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Q & A with Jennifer Chandler of Simply Suppers & Win the CookBook

Recently, I was lucky enough to receive a copy of ‘Simply Suppers’  which is a new cookbook by Jennifer Chandler and a follow up to her popular book ‘Simply Salads’.  I wanted to pick her brain on a few topics and her is what she had to say:

What are some of your tips for getting dinner on the table easier/quicker for Moms & Dads?
Make it easy on yourself and take the stress out of cooking. Consider:
● Use short-cut ingredients like rotisserie chickens and frozen vegetables.
● Do whatever you can in advance, keeping in mind that some dishes actually taste better the next day.
● Make double-batches of recipes that freeze well so you will always have a home-cooked meal available in the freezer for those days when you really don’t have time to cook but still want to feed your family a home-cooked meal. (Look for my list of “Freezer Go-To’s” on page xi.)

What does comfort food mean to you?
Comfort food is all about home-cooking. Dishes that warm our souls and put a smile on our face. That’s what I want for supper. Don’t you?

Good food isn’t about being gourmet… . . . it’s about being delicious. In fact, some of our favorite foods are the simplest dishes.

Think about it. Aren’t there certain foods that make you feel good inside just thinking about them?  Maybe a gooey mac-n-cheese, a perfectly roasted chicken, or creamy mashed potatoes? For me, it’s warm brownies fresh from the oven, a simple grilled cheese sandwich, and my grandmother’s eggplant casserole.

Simply Suppers is all about showing you how easy it can be to put a homemade meal on the table each night. This book includes my tried and true recipes that I make over and over again. My wish is that some of the recipes in this book will become your favorites too.

What are some of your tips for saving money on real, quality foods?
The key to delicious food is simple: use fresh, in-season, top-quality ingredients.  That said, I always like to point out that best does not always mean the most expensive. Let flavor be your guide when choosing what goes into your food.

A well stocked kitchen with common staples like mustards, vinegars, dried spices, oils, bread crumbs can help you turn a bland dish into something your whole family will enjoy. One example I love to share is my Blackened Catfish recipe (p 77).  The flavor comes from jar of Blackening Seasoning (lasts for a year in my pantry) and the accompanying Remoulade Sauce is whipped up from everyday items like mayonnaise, ketchup and lemon juice. A crowd favorite … yet so simple and using ingredients I already have on hand.

To enter to win a copy of the Simply Suppers Cookbook: Go to The Family Kitchen post and then come back here and tell me which ‘TIP’ section in the book is most interesting to you.

For ten extra entries (Must so the above first):
1. Join my Facebook page and leave a comment on FB that you are entering the contest.
2. Tweet this ‘Entered to win Simply Suppers’ Cookbook from @savorthethyme http://su.pr/194g0V ‘ and then comment here with the tweet ID.

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Comments

  2. Ellen Fitz says

    I tweeted (@ellenfitz) but I don’t know where to get a tweet ID to submit to you. Twitter Help did not help…

  13. Faye says

    I think I like the variations tip the best-it’s great to be able to cook what is essentially the same dish, with different flavors-family will never notice they’ve eaten the same thing several times!

  14. Kim says

    If I had a copy of this book, I think I’d go to the do-ahead part the most. It might even have a bookmark in it. 🙂 So, pick me, pick me!!! It’d be so sad if I didn’t win. #BHF10PP

    [K]

  22. Jessica Watson says

    I like the “Time Saving Tips” section. I am a commuter ( I work an hour away from home) so I leave early and get home late 5 days a week..I am always on the lookout for quick meals that also taste great!

  25. Barbara says

    Hi Jennifer, I am interested in the “Time-Saving” part. Great cookbook, please count me in on this fab giveaway, please!

  27. the urban baker says

    thanks to marla’s tweet, I found you! this week I was so into one pot meals, had to make it simple. three kids, three different directions. i am happy to say I have survived!

  28. Julie F says

    I am interested in the do ahead part… working all day can really de-motivate me from making a whole meal when I get home.

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