Dear Reader-
I was recently at a conference and the speaker said the number one concern of American women was “more time”.
And, dude I can so relate.
Truth be told, most days I don’t know if I am coming or going.
But, I do find that when I take the time to get in the kitchen, I do feel better about my day and about what my family is eating.
Simple Shortcut Recipes
That is why I am super stoked about the next yet-to-be released Gooseberry Patch cookbook- Simple Shortcut Recipes.
Well that and we all know that I am a uber-super fan of all things GP 😉
Don’t believe me? Check out our little song about it… (Email subscribers will need to visit the site to view the video)
Anyhoo, this book is chock-full of tons of recipes to save me time in the kitchen that leaves me feeling good with minutes to spare.
And, I so heart the quick tricks that help me prepare to save time later- like how to freeze my enormous basil harvest now that I can FINALLY grow it (post coming soon).
Beat the Clock Breakfasts
The book starts with a breakfast section that is just full of recipes that are perfect for helping me get Miss Add out the door for preschool in the morning.
We quickly found a family favorite that can be altered to fit our family’s different tastes: Smoked Sausage Breakfast Burritos…
We used the recipe to make a batch of smoked sausage soft shell tacos and a batch of turkey sausage soft shell tacos (recipes coming soon)…
I say it all the time, but that is just one of the reasons I heart GP’s cookbooks.
They totally get me. They use ingredients I am familiar with while giving me creative ideas.
I just love the flexibility to feed everyone in the family (and keep them happy).
Swoon.
Now, where was I… oh yeah… breakfast. From smoothies to pumpkin muffins (YUM!) to homemade granola bars, it has ya covered… with a breakfast bake or two for GOODe measure 😉
Simple Soups, Salads and Sandwiches
This section dives right in to simple and quick ways to whip up something yummy for the fam. We can’t wait to try recipes like Yummy Quick Taco Soup,Asian Slaw, Brenda’s Italian Rice Salad, Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches, Spinach Cheeseburgers and Creamy Crab and Shrimp Bisque… to name just a few 😉
Fast Fix Sides and Breads
The sides section runs the spectrum of about every yummy thing imaginable! We cannot wait to try dishes like: Easy Rice Pilaf, Broccoli Corn Casserole, Vickie’s Favorite Lima Beans, Slow Cooker Broasted Potatoes, Pinch-Me Bread and Sweet Sugar Rolls… Oh my word!
And, in case you are new to GP, the book also has tons of handy-dandy tips and charts…
Dinner Express
My family’s favorite pizza (from my childhood) makes a debut in the Dinner Express chapter.
I remember the first time I made this deep dish delight for my best friend. She commented on how she couldn’t believe that something so good could be whipped up so fast 😉 I am tickled pink that I got the chance to share it with Gooseberry Patch fans in this cookbook!
Other dinner dishes I am looking forward to?
How about Easy Slow Cooker Burritos made with lean pork loin or Lazy Lasagna, Glorious Pork Chops, Homemade Barbecue Chicken Pizza, Busy Day Beef or Easy Chicken and Couscous.
Oh and we also have already whipped up the Refried Bean Burritos (recipe coming soon) which were super easy to substitute in low fat and high fiber ingredients if we wanted.
Oh-So-Easy Entertaining
The appetizer section is filled with treats that come together in a flash and leave your guests with a wow. We have already whipped up some Easy Texas Caviar and all I can say is we didn’t even need the chips because it was so good on it’s own.
We added a little avocado and made it the perfect side to our burritos. (Recipe coming soon)
Can you tell we have been on a Mexican food kick lately? 😉
Other dishes that are currently candidates for my small group gathering at church this Sunday are: White Pizza Dip, Fruit Cheese Ball, Amazing Cheese Dip, Jezebel Sauce (TeeHee… get it… Jezebel Sauce to a church group… a little OT humor for ya 😉 )
Oh and Add’s next preschool snack day may see an appearance of Pool Party Crunch… just sayin’
Piece of Cake Desserts
Last but NOT least is the dessert section. My Heavenly Pumpkin Cake makes an appearance in this chapter too.
Other sweets I’d love to try?
Sunshine State Citrus Cupcakes… Banana Pudding Shortcakes… Cookies and Cream Delights, Taffy Apple Bars, Peaches and Cream Cheese Crustless Pie.
Enter to Win
So… enough tempting you with yummy treats before the book is even available… How about a chance to win it BEFORE you can buy it in stores?
