Posted in Book Reviews

Taste of Home Meal Planning: The 500+ Recipes, Secrets & Tips that Busy Meal Planners Rely on Most

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Save time and money with smart meal preps that carry you through the week. Recipes, monthly meal plans, and shopping list pointers help busy families plan smart.

Today’s family cooks know that a bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to serving up the homemade favorites folks crave. That’s why they’re turning to this ultimate resource for make-ahead convenience—Taste of Home Meal Planning. Featuring 475 smart, sensible, speedy and sensational recipes, this must-have cookbook is every home cooks dream come true! The all-new book also offers a monthly meal plan, the secrets to cooking once and eating all week, Test Kitchen approved frozen meals that reheat in a jiffy, on-the-go breakfast ideas and more! Whether you’re a meal-planning pro or simply looking to beat the kitchen clock on busy nights, you’ll make the most of your time—and your grocery bill—with the incredible recipes, meal plans, kitchen hacks and timesaving ideas found in Taste of Home Meal Planning.

tien
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best I’ve seen
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a must have for anyone who has ever struggled with planning meals for work and home. I work nights Monday-Thursday and in the day I’m sleeping so I try to not do take out but I try to cook. Planning meals that aren’t repetitive and really tasty are difficult for me. I was in a sandwich rut. I like sandwiches but I’m a little burnt out on them. This gives you really good meals for every day of the month. Now as a single person I don’t need to make up a different one for each day. I choose 3-4 meals from the recipe calendar and it’s enough for me. I’m not against having a few leftovers. This has a lot of variety but not hard or expensive ingredients. I first shop my pantry and then make my grocery list and go from there. This one is perfect for my needs.
Benten
5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
Another good addition to the library. Once again, the variety and compilation of recipes from around the country stand out!! It is full of color and inspiration and any foodie, cook,chef or whomever, won't be disappointed. Good meal prep tips and we'll organized. Another Taste of Home Masterpiece!!
Posted in Book Reviews

Delish Insanely Easy Chicken Dinners

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This may be the best thing to ever happen to your weeknight dinner routine.

If the thought of a plain, boring chicken breast makes you want to roll your eyes, you NEED this cookbook from Delish. It includes the best chicken recipes Delish food editors have ever created. Team Delish has solved all your problems. The food editors assembled three entire months’ worth of the best chicken dinner recipes they’ve ever produced in one easy-to-use cookbook: Insanely Easy Chicken Dinners.

That One Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great variety ideas for chicken
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great book. Recipes I've tried are easy and delicious. I've made the crock pot chicken and dumplings (amazing comfort food), the crock pot pasta alfredo, and the tikka masala. Many other great looking recipes in the book that I'm sure I'll try soon. Also, the book is spiral bound so that lies flat, making using it while cooking much easier. I'm looking to cook more chicken and less red meat and this book was an awesome choice. Lots of chickeny variety at a reasonable price! Recommend!
Don
5.0 out of 5 stars My Go-to weekday cookbook
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have to feed a family of 6 and getting everyone to like the same meal is the plight of my life. But THIS cookbook has had more successful recipes that pleased everyone than any other cookbook I own. I bought it on a total whim. I saw on Instagram that it was on a flash sale, so i think it was like $15 or something. And I'm SOOOO glad I did. My family favorites are: Honey Garlic Chicken (which they ask for WEEKLY), Ranch Chicken & Rice, Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Tortellini Soup, Oven Fried Chicken (they liked the sauce the most, I think). I'm still cooking through it. But the hits keep coming with this cookbook. I love how they divided the recipes up too. I like how they aren't complicated recipes or hard to find ingredients. I have most ingredients on hand. It's just a solid, feed your family kind of cookbook. It's easy to get sick of chicken, which is where I was kind of at, when I bought this. But I'm not exaggerating, I look forward to trying a new thing now. I wish they did a Ground Beef one next. *hint hint* Delish if youre reading this.
Posted in #Recipes

35 Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas and Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Nothing says Mother’s Day more than kids bursting into the bedroom at a ridiculously early hour with a wobbling tray of orange juice and toast. As adorable as that may be, why not take the opportunity to spoil Mom with a spread of decadent brunch dishes that she may not make for herself? (Served on a table, not the bed.) Think golden French toast bakes, fluffy quiches, fruit salads and homemade pastries that are surprisingly easy to make but still oh, so impressive.

