Michael Symon's 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners: A Cookbook

by Michael Symon, Douglas Trattner

Food Network star  Michael Symon  shares 120 superfast and delicious recipes for busy cooks.

With his boisterous laugh and Midwestern charm, Michael Symon has become one of the most beloved cooking personalities on television. For ABC's The Chew , he developed a brilliant, simple formula to help home cooks pull together fresh, from-scratch meals on a maximum of five fresh ingredients that cook in five minutes. This cookbook ties into the segment, featuring dazzlingly quick, satisfying dinners that your whole family will love.

Michael first teaches you how to set up your pantries with essentials that make whipping up dinner easy. Then he shares 120 recipes for pastas, skillet dinners, egg dishes, grilled mains, kebabs, foil packets, and sandwiches illustrated in 75 photographs. This is streamlined cooking for busy families and firmly solves the "what's for dinner?" conundrum for home cooks everywhere.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Culinary, Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Michael Symon is an American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author.

Reviews

[Curren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for beginners and mid level cooks. Probably nothing earth shattering for experienced cooks.

I liked that he spelled out the staple pantry ingredients you need for a majority of his recipes. However, it's important to note these aren't usually counted in the 5 ingredients. So the recipes are really 5 perishable items or herbs, plus pantry staples.

Most of the recipes were approachable and I would eat about 75% of them if someone were to make them for me. That being said, I probably won't actually make many of them because they weren't the healthiest meals ever. Not nearly enough veggies or whole grains. Plus an oddly high percentage of the recipes had cilantro, which I am not a fan of.

I have never been a fan of cookbooks and recipes with only a few ingredients because I like variety and blended flavors. However of all the cookbooks featuring minimalist recipes I've looked at, this has been the most creative, robust and appetizing collection I've seen.

Bon appetit!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the relaxed writing style. The recipes look tasty and simple, although he doesn't count food prep (such as chopping veggies or boiling pasta water) in the 5 minute cooking time. So I'm not expecting true 5-minute meals, but at least something relatively quick. I like the charts at the beginning of the book that give suggestions of which meats, herbs, produce, dairy, pantry items, etc., go well together so we have a point of reference to come up with our own last minute rushed recipes!

Five months after reading the cookbook and we've enjoyed all of the recipes that we've tried so far!

[Chris Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read through this Christmas present in a day, and I'm looking forward to trying some of the recipes. I'm absolutely sure these will all take more time to make than just five minutes--after all, even pasta takes longer to cook than that. And I note that all the prep (i.e. boiling the water for that pasta, chopping all the vegetables, and what-not) all have to be done before the stopwatch starts. But, regardless, the recipes look like they're understandable, they use fresh ingredients, and while it may not take just five minutes, they won't take all that much longer, and I can get some good food on the table during the week. I'll have to try some of these dishes...as soon as I finish up the Christmas leftovers.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was life changing. We cook at home now more than ever and have probably prepared over half of the recipes in the book at this point. We have yet to find a recipe we didn't enjoy. Some of the meals require more than five ingredients, and I think all of them truly take more than five minutes to prepare, but they are so delicious and easy, it's worth every precious second. The cookbook also inspired a trip to Chef Symon's Detroit restaurant, Roast, which was a fun excursion - be sure to try the brussels sprouts and the pumpkin ice cream (this from a girl who only likes pumpkin once a year in a single slice of pie on Thanksgiving).

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm hopeless. I hate to cook - even this cookbook with simple recipes is wasted on me. My 2-star rating is more a reflection on my culinary inspiration rather than the author's skills. I did get a couple ideas for some new recipes, maybe. Probably the average person who actually enjoys cooking their meals would get more out of this book than I did.

The recipes are nicely organized, good photos, simple instructions. I had hoped "fresh ingredients" meant healthy. Most of these are not. Nutritional info is not included, but when the recipes call for ingredients such as heavy cream, butter, pasta, bacon - Yum - however, while these ingredients technically are "fresh" it might not be the best choice for those of us counting calories.

As for the claim of "5 minutes" - well, no meal in the kitchen realistically takes 5 minutes -unless you are reheating leftovers. (My favorite meal.) Or eating a bowl of Cheerios. (My 2nd favorite meal.)

