The I Love to Cook Book: Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking for Family and Friends by Lauren Groveman (2004) Ex Libris Used Books

Caramelized onions in three-cheese French onion soup . . . delectably sticky barbecued chicken . . . homemade linguine tangled in cream sauce with peas and shrimp . . . chocolate chocolate-chip brownies, swirled with sweetened cream cheese . . . These are the delights of truly exceptional home cooking that fill The I Love to Cook Book.

For Lauren Groveman, busy mother, cooking teacher, and television host, cooking for loved ones is a celebration of the warmth that is the heart of family life. And in this irresistible kitchen companion, she invites you to rediscover the pleasures and rewards of the whole cooking process. She shares crowd-pleasing ideas for everything from a Tuesday-night dinner to a showstopping special-occasion meal, including breakfast dishes, cocktail nibbles, main-dish salads, soups, and stews, irresistible breads and unforgettable desserts. Satisfying dishes include Stuffed Mushrooms alla Bolognese, Pan-Fried Lemon Sole with Herbed Tartar Sauce, Grilled Chicken Pesto Topped with Marinated Tomatoes, and Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Meringue Icing. To make time in the kitchen more productive, Lauren includes notes on advance preparation for every recipe. In addition, an invaluable chapter on creating a “Homemade Pantry” explains how to make and stock such staples as “Killer” Marinara Sauce, Fajitas Seasoning, fruit-scented butters, and Assorted Muffin Mix.

Groveman’s skill as a cooking teacher and warm enthusiasm as a nurturing mom shine through in each and every meticulously written recipe, designed to inspire anyone looking to make their house a home. Vibrantly illustrated by full-color photographs throughout, The I Love to Cook Book brings the joy of cooking back into the modern kitchen.