Haylie Duff

I found this little gem in a clearance book bin at my local Loblaws (a Canadian chain grocery store). I was attracted because I am a cookbook addict and am trying to change my eating patterns.

I was utterly charmed by Hayley Duff's stories of learning to cook (boy was she a disaster in the past) and the inspiration behind many of the recipes. There were some recipes in there that made me think "you need a recipe for that? You really were a cooking disaster!" Honestly, I do not think much of a recipe for a sandwich (unless you have to cook something to make the sandwich) or baked eggs with sprinkled herbs. However, the simplicity of many (certainly not all) of the recipes harkens us back to this whole real food, simply delicious movement.

Hayley Duff clearly has an obsession with radishes and kale. Her description of how kale should be treated makes me think I have been preparing it wrong all these years. It makes me want to try it her way and see if there is a difference. Also, all her shares of food she has made for her girlfriends has made me feel I have to make something for my own.

Overall, this is a cute little cookbook which was a fun read and some nice simple recipes to try. It is great to elevate people who are a little less experienced at cooking - but have some experience, as the instructions are sparse. This would be an excellent cookbook for a teen or a young adult looking to get back at real food. However, serious cooking hobbyists may be bored.… (meer)

I found this little gem in a clearance book bin at my local Loblaws (a Canadian chain grocery store). I was attracted because I am a cookbook addict and am trying to change my eating patterns.

I was utterly charmed by Hayley Duff's stories of learning to cook (boy was she a disaster in the past) and the inspiration behind many of the recipes. There were some recipes in there that made me think "you need a recipe for that? You really were a cooking disaster!" Honestly, I do not think much of a recipe for a sandwich (unless you have to cook something to make the sandwich) or baked eggs with sprinkled herbs. However, the simplicity of many (certainly not all) of the recipes harkens us back to this whole real food, simply delicious movement.

Hayley Duff clearly has an obsession with radishes and kale. Her description of how kale should be treated makes me think I have been preparing it wrong all these years. It makes me want to try it her way and see if there is a difference. Also, all her shares of food she has made for her girlfriends has made me feel I have to make something for my own.

Overall, this is a cute little cookbook which was a fun read and some nice simple recipes to try. It is great to elevate people who are a little less experienced at cooking - but have some experience, as the instructions are sparse. This would be an excellent cookbook for a teen or a young adult looking to get back at real food. However, serious cooking hobbyists may be bored.… (meer)