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Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-togethers
In Perfect One-Dish Dinners , the New York Times best-selling author Pam Anderson shares her secret for having people over without breaking Make just one dish. Instead of a parade of offerings, she focuses attention on a single main course—a rustic tart, paella, grilled platter, or homey stew. Perfect One-Dish Dinners showcases about forty such meals, perfect for every season and occasion, all designed to wow guests, calm the cook, and relieve the dishwasher at the end of the night. Stews for All SeasonsWorldly CasserolesRoasting Pan CompleteBig Summer Salads and Grilled Platters But that’s not all. If the cook wants to make something extra, Pam provides a compatible appetizer, salad, and dessert for every one dish. And as a special bonus, she throws in “nearly instant” alternatives for each—more than 200 mixable, matchable recipes. Whether for a book group, church get together, birthday party, or family supper, Perfect One-Dish Dinners makes easy, shareable meals perfectly doable.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2010
About the author
Pam Anderson
33 books13 followersPAM ANDERSON is the author of the best-selling The Perfect Recipe, Perfect Recipes for Having People Over, and the New York Times bestseller The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Eating Great. She has been the food columnist for USA Weekend for the last eight years, is a contributing chef to Fine Cooking and Runners World, and writes a weekly blog for the Asheville (North Carolina) Citizen-Times.
For more about Pam, please visit www.threemanycooks.com."
For more about Pam, please visit www.threemanycooks.com."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 27, 2022
Pam Anderson is a classic cook with several classic cookbooks. However, this one is not standing the test of time well. The recipes are very heavy on meat with few vegetarian options. If you are looking for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free workarounds, I would look elsewhere - Mark Bittman has a good cookbook that fits the bill. Photos are mainly of the main dish and seem grainy, making the dishes appear less than appetizing.
May 7, 2017
If you like lamb and shrimp, this might be a good cookbook for you. If you do not, you're probably out of luck.
March 21, 2023
I didn’t find any recipes I want to try but it’s uniquely organized. Perfect for hosting!
June 28, 2023
Has some good recipes in it!!! Yum
March 5, 2011
Perfect One-Dish Dinners / 978-0-54719-595-7
I love cookbooks and I was excited to try this one when it came available on NetGalley. Several weeks later, I'm a little...confused.
Make no mistake about it - this is a breathtakingly lovely book. There's a lot of valuable recipes here, but they're definitely of the "advanced student" variety, so do be aware of that. Almost every recipe has at least a dozen ingredients, and almost everything in this book is made completely from scratch - anytime dumplings or biscuits are working into a recipe, for instance, you *will* be making those dumplings from floury scratch.
There's nothing wrong with an advanced-level cookbook, but it's just strange because the book is marketed as "easy" recipes, and there's really nothing easy about these. No prep times are estimated with the recipes, but I'd guess that most of them take over an hour to prepare. Adding to my confusion is the whole "one-dish" premise isn't kept to - the introduction states that "one-dish" dinners are easier, and thus was born this book... but every "one-dish" comes complete with an appetizer and dessert suggestion... as well as the occasional side. Don't get me wrong - it's great to have the suggestions of sides and desserts for when they are wanted or needed, but this is especially weird because everything is grouped together as one "meal", rather than the usual entrees, sides, appetizers, desserts layout of most cookbooks. The practical upshot of this is that if you want to make the "Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream", you'd better remember that it was listed with the "Lobster Dinner", because there's no Table of Contents to get you there. (In all fairness, there is an alphabetized index in the back.)
I'm also not sure about the "Get-Togethers" part - a lot of the recipes are very exotic and specialized, and maybe my family is different, but if you get more than 5 of us in a room together, someone is going to dislike (or worse, be allergic to) at least one of the ingredients in these dozen-ingredient extravaganzas.
So, ultimately, if you take out the "one-dish", the "easy", and the "get-togethers", we have "Perfect Dinners: All You Need". But, then, I don't know if this is ALL you need since the layout can still be a little wonky - there's no Table of Contents, the pictures aren't labeled (although they ARE lovely) and sometimes require a little guess work to match with the relevant recipe, there's no prep times listed, and there's no nutritional data summary (a nice touch in many of the Better Homes and Gardens books that I've come to like).
Really, if you have all the time in the world, love baking from scratch, are an advanced hand in the kitchen, and have a non-picky and open-minded group of friends and family, there are some really good three-course meals in this book. I just don't understand why they're not marketing it that way?
NOTE: This review is based on a free Advance Review Copy of this book provided through NetGalley.
~ Ana Mardoll
I love cookbooks and I was excited to try this one when it came available on NetGalley. Several weeks later, I'm a little...confused.
Make no mistake about it - this is a breathtakingly lovely book. There's a lot of valuable recipes here, but they're definitely of the "advanced student" variety, so do be aware of that. Almost every recipe has at least a dozen ingredients, and almost everything in this book is made completely from scratch - anytime dumplings or biscuits are working into a recipe, for instance, you *will* be making those dumplings from floury scratch.
