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.
Kelli Karls LeRiche says
Cannot wait to try some of the recipes you’ve shared above!!!!
Dolly Sarrio says
Please enter me! I like the fact that after years of cooking I can measure tsp. of something in palm of my hand…Now I know where Grandma got the pinch of this and pinch of that recipe..lol. Thanks for the giveaway.
Susie22321 says
My favorite short-cut is using the Vidalia Onion Chopper for salad ingredients, soups, chopping eggs for egg salad and many others!
julie ball says
You can’t go wrong with a GP cookbook! I love the ones I have!
Kimberly Dawn Dyck says
My favorite tip in the kitchen is to clean as you go. I always have a bowl or empty box to fill with trash & the sink is always full of soapy water for the dishes. Makes a lot less clean up after you are done eating 🙂
Lisa Kirby Horsley says
Just found your page and I’m loving the recipes … thanks 🙂
Susie22321 says
Love Gooseberry Patch — would love to see more casseroles!
Steph Weis says
I have started dicing extra onion while I am chopping some and putting it in baggies and putting them in the freezer for easy access later. Always labeling how much is in there of course!
Steph Weis says
I would like to see more fast and easy recipes! YUM!
Chrystal Maneval says
My favorite shortcut is cooking up a couple pounds of hamburger and splitting it up in Ziploc freezer bags to be able to pull out for a quick meal. Spaghetti, casseroles, tacos etc…
Stacie Dull says
I love gooseberry patch!
Miranda Ellis says
My greatest Shortcut is my chef knife. I use it instead of peelers and scissors!
teacher45 says
I love the Gooseberry Patch books. I recently retired from teaching. Several of my students knew how much I enjoyed these books, so I often got copies of them as gifts!
Emily Griffes says
I would love to see more wonderful and healthy recipes! 🙂
teacher45 says
I especially enjoy the Christmas edition of GB. I really enjoy the fact that it has crafts, as well as, recipes. I get one every year!
Probably one of my favorite short cuts is to be able to thaw frozen meat in the microwave before cooking it!
Roberta Welch says
Love your recipes!
teacher45 says
I think your new book sounds awesome!
Emily Griffes says
One of my favorite shortcut tips is to chop up veggies ahead of time so that when I need them for a recipe they’re all ready to go!
Robin Coxon says
I love that you contribute recipes to your page from Gooseberry Patch. They are such great recipes using things that you can find around your pantry.
Carol Clark Huck says
I like to cook once and freeze for 3 extra meals…cook once serve four meals.. do this every week and you always have a freezer full of homemade meals.