Robin Takes 5 {Cookbook Review}

I have reviewed a couple of Robin Miller’s cookbooks in the last couple of years, Robin to the Rescue and Robin Miller Quick Fix Meals. What I love about Miller’s books is that she makes cooking seem SO easy. And really, it can be.

Even better, this book packs a great punch: 500 recipes, 5 ingredients or less, 500 calories or less (per serving) at 5:00 p.m. for 5 nights a week, all of which add up to fast and easy meals your family will love. I’ll be honest, I’m always a little skeptical of those 5 ingredient recipes. How can something so simple taste good? Miller has got it figured out.

Tops on my list of favorites were the Caramelized Onion Soup with Melted Swiss Croutons, the Roasted Chicken with Warm Tomatillo Salsa, the Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers (served in pita bread!). One of my biggest challenges at dinnertime is coming up with side dishes. Miller has a great selection of side dishes that are quick and easy, just like the rest. And don’t forget the desserts. If you’re looking for a sweet treat to end your meal that won’t break the scale with calories, the Cinnamon-Pear or Apple-Walnut Strudel are tops on my list.

Visually, I like this book too. It has all the elements I look for in a recipe: serving size, prep AND cooking times, nutrients and a little blurb about what makes that recipe unique. Of course the basic ingredient list and preparation instructions are there too. Not every recipe has a photo but there are plenty of pictures sprinkled throughout the book to make your mouth water!

If you’re someone who’s just starting to cook, looking to branch out a bit without a lot of experimenting or love to cook but want to be in and out of the kitchen quickly, this is a great book to start with.

Disclaimer:  A copy was provided for review by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Menu Plan Monday {Recipe Ideas}

I realize today is Tuesday but I wanted to get this out there since I’ve actually been planning my meals again!

Yesterday was Chinese New Year and even though we’re not Chinese, we LOVE Asian inspired food of all kinds. Vietnamese and Japanese are actually our favorites these days but we like all kinds. Check out what was on our menu last night as well as what’s coming up for the week:

Monday: Winter Melon Soup  (we added noodles for good luck) and homemade Chicken & Cabbage Potstickers

Tuesday: Rotisserie chicken Caesar salad: buy a chicken, shred it and use up all our various greens & veggies in the refrigerator–spinach, lettuce, water spinach, cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes from our garden

Wednesday: Mexican Lasagna (from freezer meal swap group) and garden salad

Thursday: slowcooker beef stew (from freezer meal swap group)

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: out to eat

Sunday: special activity–no cooking for me!
What’s on your plate this week?

Eat Vegan on $4 A Day {Cookbook Review}

I’m not vegan and while I don’t have plans for our family to make that total change any time soon, like any conscious omnivore, I do believe that we can all stand to have a few more fruits and vegetables in our diets. As a testament to that, I’m renewing the Eating the Alphabet series [...]

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It’s A Soup Swap Kind of Day!

lasagna soup

It’s been pretty cold here in southeast Texas the last few days that it’s perfect for something that will warm you up. As my mom would say “It’s a soup kind of day!” Of course, for those of you in colder climates, you probably have far more “soup kind of days” than we do, but [...]

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Eating the Alphabet-A New Year for YOU to be a part of it!

Eating Alphabet JPG

A couple of years ago I started the Eating the Alphabet series. Inspired by the picture book of the same name by Lois Elhert, our family has had a great time coming up with ideas to eat more fruits and vegetables and my kids really enjoy it. I’ve been hit or miss, though, on following [...]

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Catch Up With Meal Planning Magic On television and online!

I’m slowly starting to creep out of my meal planning funk. I think I’m starting to feel more back into routine and that is helping. This past weekend I was featured on the LiveWell Network’s Deals program. The segment featured ways that using your freezer can save you money on food. It aired locally in [...]

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