Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook: 400 + Simple to Spectacular Recipes    by Taste of Home Order:  USA  Can Readers Digest, 2012 (2012) Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth The Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook offers '400+ Simple to Spectacular Recipes, giving Step-by-Step Instructions and Expert Advice!' This is what is claimed on the cover of this new and exciting cookbook. You can't but fall in love with the recipes for foods we all love to cook and eat. The book itself is bright and enticing with photos of all the many dishes offered. With great instructions to make cooking even easier. I also like the tips on making the preparing of a particular recipe quicker and with less effort. Just think; 400+ recipes from Appetizers and Drinks to Better than Takeout (isn't that intriguing?), Soups, Beef & Pork – oh, you get the idea. Name it and there is probably a recipe for it in this very handy cookbook. I fell in love with the idea of Portobello Burgers. While I am not fond of coconut, the Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce looks too darn good to miss out on. I adore Italian food and I can't resist the Meaty Spinach Manicotti. I think that will be the first recipe I try. Ever have rhubarb? That has been a favorite of mine since I was a little kid all those many years ago. And, here right in front of me, is a recipe for Dijon-Rubbed Pork with Rhubarb Sauce! Wow! Ever eaten peanut sauce? One of God's favorites, I'm sure. Slow-Cooked Thai Peanut Chicken has me wiping my chin after salivating just from looking at the photo. For a different dish, try the Rustic Tomato Tart. And this is the season for it with fresh home-grown tomatoes ripening on the vine. If Mac and Cheese is a favorite in your house, try Bistro Mac & Cheese made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese and that wonderful Italian cheese, crumbled Gorganzola. Yum. The Refrigerator Pickles catch my eye. I love cucumbers and vinegar. This is just a step up with the addition of yellow summer squash! Cool! The winner, in my mind though, is a Puff Pancake. Really clever and simple to prepare. It's on page 201 filled with veggies. But it could be used in many ways – all of them good. Whatever your choice, I guarantee it will be a success and as good as it looks on that page. The words on the front cover making a claim of the 400+ Simple to Spectacular Recipes holds true. Believe me. Would I lie? Never. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews