Keeper. It’s one of the more beautiful words in the language of Dinner. (As in “Yes, dear, this pretzel chicken? It’s a keeper.”) But for anyone who’s cooking for a family, it’s also one of the more elusive words. Because families are usually made up of kids, and kids are usually made up of really weird genetic coding that makes them say things like “I don’t like pasta” or “the chicken has too much crust” or “I’ve decided I like cows too much so no more beef for me.” And we love them for it. We just don’t love how complicated it makes things at 7:00 on a weeknight.
So how do we optimize our chances of amassing a rotation of Keepers? Well, for starters, we can look to two ex-Saveur editors for advice. Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion (of one of the best food blogs out there, Devil & Egg) have just published a book called — you got it — Keepers. I love that title, but I love the subtitle even more: Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen. The book is filled with my favorite kind of recipe: simple and straightforward, with just a little twist that elevates a meal from everyday to special — Asian Pork Sliders with Magic Miso Mayo, Greek Style Fish with Yogurt and Lemon, Skillet Lasagna, Sauteed Tilapia with Citrus-Soy Marinade, Japanese Style Meat and Potatoes that’s made with soy sauce and brown sugar and that is first in line to be cooked when the weather turns a little colder. Kathy and Caroline were nice enough to share a little Keeper Wisdom with us today. Thanks guys — take it away!
The Five Hallmarks of a Keeper
by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion
Here are the 5 things that we think make a weeknight dinner a KEEPER, and by weeknight dinner we mean that, not only is the dish itself is brag-worthy and tasty, but also all the effort and time that you put into it (including the shopping, prepping, cooking, plating) was minimal, fuss-free, and dare we say, enjoyable. So here goes:
Accessible You can find all of the ingredients at your local supermarket (no ordering a custom blend of za’tar from a rare spice catalog or sourcing white truffle oil). Simple things from your grocery aisle like toasted seeds, lemons, and maple syrup, can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary, without breaking the bank (or forcing you to spend your weekend preserving lemons).
Low Impact After you’re done cooking, your kitchen won’t look like it was hit by a typhoon. Meaning, you didn’t have to use every bowl, pot, and utensil you own to make it, and your family doesn’t silently loathe you when they have to spend an hour doing the dishes.
Flexible It’s fine, actually encouraged, to incorporate leftovers whenever possible: A carton of rice from last’s night’s Chinese take-out, half a rotisserie chicken from the market, odds-and-ends from the vegetable drawer, a stale loaf of bread…all of these things can be transformed into something Keeper-worthy with ingredients like oyster sauce, a tangy homemade chimichurri sauce or carrot-and-ginger dressing, and the toaster.
Make-Ahead There’s always a good chance a recipe will stay in regular rotation if there is some part of it that can be done ahead of time. Take these Asian Sliders below. It’s a good example of how a few minutes at the start of your day can lead to an extra-tasty dish in the evening. Marinating the tenderloin in a pineapple juice and garlic mixture tenderizes it and imparts a savory-sweet flavor. And then come dinnertime, it’s simple enough to make on autopilot while drinking a glass of wine. That’s a pretty essential hallmark, too: Easy. (Come to think of it, so is the word “Sliders” in any recipe title.)
Homemade The dish is a crowd-pleaser, one that your family and friends ask for time and again. How does this happen? Because you’ve used good ingredients, seasoned it well, and put love into it. Yes, we know that you can’t always please everyone. Chances are that there’s someone in your family who’s gluten-free, leaning towards vegan, will only eat food that’s beige, or a raging carnivore. But putting something in front of them that you made yourself is a good start.
Asian Pork Sliders with Magic Miso-Mayo
from Keepers
Serves 4
We coat the marinated meat with hoisin sauce, roast it, slice it, then put it on light, fluffy potato rolls with extra hoisin and sliced scallions. Some Magic Miso-Mayo and/or hot sauce are really good, too. You can also serve the pork and fixings in lettuce leaves or on bowls of steamed white or brown rice. If you can’t spare any time in the morning, marinate the pork for as long as you can before cooking (up to an hour at room temperature; any longer and it should be refrigerated).
