A best selling cookbook for twentysomethings, this cooking and entertaining guide for beginning cooks offers 176 recipes including old favorites as well as new recipes with a gourmet bent. The recipes are impressive yet modified so they are easy to follow. The book is geared toward novice cooks seeking to prepare meals on a more sophisticated level. Special features include: - 17 Encore recipes suggesting delicious uses for leftovers, - The Menus for a Month chapter introduces a plan for healthy, economical meals complete with detailed shopping lists, - A Special Occasions section includes themed menus, a Party Countdown Planner, creative decorating tips and hosting guidelines. - A Food In A Flash section is found in each food category, suggesting quickly prepared or pick-up food items to take the stress out of cooking when time is limited. Life After Ramen is not only a great cookbook for the novice cook, but a guide that would be as asset in any kitchen.