Simply Done, Well Done

Simply Done, Well Done

by Aaron McCargo

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Publication Date: April 2011

Buy on Amazon

Featured Recipe: Orzo, Winter Squash, and Applewood-Smoked Bacon

Simply Done, Well Done is the first cookbook from Aaron McCargo, who won the fourth season of “The Next Food Network Star” in 2008. Now starring in his own Food Network show, “Big Daddy’s House,” McCargo shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun family cooking. Simple, flavorful, and down-to-earth, the 120 mouthwatering recipes are sure to satisfy every member of the family. Leaving out the fussy cooking techniques and hard-to-find ingredients, McCargo shows you how to create bold flavors and satisfying dishes like Spicy Beef Quesadillas, Jerk Chicken with Smoked Gouda Sandwiches, and Salisbury Steak Bundles. And if, somehow, friends and family have room left for dessert, they’ll love his Candybar Cookies and Tiramisu Cupcakes.

Cooks&Books&Recipes Editors’ Notes:

I’ll admit here that although we watch the food shows in our house, we don’t do so that often. So I wasn’t familiar with “Big Daddy’s House” or Aaron McCargo and had no idea what to expect from his cookbook. Considering my “easy but unusual” motto for cooking, the word “simply” should have tipped me off to the fact that I would like this one. And I do! None of the recipes are overly complicated, but that doesn’t mean they’re run-of-the-mill: quite the opposite (just look at some of the titles). The book has gorgeous color photos to entice you as well. Plus: anecdotes, kitchen set-up tips, and lots of how-to tips: shredding cabbage, making breadcrumbs, cooking pasta… This one is staying on my at-the-ready cookbook shelf.

For starters, we recommend you try the Orzo, Winter Squash, and Applewood-Smoked Bacon

Our next-to-try recipes: Bacon-Wrapped Zucchini Stuffed with Cornbread and Crab; Loaded Baked Potato Soup; Cheddar Biscuits Stuffed with Savory Baked Eggs

Web talk on Simply Done, Well Done: Winston-Salem Journal; CBN.com