2 cups pineapple juice
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 pork tenderloin (about 11/4 pounds)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup hoisin sauce, plus extra for serving
8 dinner-size potato rolls, split
4 scallions (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced on the diagonal
Magic Miso-Mayo (recipe below)
Sriracha or hot sauce of your choice
Put a gallon-size resealable plastic bag in a medium bowl to hold it steady. Add the pineapple juice, garlic, and pork. Seal the bag, pressing out any excess air, and turn it over a few times to coat the tenderloin. Marinate in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours (or at room temperature for up to 1 hour), turning the bag over once or twice, if possible.
Preheat the oven to 400°F, with a rack in the middle position. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Remove the tenderloin from the marinade, pat dry, then season with salt and pepper. Add the tenderloin to the pan and cook until golden brown all over, about 6 minutes total.
Off the heat, brush the top half of the tenderloin with half the hoisin sauce. Put the pan in the oven and roast for 8 minutes. Turn the tenderloin over, brush the top half with the remaining hoisin sauce, and roast until almost cooked through, but still pink, about 6 minutes more. (See page 91 for information on pork cooking guidelines.) Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Cut the pork into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Serve with the rolls, extra hoisin sauce, scallions, Magic Miso-Mayo, and Sriracha, and let everyone assemble their own sliders.
Magic Mis0-Mayo (makes about 1/2 cup)
In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon white miso paste, and a squeeze of lime juice until smooth. Check the seasonings. The Magic Miso-Mayo will keep, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.
I’m giving away a copy of Keepers to a random commenter below. Deadline is Wednesday morning at 10:00 am. Winner must live in the 48 contiguous states. Good luck! Update: The winner (Joanna, #72) has been alerted! Thanks for playing everyone!
Oooo would love to win this, always looking for new “Keeper” meals! Thank you!
Love the title of this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Keepers are the holy grail in my kitchen!
Wow this looks great! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m not kissing your tush when I say this, but your book is always going to be a ‘Keeper’ to me. That said, if this book (which sounds amazing) gets your vote of approval, then I definitely would LOVE a copy!
I love new cookbooks that make my life a little easier (and tastier!)
This book sounds like a keeper!
keepers are the only way to plan a week of meals. they keep my boys happy enough so i can try out things like cauliflower crust pizza with minimal snark.
I love the title! A keeper recipe is like gold 🙂
have the book in my shopping cart so its coming home one way or another. and i love your blog!
What a fantastic idea for a cookbook. I’m in the market for a few more “keepers” to add to the rotation.
This sounds amazing, will definitely have to try it soon!
This sounds great! Would love to start a ‘keeper’ rotation of my own!
Our “keepers” are either meals we cook without a recipe, or ones that we’ve made so often that the cookbook’s spine is cracked on that page! Looks like a great book!
I’m in such a cooking rut — would love to win a copy!
Can’t wait to read it!
what a great looking book! thanks for the chance to win…
I would love this book. I’m impressed that the sample recipe really is easy, made with readily available ingredients, and yet isn’t something I would think of on my own.
This book looks amazing! I would love a copy!
love the concept of this book.
I am always looking for new go-to dinner recipes . . . this book sounds like a keeper!
Love this book! I already can’t wait to make the pork recipe!
This book sounds like a “keeper”. I might have to make a trip to the bookstore.
Miso makes anything magic, in my opinion. But will definitely try these yummy-sounding sliders!
This book is right up my alley!
I’ve been working on trying to complete more meal planning – this would be perfect!
In the queue
I love the cover of the book. Your website is a go to place for week night recipes, I’m sure this book is a great source too!
Books looks awesome and so does the above recipe, just might be having this for dinner tonight! Thanks!
