SUNDAY BOOK REVIEW-“Don’t Panic Cookbook Blog Tour” ~ The Self-Taught Cook™

"DON'T PANIC- QUICK, EASY, AND DELICIOUS MEALS FOR YOUR FAMILY"

by Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell & Bonnie Garcia

PUBLISHER: Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

ISBN: 978-0-8007-1994-4

Today's families are busier than ever. Parents are working; the children have extra-curricular activities; it seems as though it would be impossible for a family to have a sit down to a home-cooked meal together. Fast food is more popular than ever. Convenience foods and frozen foods seem to fill half the supermarket. Most people think "real food" takes too long to prepare. If that has been your policy, allow me to introduce you to the "Don't Panic" cookbook series. And if your grocery bill has been stretching your budget, rest assured; no expensive ingredients are required. Most are the staples found in the average kitchen. If you regularly read my blog, you know I'm all about home cooking, so this series is just my style.

The chapters include : Small Bites and Appetizers

Breakfast, Breads, and Brunch

Soups, Salads, and Sides

Pasta, Pasta

Crockpot Collection

Easy Baked Oven Dishes

Grate Grills and Marinades

Savory Skillets and and Quick Sautes

Desserts Divine

And my personal favorite, because you don't always find this:

Helpful Measurements, Equivalents, Weights, and Servings

I haven't had time to work my way through the entire cookbook yet, but I have tried four recipes already. In the Soups, Salads, and Sides chapter, I already tried the Oven Roasted Potatoes and the Cheesy Potato Casserole. The potatoes are good, simple and healthy, but if you are needing a potluck favorite and something your kids will beg for, make the Cheesy Potato Casserole. Again, so simple and so delicious!

From the Easy Baked Oven Dishes, I tried the One-Dish Dijon Chicken and Roasted Potatoes. Just to show you how simple these recipes are, I'm going to post this one for you.

One-Dish Dijon Chicken and Roasted Potatoes

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1/2 t salt, divided

1/2 t coarsely ground pepper, divided

2 T Dijon mustard

2 T honey

1 shallot, minced

1/2 t dried thyme

1 lb new potatoes, halved

olive oil cooking spray

Recipe Yield Prep Time Total Time

4 servings 10 minutes 1 hour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle chicken thighs with 1/4 t salt and 1/4 t pepper. Place chicken in 9 x 13 baking dish. Mix mustard, honey, shallot, and thyme together in small bowl. Spread over chicken thighs. Add potatoes to baking dish over chicken and spritz with olive oil spray. Sprinkle potatoes with remaining salt and pepper.

Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes, until chicken is done and potatoes are tender.

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories 346.0; Total Fat 9.7 g; Cholesterol 57.3 mg; Sodium 543.4 mg; Total Carbohydrates 46.1 g (Dietary Fiber 4.8 g); Protein 4.8 g

From the Savory Skillets and Quick Sautes chapter, I also tried the Saucy Skillet Sirloin. I paired it with the Oven Roasted Potatoes, and we loved it.

In summary, this cookbook is a keeper. Sometimes I use my review copies for giveaways, but not this one. This is a keeper. For the busy cook, or just someone who wants to keep it simple, this is the one for you.

“Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group <http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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SPRING CLEANING BOOK GIVEAWAYS

As a book blogger/reviewer, dedicated bibliophile, and just plain serious reader, I have way too many books around here. Therefore, it is necessary to start clearing some of these bookshelves around here. For the next few weeks, I will be doing a couple of book giveaways a week. The giveaways will begin each Saturday and end on Friday midnight of that week. Unless otherwise noted, these books are my VERY CAREFULLY read review copies. So, technically, they are used, but you can hardly tell it. Ask anyone in my family; I'm a nut regarding the way I read books. I try not to open them too widely,or leave them splayed open, and I never!!! fold pages down. Yes, I have issues, but it's going to pay off for some of you. : )

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS

THIS THING OF OURS by Cammy Franzese

This Thing of Ours by Cammy Franzese is a story of God's grace in a turbulent marriage. Camille Garcia was a naive, twenty-year old dancer when she met and fell in love with Michael Franzese on the set of Knights of the City, which he produced. She had no idea the man she would soon marry had ties to the Mafia. During the first decade of their marriage, he would be incarcerated more than once, for a total of eight years. It was in the dark times of their marriage that she fully learned how God's grace can sustain.

Gigi Hill Review and Giveaway (Ends 5/1)

Your Golden Ticket is hosting a Gigi Hill giveaway. One lucky Your Golden Ticket Blog follower will win aMarilyn Wristlet bag (ARV $35). The strap ensures your handbag is always within reach. Marilyn features card slots inside so you can grab your debit card, driver's license, phone, cash, gloss, and be out the door in a flash! The lucky winner will be able to choose the fabric off her choice from our Marilyn Allure collection options.

Click HERE to Enter

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