Valentine's Day Gift Giving Guide -- Gifts for Cookbook Lovers -- Better Homes and Gardens: 365 30-Minute Meals -- Inspiring meals for every day of the year (Review)

ISBN: 978-1-1180-0003-8

Paperback

440 pages

November 2011

 

Summary:

A mouthwatering collection of quick and delicious weeknight dinners the whole family will love—year round

  365 30-Minute Meals is filled with a year's worth of fast, fresh and fun dinner ideas. With quick, easy-to-prepare recipes offering innovative dinner solutions for everyday staples like meat, poultry, fish, seafood, salads, stews, sandwiches, and more, this book is perfect for busy home cooks who need to get dinner on the table fast. Helpful cooking tips are spread throughout, and substitution suggestions help keep dinner on track even when you lack an ingredient.

• A great value for busy families with 365 recipes in one affordable volume
• Beautiful full-color inserts with more than 50 photos
• At-a-glance icons that highlight Kid-Friendly, Healthful, and Quick-and-Special recipes
• Helpful cooking tips and sidebars on cooking quick meals, as well as shopping, storing, prepping, and garnishing

365 30-Minute Meals offers a wealth of options for busy families in need of fast, great-tasting dinner solutions.

My Thoughts:

This a must-have cookbook for any busy mom.  There have been times when I was pressed for time, and didn't have dinner planned. I didn't want to eat out, as it gets expensive over time, but couldn't decide what I could make in under 30 minutes.  Having two babies in the house, my television viewing time is limited, so I am not able to watch those 30-minutes or less cooking shows for recipes or inspiration.   Instead, I have to rely on my cookbooks and magazines to help when I am in a pinch.  And, this is where the new Better Homes and Garden: 365 30-Minute Meals cookbook comes in handy.  With beautiful full-color photos of many of the recipes, and recipes marked with special icons denoting kid-friendly foods, I have found and prepared over a dozen recipes (since receiving this book about a month ago) in under 30 minutes.  You don't know how good it feels to put a home cooked meal on the table and watch everyone devour it, and know you didn't spend a lot on the ingredients, nor was half your day wasted in the kitchen.  And, speaking about my own family, I know they enjoy a home cooked meal over take out any day.  And, our wallets are happy, too. :-)

So, all you busy moms who feel bad when they can't prepare a meal on those hectic days -- don't despair.  Just pick this book up and you will have an arsenal of recipes at your disposal when you find yourself in a pinch.  With 365 days worth of recipes, you have one dinner recipe a night ready and waiting.  And, you don't have to be a pro in the kitchen either, to whip together a meal in under 30 minutes.  This is the beauty of this book.  The recipe instructions are easy to understand and follow along.  Make sure you try the easy Chicken Noodle Soup when you pick this book up.  It has become a family favorite in my house. And, on these cold New England winter nights, it is nice to sit down to a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.