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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Giveaway: Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms by Jane Doiron!

Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms...
Easy & Yummy Recipes you can Prepare Ahead of Time !

CONGRATULATIONS TO WANDA from Winnepeg! She's the lucky winner of Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms! Jane says she'll mail your copy out ASAP! Thank you to EVERYone who joined in on the fun! And Thank You to EVERYone who tweeted, blogged and spread the word! It was fun to see what recipes everyone chose! It also made me very hungry! Enjoy the Holidays!

Are you working in the kitchen preparing for your Thanksgiving Dinner? Well, while we're all thinking about food I have a special treat for you! A Cookbook Giveaway! And not just any cookbook- a cookbook designed to make your life easier! Jane Doiron is a busy mom of two boys who discovered the beauty of preparing meals in advance. Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is her wonderful collection of delicious, easy to prepare recipes that will make your mouth water and your time your own again!

I'm not a mom, but I work full time and need to come home every night and make something for dinner! Jane Doiron's book is not just for busy Moms, but for busy people who want to have a delicious meal on the table every night! Make those meals ahead of time! Jane's cookbook offers menus perfect for freezing, pre-assembling or quick reheating! My book club usually has dinner at one of our members houses when we meet and there are some great recipes to share with a crowd in Jane's book too! I'm already thinking about what I'm going to cook for them the next meeting at my house from Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms!

The cookbook opens first with some helpful tips, such as using powdered buttermilk instead of the liquid kind because you can store that in the refrigerator up to one year after it's opened! Then we have Appetizers, Breakfast and Brunch, Dessert, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Soup, and a handy chart in the back for measurement equivalents!

You'll find Mini Bacon Quiches, Teriyaki Chicken Wings, and Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Sweet and Spicy Meatballs (perfect for a party!), Italian Restaurant Chicken and Broiled Honey Mustard Salmon! And there is a Mini Cheesecake recipe with only 8 ingredients that you probably have most of in your kitchen already! All the recipes have clear, easy instructions with all the ingredients readily available! There are instructions on what to do "The Day Ahead" and then the "Cooking Directions". There are also Freeze directions if applicable.

When Jane sent me her cookbook to try out there were so many recipes that looked so tempting! I decided to make Chicken Cannelloni! This is probably the longest recipe in the book, but it sounded so Delish I just had to make it! And boy was it! My husband was a happy man that night! And we were able to freeze enough for a few more meals! The house smelled incredible too! But it was also EASY! The directions were thorough and easy to follow. And Jane is going to let me share this recipe with you!

Chicken Cannelloni

1 & 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded

10 oz. bag spinach, cooked, drained and chopped

15 oz. ricotta cheese, part skim

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black ground pepper

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 eggs

8 oz box of manicotti shells

Sauce:

3 cups heavy cream

1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder

1 large garlic clove minced

1 cup 4 cheese pizza cheese, shredded

salt & pepper to taste

additional parmesan cheese, for the topping

- A Day Ahead -

Spray a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish with nonstick spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan cheese, and eggs. Boil the manicotti 1 minute less than directed on the box. Do Not Overcook. You will need 12 manicotti, but it is good to cook extra in case they fall apart. (there are 14 in a box) (and yes I needed to cook the whole box because some of mine fell apart). Carefully remove the manicotti from the hot water and place them on a long sheet of wax paper to cool and dry. Fill a pastry bag with the chicken mixture and stuff the manicotti. Place the stuffed manicotti (side by side and touching) in the baking dish. Or you can divide them up into 2 freezable baking pans. To make the sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cream. When the cream is hot, stir in the bouillon, garlic, shredded cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well blended. Pour the sauce over the cannelloni. Cover and refrigerate.

- Cooking Directions -

Take the cannelloni out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle the top of the cannelloni with parmesan cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake 20 - 25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown. Serves 6 ( 2 manicotti each)

- Freezing Directions -

This dish will taste just fine after it has been frozen, but be aware that the cream will separate. If you want to freeze the cannelloni, be sure that it is completely cooled first. Then wrap it well in plastic wrap and place in a labeled extra-large freezer bag of 2 layers of foil. On the outside of the bag, write "Sprinkle with grated cheese before cooking." This will freeze up to 2 months.

