Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving; Cook With Us Using Our 'Desperate Housewives' Cookbook Review
The Desperate Housewives Cookbook: Juicy Dishes and Saucy Bits (Hyperion, $29.95) brings delicious and scrumptious meals and treats from those classy Housewives and their neighbors! The cookbook is by Christopher Styler and Scott S. Tobis. Styler gives us his recipes and the text is composed by Tobis. The cookbook has over 125 recipes and is 267 pages! The cookbook is divided into character sections. Each section has recipes related to a character. You even have a recipe for Susan's famous macaroni & cheese...but don't worry it is not as terrible as she makes it! I will get to more of the dishes soon, but let me tell you what characters are featured. First up we have Bree's recipes, then Susan, Gabrielle, Lynette, Edie, the deceased Mrs. Huber, Mike, Felicia, and good 'ole Mrs. McCluskey. Inside some of the character's recipes are borrowed recipes from other characters, like Mama's Solis' Quesadillas. The last section of the book has information on the food on the set of the series. It is a quick 5-page read and you learn a lot about how the food is used and eaten on the set.
For Bree Van De Kamp, dinner is not about convenience, it is about simmering, braising, pureeing, steeping, chopping, and flambeing. From Basic Puree Soup and Lobster Risotto with Herb Oil, to Blueberry Muffins and Buckwheat Pancakes, Bree's meals are sure to impress.
An earth-mother type with better intentions than kitchen skills, Susan Mayer believes that it's the thought that counts. Here, Susan has gathered some of her favorite, foolproof (even Susan-proof!) recipes to share, including Roasted Peppers and Fresh Mozzarella Topped with Arugula Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Chocolate-Butterscotch Bars.
Left to her own devices, Gabrielle Solis steers towards simple and healthy fare that she can put together on her own. Gaby's recipes include Guacamole with Warm Chips, Shrimp with Chorizo and Bell Pepper, and Rum-Glazed Pineapple.
Whether Lynette Scavo has spent the day taking care of the kids or the climbing the corporate ladder, when it's time to pack the kids' lunch or put a family dinner on the table, she'll take quick over perfect. Her recipes are time efficient and kid-friendly such as Grilled Cheese, French Toast for Breakfast (or Dinner) with Blueberry Syrup, Buttermilk-soaked Fried Chicken, and Potato Casserole.
Although Edie Britt technically isn't a housewife, the neighborhood flirt does have a few recipes that are sure to be crowd-pleasers (especially all-men). Her faves include Oysters Poached in Champagne and Cream, Sausage Puttanesca, and Molten Chocolate Cake.
And some of the neighbors have recipes to offer, too! Whether it's Mrs. Huber's Strawberry Smoothies, Mike's Rib Eye Steak, Felicia's Double Whammy Chocolate Pudding or Mrs. McCluskey's Peanut Brittle.
Those are just a FEW of the items for each character. You will find much more when you browse the book. I get hungry each time I look at it. I'm no cook, but even I can use some of these recipes. So, a real cook out there would love this book even more.
As a Thanksgiving treat, I leave you today with a recommendation for today's meals:
Breakfast: Bree's Buckwheat Pancakes & Blueberry Muffins and Gabrielle's Mexican Hot Chocolate.
Lunch: Lynette's Grilled Cheese & Irresistible Brownies and Susan's Vegetarian Chili.
Afternoon Snack: Gabrielle's Guacamole with Warm Chips and Lynette's Babysitting Cookies
Dinner: Bree has your main courses - Poached Turkey Tonnato, Roast Turkey with Gravy, and Two-Step Braised Duck. Susan has a side dish of Foolproof Macaroni & Cheese and Slow-Roasted String Beans. It's Thanksgiving so let's eat more with Gabrielle's Green Rice and Spicy Paella. We will also need Gaby's Fruit Salad with Yogurt-Honey Dressing. And finally who else do we turn for dessert? Edie of course! Her Molten Chocolate Cake will leave you breathless!
Midnight Snack: After a huge dinner, you are probably stuffed but let's end your day with Felcia's Almond Macaroons! What a perfect snack to end your day!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
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Related links:
Official Show Website
TV.com Page
Hyperion Books
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