Member Reviews

#NoRecipeNoProblem #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley and Storey publishing for providing me with ARC.

I loved this book so much, it full of recipes that i will try one day. I love Cooking so much specially new recipes and this book give me a lot.

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I think I am the wrong audience for this book. It has good ideas but the presentation didn’t work for me. Maybe I would like it better in print form.

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This was a very intriguing cook book, you won't find classic recipes listed, instead this is a collaboration of ideas, techniques and inspiration. I loved the free style cooking, the group collaboration and the ideas/inspiration.

Freestyle cooking:
What am I in the mood for?
What do I have on hand?
How much time do I have?

This is a brilliant look at cooking, I love the low waste approach. If you're looking to build your confidence in the kitchen this book is for you!

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As someone who's often stressed out by portions on recipes, this was such a refreshing book for me. Rather than focusing on different kinds of recipes, it teaches your techniques and ideas to using different types of ingredients and tips to cooking without a recipe. Wonderful and unique book that I highly recommend.

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This is not your average cookbook....and that’s my favorite thing about it!
I read this title and instantly knew I had to check it out. I’m so bad at following recipes and I never to seem to find ones that I hold on to and make again and again. This book speaks to “chefs” like me! It’s organized into food groups- vegetables, pasta and grains, eggs, proteins, etc. there’s even a section for sheet pan meals, which are a must have for cooks like me, and my favorite chapter called, “toast toppers and their cousins” haha!
Every chapter has some awesome tips on how to cook that food in different ways. There are “essential techniques” (like sautéing) that are listed in the chapter with steps on how to do it, tips to do it better, and even types of foods that you can do it with. I love that about this book because sometimes I’m throwing a bunch of vegetables together and the list gives me a little glimpse of what vegetables I can put together in a pan to actually make a tasty meal.
There’s also some “freestyle” recipes too. The soup chapter has sections where you can just pick each component of the soup from the columns on the page, put it together, and cook it!
This book really lives up to its name— No Recipe? No Problem!!

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This is a really well done book that teaches you the basic plan for making all kinds of recipes that you can then adapt to what you have. It's well illustrated and there are a whole range of contributors who offer wisdom and recipes. Chapters include things like soups, salads, vegetables, big proteins, pastas and grains, eggs, pizza and sheet pan meals. There is not information on baking, although the same principles can easily be adapted for baking (our kids' favorite snack is mix and match quick bread, which uses two cups of any fruits and veggies on hand like pumpkin, zucchini, apples, bananas, carrots, berries, you name it, spices adjusted to the flavors, and whatever flours we happen to have). It's also really designed for meat eaters and traditional American style tastes. I was a little disappointed it wasn't geared at least a little bit towards adapting recipes for special diets like vegetarian or gluten free, since that's one reason I learned to cook this way, but it doesn't really go into that sort of thing at all. Still, it's a fantastic guide and it's just packed with cooking information.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

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This book is a great idea—especially as we adjust to what may be called “the new normal”.The current time in which we are living has revealed many issues. One of those issues is there are many people who have little to no cooking skills. Enter this book—a way to do improvisational cooking! I love the author’s idea of using a group known as The Cooking Circle. This group consists of 14 improvisational cooks from different areas of the country who share cooking ideas and stories to help the reader feel encouraged in their own attempts at meal preparation. Not only are step-by-step instructions presented, but there are also ideas for avoiding food waste.

Honestly, the ideas in this book will work for all levels of cooking ability because there are times when shortages will make it necessary to come up with improvised recipes. In addition, there are wonderful suggestions to spruce up meals for even the most experienced cooks. So, consider buying a copy of this book for yourself as well as additional copies to give as gifts.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley. However, the thoughts expressed are my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing and Phyllis Good for the ARC of No Recipe? No Problem!

This is a very interesting concept for a cookbook! I found the information and suggestions for "recipes" useful. The only concern is this cookbook is not going to be a good option for the reader that is an inexperienced cook since there are no true measurements for recipes so for the reader that is new to cooking this may be hard to understand how to figure out quantities and measurements. That being said for the seasoned cook this would be a perfect addition to your collection when you are looking for ideas to use up pantry/refrigerator items when running low before grocery day!

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The title of this book caught my attention as I had hoped for a cookery book that would simplify meal times by removing recipes.
Written by Phyllis Good and her cooking circle of 15 friends from across America I feel this is best suited to experienced cooks. The book aims to show the essential cooking techniques for each category: vegetables, protein, pasta, sauces and many more. There are lots of hints and tips as the contributors aim to help the reader discover freestyle cooking.
However this is a very detailed book full of lots of information that overwhelmed me at times. Perhaps if it was in the hands of someone with more confidence and time in the kitchen this book would shine.

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An excellent idea for a book! I immediately wondered what kind of information I would find in this book. I mostly cook without recipes, and I’m always open to new ideas. That’s what I was mostly looking in this book. It was nice to see that so many people have contributed with their own tips and ways of cooking.

I fully agree with the basic you should have at home, like beans, grains, herbs, and vinegar. Well, many more than that, but you get the idea. Pick the things you like, and keep what you can at home at all times, add some fresh ingredients, and voila! I actually make the best dinner when I have to think outside the box and use the ingredients I have at home on days I should go to the shop, but I’m too lazy. This book gave me some ideas what more I could have at home at all times, and some ways to build the foundation and sauces for new meals.

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I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was around 3.5 stars for me because I like having pictures in cook books to see what the final product should look like and there's not a whole lot of pictures in this book.

That being said there's lots of advice on how to cook without a recipe! With advice on how to start with or modify a recipe as well as "standard" recipes throughout the book it is pretty thorough. From pasta to meat and veggies there's formulas to put together breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in this book. There's also a good looking yellow curry recipe.

I wish there was a bit more variety but this is definitely a good starting book for new cooks!

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Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a very nice book! There are lots of tips and information. There are lots of photos which i really like and the book is very easy to follow. A must-have for people who need new ideas and freestyle cooking!

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Awesome book! There are lots of tips and informations teaching you how to cook, lot's of freestyle ways to prepare food, what goes well with what, combinations, and recipes. There are lots of photos and the book is colorful and easy to read and follow. It's a great companion and a kitchen must have for everyone that struggles to think about what to make for lunch and dinner everyday. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

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I honestly can’t get enough of cook books and recipe books, this one has to be one of my favourites so far, very clearly written and easy to read. I have always envied those who can cook without following a recipe, now with this book I can learn the hints and tips to achieve this myself.

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