Curtis Stone - Seven Days, Seven Dinners: A Taste of Whats For Dinner?

A Ballantine Books eBook Original

Copyright 2013 by Curtis Stone

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

B ALLANTINE and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

eBook ISBN: 9780345544346

Photographs by Quentin Bacon. Reprinted here by permission of the photographer.

www.ballantinebooks.com

v3.1

W hats the best thing youve ever eaten?

This is my favorite question to ask everyone, from friends and fellow chefs to people Ive just met. The answer always starts the same way: My mother used to make... Whether its chicken pot pie or homemade meat loaf, the dishes we grew up eatingthe ones made with love and shared around the dinner tableare the ones we seem to cherish the most.

For me, it was my mums roast pork. It wasnt just the savory-sweet flavor and crispy cracklings that I loved. Dinners at my house were all about being together. Whatever had happened during the day, you could always count on the dinner table to be a place to share experiences, dream about the future, talk over your worries, and connect with people you love. It seems so simple: a happy family starts with a home-cooked meal.

As a chef, I was lucky enough to cook in some of the best restaurants in the world, and I always thought I could easily write recipes for home cooksthat is, until I actually met some home cooks. While I understood that people have limited time and often need a bit of inspiration, I didnt account for family members coming home late from work, the whirlwind of soccer practices and dance recitals, different taste buds around the table, tiny kitchens, blunt knives, and the mass exodus after dinner that leaves mom with a stack of dirty dishes.

I have now cooked in hundreds of different homes around the globe. And while the challenges vary from house to house, one is common to them all: everyone has a busy life. My test kitchen creates four hundred recipes a year. I travel for work, write books, and make TV shows. Im also a new dad, which has taught me the art of one-handed cooking. Trust me, I know what a busy life feels like, and I know you do, too.

However, a home-cooked meal is always worth the effort. Food simply tastes betterand is better for youwhen you cook it yourself. Each day of the week presents its own set of challenges, and the right recipe is one that works at the right time. Whether youre looking for healthier fare, living on a budget, or having friends over for dinner on Saturday, this quick little recipe guide, as well as my upcoming book, Whats for Dinner? , can help you put a delicious meal on the table every night of the week.

Ive also provided prep and cooking times to help you choose the perfect recipe. This will be very helpful when budgeting your time in the kitchen, no matter what the occasion, from weeknight supper to company dinner.

So call everyone to the table. Dinner is ready.