Nothing Fancy

  

I received a copy of this release from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Nothing Fancy

Author: Alison Roman

Publisher: Clarkson Potter

Release Date: 10.1.2019

Publisher’s Summary 

An unexpected weeknight meal with a neighbor or a weekend dinner party with fifteen of your closest friends—either way and everywhere in between, having people over is supposed to be fun, not stressful. This abundant collection of all-new recipes—heavy on the easy-to-execute vegetables and versatile grains, paying lots of close attention to crunchy, salty snacks, and with love for all the meats—is for gatherings big and small, any day of the week.

Alison Roman will give you the food your people want (think DIY martini bar, platters of tomatoes, pots of coconut-braised chicken and chickpeas, pans of lemony turmeric tea cake) plus the tips, sass, and confidence to pull it all off. With Nothing Fancy, any night of the week is worth celebrating.

My Review

The full title of this cookbook is "Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over" and I just have to laugh because I am not having anyone over, I just want some unfussy food for myself. 😆After perusing the book in its entirety, I'm going to have to say that this chef's style is strange to me. I found the DIY martini bar and Baked Potato Bar odd choices for guests, and if "the beautiful dramatic presentation of storing wine in your sink or bathtub is *chef kisses fingertips*" is a cutting edge concept, I know this book won't have any tips I haven't heard a million times before. As for the recipes, they've caused me to realize I am more of a purist. I don't want peanuts with my steak and kale has no business ruining a perfectly good pizza. On a further personal note, it seems every other recipe features my most despised ingredient--fennel. If you love fennel, this may be the cookbook for you. 

Overall, I really do love the design and layout of this cookbook; the cover and interior photos are sharp, bright, and inviting. I might try the Overnight Focaccia or the Creamy Cauliflower and Onion Gratin but I don't think this collection will be landing on my "favorites" shelf.