Alexandra Nimetz | Jason Stanley | Emeline Starr
1 "Quick, Cheap, Easy" Very True
I bought this book because I love cooking but I'm always looking for healthier ways of doing things. This book has assisted me in finding meals when I didn't feel like spending countless time in the kitchen. The ingredients that they require are pretty much everyday items I buy at the grocery store. Every once in a while I ran into an ingredient I didn't have but it's pretty simple to substitute and the meal still comes out great. Some of the ideas are simple and others are more elaborate but overall I'm very happy I purchased this cook book.
2 Not good enough
Maybe 4 years ago, when I was first living in a dorm, I might like this book. Now, I don't think it's good enough.
There are two main reasons for it, 1) there is the internet now. Almost every college student has access to an internet. And with it one can find thousands and thousands of recipes, both hard and easy to make. Why would you want to buy a book with less than 100 recipes if you can instantly have many more on the net?
The second reason is the lack of variety. Now this could be due to the fact that the book has only 150 pages, but still not everything I had hope for is there. For example, there are lamb chops for sale, nope, the book has no recipes for that. Or I wanted to bake a whole chicken/turkey, not in the book. Furtheremore, easy ethnic recipes should be included, but hardly any is there. I haven't been able to cook any of the recipe from the book and be proud enough to bring it to a pot-luck.
The plus about the book is the good introduction, which discuss the kind of spices there are, and the different methods of cooking. However, in terms of quality (these aren't cuisine-caliber recipe, and where are the pictures?) and quanity of recipes, I wouldn't recommend you purchase this book for yourself.
3 One of the best buys I've ever made
I bought this book my junior year of college after moving into my first apartment, and even though I'm on my third apartment, this is still my favorite cookbook.
I've tried dozens and dozens of recipes, and their delicious (and so simple!)
I brought this cookbook home over Christmas break this past year and made some of the dishes for my mom (who is an excellent cook), and she loved the cookbook so much, she has made it quite clear that this is what she wants for Mother's Day. So for the novice or the expert - anyone who likes delicious food that's easy and doesn't take all day to make, you'll love this book.
Favorites: Roasted red pepper and feta salad (pretty much the easiest and tastiest salad I've ever made), banana chocolate chip muffins (amazing every time), vegetable chili (mom made this three times while I was home for Christmas), twice baked potato and tomato-corn omlet. So good.
4 Doable, Practical, and Imaginative Cooking for Beginners.
This was my first cookbook, and I can now cook and bake almost anything I try. My mother gave this to me when I was studying abroad in Ireland and found that, being vegetarian, I couldn't eat most of the food in restaurants. I had never liked cooking much before but this book sparked an interest in me that has become my primary hobby.
The book consists of multiple sections, which include Breakfast, Poultry, Beef, Seafood, Vegetarian (yay!), and Desserts. And even though most of the above don't apply to me, this book is still splattered and marked with my always successful attempts at these recipes. The ingredients are usually on hand in a well-stocked kitchen, and, for further assistance, the authors give you thorough advice on how to stock a kitchen in the first place. In addition, the book includes a glossary on cooking and baking terms in case, like me, you didn't know and couldn't place international calls to your mom every five minutes.
But the absolute best thing about this book, after you take into consideration the creative recipes, the simple delicious taste of each finished product, the ease of use, and the lasting power of the recipes - I still come back to this book for the recipes listed further below, is the universal quality the authors cultivate. Each recipe gives both metric and standard measuring units (and in my case, it was essential) and thorough nutritional information with each recipe.
Key recipes that I still use, many many dinner parties later: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Carrot Cake, Baked Ziti, Garlic Green Beans with Tofu, Tomato Basil Sauce, Mushroom Pasta Sauce (try with linguine), and Mushrooms Parmesan.
Drawbacks to this book: Not many. And there aren't even any pictures, which I usually find upsetting. For this book, it works. If I had a photo of what the dish was supposed to look like in front of me, I would have been upset if my final product didn't resemble it completely.
If you are searching for the perfect gift for a student with a first apartment, consider this book. It was a gift to me, and I am still grateful.
