Showing posts with label batch cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label batch cooking. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Save 32% Off: You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later Review & Ratings

You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake LaterAre you looking to buy You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later Review

There are no photos and I'm not sure why with Diane Phillips' popularity and ability her publisher doesn't feel it necessary to include at least one picture. Apparently Harvard Common Press feels they are just that, common, there's not even a picture of the author on an inside flap. Well...other than Ms. Phillips finding a new publisher that will appreciate her food and the appearance of the dishes this cookbook is much better than some of her past ones.
This cookbook is designed to be a make now, bake later concept. It's not necessarily a freezer meal cookbook although there are suggestions for those recipes that will freeze well. There are also suggestions for making immediately if you so desire.
The chile con queso dip is to die for. You can then refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. There is also a diva note and other variation options to change up the recipe a little bit. This is a great party dip.
Another great appetizer is the artichoke and spinach dip. This is as good as Applebee's and makes a great party dip as well. I just love it. The ingredients are able to be found at a local supermarket and you don't have to make a trip to some exotic store nor get a pay day cash advance.
There are a lot of casseroles, as those tend to be the easiest for a freezer meal. There are suggestions for making a meatloaf freezing temporarily until set and then removing from the pan and freezing in a ziploc baggie to save room in your freezer. Then when you are ready to bake you let thaw overnight in your fridge place back in the same pan and bake. It's really a great idea and helpful to the home cook.
This cookbook is not a great gift idea just because there are no pictures and most people like to have photos especially if you're giving something as a gift. But if you're wanting a cookbook that will help you make a descent meal than you need this one.
You couldn't buy in bulk necessarily to use this cookbook, one for that purpose would be Big Food or Fix, Freeze, Feast. Those would use up all that extra chicken you bought at Sam's Club or Costco. This cookbook is just using what you would normally buy and making dinner. It would be up to you to decide to serve on the spot or freeze.

You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later Overview



Want to learn more information about You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified Review & Ratings

Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplifiedAre you looking to buy Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified Review

Bottom Line: This book is for freezer meals in quantity (6, 12, 18 meals). This is NOT "dump chicken". These are entrees from scratch that won't kill you with difficulty. Lots of good ideas on organizing your food exchange group. Worth it, even if you're just cooking for your own freezer.
The long version:
I bought the Cooking Among Friends cookbook several months ago when Becki and Mary spoke at our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. Our small group of 7 ladies decided to start a CAF group. We've been cooking and exchanging now for 8 months.
The premise of Cooking Among Friends is to form a group of somewhat like-minded cooks/eaters. You each choose a recipe or two, then cook it at home, making a quantity of 6, 12, or 18 entrees. Then you get together with your friends and each person takes home one each of the other entrees.For a few hours' cooking, you get 10 or 12 different meals, which lasts most of us about a month.
Our group used the survey and information in the back of the book to get started. We really couldn't have done it without that info. It included questions about food preferences, how much you want to spend, etc. It helps you to think about aspects you might not otherwise consider when choosing a group to exchange meals with.
We began with the recipes from the cookbook. In our group, we each choose two different entrees to prepare for an exchange. The recipes were all tested by Mary and Becki. One aspect our group really liked was that the recipes do not contain condensed soups, taco mixes, etc. Pretty much everything is from scratch (there are a few exceptions, but very few). Nor are they all casseroles! All of the recipes are laid out in 6-, 12- and 18- portion quantities.
We just began by preparing foods that looked good or interesting. Most are very good. A few we could do without. It's just a matter of preference, as with any cook book. For most recipes, though our group likes them, we agree could use either more wine or more garlic.
As families with preschoolers, we all feed the kids our choices and nobody's gone hungry yet. Some are more appropriate for adult palates, so we serve those for adult guests.
After a while, you can branch out and begin trying your own tried-and-true recipes for exchanges. We've gotten to this stage, but about half of the things we cook are still from the CAF cook book.
Regarding skill level, we have one gal who (admittedly) doesn't know the difference among anchovies, avocados and artichokes, and she has managed just fine. I myself hadn't cooked from scratch a lot before CAF, but it's darn fulfilling to make that white sauce!
If you are not involved in a food exchange group, but are simply cooking for your own freezer, I would still recommend this book. As I mentioned above, there are almost no casseroles, a very few pre-made seasoning mixes called for, and I can't think of any recipes with condensed soups (though there may be one or two). It's almost entirely from scratch, but doesn't require tons of work. You could cut a recipe in half, and still have 3 delicious meals in the freezer.
Some of our group's favorites: Chicken Gyro Kits, Baked French Toast, Coq au Vin, Meatballs with various sauces, and (one of my favorites) Chicken in Phyllo. Most recipes are the "main" food for a meal then you choose a side, like the pasta, or rice. There are also soups, and some appetizers and cookies.
We've found an additional advantage to the food exchanges. If the recipe stretches a little further, you can give the extra portions to a family that needs a little boost, like those with new babies, surgery, etc.
This book is worth the price tag. Also worth mentioning - I have the comb-bound version.

Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified Overview



Want to learn more information about Cooking among friends: Meal planning and preparation delightfully simplified?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More) Review & Ratings

The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More)Are you looking to buy The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More) Review

This book purports to help you save time and money in the kitchen while enjoying a variety of foods. You may save some time following the processes outlined here, but you definitely won't save money. It is definitely NOT for the home cook who is on a budget.
The author gives several weeks worth of recipes for you to cook once and eat all week. Unfortunately, most of the weeks use the same ingredients over and over (and over). For example, there is fish week and out of the 5 menus given, salmon is the main dish in 3.
This book will also NOT help you save money--there is steak week where you are supposed to purchase *13* rib-eye steaks. (Hey--if I could afford to buy 13 steaks at once, I could also probably afford to pay someone to cook for me!)
Most of the other freeze-ahead cookbooks I have seen have practical advice on saving money and time at the grocery store. This book relies too heavily on expensive prepared ingredients (the author recommends buying pre-cooked chicken, for example, to save even more time). I can't recommend this for anyone trying to save money.

The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More) Overview



Want to learn more information about The Once-a-Week Cooking Plan: The Incredible Cooking Program That Will Save You 10 to 20 Hours a Week (and Have Your Family Begging for More)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Save 32% Off: Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month Review & Ratings

Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a MonthAre you looking to buy Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month Review

I just wanted to say that this is a great book! I have read a couple other "once-a-month" cookbooks, and have found them to be too complex for the stage of life I am in. This book was simple to understand and the ideas were easy to do! The recipes are very family-friendly. They were very easy for me to adjust for my youngest son's food allergies, and both of my children love the food I've made from this book. So far it has been cost-effective, and doing one big shopping trip this month has allowed me to keep my kids out of the grocery store during flu season, which I'm very thankful for. I worked very hard the first two days of cooking, and spent a large portion of my "grocery money" in one shopping trip, but it has been so worth it. No more running to the store every few days (and tracking all those receipts!), no more spending a couple hours each day on top of my other work preparing dinner and cleaning up, no more wondering what to make for dinner tonight...that time is now being spent on more important things. Having enough food in the house and meals prepared in my freezer for a whole month has taken a huge amount of stress off my shoulders. Thanks Deborah!!

Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month Overview



Want to learn more information about Frozen Assets, 2E: Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Friday, September 14, 2012

Save 22% Off: Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead Review & Ratings

Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make AheadAre you looking to buy Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead Review

I love the original Don't Panic book and I'm loving this version too. I went through it as soon as it arrived and found 27 recipes I want to try "first" - I have had great success with the meals I've tried so far.
I am not a fan of the OAMC recipes - everything is bland and not to my taste. How much cream of mushroom soup can one family eat? Yuck.
I love that these recipes are varied and have spices use real, fresh ingredients and appeal to the whole family. The two Don't Panic books have changed my life. I always have something in the freezer to prepare for dinner or to share with a friend in need. I've probably given away or encouraged 30 people to buy the first book, and I would imagine that this one won't be any different.
I like that this book categorizes the recipes into healthier choices, quick and easy and company-worthy. It's a neat feature, but I don't base my company worthy choices on it. I've found that most of the meals are crowd pleasers!
Eagerly looking forward to the third installment!

Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead Overview



Want to learn more information about Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Save 33% Off: Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method Review & Ratings

Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime MethodAre you looking to buy Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method Review

I originally bought this book for one or two recipes that was inside of it. My husband saw the Title and practically begged me to give it a go since this month (October) is our busiest month (I work a full time job, own another business and volunteer at a haunted house 4 nights a week) and he HATES cooking for just him and my daughter. SO, we started reading the "directions" on how to cook Once A Month - MAN! Let me tell you how super simple they have made everything!! Not only do they give you the shopping list, a staples list, AND several plans to choose from, they also tell you what ORDER to prepare them in! We decided to start with the two week plan just to see if it was for us!
This past weekend, my husband and I spent 1/2 the day TOGETHER in the kitchen, cooking as a TEAM and were able to turn out 14 meals!! We had a BLAST and even my 6 year old daughter got to help! So many new recipes (so far all have been truly amazing)- it was like discovering our kitchen all over again!
SO EASY - nothing complicated about preparation or cooking any of the foods - all basic skills and ingredients, save for a few spices that have now been incorporated to our cabinets.
We've really enjoyed being able to rush home after all of our crazy schedules and being able to have dinner on the table quickly instead of trying to figure out what to eat or where to grab something. I am definitely converting over to the OAMC club!

Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method Overview



Want to learn more information about Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites: More Great Recipes That Save You Time and Money from the Inventors of the Ultimate Do-Ahead Dinnertime Method?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Monday, April 23, 2012

Save 34% Off: Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day Review & Ratings

Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every DayAre you looking to buy Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day Review

I made my first set of meals a couple weeks ago, and I've really enjoyed the benefits of this cooking method. However, I had a lot of trouble with the cookbook. Like a previous poster, there were so many errors in this cookbook. One of the recipes was missing an entire part of the recipe's directions, and I had to improvise. Also, I realized quite quickly that I needed to actually sit down and read every single recipe to make sure that all the ingredients and prep work processes had been recorded properly, because there were many errors there too. Most of the recipes have turned out great, but this book would be so much better if someone had just taken the time to really proof read everything. I plan to make another set of meals in two weeks from now, and I'm definitely going to use the recipes, but make the shopping lists myself, and read all the recipes to carefully record all the prep work involved, plus make sure I'm not going to be stuck with a half-missing recipe!!!

Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day Overview



Want to learn more information about Once-A-Month Cooking, Revised and Expanded: A Proven System for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen and Enjoying Delicious, Homemade Meals Every Day?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...

Friday, April 20, 2012

Save 32% Off: Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day Review & Ratings

Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One DayAre you looking to buy Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day Review

The book is titled 30 meals in one day but it's really not 30 different meals, her suggestion is to cook 2 sets of 15 meals. There are hundreds of recipes in this cookbook broken down by the way they're prepared, stove-top, oven, assemble, or slow-cooker. Her suggestion is to make 2 stove-top, 2 oven and 2 crock-pot meals and then 9 counter top assembled meals. That's 15 meals but you would double prepare them so it comes out to 30. And it really doesn't take much more effort to make 2 of something than one so a very good concept.
The down side is picking which of the 15 meals you want to prepare. This book uses software (purchased separately) to take full advantage of its potential. You'd really need the software to type in the 15 meals you want so it will print you a complete grocery list. Otherwise you'd have to take some time figuring out how many carrots you need or how much many green peppers, or how many eggs, etc and you'd have to do that with every ingredient and every single recipe and then double them. It would be very time consuming and if you miscalculated or missed an ingredient your cooking could come to an abrupt halt.
The book does not lay flat so her suggestion is to hand-write all the recipes and then lay them out so you can follow each recipe in sequence and not have to flip back and forth between 234 pages. That is also where the software would come in handy, just print the recipes you want to make.
After you've hand written out all your recipes the author suggests starting the first slow-cooker recipe. She says to start the hardest, longest recipes first but you have no way of really knowing which ones fall in that category because there are no prep or cook times listed up front. You'd have to read each and every recipe to get to the instructions that tell you if it's cooked for an hour, cooked for 15 minutes or not cooked at all and just assembled. You would think that would have been a very easy thing to add at the beginning of all the recipes since she probably has done it a hundred times. Many cookbooks list 15 minutes prep, 1 hr cook, etc so at a glance you know the timetable you're talking about. But anyway you start the slow-cooker recipe first then move on to filling the oven. Then you start your stove-top recipe. While all that is cooking you then move on to assembling recipes at the counter.
***
Amazon is having trouble getting reviews to appear on line in a timely manner so after writing a huge in-depth review it has never appeared. So I will wait until this is viewable by the public and then reiterate the review I did from before. I will add to this review, this is the 5th time I've tried to leave a review for this book and it never appear. Very strange.

Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day Overview



Want to learn more information about Dinner is Ready - 30 Meals in One Day?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now
Read More...