Help in the Kitchen: Claire Robinson’s 5 Ingredient Fix

 

by Trish Deitemyer

        

 

I admit it: I’m a Food Network junkie.  I don’t really know why, either; I’m not a big fan of cooking and I’m a picky eater.  It’s really quite odd.  One of my favorite shows is Claire Robinson’s “5 Ingredient Fix.”  Claire is someone I’d like to be friends with.  She’s cool, smart and funny.  She doesn’t make you feel bad about any lack of skill in the kitchen; in fact, she’s always offering helpful little shortcuts and tips. 

 

I was very excited to check out her first book 5 Ingredient Fix: Easy, Elegant, and Irresistible Recipes (Grand Central Lifestyle; Oct. 2010; 29.99 US/33.99 CAN)  This is a beautiful hard-bound cookbook.  Each recipe page has the five (or less) ingredients needed printed across the top and most are accompanied by a gorgeous color photograph.  Each recipe also has 2 extra paragraphs: “What makes this recipe really sing” where Claire explains the ingredients and tells you how to get the best out of them; and “What to toss in if you have it” which tells you, well…exactly that!  For instance, if you have some, add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade on the Buttermilk Pecan Chicken or lemon zest to the pecan and panko breading.  Believe me, these recipes are pretty easy and they’ll have you feeling like a Food Network chef from the first bite.

 

There are far too many great recipes to list, but here are a few of my family’s favorites:

 

 

If you’re short on time (who isn’t?) and not in love with endless trips to the grocery store, check out Claire Robinson’s 5 Ingredient Fix.  You may find that you have the makings of a delicious, Food-Network-worthy meal right in your pantry!