Wow this book sounds like just what I’ve been looking for.
Would love so much to win this!
I do need a few new keepers. Thanks for sharing!
Just read DALS over the weekend. So glad I found you!!
I’m definitely making this! The book sounds great!
“Is it a keeper?” is heard weekly at my dinner table and how my family decides whether we’ll eat a dish again. Love!
Trying to get back into the swing of things…please send me a copy!!
I need some more “keepers”!! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Love Devil & Egg. Would love to have a copy of Keepers
Thanks so much for the giveaway! The book sounds amazing.
Yes, please! Always looking for add to the rotation inspiration.
This book sounds fab!
Would love to win this! Always looking for a new keeper!
Looks like a great book! Who doesn’t like “keeper” recipes?! Thank you for the cookbook raffle!
I enjoy the 5 characteristics of Keepers, especially consideration for my wine drinking ability!
This book sounds marvelous! I am newly married and new to the kitchen. I love discovering new go-to recipes.
My husband and I just got married 3 weeks and 3 days ago, and neither of us knew how to cook much beyond scrambled eggs!
I check your blog every day for new recipes. (and because I like the way you write!) A book full of new, go-to recipes would be a fabulous addition to my husband’s and my tiny apartment.
I would love a copy of this cookbook. Thank you for offering the contest and sharing the book!
Great post. I love tons and tons of your recipes, but there are 2 that have been such keepers for me that I don’t know how I did without them before. In cooler months it’s your chili (can be made ahead of time, great for a crowd or also just immediate family, freezes great, can go over potatoes or rice or fritos scoops or nothing at all, it’s healthy and amazingly delicious). In warmer months, it’s your yogurt grilled chicken,which has completely renewed grilled chicken for us.
Looks like Keepers would be a great tool to enhance the dreaded task of menu planning!!
Sounds delicious!
I love absolutely everything about the idea of this book! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! THANKS for the giveaway!!
The very cover of this book makes my tummy growl.
That is all.
This book sounds so good I just put a hold on it in our local library. It would be nice not to worry about dripping delicious things on the pages if I won it… 😉
Having just lost my fridge, and all that was in it, this recipe gives me hope for a delicious dinner in the midst of tragedy!
Thanks for sharing!
These are the kinds of things that make getting back to the school routine easier!
I’d love a copy!
WHY won’t you ship to Alaska??? I’d love a copy!
This book looks fantastic! And it’s $10 as a kindle – so if I don’t win, I can still add it to my collection without too much pain.
PS Pretzel chicken – a definite keeper.
Those sliders look great! I’d be so excited to win a copy of the book!
I love cooking dinner for my family even more with a little help:) Thanks for the chance to win this book!
I could always use more “Keepers”!!
Thanks for the heads-up. Something relatively effortless that comes off as stellar, always makes me smile!
definitely trying this AND crossing my fingers for the book!
I’m always looking for easy weeknight dinners to add to my rotation. And I agree with anything slider is a keeper
This has been on my Amazon wish list forever. Don’t forget the kid taste vicissitudes … One day, they’re happily scarfing down scrambled eggs/mac and cheese/turkey sandwiches/hummus and the next it’s anathema – I HATE scrambled eggs/mac and cheese/turkey sandwiches/hummus.
Drives me batty.
Pick me!
I could use a book like that for sure
Ooo, looks great, please pick me!
I love the idea of this collection, thanks for the chance to win it!!
I love keepers! Especially when it’s simple, uses only a few pots and I can make it ahead. Generally a keeper for me is when my husband is totally silent thru dinner and then says “this has to get into the weekly rotation!”
Pick me! This book sounds fantastic and delicious 🙂
These kinds of recipes are the best!!
I’d love this cookbook to help make weeknights a little easier. Thanks! 🙂
I was literally just looking at this book on amazon! I was debating on whether or not to buy it! How funny! I actually have a spreadsheet of keepers on my google drive for quick reference when I am stuck on dinner ideas.
