Real Simple: Meals Made Easy

by Real Simple

When it comes to the challenges you face every day, getting dinner on the table is always at the top of the list. Not only do you want the meal to be healthy and taste good, but you want it to be fast and simple to prepare. As straightforward as that sounds, somehow-in the midst of a busy life- the task seems nearly impossible. In Meals Made Easy, the first of a series of Real Simple cookbooks, you will find smart and doable dinnertime solutions for every night of the week, no matter how little time (or few ingredients) you have. Even better, these are dishes the whole family will love- yes, including your children. Featuring more than 75 foolproof recipes, all illustrated with large, lush photos, Meals Made Easy is custom-made for your life, with chapters dedicated • Dishes that can be prepared and ready in 30 minutes or less • Freezer-friendly dinners to make ahead of time and eat whenever • Cuisine that calls only for a cutting board-no cooking necessary • Meals you can cobble together using the items in your pantry • Recipes that require just one pot (and blessedly very little cleanup time) In addition, the book features insightful cooking tips on every page, a chapter on versatile side dishes, and a comprehensive, easy-to-use recipe index. Whether you have only 15 minutes until the kids invade the kitchen or only a hunk of Parmesan and cold pasta in the refrigerator, Meals Made Easy is sure to become your go-to guide for nightly meal planning.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2006

Reviews

[EJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in my 20s, as someone who enjoys food but didn’t (and still doesn’t) identify with ‘foodie’ culture. I’m into plant-based comfort food and keeping it simple but (ideally) sublime.

The lasting value of this cookbook is less about distinctive meals and more about celebrating the approach of simple-but-delicious. It’s more of a look at the value of putting together something with modest ingredients and thoroughly enjoying it. Which is how normal mealtime is probably most honestly approached, in terms of time, money and flavour.

The ideas can be adapted to vegetarian or vegan eating.

[Sheila Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This life-enriching coffee table cookbook inspires with breathtaking illustrations of effortless recipes, featuring crystal-clear ingredient lists and instructions, enhanced by empowering tips and tricks designed to unlock the full culinary potential of aspiring cooks and children alike.

That’s a win in my book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good recipes in here. There are a few weird ones that I’d never make, though.

[Beka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, but nothing stood out.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m going to keep and hope I use. Lots of recipes that I want to try and lots of recipes I will never try.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my cooking bibles. Taken from the "simple meals" mentioned in their fantastic magazine, Real Simple editors put together their best, and easiest recipes. Many of them take 3 or 4 ingredients and are fantastic. Some of my faves include the Parmesan Risotto, Roast Chicken with Olives and Thyme, Corn and Goat Cheese Omelets, Salsa Quesadillas and Crisp Leftover Pasta.

The "short cut" meals are THE BEST. Many of the ingredients are from leftovers as in the Chicken PotPie, Inside Out Spring Rolls and Meatball Heros. The Last Minute Lasagna is one that I've used for years and is the quickest and easiest thing to make for a quick winter "dinner party".

Quite a few of these recipes are also "no-cook" making a quick meal, easy and delicious such as the amazing Chicken Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese, Panzanella and the fantastic Gazpacho (a summer favorite). They also have suggestions for one pot meals, and meals that you can freeze such as Butternut Squash Soup (yum) and Macaroni and Cheese (I make this at least once a week.).

If you're single, a couple, or a family you will benefit from these recipes. I highly recommend.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presentation & photographs: 1 page clear recipes w/ large clear appetizing photographs. Preparation time, total time, & servings. "The next time try".... was interesting as well were the tips.

Sections: One-Pot Meals; No-Shop Meals; 30-Minute Meals; No-Cook Meals; Freezer Meals; short-cut Meals; Reliable Sides; and recipe & Tip Index.

Grilled shrimp tacos; Panzanella (day old bread salad); Soy marinated London broil (Tip cut meat at a slant for tenderness); Steamed halibut & asparagus in parchment; Scallop & corn chowder; or Shrimp w/ arugula &
couscous.

So I am not going to even try: Minted peas, Creamy Parmesan polenta; Ham & cheese waffle sandwiches; French fry pie; Shrimp, watermelon & avocado salad; Sweet pea & mint soup; Not-so-sloppy Joes (no cinnamon in my meat); Crispy leftover pasta; or Saucy eggs.

I may not add this to my collection, but I will happily borrow it from the Library!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a cook. My family knows this and forgives me for it completely. My husband does most of the cooking in our family. He and I both liked this cookbook, though, for the simple recipes (that, despite their simplicity, went beyond average cookbook fare), easy-to-follow directions, and great photography. Maybe it's just a pet peeve of mine, but I hate cookbooks that don't include pictures of the food. Many times, it's the photo itself that will pull me in and make me want to try a recipe that I otherwise would've passed right over based on just the instructions alone.

[Erinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST cookbook I own!!!! I would recommend this cookbook to everyone, I have bought it as a gift for other people because I think it has easy-to-follow recipes that are exceptionally delicious. My favorit is the fish, potatoes and tarragon cooked in parchment paper, after following the recipe from the book, I went on to make it using different fishes and different vegetables, it was always a hit.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked to look at the pictures, but to me, the meals seemed "Real Simple"- for Martha Stewart. A lot of the recipes used ingredients that I didn't have, and if I bought them, I wouldn't use them much.

[Ronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cookbook was so promising. The pictures of the dishes look simple and delicious, but the recipes sometimes did not rise to the occasion. Just didn't do it for me. For example, I recently tried making the sautéed zucchini, but it came out soggy.

[Romie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very organized organization book. Some info is completely obvious. I didn't really get any new ideas. Nice pictures. I don't know why the picture is of meals made easy, this is the real simple organized home book.

[Carrie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific cookbook! Full of delicious recipes that are easy to make and not time consuming. I recommend this cookbook to everyone!

[Kaitron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook - a picture for every recipe - a cookbook requirement for me!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing cookbook. My favorite.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every recipe I have tried in this book is a winner. Very practical and usable cookbook. The freezer meal recipes are especially worth the price.

[Ashley Hooker]

My husband and I love this cookbook. We cook at least two meals from this book every week. Yea for simple, heathly and tasty!

[Khinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made cooking....Well, simple. The meals were so easy to make, and it tasted gourmet.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

the magazine's website has more and better website...but you can't beat my pals at RS when it comes to healthful, delcious yum yums on a budget. it's all about 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, y'all.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite day-to-day cookbooks. Quick and easy meals for weeknight dinners!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this one for my non-veg friends...simple and well-received.

[Sarah]

I made a chicken souvlaki dish out of this that was quite good--I used leftover chicken and homemade pita, and really enjoyed it!

[EchoHouseLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working my way through cooking the recipes that appeal but nothing leaps at us as a must add to the make-again list so far.

[Kelly Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good recipes, simple ingredients.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful recipes with simple ingredients, although a lot of them are premade short cuts.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the meals may be "simple", they are not original.

[Reah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2012 book is not that good.