The Quick Fix Kitchen

June 21, 2021
Actor Mowry (Whole New You) gathers the best recipes from her “Quick Fix” YouTube series with the goal of making it “easy (and enjoyable) to put dinner on the table even with a crazy life.” Her guidance is upbeat and thorough, beginning with a tutorial on culinary basics, organizing tips, and coping skills for cooking with children that’s so extensive it takes up about half the book. A rundown of global spices is especially helpful, as is a list of kids’ kitchen tasks grouped by age (and attention spans). Snacks are kept simple, as with her homemade Cheese(It) Crackers—baked sharp cheddar slices with garlic salt—dipped in a puree of applesauce and white beans. She also includes a sample meal plan with three weeks’ worth of options, some of which incorporate shortcuts, such as cooking an entire package of bacon in advance so that strips can be pulled from the fridge as needed. Dinner recipes have playful, comfort-food appeal, evident in meatloaf cupcakes topped with mashed potatoes, and a four-ingredient Lazy Mom Lasagna that alternates layers of frozen ravioli and broccoli florets, jarred tomato sauce, and shredded mozzarella. Entry-level cooks with young families can rely on Mowry’s help to sharpen their skills in the kitchen.

September 1, 2021
Many fans already have a soft spot for cookbook author Mowry (Whole New You, 2017), star of the nineties sitcom Sister, Sister and her ongoing Tia Mowry's Quick Fix series on YouTube. Mowry delights in cooking, and readers will feel that joy leap from the pages as she offers encouragement to those who aren't yet comfortable in the kitchen and inspiration to those who are. She urges families to have a good relationship with cooking by building traditions, discussing what's in their food, and spending time together. Recipes like chicken fajita tacos; beef, broccoli, and rice, and dairy-free creamy chocolate pudding emphasize wholesome, kid-friendly dishes that focus on fresh ingredients all ages can enjoy. Recipes offer variations for readers to change it up, and some tasks that kids can pitch in with. With tips on how to organize a kitchen and pantry, shop in season, and feed picky eaters, Mowry offers the ultimate guide for busy families, passionate chefs, and beginner cooks.

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November 1, 2021

Since starring with her twin, Tamera, on the TV show Sister, Sister, Tia Mowry has grown her award-winning media career into a lifestyle brand. After the end of her Cooking Channel show Tia Mowry at Home, Mowry launched her web series Quick Fix. Previous books (Whole New You; Oh, Baby!) shared her experiences with dietary changes and pregnancy. This latest collection offers her take on family-friendly cooking. The first half of the book provides an overview of kitchen basics and staples, while the second half contains flexible recipes, such as a loaded potato bar, where everyone adds their favorite toppings. Other recipes, like banana "sushi" rolls, are fun and easy for kids to make; a number of the recipes are great starting points for parents who want to cook with their children and build adventurous eating habits. Being conscious of dietary restrictions, Mowry offers alternatives for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals. VERDICT Mowry describes this latest as a "cooking companion"; cooks who are establishing their own households will find it particularly helpful. Mowry adds an encouraging, relatable voice to the subject area and has an established audience of readers and viewers.--Meagan Storey, Virginia Beach

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