Simple Weeknight Favorites Live Chat

Weeknights can be tough. From driving your kids home from after-school activities, long days in the office and even planning a grocery list, we couldn’t blame you for feeling tempted to head towards the take-out menu. But wait! We’re celebrating (and breathing a sigh of relief) the launch of our newest cookbook “Simple Weeknight Favorites.” The team here at America’s Test Kitchen has created more than 200 easy-to-make, 30 minute recipes that guarantee impressive results from a minimum of effort. And to celebrate this cookbook, Suzannah McFerran, a Senior Editor at America’s Test Kitchen teamed up with The Motherhood this afternoon for a “Simple Weeknight Favorites” themed chat. So if you were busy running around after kids or working in the office this afternoon, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a recap of our favorite moments during the chat.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Emily: Hi Suzannah! Welcome! My first question – could you say a little bit about putting this cookbook together? I imagine being an editor at ATK is a blast. Was it fun to create this great book?
Suzannah McFerran: Hi Emily, Being an editor is a blast. It was fun and challenging to put this book together. Simple is not always easy to figure out!

Joprah: What were the requirements for Simple Weeknight Favorites? Was it few ingredients? The time it takes to prepare?
Suzannah McFerran: Most of the recipes can be prepared under 30 minutes, all of them are under 45 minutes. The concept was: Dinner on a page, minimal ingredients. Take the guesswork out of making the meal. While we were making the cookbook, the test cooks had timers around their necks.

DINNER TIPS AND TRICKS:

Onceamonthmom:What are your favorite, go to easy meals – the ones you always go back to in a crunch?
Suzannah McFerran: Hi onceamonthmom, these days my kids love turkey tacos.

Erin O: Welcome, Suzannah!! I would love to know about basic TIME SAVERS. I’m always tired at the end of a workday and don’t necessarily want to spend hours in the kitchen making dinner!
Suzannah McFerran: Hi Erin O, about basic time savers: in this book we have numerous recipes where ingredients play double and triple duty. For example, making a marinade for chicken, and then saving some for the base of a salad, then the rest for a finishing sauce for the chicken.

Thienkim: Ok, a lot of crock pot lovers. I HATE cleaning the crockpot. Any tips for a person who doesn’t enjoy washing dishes?
Suzannah McFerran: Always take care of it right away — don’t let it sit. It’s a lot easier to clean it while it’s hot rather than cold.

RECIPES AND INGREDIENTS:

Emily: Chavlene asked a great question in the comments on putting a budget friendly meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. I loved Suzannah’s recommendation to use chicken thighs. Anyone else want to weigh in on ideas?!
Suzannah McFerran: Here’s a great way to speed up a meal: Vegetables can be jump-started in the microwave then finished in the oven… same with rice. Here’s an example: Risotto – no tedious stovetop stirring! We do this “jump starting” a lot in this book.

Sandy: never tried quiona- is it a rice or pasta? have heard alot..where do you find it in store
Suzannah McFerran: Quinoa is a seed (but often mistaken for a grain). For healthy meals, this is great. I love to use it in kale, feta, lemon and quinoa salad.

And don’t forget, if you have any more cooking questions or want to know more about the Simple Weeknight Favorites cookbook, feel free to tweet us @TestKitchen!