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Got Dinner? A Cookbook Review!

1 June 2011 1,085 views One Comment

I once heard that if you purchase a new cookbook and only find ONE new recipe that you love enough to add to your monthly menu plan, then that recipe book was worth it’s purchase price. As I think about all of the recipes that my family enjoys the most and then consider where I found them (cookbooks, magazines, websites, blogs, etc), I have come to realize that I completely agree with this statement. I DO have a couple of cookbooks that I have only found one gem-of-a-recipe inside, and as much as we love that recipe, it was worth it to me to purchase that book.

When I come across a cookbook with several recipes that my family has requested over and over, conveniently located in just one place, I consider myself extra-super-duper lucky.

I recently had the opportunity to review Got Dinner? Quick & Easy Recipes from The Confident Mom. The cookbook is an e-book that I downloaded to my desktop, and since I have to refer to new recipes over and over and over again, I printed it out on my home printer. (Have I mentioned that my brain cells sort of leaked out with the amniotic fluid when I gave birth to my boys? I have short term memory loss, just like Dory. Ask my husband. If he’s on the computer, I have to ask him, “Can you just quickly click back over to that recipe?” . . . and 2 minutes later . . . “Can you click back over again? I forgot how much flour to put in.” It goes on and on. Sad. I know this, therefore I print.)

The author, Susan Heid, obviously took some time and care when developing this cookbook, and it shows in the professional results. She included a meal planning chart, a grocery list and conversation starter questions for your family meals! The recipes that she compiled are designed to feed a family, which means larger portions and crowd pleasing comfort food. I was able to serve half of a recipe for dinner, and then freeze the other half for another night.

The recipes themselves fall into several categories: Casseroles, Soups, Slow Cooker, Side Dishes, Breakfasts, Simple and Hearty. Let me just say that if you are on a diet, this is probably not the cookbook for you! Think “comfort food” and you get the picture!

One of the recipes my family tried was the White Chicken Chili and oh my word! An instant favorite and one we will definitely be adding to the monthly meal rotation. I did substitute cooked dried pinto beans for the canned Great Northern, plus I added a little lime juice and it turned out perfectly!! It’s a quick, frugal, healthy and delicious dish! (In fact, we had it again for dinner last night! YUM!)

We also tried the Turkey Wild Rice Soup, which was also a major hit with the family. I substituted chicken for the turkey, and this 5 ingredient soup went together very quickly. It does call for canned cream of chicken soup, but you could easily make your own! (I didn’t, but you could!)

I’ve been on the lookout for a Green Chili Chicken Casserole that isn’t too complicated and tastes amazing, and I think I found it! I did substitute plain yogurt for the sour cream and flour tortillas for the corn tortillas (since that’s what I had in my freezer), and again, it turned out perfectly! YUMMY and creamy and wonderful!!

There are several more recipes that I’m dying to try!! My blogging friend Beth is excited about the Taco Cornbread Bake, and I have the Spinach Bacon Mac & Cheese and Pork Chili Verde (in the crockpot!) on my list. Don’t those sound fabulous?

Susan is selling her e-book, Got Dinner? on her website over at The Confident Mom for only $5.95, and it will be available for immediate download, so you can get cookin’ tonight!

I am also INCREDIBLY excited about Susan’s new Summer Survival Calendar. The calendar runs from June 1 - August 31, and it is full of fun ideas for crafts for the kids (easy, low budget, fun stuff) and activities to get us out of the house!! It’s all linked up to websites with additional activities and instructions. She did all the hard work for me!!! Oh, Susan. I love this. Thank you for all of the time you put into this!! You are a total lifesaver! I can’t wait to get started on it today!! Eeek!

While you are over at The Confident Mom, click around!! I subscribed to Susan’s newsletter and received a free e-book on parenting, plus she linked up to a cool “what your child should know” chart that I printed out and read to my husband and kids. Apparently my kids are capable of doing more to help around the house than I give them credit for! Aw, yeah!!

Okay, so tell me: Where do you get most of your go-to recipes?

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One Comment »

  1. Angela said:

    love ALL the recipes you mentioned, will have to see about getting this book. :) I found your blog through a friend and am already loving what I see. You are one creative lady!

    I don’t know if you have heard of this, but check out this website if you own a few cookbooks:

    http://www.eatyourbooks.com/

    It is a website where you can look up recipes in books you already own. You can use up to 5 books for free, more than that there is a small yearly fee. Just though it might be handy for you.

    Talk to you soon! Angela

    [Reply]

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