The 9 X 13 Pan Cookbook (Nitty Gritty Cookbooks)

Rating:
Summary: Good Concept; Solid But Unexciting Results
Review: The idea of bringing together recipes calling for the 9 x 13 pan every house has or should is a stroke of genius. After all, those are the recipes we need when planning for a potluck or a houseful over the holidays.

In execution though, I find the recipes disappointing. In part, it's just a little too loving-hands-at-home, really more a collection of recipes clipped from here and there or borrowed from friends, like a community fundraiser cookbook. There really is nothing created with a trained chef's flair and knowledge. Flavor is often blunted. I tried the Chilies Con Queso out on the office staff and was asked for the recipe, but personally I found the chilies to disappear under all that cheese and milk. Bland. The date bars seemed like a real find because they do not call for any fat (just use a lot of eggs), but they need spice to wake them up. (All the same, someone asked for that recipe as well.) There are a lot of add-a-can-of-soup recipes--I keep hoping those will be buried retroactively in a 1950s time capsule where they belong.

These recipes have potential, they just need to be deconstructed, renovated . . . in other words, you might be just as well off gathering all your favorite clippings of 9 x 13 pan recipes into a binder and making your own book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent everyday cookbook for busy families
Review: This is the must-have cookbook for anyone from a beginning cook to experienced home maker. I bought this cook book on the raving recommendation of a friend, I've used it almost everyday since I bought it and my family and friends applaud my creations!

The recipes range from comfort food to exotic. They are great for family dinner or potluck brunches or parties. The ones I've tried can be prepared in less than 1/2 hour (not including baking time). I'm pretty adventurous in changing recipes so I've switched out a few ingredients, left out the meat to make vegetarian versions, etc, and they've still worked out great.