Ooooh, Keepers! I’d love this book!
I just made a Keeper of my own on Friday:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/meatball-stroganoff-50400000130050/
I substituted grass fed beef for the ground sirloin (I can never find anything labeled as such in my market) and it made for deliciously tender meatballs and the actual stroganoff was easy as well – and a bit healthier with sour cream instead of heavy cream.
Your fish cakes are a keeper! We use that term lovingly- for all of our beloved, family friendly dishes. Book looks great.
Love the concept of this cookbook, and with 4 kids under 8, I COMPLETELY understand picky eaters and trying to please everyone. I ended up making a lot of deconstructed meals.
Looks so thoughtful- thanks for offering a giveaway!
yum. this sounds delicious and easy. My kind of meal!
thanks.
Love the title and have thoroughly enjoyed your website since discovering it a few months ago!
Love the title and the recipe they provided. Thanks!
Oh, if I could have a repertoire of 10-12 keepers, how “4pm-6pm” might forever be different! And maybe my kids would eat a bit more fish. 🙂 thanks
love this!
This sounds perfect for all of us working moms !!!
I’ve been struggling to get dinner on the table since going back to work after having my first baby. These keeper tips are great! I’d love to get my hands on the full cookbook.
This book would be the perfect addition to my cookbook collection. Sounds perfect for our family.
Love the reasons the recipes are a keeper! The tricky balance between flavor and keeping it simple.
Wonderful! Thanks!
I’m always on the hunt for “keepers”!
I really need some new week-night meal ideas – would love to have this book!
Added the book to my wish list! Looks awesome!
our keeper rotation is too small – picky kids!
Yum! Those sliders look delicious! Will be trying them soon. Would love to win a copy of the book 🙂
That recipe looks delicious!! Definitely adding that cookbook to my list.
I love the idea of this cookbook. I cannot figure out an easy way to keep up with the recipes that I find online that are ‘keepers.’ Really want to try your pretzel chicken!
I need this book!
We would use this so much now that school is starting back up!
What a great book! It seems like most of my “Keepers” come straight from the DALS cookbook.
Boy do I need this book. I’m dying to develop a list of “keepers”!
Sounds like a fantastic cookbook!
i have a binder of ‘Keepers’ that get pulled from magazines, printed from websites or torn from cookbooks. It’d be great to have an entirely new book of Keepers!
Those sliders look amazing, the book too!
What a title
We all need some keepers
Sounds like a…wait for it… keeper! Just gave a copy of DALS to my daughter’s teacher as a wedding gift, so obviously we trust you guys implicitly!
This is like the perfect book for me.
My boyfriend always complains I use too many dishes 🙂
For marinating I like to put the marinade in the ziplock bag the night before, then all I have to do in the morning is throw the meat in too. No measuring before the first cup of coffee hits!
This book sounds like a keeper! (sorry, it had to be said)
I want to win this book! And I’m ready for DALS the sequel, while you’re at it.
This cookbook looks like a keeper for sure!
Now that school is back in session, I need to add to my Keeper dinner list. I’d love a copy!
That recipe looks delicious! And since I’m always on the lookout for easy dinner ideas, I will definitely be checking this book out during my next trip to the bookstore.
I need more keepers in my life!! Thanks!!!
I just ‘pinned’ Keepers to my pinterest this morning and then saw it on here! I grew up in a keepers-only family so I’m naturally drawn to this book. But it’s also why I love your site (and your book) – I can mix things up and find new keepers for my new family.
DAL has been the source of so many keepers for my family already! This book would be such a welcome addition to our arsenal. Anything that helps us put good, healthful, and non-stressful home cooking on the table night after night is so appreciated!
Love the idea of keepers as the back to school routine is looming.
I need more keepers in my life!! And anything to help me get veggies in my little one!!
