Michael Symon's 5 in 5 Cookbook Review

I was pretty excited to find a new cookbook to review.  I was even more excited when it came in the mail a few days later. Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for Every Season: 165 Quick Dinners, Sides, Holiday Dishes, and More by Michael Symon was an interesting mix of ideas that I was excited to check out.

5 fresh ingredients + 5 minutes of heat = 165 recipes

Ridiculously easy from-scratch recipes to get you in and out of the kitchen in a flash every day of the week—now with sides and holiday dishes, too

The follow-up to the bestselling Michael Symon’s 5 in 5, this new book delivers 165 quick, easy, fresh recipes organized by season with an entire section devoted to making the holidays simpler than ever. Each chapter features inspired main courses as well as recipes for sides and 5 fun ways to celebrate the season, including no-bake summer fruit desserts and spiked drinks to warm up with in winter.

I was a little hesitant to order this cookbook because I thought that it might use a lot of ingredients that my family doesn't use and things that might be a little outside our price range but I was still interested in checking it out.  In reading the stories in front of each recipe, I could feel the personality of Michael Symon coming out who I love from the Chew on tv.  I quickly found Spring recipes that sounded interesting including Angel Hair with peas, lemon and mint and Chicken with cous cous, snow peas, garlic and ginger.  Some of the recipes were things that I wouldn't try or eat but they all came with detailed instructions and great pictures.  The Pork with broccoli and cashews looks like a dish that you could buy in a restaurant and I would love to try something like that at home.  There is a recipe for aspargus that looks a lot like mine except he uses oranges instead of lemon that might be interesting to try.  The summer recipes include some yummy sweet corn fritters and chicken breast with strawberry and goat cheese salad and grilled chicken tenders "buffalo style." There are also Parmesan zucchini fries and tempura green beans for fun side dishes.  Fall includes Grilled Cheese Havarti and Apple which is something that I would totally eat but probably never make even though it sounds amazing.  There is an Autumn Panzanella that probably falls into the same category of things that sound great but not something that I would put in the effort to make.  Winter brings Mushroom Philly Cheesesteaks and Soy Glazed Beef Tri-tip (and plenty more beef tri-tip options).  There is a recipe for Spicy Beef Tacos with fresh salsa which sounds very interesting!  Each season is filled with at least a few recipes that I know that you will want to try.

The interesting thing is that this cookbook is separated into season instead of types of dishes.  I normally get a cookbook and skip the seafood section because we don't eat it but you can't do this with this cookbook.  I hope that you pick up this book and try some recipes for yourself.  Each season has its share of meat, seafood and veggies options depending on what you are looking for.  I hope that you check it out and see if there aren't a few recipes that might become your family favorites especially if you have a seasonal garden that might make some of these recipes super easy and inexpensive to make!!  I hope that you enjoy the stories and recipes as much as I did.  If you have any cooks on your Christmas lists that are also Cleveland Browns fans, this is a must add to the Christmas present list!!

**Please note that I was provided a copy of this book for my review and honest opinion.  All opinions here are my own.