• jaelsne on April 29, 2010

  Everything that I've made from this cookbook turned out very well. The tastes are quite complex, considering the cooking ease. I like that Ellie Krieger includes side dishes that complement the main dish both in recipe timing and flavor.

Notes about Recipes in this book

• Beef stroganoff with green beans and grainy mustard

  • jaelsne on April 27, 2010

    Delicious! Not anywhere near as creamy as the full-fat versions, but I think I prefer this "lightened up" recipe. It took more pots and pans than I would have liked, but it was worth it. I think I'll cook the noodles before making the rest of the dish the next time I make it (or use leftover noodles). The green beans were super-easy and tasted great. Ellie Krieger never lets me down!

  • eve_kloepper on April 12, 2013

    delicious for a weeknight. for guests or special occasions I'd make a traditional version with sour cream etc.

• Salmon with chickpea ragu

  • jaelsne on February 02, 2012

    This was the kind of simple, rustic meal that made me imagine I was at a bistro somewhere near the Mediterannean. I made it just as written. The spicing made the vegetables sing!

  • mreils on August 02, 2018

    I had way too much liquid. If I make it again, I"d only use 3 cups of broth. Added more garlic and pepper. Still think ragu could have had more seasoning. It was easy to prepare.

• Chicken paella with sausage and olives

  • jaelsne on December 08, 2013

    I was unsuccessful with a different paella recipe, but I had all the ingredients at home (except chorizo) and decided to give this recipe a try. It's terrific! I surprised myself with this dish that was pretty easy but looks complex. My family loved it!

  • jaelsne on January 17, 2016

    An update--I made this again after a long break. It is indeed a delicious recipe. I may add shrimp when I make it again to add to its flavor. Note that you only need a couple of saffron threads--a little goes a long way.

• Lemon-garlic turkey breast with roasted rosemary potatoes and brussels sprouts

  • jaelsne on March 26, 2010

    Delicious. It's nice that Ellie Krieger suggests easy-to-make side dishes.

  • jaelsne on December 01, 2017

    Updating notes for some of my favorite recipes. This one has remained in rotation for a number of years. It's easy and delicious.

• Creamed spinach

  • jaelsne on January 20, 2010

    I thought that this recipe was just so-so, but fine as a low-fat alternative to yummy, rich, creamed spinach. I must admit I've never found an exceptional recipe for a low-fat creamed spinach.

• Cioppino

  • jaelsne on August 07, 2010

    Delicious and oh so easy. I may make a batch of the sauce/base ahead of time. It only takes five minutes to throw the seafood in the sauce and finish the dish. My family went crazy when I served it. A perfect recipe!

• Mixed berry cobbler

  • jaelsne on January 27, 2010

    This recipe came together in just minutes, and was delicious! I served it to a small group of women, and they loved it. You need to remember to thaw the frozen berries--I just stuck them in the fridge the night before. Yum!

  • SalsaSister on January 26, 2021

    One of my favorite easy, healthy-ish recipes. I use fresh berries instead of frozen with great results.

• Salmon florentine and quinoa pilaf with pine nuts

  • Jane on July 19, 2011

    I really wanted to make this but I had cod not salmon so did it with that. The Florentine topping was quick and easy to make and had a great flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and red pepper flakes. I served it with the suggested quinoa pilaf. Will definitely be making this again.

• Quinoa pilaf with pine nuts

  • Jane on July 19, 2011

    Good everynight side dish. Very quick and easy, good flavor from the fried onions and the parsley and texture from the pine nuts. I served it with the suggested fish.

• Emerald stir-fry with beef

  • Jane on November 12, 2011

    Good, healthy stir-fry with lots of healthy veggies. I served it to three teenage girls who loved it.

• Flounder with almond topping, saffron rice and lemon broccolini

  • chefdiane on June 16, 2019

    Only did the fish - but it was a hit!

• Aromatic beef stew with butternut squash

  • RenoCzar on February 15, 2011

    excellent flavor, easy to prepare

  • Rinshin on February 20, 2015

    Made this for 2 servings but the end result is more like 4 servings. Fun and delicious use of butternut. Taste is somewhat reminiscent of other Middle Eastern foods with the use of cinnamon, cumin, and hot pepper flakes. Certainly easy to make for weeknight meals. Serve with couscous of your choice. Takes about 1 hr, but I cooked it longer for more savory taste and softer beef.

• Chipotle orange glazed pork chops with maple squash puree and spinach-green apple salad

  • aeader on August 20, 2017

    Cooked these on the grill. Very quick and tasty, although the flavors weren't as strong as I had hoped (but still very good). Didn't have OJ concentrate so used fresh and boiled it down to reduce.

• White turkey chili

  • nadiam1000 on March 01, 2019

    Delicious recipe - so flavorful. I used cut up chicken breast and a larger can of hominy. I did not have any ground coriander so I skipped it. I will add it next time if I have it, but the flavor was outstanding and even better the next day.

• Garlic-basil shrimp

  • mreils on August 02, 2018

    This is basic but good. I used more garlic than called for and also seasoned the orzo with herbs to add flavor.

• Tortellini-spinach soup

  • rrwrites on March 08, 2017

    The seasoning was lacking. It smelled so good but tasted bland. I would triple the dried seasonings. Also, this is only make ahead if you do not add the pasta. Or if you cook the pasta and store it seperately .

• Shrimp fra diavlo with spinach

  • wkhull on October 17, 2018

    I was out of white wine (yes, tragedy) and had to substitute a dry hopped cider; worked out great. I also unhealthified the recipe by serving with grated Parmegiano Reggiano.