Hi Jenny! We are back to school today in Michigan, so I need to expand my Keepers!
I need more keepers in my life!!! Especially ones that will help me get veggies in my little one.
Whenever someone at the dinner table utters, “This is a keeper”, I am overjoyed. To have an entire cookbooks of “keepers” would be a dream.
Love the idea of the book! Thanks for the opportunity.
I definitely need some of these keepers and, if I don’t win a copy of this book I just might *gasp* BUY a copy for myself! These pork sliders look really good and I can actually pull that off on a weeknight.
Ooh, I really must read this. You find the best books, Jenny. Thanks!
Love this idea! So fun. I feel like I need to cook all the recipes to see if I agree….
I’m marinating this now!! Thanks for the dinner idea…I’m can’t wait to read more recipes.
This sounds like a wonderful cookbook (and those sliders sound delicious).
Sounds like an answer to prayer!
This is a great recipe to break me out of my current rut. Keepers are so hard to come by around here…
Oh, how I’m waiting for one of my girls to grow into a braver eater! I am looking so forward to family dinners that don’t involve whining or the limited repertoire of a picky preschooler!
Fabulous! I may have to add this to my Christmas list…
My rotation of “keepers” still changes, as my kids go through phases of what they like and don’t like, so I would love additional inspiration. Love this!
I will definitely have to buy this if I don’t win it.
The cookbook sounds wonderful! Need this in my kitchen bookshelf!
i was reading your description of the book and i thought, i might enjoy this cookbook just as much as i love DALS. hope i win! thank you!
I couldn’t agree more that a “Keeper” is a recipe that is easy to make after work while drinking a glass of wine! The glass of wine is critical.
The book looks wonderful! I need some new dinner regulars!
Me please! This book sound wonderful… Thanks!
I can tell this cookbook would get a lot of use in my house. What a great concept!
I neeed this book! Looks amazing!
would love to win this! thanks
I would love to win this!
That miso mayo sounds great. Would love to add this one to my collection.
Just this morning I took a Trader Joe’s frozen port tenderloin out of the freezer to defrost- now I know what to do with it. Thanks!
Yes, please!
I am unashamedly judging that book by its cover. And I want it.
Sounds like the perfect cookbook for my family!
sounds like a great book!
Would love to see it. The other challenge is when the quirky tastes/requirements of the said kiddos change. frequently. Alas…we keep trying!
Would love this!
Hoping this book is a keeper!
Book looks amazing! I’m in a dinner rut (these seem to happen frequently) and could use some inspiration.
I’d love a copy!
Ooh, this cookbook looks great!
The book looks awesome, always need new ideas!
Sounds interesting!
Always looking for new keepers. Until recently when you asked my son what he wanted for dinner it was always Taco’s. He recently made a huge leap and added Burrito Bowls to our keeper list.
We call them “family-favorites” at our house, and with 4 kids and two adults they are few and far between. I could use some more!
Me. Please!
I’m always looking for more go-to recipes, especially this time of year!
Sounds like a great recipe resource!
Look forward to getting this book, one way or another.
Sounds perfect for a mom of three teenage girls who is also a full time kindergarten teacher and after school tutor.
Would love to try this cookbook out!
looks like a great book! although i am hard pressed to find miso paste around here! 🙂
man, do I need this cookbook!
Looks delicious!
Oooh, this would make for a lovely back-to-school treat!
If Jenny likes it, it goes on my list of cookbooks to check out! Struggling to get back into the swing of school, and Keepers would definitely provide some much needed inspiration! Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love a copy!!
Would love to win this – great title!
Wow, that cover is gorgeous.
would love a copy of this book! thanks for the post on it 🙂
Can’t wait to read through it!
im all about the ease of ingredients – i don’t have time to locate sumac! give me a substitute!
Love the title! Pick me please!
What a great idea for a book, and that recipe looks fabulous!
Thank you for the opportunity!
I’ve just gone back to work and I definitely need some keepers for easy weeknight meals!
