Quickies: Morning, Noon and Night [Paperback]

As a mother of a one year old and a three year old, I always find it difficult to find time and inspiration during the day to cook up a healthy, delicious, and quick meal for my family. That is, until I discovered Ms. Fletcher's Quickies: Morning, Noon and Night cookbook. For an amateur cook such as myself, this cookbook was the perfect pick me up. I was starting to get annoyed with cooking, having to think of something healthy and fun to make for my family everyday, but Ms. Fletcher's cookbook solved that problem. Not only does she have refreshing, easy, beautiful dishes and photos to look at, but this cook knows how to deliver a quick, great tasting dish, exploding with flavors. Many cooks can put together a complicated dish with great flavors, but how many can put together a simple dish with the same great flavors? In my opinion, that is where Ms. Fletcher's cookbook stands out and rises above many other cookbooks. Her simple recipes, paired with an explosion of flavors in every bite makes this cookbook a force to be reckoned with, and a must buy. Other strengths of her cookbook which I really appreciated were the parts dedicated to the basic kitchen equipment, and the basic kitchen ingredients. Not many other cookbooks that I've seen out there start you off with these basics. I also loved that this wasn't just a cookbook centered around food, but it also gives you suggestions on which wines to pair with which types of food, how to make great coffee, and there are also recipes for delicious drinks. This book has everything! Whether it's a book for yourself, or a gift for a friend, trust me, you and your friend will not be disappointed, I sure wasn't. Thank you, thank you, thank you Ms. Fletcher for thinking of us small fishies in the sea, and for changing my attitude towards cooking.

Okay, I just wrote a review for this book, and it is not showing up here. Hence this is my second attempt.

I bought this book for my mother who admittedly needs all the help in the kitchen that she can get. First, Amazon had the book delivered quickly (within 2 days). Second, my mothers first word about the actual book itself was 'beautiful'. She also has actually been using the book, which makes me feel it is a good cookbook for those who need creative yet quick, healthful food at home. A great gift!

If flavor is a party in the mouth...then Quickies: Morning, Noon, and Night is the life of that party! Denise Fletcher's book is chock full of perfectly constructed recipes, all told in a fun, humorous, conversational style with enough charisma to disarm even the grumpiest person. Based in Singapore, what Anthony Bourdain calls one of the best places to eat on earth, she runs the blog Quickies on the Dinner Table where she consistently posts original recipes.

I would submit into evidence her entire cookbook if I were trying to prove a case for flavor profiles in court. Nevertheless, I will recap three courses that highlight great skill and knowledge of combining ingredients. Savory Breakfast Quick Bread is definitely something you want to wake up to. Loaded with bold flavors like Gouda cheese, onion, black olive, green olive, red bell pepper, and tuna, it is guaranteed to springboard you out of bed. She reaches into her Portuguese background to produce Caldo Verde, a green soup packed with flavor and differing textures. Here spicy garlic sausage and chili flakes supply the heat, while sweet onion, white vermouth, and a pinch of sugar provide a sweet kiss for balance. Yukon Gold potatoes, my absolute favorite by the way, give the soup body. Lastly, Beef, Ginseng, and Wolfberry Tea is a work of pure genius. This "tea" is made with lean beef, red apple, and wolfberries. Blanched fine noodles and a drizzle of sesame oil finish the dish. However, the star of the show is the ginseng. Ginseng has numerous medicinal benefits but you would be pleasantly surprised at how good it tastes.

Master cooks like Denise Fletcher understand that the most important flavors of a given preparation are those of the main component. Grilled beef tenderloin should taste of beef. Conversely, plain, bland foods should be made interesting by combining well thought out ingredients. The next time you have a party in your mouth, make sure you thank the "scientist" that made it happen.