I told you I was hopeless.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really make waay too many complicated meals as a result of watching more than my fair share of cooking shows, and it's really refreshing to see a cook book like this with great ingredients and quick prep and cook times. I really like his writing style, it's easy, no fuss and anyone can understand. I have made a few of the sandwiches and the packet salmon recipe, and plan on making more of these recipes as my busy life wants me to take less time in the kitchen. :)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't typically add/review cookbooks, mostly because I've never read a whole one before! This is the perfect cookbook for me: someone who loves to cook and has some skills, but not much time. After working all day, I don't typically want to spend ages cooking dinner. The ingredients are accessible and the directions are easy to follow. Most ingredients I have or purchase already. As Symon says, the recipes are more a guideline- they are easy to modify to what I have in the fridge/cupboard.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fast becoming my favorite cookbook! The recipes are not complicated, use mostly kitchen and pantry staples, are quick to make and taste AMAZING! Run out and get this for wonderful weeknight dinners.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for a beginner cook! Lots of easy and fast recipes - the majority of which I already make at home. I wish I had this right after I got married- I will keep it in mind as a good gift option for others.

[Auntie Raye-Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been terribly impressed with Micheal Symon.(Even with him being from my home state) His whole rock n roll chef persona turned me off.

BUT, this is a pretty decent cookbook. Fairly easy recipes that the home cook could replicate. Some of them are even poor people friendly.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best cookbooks I have seen in a while. Everything is simple and quick. Add to that the food is actually good. Great book for all the so called soccer moms out there.

[Chinchilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprises me with its simple and approachable recipes that are full of combination of classical flavours. To be honest, I did not expect to like this cookbook as much. I thought the premise too gimmicky in the first place: 5 ingredients in 5 minutes?! None of these recipes actually use only 5 ingredients. They call for 5 fresh ingredients in conjunction with other common pantry stables. The 5-minute claim also only applies to the actual cooking time, not including the prep time at all. Nevertheless, looks like most recipes can be accomplished within 30 - 40 minutes.

As usual, I mark all the recipes that I find interesting as I read along. There are so many of them I think I need to buy the book at some point in the near future. I give it 4 stars.

[Jake Artley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good food, easy recipes, misleading title.

The 5 minutes includes only cooking time, not prep time. Major misdirection. Remember to factor that in as you try these recipes.
The 5 "fresh" ingredients means only the main ingredients, not counting things to cook and season the dish, like butter, oil, salt, pepper, etc. - a mere quibble on counting compared to the issue of time.

It's still a good book of easy recipes that are worth having a go, especially for anyone with a limited repertoire looking to grow their skills and range of dishes.

[DK Simoneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading through a few cookbooks right now. I like the simplicity. I don't like lack of pictures. And sadly there was reference to service g with coconut rice which sounds absolutely divine- yet I could not find any recipe in this book having anything to do with rice. (Probably because of the 5 minute theme!). Anyway who can complain too much when he adds ways to dress of my favorite thing in the entire world.....ice cream! I may be trying some of these.

[Sherri Staples · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Michael Symon's love of life and food infectious. And this book reflects that. These recipes are really quick and easy. Those that I have tried are delicious and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Plus his stories about each recipe are fun as well. Finally a cookbook by a chef, that is really what it says it is, for the rushed, real homecook.

[Mommooshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cookbook. Lots of simple, quick dinner recipes, all with colored pictures! Also good practical tips to make cooking easier and less stressful. And stresses feel free to mix out up or change recipes as desired.

Only negative is that with premise that these recipes are for 5-minute meals, several need additional sides to accompany them, main dishes only are described.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

The recipes were good but the cover was a lie: the recipes had more than 5 ingredients (author argued the other ingredients were staples that should be in everyone's pantry but some were not that common) and most required more than 5 minutes to create.

[J S · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best recipes I have ever made is in this book. The pork cutlet with matchstick apple salad. Some of the other recipes are blah like the aluminum foil shrimp. Its worth buying for the good recipes.

[Midwest Craftchat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes!! I got the book from the library, but I'm thinking I'll buy it...

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic

But still some decent recipes. It would be a good cookbook to gift a newbie in the kitchen or someone still not totally confident with cooking.