Ya see, I have the GREAT privileged as serving as one of GP’s Early Bird Reviewers and THAT means that I get an advanced copy for me and one of you too 😉
See, I told you they were swell…
Disclosure: Gooseberry Patch gave me two copies of their latest cookbook. All opinions are my own and completely biased because I love them so! All Amazon links are affiliate links as always.
LillianJ says
Even though I am retired, I like to save time in the kitchen, so I often double a recipe so that I can either freeze the leftovers or have it again the next day.
Cris Goode says
One of my favorite tricks too!
Bethany Richter says
I use my toaster oven a lot ~ it heats stuff through like the oven in a shorter amount of time [like the microwave]. Thanks for this great giveaway!!
Cris Goode says
My mom LOVES her toaster oven. I need to look into this!
jane houin says
Aren’t you the GP rockstar! 🙂
Cris Goode says
😉
Kathy says
Cris I loved the video! And the song! That’s how most of us Gooseberry Patch fans feel. I would love to win this book and add it to my collection. I love Gooseberry Patch and I love your blog. You do an awesome job on the early-bird reviews. Keep up the good work :). Kathy
Cris Goode says
Thank you so much and I am glad you loved the video 🙂
Nancy Schoonover Helton says
Oh! What a great giveaway!!
Cathy Tyler Beaman says
When I have to chop veggies like onions or green peppers, I chop some extra to put in freezer bags and keep in the freezer whenever I need some in a hurry or need a spoonful in the morning to sprinkle in an omelet.
Cathy Tyler Beaman says
Any ideas or suggestions of how to organize every room in the house and/or tricks and shortcuts to clean it and keep it that way. I hate spending my whole weekend cleaning house just to do it all over again the next weekend.
Cris Goode says
Oh my… I wish. Sounds like a great question to ask the folks who visit my facebook community. Sounds like you could teach me a thing or two 🙂
caseyandcrystal says
When chopping onions and I start to tear up, I slip the onion into the freezer for about 5 minutes and it’s good to go, no more tears! 🙂
Cris Goode says
Smart!
Shannon Smith says
Ooo Another Gooseberry Giveaway, from one of my favorite blogs too! My day can’t get better 😀
Cris Goode says
Aw, happy to be of service 🙂
caseyandcrystal says
I would love to see more GP cookbook giveaways….thank you for this opportunity!
Cris Goode says
You are welcome 🙂
Kathie Williams says
Love your blog and Gooseberry Patch . . . well, who doesn’t! I have a plastic wrap dispenser. No more search for the end of the wrap and no more twisting and sticking to itself. It just sticks to the bowl/pan. Woot! What a find!!!
Carolyn Miller says
Favorite kitchen shortcut-that’s a tough one.. I probably have lots of shortcuts lazy as I am in the kitchen -but I can’t think of any. Ok maybe one…microwaving sweet potatoes to remove their skins. EAsy peasy.
Carolyn Miller says
How about a post on essential kitchen tools? And what you can do without.
Cris Goode says
I have one of these in draft… sounds like I need to tweak it and get it out to you guys 🙂
TAMMYD says
My favorite kitchen tip is to remove the smell of onions from your hands~Simply wash your hands with soap rubbing a stainless steel spoon between your hands as you wash them. No more smell!
Cris Goode says
Brilliant!
TAMMYD says
How about a kitchen chart such as measurements or substitutions that can be made if you don’t have something in your pantry.
Cris Goode says
LOVE this idea!
rhondaree says
I spend a day each week doing prep work for our meals for the following week. I prepare & freeze so all I have to do is pop in the oven or crockpot. I also keep seasoned cooked ground beef and chicken in the freeer ready to use. Also, I have chopped veggies (onions, bell peppers, celery) frozen in the freezer ready to use.
[email protected]
Cris Goode says
When I am organized, this is the way I like to do things too. (Right now I have 6 lbs of ground beef in my fridge waiting to be cooked up and frozen 🙂
rhondaree says
You do an amazing job with your blog and I love it! Just keep doing what you are doing.
Cris Goode says
Aw… Thanks so much!
Gina Blank says
Love your blog and GBP! I love making more than one of the same meal and freezing it for easy meals later.
Cris Goode says
Freezer cooking- yay!
kswggds says
Anything you can get pre-chopped, crumbed, etc. is a time saver.
Cris Goode says
Amen sister-friend! I love those steam-able veggie bags too! Now when I am ahead of the game I like to chop/freeze my own. But those convenience packs really do come in handy when I need something quick.
Teri says
Take out ~ the only shortcut I have! I need to win =)
Cris Goode says
TeeHee! Love it!