Bobby Flay
I love when talented chefs show us a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of their family meals. Debra Ponzek is the perfect chef to guide you through the rough-and -tumble chore of feeding your householdno one will want to leave the table.”
Sarabeth Levine, author of Sarabeths Bakery
Creative simplicity is what makes award-winning chef Debra Ponzeks cooking so delicious and perfect for everyday. This recipe collection will be kept within arms reach on my kitchen shelf to enjoy with family and friends for years to come.”
Publishers Weekly
”A charming book full of fresh, inspired, and tasty recipes that is sure to shake up your familys dinner routine.”
Booklist
"This first-time cookbook from an East Coast restaurant chef turned caterer is simple and sophisticated. Ponzek emphasizes using the best ingredients in straightforward ways, often with enough of a twist to keep things interesting
evening meals for families, couples, and singles dont have to be something microwaved. Any level of home cook, from novice to professional, can relax and execute these 125 recipes, which are full of goodnesses and local seasonal ingredients."
BookPage
If you get the dinnertime blues, theres good news, and its all spelled out in The Dinnertime Survival Cookbook (Running Press, $22, 256 pages, ISBN 9780762444755), Debra Ponzeks collection of accessible recipes and tips for taking the blahs, boredom, bother and quotidian quandaries out of getting a good dinner on the table every night.”
Everybody Eats News.com
I find this cookbook as comfortable as my favorite pair of bedroom slippers. The recipes are approachable. Theyre sophisticated without being difficult.”
BostonGlobe.com
"This is a good, well-organized book, maybe even one of the better ones of its kind... helpful and a good value for the price. And for many busy families, that combination is bound to be a winner."
Select Table of Contents
Make these now, save time later
The only three spice rubs youll ever need
Three awesome pestos
Chimichurri
Olive tapenade
Homemade mayo, spicy or not
Honey mustard dill sauce
Salsa verde
Flavored oils
Eggs
Short-order cook tutorial: How to make perfect scrambled, poached, and fried eggs, plus a classic omelet
Baked Eggs with Baby Spinach, Cheddar, and Tomatoes
Asparagus, Leek, and Goat Cheese Frittata
Sausage, Shallot, and Sweet Pepper Stratta
Soft Poached Eggs with Sweet Potato Hash
Pancakes
The Perfect Pancakes
Gingerbread Polenta Pancakes
Lemon Ricotta Silver Dollar Pancakes
Cinnamon Streusel French Toast
Apple Soufflé Pancake
Breakfast bread basket
Candied Ginger Scones
Easy Apple Turnovers
Banana Coffee Cake
Zucchini Bread
Whole-Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin Walnut Muffins
Blueberry crumb muffins
Salads
Arugula salad with roasted pears
Wheat berry salad with dried cranberries and pine nuts
Summer tomato bruschetta salad
Fennel, mushroom, and celery salad
Charred pepper and sourdough panzanella
Sweet potato and mango salad with chipotle vinaigrette
Buttermilk coleslaw
Mesclun salad with apples, pumpkin seeds and almonds
Soups and stews
Chili Three Ways: Vegetarian, Turkey, and White Chicken Chili
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Roasted squash soup
Spicy Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
Summery Curry Zucchini Soup
White Root Vegetable Soup
Beef Bourguignon
Curried Chicken Stew
Sandwiches and burgers
The best beef burger
Grilled cheese with manchego and Serrano ham
Easy banh mi
Lamb and feta burgers
Grilled vegetable sandwich with ricotta, arugula, and basil pesto
The ultimate avocado BLT
Open-faced tomato, cream cheese, and basil
Falafel pitas with raita
Pasta
Basic homemade pasta recipe
Spaghetti with olive oil, parmesan, arugula, and chiles
Baked wild mushroom risotto
Ricotta gnocchi with corn and mushrooms
Roasted eggplant, basil, and ricotta rigatoni
Pancetta, squash, and chile papardelle
Baked penne with farmhouse cheddar and leeks
Lasagna Bolognese
Seafood
Easy Roasted Salmon
Stuffed whole fish with lemon, garlic, and thyme
Crispy fish tacos with avocado mash
Pesto grilled shrimp
Steamed black bass with garlic, soy, and scallions
Grilled tuna with pineapple chipotle salsa
Chicken
The Perfect Whole Roasted Chicken
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Parmesan and CornmealCrusted Chicken Breasts
Roasted Chicken Enchiladas
Grilled Chicken Salad with Corn, Asparagus, and Buttermilk Dressing
Butterflied Chile-Lime Chicken
Chicken Cacciatore
Juicy Chicken Meatballs
Steaks and chops
Easy Pan-Seared Skirt Steak
Grilled Spiced Yogurt Hanger Steak
Flank Steak Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, and Chickpeas
Sticky Hoisin and Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto
Cider Roasted Pork Chops
Grilled Spice Rubbed Ribeye
Braised meats
Osso Buco with Orange and Rosemary
Braised Beef Short Ribs with Bacon and Caramelized Carrots
Moroccan Braised Lamb Shanks
Lamb Ragu with Rigatoni
Sunday Pot Roast
Veggies
Roasted root vegetables
Corn and edamame succotash
Grilled zucchini with chili and mint
Acorn squash stuffed with currant quinoa pilaf
Parmesan roasted asparagus/broccoli
Tomato, goat cheese, and olive tart
Corn cakes with roasted tomatoes and basil
Brussels sprouts with hazelnut butter
Roasted and mashed butternut squash
Potatoes
The ultimate mashed potatoes
Simple herb-roasted potatoes
Oven-baked fries with sea salt
Breakfast hash browns
Horseradish potato salad
Sweet potato puree with honey and lime
Maple roasted sweet potatoes
Cakes
The Best Basic Yellow Cake
Banana Fudge Cake
Devils Food Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Coconut Lime Cake
Honey Gingerbread with Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Lemon Crème Fraiche Torte
Pies and crisps
The Perfect Pie Crust
Chocolate Silk Pie
Banana Cream Pie
Coconut Cream Pie
Apple Crumb Pie
Maple Pear Oat Crisp
Nectarine Cherry Crisp
French Apple Tart
Lemon Ricotta Tart
Cookies, bars and brownies
Worlds Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Apple brownies
Chocolate mocha brownies
Sesame cookies
Double ginger cookies
Caramel pecan bars
Classic lemon bars
Hazelnut, almond, chocolate chip biscotti
Puddings
The Ultimate Chocolate Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding
Pumpkin raisin bread pudding
Warm lemon pudding cakes
Warm chocolate mint pudding cakes
Honey panna cotta
Toasted coconut tapioca