Even better, many of these elegant brunch recipes can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven when it’s time to start the celebration, which cuts down significantly on morning chaos. Since Mother’s Day is a spring holiday, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate fresh seasonal ingredients like asparagus, leeks, peas, blueberries and radishes, which you’ll find throughout this collection of Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

As you plan your Mother’s Day menu, make sure to include a good mix of sweet and savory options. And don’t forget the drinks! Go the boozy (but classy!) route with mimosas, or lean into creamy decadence with rich and cozy hot chocolates. Whatever you do, don’t forget the coffee—many moms have been known to run on the stuff. Throw in a Mother’s Day gift basket and you’re set for a special celebration.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Betty Crocker New Cake Decorating

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pipe, Swirl, Splatter and Shape a Spectacular Decorated Cake!Get inspired! The 75 cakes in Betty Crocker New Cake Decorating are more playful, elegant and creative than ever, with clear guidance that makes it easy to decorate with confidence. A colorful intro shows how to frost a cake, pipe frosting and more. The real fun begins with lively creations like the Honey-Lemon Beehive Cake buzzing with candy bees; the sophisticated Pink Tuxedo Cake; shaped animals, castles and vehicles; holiday themes for year-round fun; plus cakes for weddings, birthdays and showers. Whether you are just starting out or seeking new ideas, you’ll find all you need to decorate to your heart’s content, including:
Whimsical Cakes, such as Watercolor Ombre Cake, Zebra Layer Cake and Rainbow Petal Sheet Cake.
Cutout & Shaped Cakes, such as Kitty Cat Layer Cake, Fire Engine Cake and Pizza Cake.
Holiday Cakes, such as Surprise-in-the-Center Speckled Egg Cake, Mom’s Day Sunflower Cupcakes Bouquet and Christmas Tree Cake with Mini Trees.

reviewsbyme
4.0 out of 5 stars The decorating ideas were perfectly fine, but a lot of the suggestions called for ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bought this when my copy of the previous edition met an unfortunate demise when it got attacked by bookworms (I'm not talking about book-lovers here) in my old apartment. The decorating ideas were perfectly fine, but a lot of the suggestions called for specialty equipment and a trip to Michael's. I thought the recipes in the previous edition were better in general and I also liked that most of the recipes in the older edition could be done with a set of regular pans, decorating tips, and inexpensive ingredients from the grocery store. Many of the ideas in this book are in line with modern cupcake-decorating trends, so maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

Posted in #Recipes

24 Banana Bread Recipes You Need to Try

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Banana bread makes every meal better, whether you’re swapping it for toast at brunch, topping it with vanilla ice cream for dessert, or simply snacking on a slice as is. Banana bread is one of our favorite loaf pan recipes. Customize your creation by adding canned pumpkin, cinnamon sugar apples, dried cranberries or baker-approved chocolate chips. Revisit tried-and-true classics or test out delicious new favorites you’ll want to bake on repeat.

If your bananas are too yellow and you’re craving a soft slice of breap ASAP, here’s how to ripen bananas quickly. Not ready to bake just yet? This is how to make bananas last longer. And if you’ve ever wondered can you eat green bananas? the answer is yes.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Southwestern Wedding Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When I think of comfort food, I think of the dishes I grew up eating in the Southwest. Bold, savory flavors in any form will always have a special place in my heart, but I have a soft spot for anything in soup form. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or it’s especially chilly outside, a cozy pot of soup is guaranteed to make you feel better. So I decided to infuse the smoky, Southwestern flavors of my childhood with one of my favorite Italian soups: Italian wedding soup.

This Southwestern wedding soup has many of the same ingredients you’d expect from the source material, like meatballs, pasta, and plenty of vegetables. My version, however, uses many of the aromatics and seasonings you’d typically find in Tex-Mex food for a fun spin on a cozy classic.

The meatballs:
The homemade meatballs are brimming with spices like oregano, cumin, and chili powder. But what gives them even more Southwestern flair is the use of crushed tortilla chips instead of breadcrumbs. Not only do the chips help bind the meatballs together, they also impart some delicious corn flavor. Making meatballs from scratch may sound too involved, but the rest of this soup comes together really quickly thanks to canned ingredients.

