Review: Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home

Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook for Family and Friends

I admit it, I have thing for books that are divided into seasons and menus. Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home does both. It has 13 menus for each season so 52 meals - one for each week. It is arranged seasonally so that you can take advantage of what produce is in season. These recipes aren't your typical all-American meat and potatoes type of menus. They go beyond but not so much that it is out of reach. Ingredients used are fairly simple and a person should be able to pick them up at the grocery store. Although I do think these recipe aren't exactly everyday meals for the average American family but I think it does give ideas and starting points to maybe think out of the box for your next weeknight meal. I also don't believe them to be all that quick even though the title says "Quick Meals..." Quick always makes me think of Rachel Ray and 30-minute Meals (many that don't look like they could be done well in 30 minutes either) but anyway what I am saying is quick means 30 minutes or less to me. These will take at least an hour - sometimes a little more with prep. These recipes would be good to serve to friends and family that you are having over for dinner or some would be good just to mix up your usual menu.

This book has beautiful photographs and good print on quality paper. It gives you sidebar extra info for each menu along with a preparation schedule. At the end of the of the book, Stewart includes some basics of cooking such as soup stock recipes and hints on cleaning and prep of some foods. The menus are also broken down into categories instead of seasons - so starters, main dish, sides and desserts. But overall I love how the table of contents is set up - because of the seasonal menus. I would go that direction first because being able to find in season produce would be the best.


Sample of menus in the book...

Spring

Spring Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
Turkey and Pancetta Meatballs
Pasta with Mint Pesto and Fava
Coffee Ice Cream Affogato

Strip Steak with Chimichurri
Roasted Potato Wedges
Sauteed Spinach with Vidalia Onions
Torrijas

Fontina and Herb Flatbread
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Cutlets
Wilted Escarole
Amaretti-Ricotta Sandwiches

Summer

Pancetta Cheeseburgers
Balsamic Mushrooms
Tomato, Basil and White Bean Salad
Coconut-Topped Cupcakes

Salmon with Creamy Leeks
Dilled Rice Salad
Sugar Snap Peas with Toasted Almonds
Raspberry Mint Gelatin Cups

Cantaloupe Wedges with Feta Cheese
Honey-Glazed Chicken Skewers
Summer Squash and Olive Phyllo Tart
Espresso Cream Crunch


Fall

Warm Swiss Chard and Bacon Dip
Braised Chicken Marsala
Sage Polenta
Sauteed Pears in Honey Syrup

Skillet Rib-Eye Steaks
Broiled Peppers with Melted Cheese
Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovies
Molten Chocolate-Espresso Cakes

Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples and Onion
Shaved Fennel-Celery Salad
Mustard Mashed Potatoes
Maple Custards

Winter

Roast Chicken Breasts in Creamy Tarragon Sauce
Warm Lentils with Spinach
Caramelized Endive
Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce

Broiled Red Snapper
Citrus- Soy Sweet Potatoes
Sesame Spinach Rolls
Rice Pudding with Candied Kumquats

Butter Lettuce with Brie and Pears
Curried Vegetable Potpie
Spiced Lemon Cookies


It is my suggestion to always check cookbooks out from the library and cook a few recipes before buying.