Gooseberry Patch's "Everyday Simple Suppers": Review and Giveaway

Everyday Simple Suppers

by Gooseberry Patch

Published by Oxmoor House

 

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who gets tired of hearing "what's for dinner?" It can be so frustrating to work eight plus hours a day and then be greeted with those words, especially if you have no idea what's for dinner. Gooseberry Patch is coming to the rescue again with another cookbook that is geared towards helping busy people put meals on their table as easily as possible.

 

Everyday Simple Suppers is one of those cookbooks that is compiled to inspire those of us who have reached the "uninspired" stage of life - kids, job, kids, homework, kids... Recipes are divided into categories such as one-dish wonders, sizzling skillet suppers, pronto pizza & pasta, super simple sides, short & sweet desserts. I'm particularly fond of cooking skillet meals at the end of the day.

 

Some of the recipes call for cooked chicken. Let me suggest that you pick up a rotisserie chicken to use in these recipes to simplify your life even more. One rotisserie chicken can stretch to provide you with enough meat for two weeknight casseroles. There are plenty of recipes that incorporate other fast-fix meats: boneless pork chops, ground beef, and smoked sausages.

 

This cookbook is a little different than the traditional spiral-bound Gooseberry Patch cookbooks in that it is paperback and the majority of the 260 recipes are accompanied by taste-tempting, full-color photos. While I chose to feature Lemony Pork Piccata with one of my favorite ingredients, capers, I will also be making Stuffed Artichoke Chicken soon. Keeping ingredients such as capers and artichokes in your refrigerator and pantry can turn an ordinary meal into something special.

 

 

Lemony Pork Piccata

Submitted by Melody TaynorEverett, WA

 

 

Lemony Pork Piccata

 

1-lb. pork tenderloin, sliced into 8 portions

2 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning

3 tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 tbsp. butter

1/4 c. dry sherry or chicken broth

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. capers

4 to 6 thin slices lemon

 

Pound pork slices to 1/8-inch thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Lightly sprinkle pork with lemon-pepper seasoning and flour. Melt one tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of pork and sauté 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden, turning once. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and pork. Place pork on a serving plate; set aside. Add sherry or chicken broth, lemon juice, capers and lemon slices to skillet. Cook 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened, scraping up browned bits. Add pork and heat through. Serves 4.

 



My husband and I love the salty tang of capers. If you haven't tried capers before, this is the perfect recipe to introduce them into your life.

 

***GIVEAWAY***

 

Now, is the time to introduce a copy of this cookbook into your life, too. Gooseberry Patch has not only provided me with a review copy of the cookbook, but they have also provided me with a copy to give away to one of my readers. If you're interested in receiving your very own copy of Everyday Simple Suppers, just leave me a comment below letting me know you're interested in winning a copy of the cookbook. Also, leave an e-mail address where I can contact you if you're the winner.

 

DEADLINE: August 30, 2013

 

Giveaway Closed

 

Cookbook Review: "101 Things to Do With Powdered Milk"

101 Things to Do With Powdered Milk

by Diane Carlisle

Gibbs Smith

 

Every time I think about using powdered milk, I think about my stay-at-home mom days when my children were young. I always kept a box of powdered milk in my pantry to use in cooking and baking. I tended to cook and bake a lot during those days and it was so convenient to have the powdered milk at my disposal so I didn't have to pack up a toddler and infant and run to the store whenever I ran out of milk.

 

Since I returned to the working world six years ago, I haven't used powdered milk quite as much. I did buy a box a few weeks ago because I thought it is a good thing to have in my pantry in case of a milk emergency. My boys can quickly go through a half gallon of milk, so I'm often faced with a milk emergency when it comes time to use milk in a recipe.

 

When I saw this book, 101 Things to Do With Powdered Milk, I knew I had to have it. It fascinates me to think that powdered milk can be used to make things other than...well...milk.

 

Did you know that powdered milk can be used to make other dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese? It can also be transformed into evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping. There have been many times when I've needed a can of condensed milk for a recipe and had none in my pantry.

 

By using powdered milk to make these basic ingredients, you can then use those basic ingredients in other recipes throughout the cookbook. This cookbook contains a variety of recipes from breads, dips, spreads, sauces, soups, salads, main dishes, and desserts.

 

The book begins with some helpful hints for using powdered milk such as adding the powdered milk to your dry ingredients then adding water where it calls for milk. The author also suggests that the best way to mix powdered milk is in the blender.

 

This book would be a welcome addition to any kitchen and would certainly be appreciated by cooks who like to stretch their ingredients and budget. This is book is part of the 101 Things to Do series from Gibbs Smith which includes titles such as 101...with apples, eggs, ground beef, cake mix, rotisserie chicken. Ah, rotisserie chicken...I could write a book on that myself.

 

Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with a copy of this cookbook; however, the opinion expressed here is my own.