There's nothing wrong with an advanced-level cookbook, but it's just strange because the book is marketed as "easy" recipes, and there's really nothing easy about these. No prep times are estimated with the recipes, but I'd guess that most of them take over an hour to prepare. Adding to my confusion is the whole "one-dish" premise isn't kept to - the introduction states that "one-dish" dinners are easier, and thus was born this book... but every "one-dish" comes complete with an appetizer and dessert suggestion... as well as the occasional side. Don't get me wrong - it's great to have the suggestions of sides and desserts for when they are wanted or needed, but this is especially weird because everything is grouped together as one "meal", rather than the usual entrees, sides, appetizers, desserts layout of most cookbooks. The practical upshot of this is that if you want to make the "Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream", you'd better remember that it was listed with the "Lobster Dinner", because there's no Table of Contents to get you there. (In all fairness, there is an alphabetized index in the back.)
I'm also not sure about the "Get-Togethers" part - a lot of the recipes are very exotic and specialized, and maybe my family is different, but if you get more than 5 of us in a room together, someone is going to dislike (or worse, be allergic to) at least one of the ingredients in these dozen-ingredient extravaganzas.
So, ultimately, if you take out the "one-dish", the "easy", and the "get-togethers", we have "Perfect Dinners: All You Need". But, then, I don't know if this is ALL you need since the layout can still be a little wonky - there's no Table of Contents, the pictures aren't labeled (although they ARE lovely) and sometimes require a little guess work to match with the relevant recipe, there's no prep times listed, and there's no nutritional data summary (a nice touch in many of the Better Homes and Gardens books that I've come to like).
Really, if you have all the time in the world, love baking from scratch, are an advanced hand in the kitchen, and have a non-picky and open-minded group of friends and family, there are some really good three-course meals in this book. I just don't understand why they're not marketing it that way?
NOTE: This review is based on a free Advance Review Copy of this book provided through NetGalley.
~ Ana Mardoll
December 14, 2010
My Rambles:
WHY must The Mr. have food allergies? Specifically seafood/shellfish??? Look at this (yes there is some stuff we can eat :D ):
* Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew with Tomatoes and Cilantro on Sticky Rice
* Salsa Verde Chicken with Herbed Cornmeal Dumplings
* Chicken Potpie with Green Apples and Cheddar Biscuits
* Sauteed Chorizo Bites with Sweet and Sour Fig Sauce
* Orange Sherbet with Hot Fudge Sauce
* Shrimp Wonton Crisps with Asian Pesto
* Blue Cheese Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Port Sauce and Mushroom-Spinach Barley
One of the things I really like about this cook book is the fact that the author has paired the mains, appetizers, sometimes the sides, and the desserts for you! The pictures are fantastic and my mouth is absolutely watering!
I think this is another one I am adding to my Christmas wish list!
Who do I recommend to? Do you like entertaining? Do you like cooking? I think if you like either then you will like this cookbook!
WHY must The Mr. have food allergies? Specifically seafood/shellfish??? Look at this (yes there is some stuff we can eat :D ):
* Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew with Tomatoes and Cilantro on Sticky Rice
* Salsa Verde Chicken with Herbed Cornmeal Dumplings
* Chicken Potpie with Green Apples and Cheddar Biscuits
* Sauteed Chorizo Bites with Sweet and Sour Fig Sauce
* Orange Sherbet with Hot Fudge Sauce
* Shrimp Wonton Crisps with Asian Pesto
* Blue Cheese Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Port Sauce and Mushroom-Spinach Barley
One of the things I really like about this cook book is the fact that the author has paired the mains, appetizers, sometimes the sides, and the desserts for you! The pictures are fantastic and my mouth is absolutely watering!
I think this is another one I am adding to my Christmas wish list!
Who do I recommend to? Do you like entertaining? Do you like cooking? I think if you like either then you will like this cookbook!
August 29, 2013
First let me state: this is not the type of cookbook I usually enjoy. Anderson uses a lot of prepared foods in her recipes. But I love the concept: You can make a meal a little more special than a regular weeknight family dinner with a minimum of fuss by adding a simple, coordinated appetizer, dessert, and possibly side dish to an easy one-pot meal. It's the menus more than the recipes that draw me.
My husband is a youth pastor, and we often have last minute company for meals. If I'm making chicken curry for my family Monday night anyway, it's nice to have the suggestion of a quick layered dip with Indian flavors, a cucumber salad, and strawberry milkshakes as the components to elevate that meal into something company worthy. I'm not above simply using a box of mac & cheese to add enough food for an extra few if they show up unannounced at 6:00, but if I have a couple hours notice, it makes me feel good to make my guests feel special.
My husband is a youth pastor, and we often have last minute company for meals. If I'm making chicken curry for my family Monday night anyway, it's nice to have the suggestion of a quick layered dip with Indian flavors, a cucumber salad, and strawberry milkshakes as the components to elevate that meal into something company worthy. I'm not above simply using a box of mac & cheese to add enough food for an extra few if they show up unannounced at 6:00, but if I have a couple hours notice, it makes me feel good to make my guests feel special.
