This Is The Cookbook That Will Save My Family

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Guys! I need to share something with you. This is NOT a sponsored post, it is just a game-changer in my life as a wannabe functional adult woman and I want to tell you about it. It is hands down one of the best cookbooks for families that I’ve come across.

Not to speak in hyperbole, but THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY. 

Ok that was clearly speaking in hyperbole.

But I really really love this cookbook and I want to relay that to you, so typing in all caps (which, yes, is basically yelling at you) seemed like the best approach.

Brian is taking a more casual approach to his endorsement with a “thumbs-up” here.

The book is called Dinner Solved! and I can’t state enough how much I love this. It speaks my language. I mean, there is a recipe called “Stupid Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta.” That is the kind of recipe I feel confident in making.

These recipes do NOT confuse me which is saying a lot. All cookbooks confuse me. That relates to the fact that I have basically no working knowledge of the function of any item in my kitchen, and zero command of terms relating to food prep. Brian loves this about me! He especially loves it when I call him during the workday asking what a Dutch Oven is and what ‘sauté’ means. I’m going to put some words in his mouth right now and say that he finds this charming.

It boils down to this: I am traditionally an incompetent (but cheerful!) chef and hostess. Mostly incompetent. I usually forget I’m supposed to have food at my parties until the last minute, and then end up tearing open a bag of Doritos and throwing chips at my guests as they are pulling into the driveway.

Not anymore!

Now I can invite people over for dinner and I don’t need to go into a total panic. I mean, you guys I made Chicken in Orange Sauce the other day, for goodness’ sake.

So so good. And if you really feel like you’re missing out by not having a fortune cookie I’m pretty sure you can buy them in bulk and keep them in your pantry.

Also I made Asian Rice Bowl Many Ways a few weeks back and I CRUSHED it if I do say so myself. Which I will because it’s my blog and I can say whatever I feel like!

You can’t tell (because I’m a poor food photographer) but there is rice in that giant bowl. This is the most delicious recipe. You basically cut up lots of tasty things and put them in bowls around the rice, and then have everyone create their own rice dish! Brilliant. And if someone’s food doesn’t taste good it’s kind of on them because they decided what to put in their bowl. Personally I like to throw an egg and some Sriracha on top of mine.

What I like about Dinner Solved! is that it’s geared toward busy parents who often have several people to please.

(Katie Workman’s other excellent cookbook for busy parents – The Mom 100 Cookbook – is another favorite in our house!)

Back to Dinner Solved!

It’s not an Asian cookbook but it does have some really good Asian recipes. It shows you how to adapt a basic meal for different food preferences (i.e. vegetarian) without making you a short order cook. And it’s VERY easy to follow. Also, it’s funny! It made me laugh out loud more than once and it’s a cookbook. Cookbooks never make me laugh out loud. (They do make me cry sometimes because it’s like most of them are just out to get me).

Photograph by Todd Coleman

In conclusion

Do yourself a favor and get this book, unless you’re super advanced and can, like, just make fancy dinners from off the top of your head. And if that describes you, want to come to my house and cook for me? I’ll provide a $4 bottle of wine for your trouble. 

For the rest of us: this is one of the best cookbooks for families that I’ve seen. 

Do yourself a favor and grab a copy.

*Maybe a $7 bottle of wine if you make an appetizer along with the main dish.