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Keep It Simple Y'all: Easy dinners from Your Barefoot Neighbor

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Are you a beginner in the kitchen or someone with a jam-packed schedule? Do you crave delicious, home-cooked meals but think you don’t have the time or skills to prepare them?

Welcome to Keep It Simple Y’all, a cookbook designed just for you! Whether you’re new to cooking or simply looking for efficient, tasty meal solutions, this book is packed with recipes that will fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. From comforting slow cooker creations to hassle-free one-pot wonders, sheet pan dinners, and shortcut rotisserie chicken dishes, every recipe is crafted to be straightforward, quick, and utterly satisfying.

Imagine coming home to a savory, slow-cooked stew that’s been simmering all day or whipping up a flavorful sheet-pan dinner with minimal cleanup. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple, readily available ingredients, you’ll find yourself creating wholesome, delicious meals in no time. Each dish is a testament to the fact that cooking can be both effortless and enjoyable, even for the busiest of us.



We, “Nilya PressTM,” are the ones doing the spiral binding and not the author, publisher, or rights holder. Please be aware of this when you purchase this spiral-bound book from the "Nilya Store!" on Amazon.com. We expertly applied a spiral binding for you after purchasing this book, which was originally paper bound and owned by the rights holder! A wonderful spiral-bound book that is easier to handle and opens flat will soon be in your hands, making it simpler to color, sketch, follow a recipe, go over, or take notes for study. If you have any inquiries concerning the spiral binding, please use the Amazon email system to get in touch with us through our "Nilya Store!" storefront. Regards! "Nilya PressTM"







155 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2024

493 people are currently reading
211 people want to read

About the author

Matthew Bounds

3 books10 followers

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5 stars
211 (61%)
4 stars
71 (20%)
3 stars
36 (10%)
2 stars
14 (4%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Kasey Perry.
54 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2024
Also one of my favorite Tik Tockers, Matthew Bounds showcases recipes that are for every skill level. He doesn't make assumptions about what you might already know, and he isn't snobby about premade ingredients. He doesn't care how dinner gets on your table, and recognizes it's a victory just that it's done, for many of us. His authenticity is refreshing and his recipes delicious!
Profile Image for Jen.
231 reviews
November 21, 2024
Genuinely simple recipes, many of which I think my picky a$s kids will eat 😆
Profile Image for Sharon McMaster.
257 reviews6 followers
July 23, 2024
If you're a fan of Southern cuisine or simply adore wholesome, flavorful dishes that bring comfort and joy to the table, "Keep it Simple Y'all" by Your Barefoot Neighbor is an essential addition to your cookbook collection. This delightful compilation of recipes embodies the spirit of Southern cooking—unpretentious, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

The author, known affectionately as Your Barefoot Neighbor, brings a refreshing approach to cooking with an emphasis on simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to be accessible to home cooks of all skill levels, encouraging you to dive into the joys of preparing delicious meals without unnecessary fuss.

What sets this cookbook apart is its authenticity. Your Barefoot Neighbor shares not only recipes but also videos on different social media platforms where even a novice (such as myself) can learn to make new and delicious dishes. The layout of the book is clean and user-friendly, with each recipe presented in a straightforward manner accompanied by beautiful photography that will make your mouth water. You'll find yourself not just cooking but also learning and appreciating the rich heritage behind Southern cooking.

Overall, "Keep it Simple Y'all" by Your Barefoot Neighbor is a gem of a cookbook that deserves a spot on your kitchen shelf. With its down-to-earth charm and mouthwatering dishes, this book is a testament to the timeless appeal of simple, delicious food done right. Grab a copy and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the warmth and flavor of Southern cooking—just as Your Barefoot Neighbor intended and come fix you a plate!
Profile Image for Ivonne Rovira.
2,459 reviews248 followers
March 29, 2025
If you’re a Brooklyn-worthy foodie, this book is not for you. There won’t be broccoli rabe, za’atar, Gochujang Sauce or pomegranate molasses in this cookbook. If you’re looking for “clean” recipes, Paleo, keto, vegan, Whole 30 — anything like that — again, this book is not for you. There will be canned cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, Lipton’s onion-soup mix, Hidden Valley Ranch dry packets, cornbread stuffing mix and — horror of horrors! — an entire chapter on casseroles.

Now that they’ve all gone away, I’ll address the rest of us. If you’re the typical worker who is tired of frozen TV dinners and can’t even think about affording food delivery, Matthew Bounds has come to the rescue with recipes to make when you’re very busy or tired. He’s packed 60 recipes into this cookbook that cooks can make with items most of us have at hand: pasta, rice, ground beef, chicken (a whole chapter on using rotisserie chicken!), pork chops, canned biscuits and those dreaded packets. I, for one, welcome our new casserole overlord with five processed stars!