[Emily]

This has a few pasta recipes that sound good, but not a lot that fits our family’s tastes or sounded very Earth-shattering.

[Wdmoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easy to read and use cookbook. Very tasty meals. I liked this book so much I bought it after checking out of library. Highly recommended

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but nothing really caught my eye and interested me enough to make for dinner.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well the 5 minutes is an exaggeration but the 5 ingredients is true. Simple recipes, color photos and good cooking tips. The no-bake Mac&Cheese was easy and totally delish! I have several more of Michael's recipes bookmarked. (Only reason I didn't give it more stars is because it isn't fiction.)

[Tara Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many yummy and quick dinner recipes! Everyone should have this book in their collection.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all honesty I think it's hard to find a "keeper" cookbook like this one because quite often out of hundreds of recipes published in most cookbooks, I would be hard pressed to find more than four or five recipes that I would actually make. Sure the photos are great and they sound really impressive but for my household time and money are at a premium. This cookbook is different! I bought the cookbook because there are so many real life answers to "what's for dinner?" ... Now, don't believe the five in five as a promise but rather as a guideline because the five ingredients are basically five FRESH ingredients and the five minutes are usually made up from ready to roll ingredients but you get the idea that the premise of Symon's book will help to save you time and money with delicious options for those mealtime blues. Before buying this book I checked it out from my library which proved it was worthy of buying. This one doesn't sit on my cookbook shelf but is nearby my desk just waiting for my next set of meal plans to introduce new entrees to my "tried and true" collection of recipes. What's for dinner this week? Let's ask Michael Symon!!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook for someone who is not me. His recipes are simple; they're generally family-friendly, made with ingredients that most people will have. And they're quick, which is perfect for weeknight family meals.

I'm just not wild about his food - it doesn't match the way I cook. The eggs cooked in avocados were totally decadent (for breakfast); but most of this is pasta and grilled meat. It's heavy on the meat (though cheaper cuts - the book is budget-friendly, too) and includes some things like fried baloney. Some of these, like pork schnitzel, I already make - it's not quite as streamlined as his recipe, but my family is used to mine.

I would like to see nutritional information in here; some of the recipes seem like they'd take more than 5 minutes, but I could see all of them reasonably taking 15, which is still great. About 2/3 of them are on the grill, which is a lot for my taste, but makes sense with the theme of the book. If you're looking for some quick weeknight meal ideas, this is a great place to start.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to look at cookbooks for inspiration but use very few. This one was interesting because I like the stripped down easier meals idea for the week nights. I found the recipes to be hearty and the ones that I made tasted great. I tend to do my own a little too much and I added more ingredients to the recipes so maybe stripped down cooking is not for me, I would recommend this for newbies, foodies and people who want healthy easy meals for the week so that you are encouraged cook at home. Some of the recipes that I loved...Grilled skirt steak with mushroom gravy, lamb kebabs with yogurt, springtime smoothies, sweet corn fritters, and spicy beef tacos with fresh salsa. Some of the flavor profiles were not my speed but I like that the book is divided into seasons and I loved the pantry list!

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great things about living in northeast Ohio has been being able to watch Michael Symon's reputation grow to great heights. Another is being able to visit Michael Symon's restaurants (Lolita is our favorite). Since he left for New York, I have been astounded that the quality of all of his restaurants remains as strong as ever, if not better at times.

This cookbook is an example of why Symon is so great--he is a great teacher and knows how to pass on his ideas.

We have tried ten of the recipes and all are great and simple to understand. A great book for anyone from beginner to experienced chef.

I still like his first book the best. It reads like a collection of short stories and provides insight to a wonderful man.

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the Chicken Marsala this evening. It was so easy and delicious, I can't wait to make more recipes. It definitely took longer than 5 minutes but not more than I expected. So far, I am thrilled with this book. Finally, a recipe book filled with recipes that aren't intimidating and can be made after work.
This is an edit to my original review above. Before this cookbook, I made Hamburger Helper way too often. Now I just have my shelves stocked as Michael suggests in the beginning of b the book and make something delicious in the same time it would take to make Hamburger Helper. My 4 year old son actually asks for Chicken Marsala! This book has changed the way I make my family dinner.