The soup:
Since we want this recipe to come together in less than an hour, we lean on some canned ingredients to add some more depth. A can of diced green chiles and the sauce from a can of chipotle chiles in adobo are bursting with smoky, peppery flavor, which will make your soup taste like it’s been simmering for hours. This recipe has a subtle, mild heat, but feel free to adjust the amount of adobo sauce you use depending on your spice tolerance.

delish!

Posted in #Recipes

26 Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Make All Year Round

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best Pasta Salad Ideas

When it comes to summer sides, a cold pasta salad is a no-brainer. It’s a breeze to whip up, endlessly customizable and the perfect cookout salad to pair with any mouthwatering main, from burgers to grilled chicken. And, while you’ve probably got your go-to version, it never hurts to keep a few fresh ideas in your back pocket. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the best ways to customize yours, starting with this version that draws inspiration from another summertime favorite: caprese salad. The tomatoes, mozzarella and basil are all there—along with a bright and tangy white wine vinaigrette. Simple and perfect!

Food Network

Posted in Kitchen Tips

I Make the Best Pimento Cheese Ever—Here’s My Secret Ingredient

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I love pimento cheese. Like really, really love it. I’d eat it every day if I could and it’s what I’d request as my last meal. I’ve made some good batches, some not-so-good batches, and some truly amazing batches, if I do say so myself. Not to toot my own horn (toot, toot), but I’ve rarely served it to someone who didn’t ask for the recipe. And now, I’m finally sharing it.

My Secret Ingredients for Better Pimento Cheese 

Over the years, I’ve perfected my craft—and discovered a few secret ingredients that take pimento cheese to the next level. My recipe starts off with the basics (cheese, mayo, pimento peppers). Then, I start to zhuzh. Here’s what I add: 

  • Pimento juice and jalapeño juice: Most pimento cheese recipes call for draining the jarred pimento liquid. Personally, I am pro-pimento juice. Just a tablespoon or two makes the flavor a lot bolder. Also, since this is my pimento cheese recipe and I love heat, I always add pickled jalapeños and a few tablespoons of the liquid they came in. 
  • Celery salt: I once added celery salt to my pimento cheese by accident, and I’m so glad I did. A generous pinch lends a fresh-tasting bite that’s mildly peppery, but not so powerful you know it’s there. Once you try it, you’ll never make pimento cheese without it again.  

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

20 Recipes For Your First Dinner Party That Everyone Will RAVE About

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’re like me, your social feeds are filled with girlies throwing creative themed dinner parties at a rate that almost seems unbelievable. I love entertaining friends and family, but I’m only human, and the idea of presenting a spread (especially with recipes I’ve never made before) to loved ones fills me with a healthy amount of fear. That’s why, when hosting, I need a foolproof recipe that I know will have my family and friends raving while I stay cool as a cucumber—that’s where these 20 recipes come in. Each of these recipes is not only delicious and exciting enough to stand apart from weeknight rotations, but they are surprisingly easy to master, whether you’re an experienced or novice home cook. From restaurant-level dinners to crowd-pleasing apps to big-batch drinks, there is an idea for you here that will impress your guests and leave your night stress free, so you can get back to what’s important: sharing a meal with those you love.

Need more dinner party inspo? Check out all of our side dishes, cocktails, and potluck desserts to fuel your next party theme.

delish!

Posted in Kitchen Tips

An Expert Settles the Debate: This Is the Best Trick to Make Your Beans Less Gassy

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Beans are magical, and not just in fairy tales. Everyone from your favorite social media chef to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pushing for increased bean consumption, and there’s plenty of good reason—beansare rich in protein and fiber, making them an affordable foundation for a nutritious and filling meal.

Despite their benefits, you could say beans don’t have the best reputation, thanks to their … after-effects. So, when we heard about a simple trick that helps reduce gas in beans, you bet we investigated the method.

Why Do Beans Cause So Much Gas? 

“Beans produce gas mainly due to oligosaccharides, which are complex sugars like raffinose and stachyose,” says recipe developer and food expert Rizwan Asad. “We lack the enzymes to break these down, so they end up fermenting in the gut, creating gas.”

According to our friends at Eating Well, high-protein foods contain compounds that can exacerbate gas or lactose in dairy. In beans’ case, hard-to-digest complex carbohydrates (including oligosaccharides and fiber) cause further fermentation and discomfort.  

Allrecipes