COUNTRY BREAKFASTS: Four Seasons of Cozy Morning Meals

by Ken Haedrich ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 17, 1994

Taking his cue from the age-old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Haedrich (Home for the Holidays, not reviewed, etc.) crafts a mostly basic cookbook -- with a few unique recipes -- in easy-to-follow prose. Although there are plenty of dishes here with which to create an impressive brunch, the author is a busy father who knows that most of us don't have the leisure for full-course breakfasts; thus the majority of the meals require only a short preparation time. Haedrich provides many variations on egg dishes, which naturally take no more than a few minutes, and the wide array of muffins and biscuits come together in around 20 minutes. Attention is also paid to seasonal ingredients: There are plenty of ways, for example, to enjoy blueberries, from the light and easy-to-mix blueberry cream cake to the classic blueberry peach cobbler. Readers will also find all the basics, from banana walnut hotcakes (which, while delicious, didn't hold together) to dumplings (done here with a spicy oatmeal batter) to omelettes. Haedrich also throws in some more inventive recipes: Creamy couscous with dates and walnuts hits the spot on a cold morning, and poached eggs on pesto bruschetta makes a perfect opportunity to use up that extra basil in the middle of summer. None of the recipes is really challenging, but there are no obvious cooking faux pas, and it is convenient to have all the A.M. options gathered together. A good book to wake up with.

Pub Date: Oct. 17, 1994

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 272

Publisher: Bantam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1994

Categories: NONFICTION