With just four ingredients per recipe, author Kim McCosker has cooked up a winner. Busy cooks looking for quick and tasty recipes to celebrate the holidays need look no further; 4 Ingredients Christmas offers a variety of dishes from brunch fare to soups and salads. There are recipes for main dishes, sides, desserts, sweet treats, and drinks. Choose from Chocolate-Filled Crepes, Crispy Salmon Salad, Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Christmas Fruitcake, and many more.

The recipe directions are presented in short, easy-to-read paragraph form. The author also includes recipe options, tips, and hints to make your cooking experience even easier. A full-color, full page sized photograph accompanies each recipe illustrating what the finished dish will look like. Not only are these recipes easy to make, but the result is often a work of art as well. An index is included.

The Bottom Line: This cookbook offers plenty of variety. Since each recipe features just four ingredients (not including salt, pepper, and water), these recipes are simple, easy to prepare, festive, and yummy. Enthusiastically recommended for busy cooks of all levels everywhere. While this is a Christmas cookbook, it's important to note that many of these recipes could be used to celebrate other holidays as well.

For the complete review including taste test notes, visit the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

I also read 4 Ingredients Christmas, in exchange for honest review from Edelweiss. The book was also written by Kim McCosker and Published by Atria Books. First, things first, the graphics were colorful, vibrant, and amazing. The first recipe, which stood out was the first recipe. The Reindeer Dust-simple, 3 ingredients, no cooking required, edible, and a decorative object to sprinkle on the lawn. The rest of the recipes require minimal ingredients and simple to make, like Almond Bread and Bacon and Avocado Bruschetta. The picture of the Bruschetta was simply divine. I also enjoyed the ham quiches, with the ham as the cup. You simply cook the quiches in muffin tins, but first lining each cup with a slice of ham. The brie and nut mixture was interesting enough to try. The cheese board requires no cooking, just preparation. I wonder if that would work with bacon. Ooohh the watermelon and feta bites. :-) I love simple cooking. I am a big fan of McCosker's simple cooking style. ( )