Mad Hungry

October 19, 2009
Television host and Martha Stewart Living's Executive Food Director, Quinn forays into the tricky world of feeding men with this colorful volume, awash in Stewart's clean, classy and crowd-pleasing aesthetic. Though the emphasis is on men, Quinn's instructions keep the whole family in mind, especially the woman doing the cooking: tips on shopping with kids, stretching leftovers, stocking the freezer and finding healthy drinks are welcome considerations. Quinn's tendency to ramble can be amusing (getting fresh eggs from Martha Stewart herself) but are largely unnecessary; when she cuts the chatter and rolls up her sleeves, classic fare such as omelets, Italian Pressed Sandwiches, roast chicken and spaghetti with meatballs (in a from-scratch tomato sauce) make a strong impression. Moreover, her Brined and Oven-Roasted Turkey should become a regular Thanksgiving centerpiece. Still, Quinn isn't reinventing the wheel here, just offering a hip presentation for a solid list of standards. Aficionados of Everyday Food and Martha Stewart Living will get the most out of the book, but those new to the kitchen will find Quinn a helpful shoulder to lean on in the face of an important family dinner.