Plated

I think make-ahead meals and freezer-friendly recipes are going to be my future once residency starts, so this cookbook (Plated) could not have come at a better time!

I don’t know if you’ve heard of the food delivery company, Plated, but the idea behind it is to provide people with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients + chef-designed recipes so that anyone can make their own meals at home, and this book definitely reflects that philosophy.

Plated

By Elana Karp & Suzanne Dumaine

Genre: Cookbook
Pages: 240

Plated is divided into the following chapters:

Kitchen Basics

This chapter details how to outfit your kitchen, from having just the basic tools to going all out. It also covers what to stock in your pantry, and goes over their “kitchen commandments” and knife skills.

Flavoring

Learn how to make all kinds of different spice rubs, marinades, dressings, sauces, and infusions!

Weeknight Dinners

Don’t have a lot of time on your hands? This recipe covers their favorite quick and reliable recipes with seasonal ingredients as swap-ins so that you can customize them according to what’s fresh when you’re making em’!

One-Pan Roasted Rosemary Chicken

Great For Leftovers

Do you cook in bulk? (I love to do this–it saves so much time!) This section covers recipes that can be re-purposed with just the addition of 1-2 ingredients! (I totally agree with them that gnocchi is a wondrous leftover food…)

Herb-Marinated Steak with Tomato, Onion, and Herb Salad

Make Ahead

These recipes might take a little bit more time, but they’re awesome for reheating, and taste even better a few days after cooking! They include instructions on how to store em’!

Beer-Braised Pulled Chicken

Weekend Feasts

This section includes more ambitious recipes and are designed for 4-6 servings so you can share (or pig out).

Gin & Grapefruit-Cured Gravlax with Pumpernickel Toasts

For A Crowd

Have a dinner party but hating on the planning? This section has menus that combine recipes from throughout the book (along with some new ones) and includes a timeline so you can put everything together without ignoring all your guests!

The menus include…Date Night, Cocktail Party, Fancy Pants Dinner Party, Sunday Supper, Weekend Brunch, Backyard Barbecue, and Thanksgiving Dinner!

On the Side

Appetizers and side dishes can enhance a meal and sometimes even steal the whole show. This section has lots of versatile recipes that should work with all sorts of different meals. :]

Corn Salad with Red Onion and Basil

At the End

…and what is a full meal without dessert?! These range from super simple to labor-intensive!

Clafoutis with Fresh Cherries

There’s an appendix at the back with a seasonal produce guide and glossary. Each recipe includes a short intro, serving size, an ingredient list, and of course, the instructions.

I think this book was very well thought-out and put together, and would be awesome for pretty much anyone, but especially great for beginning cooks! :]

• What’s your favorite “leftovers” recipe?
• Share a make-ahead recipe with me! :]

Check out my other book reviews!