5 excellent
I bought this cookbook right after college and I still use it on a regular basis. It is stained, dog eared and broken at the spine now - I still love this book. I didn't think I could cook before this book, but because of Nimetz's book, I gained some self confidence and actually enjoy cooking. The recipes are quick, easy and healthy. My favorites are black beans and rice, carmelized onion w/ orzo, lazy pasta, black bean soup and sweet red pepper sauce.
Good intructions are given for even the easiest task, so you know you are doing it right, but not so much information that you get bored. Buy this book. Even if you are out of college.
6 Great book for those who like simple cooking
I am not a bad cook but usually do not find it a pleasure to whip something up in the kitchen. "The Healthy College Cookbook: Quick, Cheap, Easy" delivers in that it serves up recipes with simple ingredients and easy instructions. I have tried many of the recipes and have really liked them (the Beef Stroganoff is simple and delicious). This book is great for non-students who don't have time to cook. Highly recommended.
7 simple and easy
I'd recommend this book not only for novice college cooks, but for anyone who likes a "real meal" at the end of the day and doesn't have time for elaborate preparations. This cookbook made the transition from Pacific Northwest college to New York City apartment with me and it is just as useful at the end of a 9-hour work day as it was experimenting in college.
8 Average Cook Book
This book was interesting to peruse. The authors are obviously creative and put a lot of work into the book. If you are a complete novice in cooking, this book serves as an excellent introduction. However, if you have had any experience cooking, this book may not be as useful to you as others. Good luck in your cooking quest.
9 Wow! A must have!
I received this book for Christmas (after researching it on ... & asking for it!) and I absolutely love it. The lists of ingredients aren't long, the directions are simple, and most of all the food is delicious! I stopped eating at the d-hall this semester so I could lose weight and eat more healthfully and this book is definitely helping! Buy it! You will not regret it!
P.S. I also have other college cookbooks, and I use this one 5x more than any other one.
10 Whoa - Hot Diggity Dog Damn
Yowza. This sucker literally transformed me from eating take-out burritos and pizza (last semester) to now only cooking my own meals. Not kidding. Who knew it was actually cheaper and healthier to cook for yourself?
I rank this book(from all the ones I bought thru amazon) to have the most impact on my daily life; Since purchasing it I am able to cook pretty much whatever I want - within the limits of the recipes in the book. I even got so motivated to go out and buy all the suggested spices.
The only thing though is that you have to spend (in some cases) like an hour to cook stuff. Especially if you are a newbie like me. But man oh man I highly suggest picking up this sucker.
This book is WAY cool indeed.
;-)
11 You don't have to be a student...
You don't have to be a student to appreciate this cookbook. I'm going on 60, don't like to cook but need to, and really appreciate each point of healthy, quick, cheap and easy. I like this book so well I've given copies as gifts to family and friends, most of whom do like to cook and are good at it, and everyone's loved it.
12 Alexandra Nimetz is a genious
Ms. Nimetz, I am forever in your debt. The incredble dishes in this book are just plain good. Whether using them for school, appartment living, or keeping your family healthy and happy, this is the book for you. If you eat, you should own this book. The meals are so easy to cook, I''ve done it with one pot and a propaine burner. BUY THIS BOOK. Alexandra, thank you.
13 this book kicks...!! 10 stars!!
All i have to say about this book is buy it.. it is amazing meals. your wasting time reading my review, go buy this book and start cooking!!
14 Great food, Great fun
All I can say is that I wish that I'd met Alex Nimetz in person. She must be a wonderful, because this cookbook reveals creativity, dedication and great fun! I'm so glad that I came upon this book because it has really helped my friends and I survive the college cafeteria. I was definitely worried about gaining weight in college, but this book was the key to me and my friends' success. From dinners to desserts, funny failures to fabulous fun, this is a great book for anyone looking for creative and healthy meals. I loved the Caramelized Onion Orzo!
15 It's not just for college students!
Bought this cookbook for my niece who's in college, and before I could get it in the mail, decided I needed one too! Super easy, uncomplicated ingredients and healthy recipes....I may have to give up the NY Times, Julia and Martha and go with simple and good!
16 Excellent, simple recipes
This cookbook is good for anybody who has never cooked in their lives. From the beginning, I was making excellent dishes, with very little preparation time. This book has done wonders for me: I dont eat fast food anymore, I save a lot of money, and I enjoy good meals that are a lot healthier than what I used to eat. Recommended to anyone who is just learning how to cook.
