Cooking with Flavor

Moist, melt in your mouth "Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting" need I say more!

How about

"Spicy White Bean & Chicken Chili",
"Field Greens with Oranges, Strawberries and Vanilla Vinaigrette" or
"Caribbean Shrimp Bruschetta".

These are just a few of the recipes that caught my eye in McCormick's, "Cooking with Flavor" cookbook.

The 176 hardcover book is divided into sections: Breakfast & Brunch, Main Dishes, Appetizers, Side Dishes & Salads, Grilling, Holiday, Desserts and The Enspicelopedia. Each dish includes a mouth watering full color photograph.

There is a LOT to LOVE in this cookbook. The dishes are easy to prepare, quick to prep for (from 5-20 minutes) and have easy to find ingredients. These are simple, classic family favorite recipes punched up with McCormick's flavors.

One of my very favorite flavors is McCormick's pure vanilla extract which has been a staple in my home since I was a little girl. I was delighted to see some incredibly easy and tasty deserts in this book using my favorite vanilla from "Easy Lemon Mousse" to "Summer Fruit Tart".

The back of the book includes "The Enspicelopedia" which gives a pictorial lesson on many different spices with a description, flavor, aroma profile and uses.

For an added touch the book includes a red ribbon to hold your place and the wider style of the binding allows it to lay flat for ease of use.

The one drawback (and hence 4 stars not 5) is the book does not include nutritional information. No calorie counts, sodium etc.

This is a book I will use for years. I love the classic, tasty dishes, natural ingredients and ease of use. Definitely a keeper!

Lee Mellott