4.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 18/11/2008

A good cookbook for busy people, but many recipes use processed/canned/packaged ingredients. This simplifies the recipe, but adds to the cost of the meal. The '4 ingredient' limit is often bypassed by a very basic recipe and then variation suggestions which potentially add several extra ingredients. One cake recipe has only 3 ingredients, but the icing has 4, so to my mind the recipe really has 7 ingredients.

The concept is great, the recipes are okay, but there are several books on the market such as the Destitute Gourmet cookbook or Janelle Bloom's new cookbook (Fast, Fresh and Fabulous??) that have recipes that are just as easy to prepare but offering greater diversity of tastes and styles.

5.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 08/07/2008

At first the cover put me off but I loved the concept so took the plunge and purchased this for my 14yo son. I'm so glad I did - as soon as I gave it to him he began planning menus for our family dinners. He has already cooked several of the recipes (which are basic and often rely on packet mixes, but at least it's a start for brainstorming what to have for dinner!), and has even taken it to school to share with his Home Ec teacher. Overall a good little staple to have in the pantry ;-)

1.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 30/11/2008

For anyone who knows how to cook this book is a waste of time. Why would I need a cookbook to tell me to buy a cooking sauce jar and add meat? Some of the "4 ingredients" are a bit of a stretch. Sure you can make chocolate fondue with 4 or less ingredients, but unless you're going to scoop up the fondue with your fingers you better add some other ingredients like fruit! Maybe a good book for teenagers, but I hope to teach my kids how to unscrew a jar and follow the instructions on the back before they leave home. It's just a big gimmick.

5.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 18/12/2007

This is a great book, ideal to give to a teenager going flatting for the first time or anyone who claims they can't cook. Lots of easy, basic recipes and the book is well-arranged. There is also a section on pantry-stocking and even household hints and how to save for your child's education! No pictures, just an easy-to-read cookbook.

2.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 04/12/2008

Catchy title but there are catches. You need to have a well-stocked larder to pick the 4 ingredients you need. If you need to cook in a hurry with no time to go shopping, you'll end up cooking one of the blander recipes in the book - dishes that you could have come up with yourself. Other things I did not like are the poor quality of paper and printing and rather brief instructions.

1.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 26/11/2008

The Destitute Gourmet range by Sophie Gray is a much better investment for your kitchen. The recipes are easier and better and all the ingredients are simple to find. The books are only a couple of dollars dearer too. I own the full set of Gray's books (4 in total) and after buying 4 Ingredients and reading through it, I put it in a box in a cupboard and turned back to my Destitute Gourmet!!

3.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 26/11/2008

This book has some great recipes in it BUT 4 ingredients???? Some of the recipes are taken straight from the back of a recipe base packet - they have 4 ingredients too (their base, meat, onion and water!!!) When you consider that most items are listed as individual recipes but if you were plating up you'd need several dishes (ie meat AND veg) then the ingredients tend to be a lot higher than 4. Most recipes in most books and magazines only have 8-12 ingredients anyway and this book would use those if you put together a full meal.
On the other hand, the recipes are tasty and the items are broken down to make them less daunting than in other publications. For example, lamb chops with gravy, mashed potato and honey carrots might be quite daunting for a beginner but if that is broken down into 3 separate recipes (which we all do in our heads anyway) then it makes it easier. Home cooked is always better than takeaway so if this book puts more cooks in the kitchen then it can't be a bad thing.

4.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 11/03/2010

Lovely quick reference book. Some great favourites in this book but sometimes lacking "spark" with only 4 ingredients in them.

Is a must for the inexperienced in the kitchen and those with not a lot of time to do weird and wonderful creations but just need a few quick recipes to feed the hungry hordes!!

Happy with my purchase!

5.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 04/11/2009

Sure wish I had "4 Ingredients" when I was still in the work force. And, a lot of the recipes sound like a marriage proposal - the slow cooker and these recipes...they make anybody's life so much easier.

5.0 out of 5 based on 22 reviews. – Customer review on 01/10/2009

Great for the guys. My husband was pleased to get this for Father's Day