17 It got me through Graduate School
Putting in 90-100 hour weeks during Graduate school, I needed a basic but comprehensive cookbook where the meals wouldn't take long, the ingredient list wasn't huge, but the meals would still be flavorful. I picked up this little gem. I can't even count how many times I've cooked my favorite recipes out of this book--Vegetarian Lasagna, Balsamic Chicken & Potatoes, the list goes on and on. This cookbook covers every meal item possible and gives you a great combination of classic and unique recipes that anyone can make. You don't have to be a BAD cook to get this book, the authors are sensitive to the fast-paced lifestyle many people have and present this as an alternative to lengthy cooking. And now that I'm out of the Graduate School schedule, guess what -- I'm still making these recipes.
18 Fantastic
I had never cooked before I got this book - it was a present - but it turned out to be one of the best presents I ever got. The recipes are easy, fast to make, and delicious. My friends can't believe that I had no experience when I started. I have already given some of my friends this book as a gift! A great buy!
19 Bad Luck with First Attempted Recipe!
This book appears to be wonderful as far as nutrition and variety, however I had a bit of bad luck with the first recipe I chose to make. The blueberry Coffee Cake was a flop! The cake batter ended up so thin and the cake never baked - regardless of how long I left it in the oven. I have not tried another recipe since, as I am not sure I trust the book at this point. Hopefully the next recipe I follow will have a better end result!
20 A College Vegetarians Delight
Being a vegetarian on a college meal plan is more than impossiable. With this book I have time to cook and go to practice and do homework. The recipes are easy, and adding your own personal touch to a recepie is a personal favorite. A huge selection of veggie dishes helps feed even the pickyist dinner guest. A+
21 THIS COOKBOOK IS A MUST BUY!!!
This is the best quick and easy cookbook I have seen. Great recipes, clearly written, & easy to follow. I think my favorite recipe was for carrot soup--delicious! If you're going to buy a cookbook, this is the one to get.
22 This book really has made my life quick, cheap and easy.
The Healthy College Cookbook is not just for college kids. I am a recent college alum, living and working in New York City. For several months, I ate myself out of house and home as New York delis and restaurants sucked the cash right out of my pocket, cooking seemed like a hastle so I didn't do it! Since I ordered the Healthy College Cookbook, I am cooking more, eating better, and saving money - with these simple recipes, cooking's no hastle, it's easy. I recommend this book to any college student or young adult cooking for themselves for the first time.
23 Medical student finds cookbook fun, practical, and amusing
A recent college graduate, I found this cookbook to be very useful. I, myself, have tested out some of these recipes. I especially liked the breaded dijon chicken. It was tasty! I plan on sharing this cookbook with other students I know. Great job!
24 A Cookbook for the Student by the Student
Life at college isn't easy. Between classes, labs, and papers, there is hardly any time to cook a decent meal if you don't like the dining hall options. Three students at Williams College realized this, and co-authored a new cookbook designed for college students. Recipes in the book range from "Ants on a Log" to "Steak a l'Orange", providing options for both those who are willing to try some easy adventures in cooking and for those who wish never to use an appliance. The cookbook offers a slew of recipes, from soups and snacks to dinner dishes of chicken and fish. Vegetarians will find a variety of options; one-third of the recipes are vegetarian, with an entire chapter devoted to vegetarian cuisine in addition to other recipes that fit the vegetarian bill scattered throughout the book. With many recipes that take less than half an hour to prepare and require few ingredients, this cookbook is perfect for today's college students. .
25 A fantastic resource for recent college grads.
I am a recent college graduate and have received the "HEALTHY COLLEGE COOKBOOK" as a graduation gift. Having lived off campus my senior year, I know how hard it is to cook for myself while at the same upholding a busy schedule. This book would have been perfect to have had this past year. Instead of resorting to take-out food I could have cooked quick, healthy meals for myself. Clearly, the authors spent a good deal of time testing their recipes, for the dishes I have tried thus far have been delicious. I am also impressed with the variety of recipes such as vegetarian dishes, and quick appetizers. I especially recommend Anne's Veggie Lasagna and Chicken Santa Fe. Finally, a great cookbook for non-cooks!