May 9, 2020
There are some good recipes in there, and some inspiring ones, but not enough to make me spend $32 to purchase the book myself. If you get a chance to borrow it though, it's worth a look-see!
Biggest complaint? Not enough pictures. A cookbook like this with creative and/or unusual recipes needs a lot of pictures.
Second biggest? No estimated prep time given with the recipes. Particularly frustrating when Anderson directs you to make everything from scratch. I'd like to know about how long it'll take me to get dinner on the table, especially when this book is marketed for get-togethers.
Final big frustration? I couldn't figure out her organization of the recipes. Yes, they were presented as whole meals, but thematically or taste-wise, I couldn't figure out how she was grouping her recipes.
Biggest complaint? Not enough pictures. A cookbook like this with creative and/or unusual recipes needs a lot of pictures.
Second biggest? No estimated prep time given with the recipes. Particularly frustrating when Anderson directs you to make everything from scratch. I'd like to know about how long it'll take me to get dinner on the table, especially when this book is marketed for get-togethers.
Final big frustration? I couldn't figure out her organization of the recipes. Yes, they were presented as whole meals, but thematically or taste-wise, I couldn't figure out how she was grouping her recipes.
September 8, 2010
My thoughts:
What beautiful photos this cookbook has! They are sparklingly clear - almost edible. I love that in a cookbook - I want to see what the finished dish will look like. I have been swayed by a picture more than once when the ingredients have not jumped out at me.
The recipes are mostly simple and are written in a clear, straightforward way. There are no strange ingredients that you will have to go in search of. I just loved how Ms Anderson gives you options to vary the recipe and also suggestions for desserts or appetizers to go with the main dish. That is a real help in my home.
What beautiful photos this cookbook has! They are sparklingly clear - almost edible. I love that in a cookbook - I want to see what the finished dish will look like. I have been swayed by a picture more than once when the ingredients have not jumped out at me.
The recipes are mostly simple and are written in a clear, straightforward way. There are no strange ingredients that you will have to go in search of. I just loved how Ms Anderson gives you options to vary the recipe and also suggestions for desserts or appetizers to go with the main dish. That is a real help in my home.
July 2, 2011
I was pleased to discover that the author's purpose in putting together "one-dish" dinners was focused on recipes where all elements would be done at the same time, rather than cramming disparate ingredients into one pot to avoid cleanup. Complementary salad, appetizer and dessert recipes were also provided, so the recipes didn't have the lonely, boring feel that one pot recipes sometimes have.
April 4, 2011
Wonderful pictures fill this book but the dishes weren't really "one dish". Most of the items looked pretty easy to make but it was the desserts in the book that sounded most delicious to me. Lemon tarts, lemon cookies, tres leches cakes, pecan pie sundaes... YUM!
May 11, 2011
Great Photographs!
I'm not sure I liked the set-up of the recipes by meal. I think I would have preferred all the appetizers together, all the salads together, etc...
But otherwise a great cookbook!
I'm not sure I liked the set-up of the recipes by meal. I think I would have preferred all the appetizers together, all the salads together, etc...
But otherwise a great cookbook!
August 17, 2011
Good recipes, great pictures, clear instructions.
Two or three of the recipes seemed a bit over-involved to me-that is, it looked like there were too many flavors going on. But maybe they cook up and mesh well together.
Two or three of the recipes seemed a bit over-involved to me-that is, it looked like there were too many flavors going on. But maybe they cook up and mesh well together.
September 20, 2010
read this review and others at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...
February 8, 2011
The recipes come across really easy, but it needs more pictures...
November 15, 2010
Not really about one-dish dinners after all
February 22, 2013
Lovely photos and appealing sounding dishes. But the author's idea of "easy" didn't match what I had in mind (simple meals for busy weeknights)!
October 27, 2010
Includes a handful of vegetarian recipes, but many others could be made vegetarian by substituting mushrooms or beans or faux meats. Great pictures. Quick and easy recipes.
January 9, 2011
Not nearly "one-dish" enough. I really just wanted to put a bunch of stuff in a pot and have it be a meal.
January 17, 2011
Too many recipes involve tearing apart a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I don't need a big, glossy book to tell me how to jazz up a rotisserie chicken.
June 2, 2014
Well set up, but nothing that really interested me.
January 17, 2012
Excellent collection of simple but tasty meals
July 16, 2015
Simple, filling, and flavorful recipes. I competed with friend on ownership of this book. Its that good!
Want to Read
October 11, 2010As heard on NPR this weekend:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...
August 14, 2013
Some day I'll get around to trying out some of these recipes.....
September 27, 2013
It was okay. I didn't find anything I really wanted to make for the family.
Read
February 1, 2017Glanced through this whole book. The meals have too much seafood and meat. I make more basic meals so this book seemed over the top for us.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews