You've Got It Made: Deliciously Easy Meals to Make Now and Bake Later

by Diane Phillips

Even if a hectic schedule leaves you with no time to think about what's for dinner, you don't have to resort to leftovers or take-out! Getting a wholesome, homemade meal on the table after a busy day can be easy, and Diane Phillips shows you how in You've Got It Made. This book features 150 recipes that can be prepped and assembled ahead of time, refrigerated or frozen, and baked right before serving. Dishes include everything from appetizers to entrees to desserts, with casseroles, quiches, gratins, pasta and grain dishes, potpies, breads, fruit cobblers, cookies, and more. Recipes include Prosciutto Palmiers, Honey-Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Asian Braised Short Ribs, Pork Osso Buco with Parmesan Polenta, Tuscan Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese with Variations, Seafood Florentine, Bananas Foster French Toast, and Chocolate Lava Cakes. For each recipe, Phillips gives you tips on do-ahead preparation and how best to freeze/refrigerate your meals, and her thorough introduction covers all the basics of making food in advance, including ingredients, equipment, food safety, and technique.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book was set up. I'm a super picky eater so I only made a few recipes, but I was pleased with them, and if you had a broader palate I can imagine using this book quite a bit. (I did make a couple of copies before I returned it to the library, I'm eager to try the cookies!)

[Kym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prep ahead, freeze and cook later cookbook. It includes, appetizers and desserts which is unusual for these kinds of books. The recipes are not really allergy-friendly, or low carb, but with a little tweaking could be reworked. Most of the recipes are familiar, making them a good choice for a busy weeknight meal. There are no photos, so you have to use your imagination.

[Kimijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've Got It Made by Diane Phillips shows how to put wholesome, homemade meals on the table with ease, even on the busiest days. With 150 make-ahead recipes from appetizers to desserts each includes tips for prepping, refrigerating, or freezing, making mealtime stress-free without sacrificing flavor

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept of make ahead recipes that have depth of flavor and good ingredients (I don’t have anything against casseroles, but they aren’t my usual choice). I appreciated how the author gave good information about freezing things – several of the recipes are close to things I already make but didn’t know would freeze well. I’m planning to make a pot-roasted lamb with white beans recipe (probably with beef instead of lamb), Chicken Balsamico, and I might, for the sake of my husband’s undying gratitude, make Maple Praline Pumpkin Cheesecake Streusel Bars. I think I gained five pounds just typing that.

{Read my complete review on A Spirited Mind}

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most delicious freezer cookbook I have tried. The meals truly were yummy and upscale. The downside is tons of oil and butter and no thought whatsoever to nutritional content. So, I'm still looking for the perfect freezer cookbook.

[Ginnie Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook is so full of goodies! It had so many takes on recipes I had never seen before and I loved how it had instructions for reheating later. perfect for busy families still trying to eat healthy. I checked this out from the library and loved it so much I had to buy it.

[Melissa]

This is a book I would like in the winter and I'll take it out again then.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my first ever cookbook review. But this seems to deserve a review. It's geared for you to be able to prepare now and make/bake later a variety of things. Everything in a regular cookbook from apps to desserts and everything in between (no soup/salad). I'm not sure how much I will actually use the "later" function here, but the details of how are clear including fridge/freezer days that are appropriate for each prepared dish.
My favorite part of this book is the variety. Everything seems pretty easy to make, but the descriptions show she has included recipes from quite a few sources.
I'm not sure what tugged at me to make this review today. Cookbooks are so subjective and specific to individual taste, but there is so much in here for everyone. Simple recipes with plenty of variations, yummy sauces, etc, etc. Can't wait to try most of these!