I’m always looking for new recipes to please the kiddos; great post!
Pick me! I’m pregnant and I can’t get enough food porn.
Ooh, with a 1yo who will eat almost anything and a 3yo that will eat almost nothing, these sound like the perfect recipes!
Love, love, love the cover. And that Magic Miso-Mayo sounds terrific.
Ooh I’d love this book; with three kids age six and under we are always on the hunt for “keepers”!
This, sounds like my kind of cookbook.
Today is the first day of kindergarten for my 5 year old twin boys and first day at a new daycare for my 2 year old little girl… needless to say, this past weekend my husband and I have been frantically trying to get our family dinners in order for the coming week. This book would be a fantastic addition to our fairly boring set of keepers that we currently have that our kids will eat.
i love this! just saw it pinned today and it peaked my interest for sure.
I love that list–it pretty much sums up our day to day cooking. Good food doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult!
The book sounds great!
Mmm everything looks delicious!
Trying to cook more meals from scratch, and DALS (book and blog) has been a huge help! This Keepers cookbook sounds right up my alley, too. Thanks for the giveaway.
Dishes like these are called make-again in our house. It must receive four smiling faces and two thumbs up from each of the kids.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love keeper recipes!!
Sounds great! I’m always looking for more keepers.
Sounds do delicious! Can’t wait to try the miso mayo!
Love this! Thanks for giving a copy away.
If one recipe is as much of a keeper as the salmon salad from YOUR book, then I want it!!
At my house, we call these “make-agains”. The book looks great.
Looks like a keeper indeed!
Yum! I’d love to find some more “keepers” to add to our weeknight repertoire!
What a great cover! I will definitely check this book out.
AHHH! I would totally love to win this… I need some… well… keepers. Some DALS keepers: Chicken pot pie, pork ragu, burritos, and that indonesian chicken salad! Actually the bean burritos are on the menu this week!
Sounds to good to be true…
I’d love this. Thanks!
This recipe is on my “to-make” this week.
Pick me, pick me! Thanks for the hosting the giveaway.
Fingers crossed! I love Devil & Egg and this cookbook sounds great.
I love that triumphant feeling when you have tested a new recipe and determined it to be a “keeper!”
Yum! This book sounds amazing, I have been slowly working to determine keeper baking recipes.
Yep – love and good ingredients make all the difference.
Definitely want to try the sliders and the Japanese meat & potatoes sounds yummy too!
I would love to win this!
Love to win it, I love recipes that are a keeper!
If I don’t win, I’ll try to borrow a copy from the local library. Your mention of Japanese meat and potatoes piques my interest.
Pick me pick me 😀
I would love a copy of Keepers!
Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me!
Looks like a great book. Living in Alaska is hard enough — why not include us?
I’d love to win this book – always looking for new, easy ideas to make for weeknight dinners!
Read this post out loud to my foodie kiddos at dinner. They’ve decided to take a more active role in meal planning this year and we’d love a copy of Keepers!
Love the name of the book, too, and thanks for the pointer to Devid and Egg. It’s lovely.
This book sounds excellent!
I love keeper meals! They’re the tried and true family favorites that my grown-up kids request when they return home.
Love the cover of your book especially the font. Would love to win a copy of the book because could use some new ideas for weekday meals.
Always looking for new keepers to add to the rotation!
Love the cover of your book especially the font. Would love to win a copy of the book because I could use some new weeknight meal ideas.
Love the cover especially the font. Would love to win a copy of the book because could use some new weekday meal ideas.
Love the cover of the book especially the font. It would be great to win the book because I could use some new week day meal ideas.
Thanks for the intro to both Keepers and Devil & Egg. I know I can trust your recommendations and can’t wait to fix the sliders.
Well, I pretty much never win anything but, hey, maybe this time will work. 🙂 This book looks awesome!
Looks like the perfect book for my life right now!
