such as the Short Ribs-- which, incidentally, are the best I have ever eaten), they are still relatively low-maintenance. Another advantage to this cookbook is that the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores and are standard items many people stock in their pantries. This is a wonderful cookbook full of simple, reliable recipes. Highly recommended.

I have worn out my first copy of this cookbook, and can't begin to count how many copies I've given as gifts. I love to cook, but as a busy mom, often don't have time for complicated recipes. This cookbook has gourmet meals that are not difficult to pull off, and they are delicious! Plus he gives great advice, you can see how his years as a teacher have paid off in his writing. We especially love the barbecued pork chops, lemon rosemary shrimp, chicken pan bagnat, and pork souvlaki...but there are so many other wonderful recipes in here, you will go back to it again and again. Whenever we have people over for dinner, I always serve at least one of Rick Rodges' recipes. He ROCKS!

Rogers is a prolific cookbook writer, having over twenty already! They range from basic, Christmas 101 to the exotic Kaffeehaus Desserts from Vienna. This one has unique theme of carefree. Rogers explains that it's not using five ingredients, or cooking in less than 30 minutes or such, but great cooking using fantastic flavors with minimum effort. He relates that when chefs gather to eat they don't shave truffles or elaborate desserts, but rather lavish on well prepared food with maximum flavor and minimum prep. The intro is worth reading about this philosophy. The recipes which flow from this concept are that: flavor packed and minimize the effort. The likes of "Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Sauce"; "Double Baked Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Cremini Mushrooms"; "mangoes Foster"; "Tuscan Roasted Spareribs." What especially would be good for many home cooks is his writing on knife selection and skills, prep helps and aids throughout. There is some color shots, and the writing is exceptional as all Rogers' works are. This would make great gift for wedding or just for someone who likes to cook or would like to cook better.

In preparation for working with Rick at a local bookfest I went searching for his new book. Immediatly I was struck by how basic but gourmet these recipes were. We're talking after work fair, something you can make for dinner any night of the week. What we're not talking about is cream of soup casserole plop. So far I've made 2 recipes from the copy of the book I purchased. I'm looking forward to trying more. The recipes were the pork souvlaki and the viennese noodles. The pork was easy, and using the broiler fooled my family into thinking it came off the grill. The Viennese noodles are not light fare but talk about an indulgent dish. Next on the horizon, bacon and guacamole sandwhiches...