Inside western home kitchens

Cookbook writers have worked all the angles. Cruise through the Internet and there are books customized to any topic from African cuisine to barbecue sauces.

In the last 10 years, cookbooks on Canadian cuisine have become quite trendy. Now ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen delivers Everyday Delicious, a coil-bound read that introduces light, trendy summer fare.

It is simple, casual western cooking that unites different cultural influences seen in recipes such Fried Egg and Chorizo Sandwiches, Pancetta BLT, Ricotta Gnocchi and Pannekoek with Summer Fruit and Goat Cheese.

Although the Lemon Herb Marinated Chicken and Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin sound like something a TV chef advocates for a formal dinner, the recipes are built from less than nine ingredients and are a snap to make.

Other recipes that make great side dishes are the Zesty Creamed Peas, Balsamic Grilled Asparagus and Sugar and Spice Carrots.

Many home cooks shy away from pressure cooker recipes. However, for the more adventurous, the authors have included pressure cooker recipes for baked beans, beef brisket as well as pasta e fagioli.

Best of all the recipes are all family friendly. Even kids with basic kitchen skills can whip up Black Bean Wraps, Cheddar Prosciutto Stuffed French Toast and the Bacon Cinnamon Pancakes.

Some of the recipes may need to be tweaked to your personal taste. I baked the Raspberry Cupcakes and discovered the fruit syrup was a bit bland. Next time, I’ll simmer the raspberry reduction a bit more to create a stronger flavour.

Everyday Delicious is a fast, fun read with 87 recipes accompanied by colour photographs. And for the health conscious, each recipe comes with a nutritional analysis.