I don’t have a family (just my boyfriend and I) but I would love to win this book!
Ooh! This book would be such a lovely help for starting off our school year. Thank you for the opportunity!
After looking at the slider recipe, I immediately checked to see if my library has this book so I could put it on hold: They don’t! I requested that they purchase it.
OMG, my daughter and I were having a conversation about “keepers” over dinner tonight! I’ve been cooking for a million years and I have few keepers ’cause I can’t pass up a new recipe. Every week! Three new ones on a weekend! Makes me crazy 🙂 I’d love this book!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Tips book looks like a keeper and thanks for pointing the way to the blog!
Keepers would be a great addition, especially with the new school year upon us.
This looks amazing! Love those 5 hallmarks. Nothing like a keeper!
The sliders look delicious! Can’t wait to see the rest of the recipes.
Sounds like a great book! Who doesn’t love a keeper?
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
P.S. I love your book!!!!!!!
I just heard myself gasp at the idea of this book. My gosh, this is something I NEED on my shelf. Next to DALS and T4D, of course.
This book is going on my wish list!
We need more keepers in our rotation!
Looks great, I’d love to try it.
I need this book in my life
I started this post and before I finished it I requested it from the library. It would be nice to own a copy.
Sounds like a great cookbook! I’ve been documenting my “keeper” recipes lately and I’d love to add some new ones.
This book sounds amazing! i already have it on my wish list.
Your meal plan last week saved our family during the back to school craze this week. I came to DALS today praying to find another weeks plan and was pleasantly surprised to find Keepers! And bookmark another great foodie site 🙂
i like keepers. 🙂
I’d love to win this. I’m always on the lookout for “keepers” and totally agree with the list here. At my house a keeper is anything that can be made with little concentration as a toddler is clinging to my knees. Bonus points if it’s delicious. Extra bonus points if I can make it all in one pan/pot/skillet!
I was just thinking about this topic the other day! I was giving my parents a hard time because they made the same handful of things over and over again for years and to my knowledge, none of the kids in my family liked any of it! (My parents made us eat it anyway.) There are just two of us in my little family now, but I’d love to develop a collection of “keepers” to use now and in the future.
oh ho ho, would I love to win this book! As soon as I read the title I said to my husband, “I have got to get this book,” so either way we’re going to end up with it 😉
This is exactly what I need!
It would be great to find more Keepers that my 6 and 8 year olds will like – thanks for the opportunity!
I’m super excited about the chance to win a copy of Keepers (which I recently heard about through my library friends!), but I’m even more excited about trying out that pretzel chicken recipe! I’ve never seen it here before and I’m ready to test it out!
Looks like a new cookbook for me! Now I know what to call me handful of go to recipes.
You know why I love to cook for my family (currently husband and a 3 year old…baby will be joining the table soon)? It’s when my 3 year old asks me what’s for dinner, then proclaims “yum, that’ll be delicious” and then asks to help with cooking. She’s mean on the whisk and a pro at dressings. Thanks for all your recipes and great writing.
With 2 young, very picky eaters to feed every night, I would gladly welcome this book into my cookbook rotation. The best days for me are the ones where my boys ask me to make a dish for them a second time! I bet this book would help deliver more dayslike that! 🙂
If it’s half as good as your cookbook, it’s sure to be a “Keeper.”
Sounds like a great book! Would love a copy!
Have to try this recipe! Would love a copy of your book!
I was just thinking about this! How am I going to get a few tried and true recipes in my bag of tricks to feed my four year olds. And here you are to the rescue!
I really need some keepers!
My mouth is watering! Miso mayo alone sounds like a keeper…
Dear lord, I need this. I use DALS as my training manual for family cooking and have done pretty well with it; adding this to my current 2 cookbook repertoire would really round out my collection.
Always good to find new “keepers” to add to the rotation . . .
Sounds like a great book! It has the same characteristics of your recipes, which is why I keep coming back here.
