Synopses & Reviews
From a reality TV star and mother of six–quick and easy recipes for busy working parents
On the first season of Hell’s Kitchen, working mom Elsie Ramos was clearly the audience favorite, though she didn’t ultimately win. She even drew accolades from curmudgeonly chef Gordon Ramsay, who praised her no-nonsense approach to cooking and her simple but delicious Turkey Tacos and Chicken Soup. But while competing on the show may have been tough, it was no tougher than the challenge Elsie faced every night after a long day at work–getting a tasty dinner on the table fast for her longtime boyfriend and their hungry boys.
Now, in Elsie’s Turkey Tacos and Arroz con Pollo, Elsie shares more than 100 of her tried-and-true, Latin-inspired recipes for family-friendly weeknight meals. As a working mom, Elsie knows the pressures of putting satisfying, healthy meals on the table night after night–her kids’ typical greeting is not "Hello" but "What’s for dinner?" Elsie’s recipes offer ready-made solutions for great-tasting, easy-to-prepare meals, from one-dish favorites like Baked Ziti and Shepherd’s Pie to dishes that draw on Elsie’s Puerto Rican heritage–Arroz con Pollo, Fried Sweet Plantains, and Puerto Rican Baked Stuffed Meatloaf, among others.
With chapters on soups and stews, appetizers and sides, rice dishes, other main dishes, and drinks, along with Elsie’s rules for simplifying shopping and weeknight cooking, Elsie’s Turkey Tacos and Arroz con Pollo will be the go-to cookbook for parents everywhere who want real-world solutions for everyday dinner dilemmas.
Synopsis
On the first season of Hell's Kitchen, Elsie Ramos's simple food and no-nonsense approach to cooking drew accolades from star chef Gordon Ramsay and won her millions of fans across America. Although she did not win the grand prize, Elsie's cooking consistently won challenges on the show, and she was the one contestant who emerged as a household name among fans. In this book, Elsie compiles her best family-friendly, weekday recipes, including the turkey tacos and chicken soup that won raves from Gordon Ramsay on the show. As a real-life working mom with six boys and a full-time job, Elsie understands all too well the struggle to get satisfying, healthy meals on the table quickly and easily night after night. These recipes deliver practical solutions for great-tasting, easy-to-prepare food like Baked Ziti, Chicken Fajitas, Pepper Steak, and Shepherd's Pie. More than 100 recipes keep cooking times short without sacrificing quality or flavor, and make use of easy-to-find ingredients. Elsie's Puerto Rican heritage gives the book a Latin flair, with homestyle recipes for Arroz con Pollo, Fried Sweet Plantains, Puerto Rican Stuffed Meatloaf, and more. The book includes chapters on Soups and Stews, Appetizers and Sides, Rice Dishes, Other Main Dishes, Basics, and Drinks, plus Elsie's rules for simplifying shopping and weeknight cooking. The perfect companion for busy working moms and dads everywhere, this book will offer readers the perfect answer to that dreaded 5:30 question -- What's for dinner?
Synopsis
Latin-flavored family meals from the working mom who wowed audiences on Fox-TV's Hell's Kitchen
On the first season of Fox-TV's Hell's Kitchen, Elsie Ramos was clearly the audience favorite, though she didn't ultimately win. She even impressed chef Gordon Ramsay, who praised her no-nonsense approach to cooking and her simple but delicious dishes. But while competing on the show may have been tough, it was no tougher than the daily challenge Elsie faced in her own lifegetting a tasty dinner on the table fast for her longtime boyfriend and their six hungry boys.
Now, in Elsie's Turkey Tacos and Arroz con Pollo, Elsie shares 125 of her tried-and-true recipes for weeknight meals that your whole family will love. Most of the dishes are infused with the flavors of Puerto Rico, where Elsie's family is from. And all are guaranteed to be quick, easy, and delicious.
Thrill your family with Elsie's dinner solutions
Soups and Stews like My Famous Chicken Soup and Melin's Sensational Sancocho (Pork and Vegetable Stew)
Rice Dishes like Arroz con Costillas (Rice with Ribs) and Elsie's Seafood Paella
Main Dishes like Elsie's Turkey Chili on Baked Potatoes, Pastelón de Plátano (Puerto Rican Lasagna), Puerto Rican Stuffed Meatloaf, and Chuletas con Piña (Pork Chops with Pineapple)
Salads and Sides like Ensalada de Papaya (Papaya Salad) and Spicy Garlic String Beans
Fried Treats like Beef Empanadas and Arañitas (Crispy Plantain Treats)
About the Author
Elsie Ramos attended the French Culinary Institute to enhance her cooking skills after appearing on Hell's Kitchen. She currently works at a financial services company and still gets dinner on the table for her family every night.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Preface.
Introduction.
Soups and Stews.
Appetizers and Side Dishes.
Salads, Vegetables, and other Sides.
Fried Treats.
Main Dishes Made with Rice.
Poultry, Meat, and Other Main Dishes.
Basics.
Drinks.
Index.