Before the lectures begin on processed foods, a homemade casserole — even with cream of celery soup and/or onion-soup mix — beats out frozen pizza or a Subway sandwich for flavor and nutrition. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good on days you’re just exhausted.
Profile Image for Mallory.
11 reviews
February 19, 2025
One of my favorite #FoodTok creators, so down to earth & who you see is who you get. His recipes are so easy to follow & time saving, as most are one pot meals which I LOVE! I've made a couple of these meals myself & every single one was so delicious. The goat cheese meatball & gnocchi soup - 10\10! Only tweak I made to it was I browned the gnocchi in a hot pan with butter for 5 mins to help them retain their shape & bring out a subtle toasty flavor. Check out this & his other cookbook, you won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Jliongrrrl.
1,048 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2024
I love his recipes from tiktok and purchased this book so I could easily see them without searching online. I wasn't sure about a paperback cookbook but it's thee perfect size to open and lie flat-is while I'm cooking. I'm far from a good cook but his recipes really are simple and easy to follow. I also appreciate that I'm not buying a bunch of strange ingredients and seasonings that I will only use for one recipe and then they will languish in a cupboard until I throw them out.
Profile Image for Nicole.
74 reviews
February 8, 2025
So many great recipes that are tasty and simple. No major techniques needed just basic cooking skills. I love how each recipe has the photo right beside it. All of the ingredients are easily found in a regular home pantry and on the off chance it isn't something you always have on hand it won't be difficult to find at the average grocery store. I follow Matthew on TikTok which led me to discover his book. I recommend Keep It Simple, Y'all for beginner chefs and the more advanced.
Profile Image for Charolette Loeks.
42 reviews
January 7, 2025
Love it! The Salisbury Steak was so yummy! Plus, I love all of the little side notes or how he doesn't make them with fancy ingredients, so it makes it easy! I have a couple of other cookbooks that ingredients are really hard to find or expensive to get. So thank you for making the recipes for everyday people to be able to make them!
Profile Image for ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ.
1,105 reviews17 followers
March 26, 2025
I don't think this was worth what I paid for it. He's just some random dude who posted what he cooked online.

Recipes are divided into categories: Low & Slow (slow cooker meals), Sheet pan dinners, One-pot meals, Rotisserie Realness and Come for you a Plate. The last chapter are the most popular recipes from his last cookbook.

144 pages. Photos of every recipe.
Profile Image for Natalie.
77 reviews
May 30, 2025
I really love this guy on TikTok and have made several of his recipes previously. I have now made a few more from this book. They are simple, quick and most importantly delicious. Written for the novice cook, the recipes are explained well. Plus this guy and his TikTok followers have raised a ridiculous amount of money for kids in foster care and food pantries.
Profile Image for Heather Poet.
183 reviews11 followers
August 14, 2025
Listen... this man really out here proving supper doesn't have to be a three-act tragedy!!
The recipes are so easy even your grandma would stop side-eyeing you for bringing store-bought potato salad to family gatherings!
The book should come with a warning label: May cause you to suddenly feel like a professional chef while barefoot in your own kitchen.
4 reviews
September 1, 2025
Great cookbook. Super easy and fun

What I really like about this cookbook is that the directions are simple, the ingredients are easy to find, and the backstories are amusing. The recipes are not fussy. This would be a great book for a beginner cook, but super useful for someone more experienced. Love it!
Profile Image for Yuuto.
815 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2024
Nice collection of quick, easy meals to prepare. I think I need to get myself a copy of this cookbook in the future, I’ve tried a few of them from Your Barefoot Neighbor’s TikTok and they’ve been stellar.
Profile Image for Lauren Wittenberg.
Author 1 book7 followers
December 6, 2024
LOVE Matthew and I'm using this to teach my kids how to make easy, good meals (for when their gourmet-inspired dad is no longer around to cook for them in college and beyond). Great book, great chef... and you should absolutely follow him on all of the social media channels as well!
Profile Image for Samantha Melendez.
133 reviews
May 24, 2025
4.5⭐️ so many easy and quick recipes with ingredients that are not complicated. Husband, 11 year old, and myself all have no issues with the recipes. So far almost all the recipes have been a success in our home.
Profile Image for Anna W. .
578 reviews22 followers
August 8, 2025
I love following Matthew online and I’m excited to try a few of these recipes for weekly lunch meals. With my son moving out and working a ton, I think these will offer easy options for him too. I’m a huge fan of the accessibility of the recipes!
194 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2024
Lots of great and easy recipes. Trying different ways to make them Keto friendly. So far so good.
Profile Image for Craig Helm.
23 reviews
January 8, 2025
Genuinely an excellent cookbook!! Recipes are straightforward and easy to follow. Each dish I make from this book has turned out delicious!!
3 reviews
January 9, 2025
Love him! all his recipes are simple and easy to make.
Profile Image for Janis.
292 reviews
Read
March 6, 2025
Didn't really find anything that appealed to me 🤷‍♀️
Profile Image for Mary C.
739 reviews
May 4, 2025
This cook book is so down to earth, and food families will eat. He is really goofy and I love watching him cook on instagram.
Profile Image for Stacy C.
9 reviews
June 11, 2025
I love the easy step-by-step in language I understand and makes it simple, because that's my level of cook expertise... but it makes a good meal with this.
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,100 reviews14 followers
July 31, 2025
This would be a fabulous addition to anyone's kitchen! The recipes are easy to follow, they sound delicious, and the ingredients are common.

1 review
August 5, 2025
Easy recipes but we haven’t tried one yet that we actually love. They’re okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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