Sounds like the perfect book for my growing family of picky eaters!!
I can’t tell you how timely this post is! I am soon to “inherit” a family and need to figure out how to cook for more than just me!
I can’t wait to have a look at this book!
Mmmmmmagic Miso! Sounds fab. 🙂
This looks like a good book.
We have reached a period that most keepers are falling or already fell out of the rotation purely because they have been made too many times. I find that a keeper can stay in rotation max three years, then it is fazed out. Maybe this is my chance to build up a new repertoire. Also, my daughter is finally exiting the picky phase at age of 8. Exciting new horizons await!
I would love this cookbook! I need some more keepers right now with a new house, a 2yr old, and a bay on the way
what an awesome cookbook!!
I need this book to make it through a busy fall season. Thanks!
Just found your blog this weekend. Love it.
I’d love to add a few more keepers to my rotation.
My keepers are getting stale and getting kicked out of the rotation. This cookbook sounds great!
Oo0h- I hope I win! Lord knows I could use some more keepers around here! My 5 year old refused BUTTERMILK BLUEBERRY PANCAKES for dinner last night. What?
I need some Keepers!
I definitely need to add a few more keepers to our rotation. And although of course DALS (blog or book) is one of the first places I turn when meal planning, another resource is always great!
Love cookbooks and would love this one!
Sounds like a great cookbook!
Can’t wait to try this recipe and to checkout the book soon!
My college student’s budget doesn’t leave much extra for new cookbooks, but this one looks like a keeper 🙂
oh pick me! also, we made DALS bourbon marinated pork tenderloin with grilled peaches last week and my husband loved it! wouldn’t stop talking about that marinade- thanks!
Oh me me me! Please pick me! In the last year I’ve struggled through anti-veggie, anti-dairy, anti-meat, and anti-anything-mommy-makes phases from my pickiest family ever. This mama needs some new inspiration STAT.
would love to try this book! my husband is more high maintenance than a kid when it comes to meals
This looks great! I am always on the lookout for more Keepers!
I told my husband I need this book before I realized you were giving it away!!! Thanks for the chance to win!
The challenge for our family, however, is that the keepers are a moving target–the kids change, their tastes change, and something tried and true for years begins to go uneaten… so frustrating!
Great cookbook and recipe for the start of the school year craziness!
I need this, pick me!
i’ve added this book to my wishlist
I’d love to be the keeper of this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
This is exactly the type of cookbook I need. My fingers are crossed.
I so need this.
Woo hoo, I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
I love this title and am so excited to read the other recipes inside. I’m a single woman and I need keepers for myself- to make when I am exhuasted and just don’t want to think too hard but need a good hearty meal!
Would love a copy!
This book is going straight on my Amazon wishlist!
Stumbled upon this and couldn’t help but keep thinking of how delicious this would be tomorrow for date night at home! MMM..I am thinking that it’s no longer a question, but I’m gonna HAVE to make it now 😛 Nice post!
So the writer of DALS (which is basically the only cookbook I use anyomore) recommends this? I’m in!
love this post! i am always looking for more keepers…!
Just what I have been looking for – great title!
Fingers crossed!
Hey, your Chicken and Artichoke stew is a keeper in my house, and I definitely could use some more. Looks wonderful.
Ah, hoisin sauce… We just moved to Kosovo and let me tell you, hoisin sauce is nothing that is easily (or at all?) found here. I’m having to revise all my go-to recipes because many ingredients are elusive or not available at all. Rye flour? Red beans? Maple syrup? My cooking is going to become really simple! But I can always look for inspiration, no?
Love this post! going out to buy this “keeper” asap 🙂
Oh man, I am making this recipe with pork loin in the freezer this week! And, I can’t wait to look through this book since I am currently building my family’s (2 1/2 year old and 6 month old) list of keepers!
I love the sound of this book. We have several keepers but always room for more.
this sounds right up my alley!