Dinner in One Take has some interesting recipes and is well done with engaging text and attractive photos of the food and beverages. It’s not the right cookbook for my life at this time, but if you have a grill and many fewer food sensitivities this could be a great cookbook for you. If you enjoy cocktails, the last chapter, The Beverage Lab, is a good reason to but this book. I requested this from Net Galley because I was interested in it’s tagline, “weeknight-friendly meals that are big on flavor, not time.” After I got a review copy, the dietary restrictions in my house became even more rigorous which eliminated 7/8 of the recipes in this book from contention. Which is not the books fault at all. Heck, it isn’t even my fault.
Corley includes a number of formulas for quickly building flavor into his dishes. He also builds in premade items for ease, like packaged rice cauliflower, or liquid jerk seasoning. I also appreciated the way he talks about where you can take liberties and where you cannot in a recipe. I have made his brined chicken, corn slaw, and several of his dressings, all of which were very good. He does have a lot of recipes that go on a grill or in a smoker, neither of which I have or will acquire.
If you can eat bacon and cheese, and have access to a grill that can be used as a smoker, this is a well put together cookbook with some solid recipes. If you have issues with dairy, gluten, or processed meats, but want some creative cocktail recipes, the chapter on drinks is amazing. I wish I had had the dietary freedom to try more recipes, but we have to honor the bodies we have. I appreciate Corley’s spirit and hope this book finds a receptive audience.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Quattro Publishing Group and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.