Over time, in his cookbooks, and on his TV series, Jacques Pépin has taught people how to cook simple, fully flavored dishes--food that reflects his French training while embracing American informality. Jacques Pépin: Fast Food My Way takes this approach one step further by providing 100-plus recipes for a wide range of delicious, meant-to-be fast dishes. These include Stuffed Scallops on Mushroom Rice; Chicken Breasts on Mashed Cauliflower with Red Salsa; Pasta, Ham, and Vegetable Gratin; and Apple, Pecan, and Apricot Crumble. The "my way" of the title can mean the use of time-saving tools (Pépin uses pressure cookers to achieve easy stews like his beef short-rib, mushroom, and potato dish) and convenience foods (canned black bean soup or sweet potatoes for new soup versions). Generally, though, the Pépin approach emphasizes the use of foods that are themselves quickly cooked, like chicken breasts or beef fillet and that can be made flavorful with equally fast-to-fix accompaniments, like his salsa mayonnaise or his tomato-olive sauce.

On of my favorite

Jacques Pepin is wonderful. The recipes that he propose are so simple but yet so delicious. Really in a few minutes you will be able to make a wonderful meal. I would recommend it to anyone who does not want to spend hours in the kitchen.
I also have Simple and Simply Delicious by Sylvie Rocher.
Those two books are great!

distinctive, quick, and clear

This is one of the best cookbooks I have bought in years, and I have quite a selection of 'em. You can search for recipes from the basic ingedients you have on hand or plan something more that requires special ingredients. THere is nothing overly elaborate to worry about or prepare. But what is so great is that the results are reliably interesting and will seem special for whomever you are serving - they will go "ah, what is that recipe! I want it!" It is the perfect thing for busy parents who want to do just that little bit extra. It is also an excellent gift book for non-gourmet cooks.

Warmly recommended.

The man is a treasure...

As an almost registered "foodie", cookbooks were the gift of choice from my friends for my birthday last month. This book was a surprise, because I am not overly fond of the majority of 30-minute-meal-type cookbooks. I mean, if I read one more recipe for chicken breasts in 8-10 minutes, I think I will scream, right? But...I love this book. The pictures are accurate and inspiring, the recipes are interesting and clearly written. The ingredients are readily available. The suggested menu ideas are helpful. So, another excellent Pepin cookbook, what's the big deal?

The deal is the food IS fast. That wonderful ability that Pepin has to combine ingredients with both great style and flavors is here available in a time frame workable for most cooks. Sure, some things take a bit more time. So, leave those for those really luxury cooking days, when you have a whole hour...and a half!

No need to recite the recipes, you know they will sound fabulous. But there is a section in the front of the book: "More Ideas for Quick Dishes" that has some just down right great suggestions. The Lavash Pizza elicited rave reviews from my non-foodie 15-year-old who is making his life a diet of hamburgers and fries this year...He ate Four of them and has asked for them again, repeatedly. Not bad. The "Instant Beef Tenderloin Stew" is a seriously great meal. I could go on. I won't. You get the idea.

Thanks, again, Jacques.