The Dinner Plan

Starred review from November 27, 2017
Brennan and Campion (Keepers) take a close look at the hurdles that make daily cooking a challenge and instruct home cooks on how to address them. Recipes are labeled by preparation: make-ahead, staggered, one-dish, pantry, and extra-fast (many are labeled by more than one type). The make-ahead dishes are to be prepared in advance when there are blocks of time, such as on weekends, and include braised green beans with tomatoes. Staggered recipes are for nights when family members eat in shifts and hand-held meals, such as marinated tofu lettuce wraps, are the best option. One-dish recipes, such as roasted cod with potatoes, tomatoes, and olives, are perfect for reheating and minimizing cleanup. The recipes labeled pantry can be conveniently frozen, and recipes labeled extra-fast take 30 minutes or less to prepare, and include sautéed fish with three sauce options. The steps are minimal, and choices such as baked penne with green chiles (make ahead), as well as bacon and egg fried rice (labeled as all five), are often an easy sell to picky family members. A closing section suggests some last-ditch, nostalgic meals such as pizza bagels, melties, and Spam sandwiches. This is a savvy addition to the weeknight dinner genre.