Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook Review and Giveaway

I am honored to announce that my very first give-away is the cookbook Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms by Jane Doiron.

Let me start by saying that Jane and I are friends. Our husbands have worked together at the same company for several years. She asked me back in April of 2009, if I would help to market her new cookbook. I am so glad that she did. I have learned so much from Jane. She is a full time elementary school teacher and the author of this amazing cookbook. She is an inspiration to me!

So, you may be thinking, well how honest will she be if she actually helped to market this cookbook? Well, let me just tell you that Jane’s cookbook has honestly changed the way that I cook!

Make-ahead meals can be frozen ahead, assembled ahead, or cooked ahead and reheated! The recipes in this book are a combination of all three. From Jane’s cookbook, I have tried many recipes, including the teriyaki chicken and the marinated steak. I opt to grille often, as it is a healthy way to cook, and these are flavorful, healthy recipes that I make again and again.

My sons are fussy eaters that usually stick to pizza, pasta and chicken nuggets. I was thrilled when they both gobbled up their tacos. The seasonings deliver an authentic Mexican flavor. I don’t buy the pre-packaged seasonings anymore- these don’t compare to the flavor of Jane’s taco recipe.

Helpful Tips

Jane suggests buying sale items in bulk in the helpful tips section of Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms. I now buy meats in bulk, when on sale and double the recipes. I freeze extra meals (like these marinated meats) so that I have them on-hand, ready for the grille when we are. I also buy the 93% lean hamburger meat in the big “log” (it really is cheaper than the pre-made patties). I make patties, placing waxed paper in between each patty and freeze them for future meals. This section of the cookbook has many more helpful tips for making meals ahead - like using the Reynold's Vacuum Sealer for sealing meals. I bought one and use it all the time now. It makes a noticable difference, keeping frozen meals looking and tasting great.

Review

I made the Italian Restaurant Chicken recipe shown on the cover of Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms. While it may look intimidating and difficult to make, I was surprised how easy it really was.

The recipe calls for a few simple ingredients. Jane recommends using Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for this recipe and conveniently provides instructions for making a portion of the recipe a day ahead.

First, I browned the seasoned chicken tenders and then transferred the chicken to a large sheet pan and cooked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I cooked the farfalle pasta as directed.

In the same skillet, I cooked the garlic and tomatoes for about one minute. I added the flour, wine and spinach according to the directions. Once the spinach was wilted, I warmed the light cream in the microwave and added it to the skillet. Next, I added the cheese and mixed well. I took the chicken out of the oven and added it to the skillet- so easy! From start to finish, I made the recipe in under 45 minutes. Note-it would have taken even less time, if I made a portion of the recipe the day before!

I was visiting my sister and her family that evening so I packed up this meal and brought it over for dinner. I typically don’t make recipes that are this rich - and I had a hunch this was going to be quite a treat. The Italian restaurant chicken was served over the farfalle pasta. It was no surprise to me that my sister, her husband and I all thought the meal was delicious. The cream sauce was divine! I happen to love spinach and the sun-dried tomatoes really gave the meal a gourmet flavor. We really enjoyed this meal that lives up to its Italian "Restaurant" Chicken name.

These pictures show the process of making Italian Restaurant Chicken:



Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms contains recipes for every meal of the day. You will find appetizers, brunch, desserts, sides and soups, in addition to main dishes.

More than just a cookbook, Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms gives moms a new approach to cooking that will save time, money and the stress about what to have for dinner night after night. You will forget about take-out, which does not compare to Jane’s healthy, home-cooked, make-ahead meals. With the variety of 140 recipes, there is truly something for everyone’s taste in this make-ahead cookbook and I know it will change the way you cook too!

Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

The Contest Rules

Just one E-A-S-Y requirement for 3 entries!!
1. Go to the table of contents page at Jane's website and find one meal that your family would love. Write the recipe name in your comment. Please comment 3 times. (3 entries)

Bonus entries!!
2. Sign up for Jane's newsletter (1 entry)
3. Follow Jane's blog (1 entry)
4. Grab Jane's button and add it to your blog (give me a link in your comment telling me where it is). (3 entries)
5. Follow my blog (1 entry)
6. Grab my button and add it to your blog (give me a link in your comment telling
me where it is). (3 entries)
7. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
8. Follow me on Facebook Networked Blogs (on the lower sidebar) (1 entry)
9. Post on your blog about the giveaway and comment with the link to your blog (3 entries)
10. Tweet the following: -"Enter to win the Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook" http://kristimaloneyblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html- may be done once daily - 1 entry (leave direct url to tweet)

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR COMMENT SO I CAN REACH YOU IF YOU WIN!

Giveaway will end on Tuesday, December 1. I will be using random.org to pick the winner and will post the name by noon on Dec. 1. The winner will have 48 hours to get back to me otherwise a new winner will be chosen. U.S. & Canadian entrants only. Many thanks to Jane Doiron for this review and giveaway opportunity and Good luck!!!