Family Meals

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY JAN 19, 2015

Smith (TV host of Chef Michael's Smith's Kitchen and author of seven cookbooks) understands the pressures of balancing work with home and offers ways to feed a family with real, healthy food despite time constraints. He provides recipes for specific needs, such as lunchboxes and snacks, and includes tips on working more efficiently in the kitchen, from prepping weekday meals on the weekend to serving easy, so-called breakfast foods for supper. The father of three children (who occasionally appear in the book) offers advice on how to get kids involved in cooking (start by shopping together), to eat their salad (plate it like a restaurant) and to clean up after (bribe em). The book itself is fun and punchy, with vibrantly colored text and lush photos. The recipes are mostly unfussy and unintimidating while still having the flair expected of a professional chef. Smith provides a wide range of culinary options, including recipes that can be cooked in advance, slow cooker and pressure cooker dishes, vegetarian fare and speedy meals. He also includes a photographic index of all the recipes, for those choosing supper based on eye-catching aesthetics. With options for everyone, all simple, wholesome, economical and gorgeous, this is one cookbook that won't spend much time on the shelf.