Ayesha Curry hopes “The Full Plate: Flavor-filled, Easy Recipes for Families with No Time and a Lot to Do” inspires people to cook more often. After a brief introduction, it jumps right into the 100 kid-approved recipes that can be prepared in an hour or less, many under 30 minutes. This alone excites me.
Anecdotes accompany each dish in this vibrant cookbook. The ingredient lists contain items readily available at local grocery stores. The instructions are easy to follow so that even a novice can find success in the kitchen. I like the one-pot and sheet pan dinner options for hearty meals on tired evenings. Plus, it allows for leftovers some nights.
This hardback cookbook also offers a range of foods to fit any occasion. I’m still holding on to summer, so I’m musing about the guava ginger ice cream, which does not require a machine to make. My other picks include the pancake battered coconut shrimp, Mexican-style grilled corn salad and honey-garlic lamb chops. I plan to chase all that down with a Smoky the Bear, a bourbon cocktail with acidity, smokiness and sweetness. Furthermore, I’m considering selections influenced by fast food favorites and Curry’s maternal Jamaican roots. All look mouthwatering as I browse between the pages of Curry’s family photos.
A Well-Seasoned Life
Curry was born in Canada and raised in North Carolina. At the age of 17, she moved to Los Angeles, California to become an actress. She appeared in a handful of television series and movies. While there, reconnected with her now-husband and basketball star, Stephen Curry, and moved back to the Tar Heel state (North Carolina), where they first met as teenagers.
Nine years and three kids later, she is a successful YouTube video blogger (Little Lights of Mine), TV host (“Ayesha’s Home Kitchen,” Food Network), restauranteur (International Smoke) and spokesperson (Go Daddy and Cover Girl).
Her magazine venture, Sweet July, launched this year and now she is back with a follow-up to her New York Times book, “The Seasoned Life,” released in 2016.
Overall, “The Full Plate” is a simple read packed with something for the entire family. It motivates me to create memories in the kitchen with my loved ones. I hope it does for you too.
This review contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information.