- Thawing Directions -

Transfer the frozen cannelloni dish to the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you want to cook it. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Cook as directed. You may have to add a little cooking time if it's not completely thawed.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did! Don't let all those ingredients fool you- it was easy to prepare. Would you like to get more recipes!? Well, Jane is going to let me give away a copy of Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms to one of my lucky readers! AND she's going to sign it and tuck inside a recipe not found in the book as a special surprise!

Here's How to Enter...

For your First Entry, head on over to Jane's Website Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms , take a look at all the recipes listed there and tell me in a comment what recipe you'd make first if you won Jane's cookbook! Please make sure you leave your email address in the comment too so I can contact you if you win!

For Extra Entries... just let me know in your comment all the things you did for your extra entries!

*sign up for Jane's newsletter! You won't be sorry! She shares great cooking tips and more great recipes! HERE's where you can sign-up!

*Follow Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms Blog! More great recipes!

*Grab Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms’ Button and leave the link where we can see it.

*Of course if you follow me you get an extra entry! Not a follower yet? No problem, just sign up now and let me know you did!

*Tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link!

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only! (No PO Boxes) Contest ends 11:59pm EST on Dec. 19th. I will randomly pick the winner the next day and email him or her! (please check your email... winner must reply to me within 3 days! Thanks!) Good Luck!

And a special thanks to Jane Doiron of Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms for sharing a copy of her new cookbook with me! (My husband thanks you too!)

79 comments:

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I signed up at Jane's web site.
I would love to win this book.

I follow this site by google reader.

ceny2 at hotmail dot com

Heidi V said...

I would try the Taco Lasagna it sounds interesting!

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Anonymous said...

The first recipe I would try is the Cheddar Cheese Soup.
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I signed up for Jane's newsletter. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I just became a follower of "Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms Blog".
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am already a follower of your blog. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer said...

Yumm....sausage calzones!

jennifer.arnold11@gmail.com

Suzanne Yester said...

Hey Everyone! My mouth is watering! So many great choices!!

The Brunette Librarian said...

Cheddar Cheese soup for me :) Soup + Cheese + cold winter nights = warm Rach :)

Thanks for counting me in!

rachie2004 @ yahoo (d0t) com

DarcyO said...

I would make the taco pie.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

sharonjo said...

The Taco Lasagna sounds good!

DarcyO said...

I signed up for Jane's newsletter.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow Chick with Books with Google.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

sharonjo said...

I follow Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Blog on blogger.
sharonjo

sharonjo said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect.
sharonjo

sharonjo said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/6035075939

sharonjo said...

I signed up for Make Ahead Meals newsletter.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

These recipes sound yummy. I am a follower:

bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

Janelle said...

I'd go with the Carrot Casserole - burdejanie@yahoo.com

Janelle said...

I follow you! (burdejanie@yahoo.com)

mrsshukra said...

I would like to try Jane's chicken stroganoff recipe!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

I subscribe to Jane's newsletter!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

I follow Jane's blog!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

I follow your blog!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Michele said...

I would first try the honey mustard salmon.

mmmtnbike09@yahoo.com

michele said...

I subscribed to make ahead meals newsletter.

mmmtnbike09@yahoo.com

KiraR said...

I would try the Cinnamon Bread.

-I follow your blog
-I follow Make Ahead Meals blog
-I subscribed to the newsletter

kiris089 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

sausage calzones sounds yummy!

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i signed up for jane's newsletter :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Baked chicken chimichangas

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

google reader follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Kristen said...

I would totally make the Sausage Lentil Soup first since we're heading into winter and I love soup!

I'm a subscriber through google reader.

whitreidsmama@yahoo dot com

Emma said...

I would make the Baked Chicken Chimichangas.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Lauren said...

I'd make: Chicken Enchiladas

Jessica said...

I would love to try the Baked Manicotti.

Thank you so much for the chance to win!

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I signed up for the Busy Mom's newsletter. Thank you!

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow the make Ahead meals for Busy Moms blog.

Screen name: girlygirlugh


girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow your blog.

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

Amanda said...

I would try the BBQ pepper jack chicken first.

amanda.corley@ymail.com

Amanda said...

I signed up for Jane's newsletter.

amanda.corley@ymail.com

Amanda said...

I follow the Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms blog.

amanda.corley@ymail.com

Amanda said...

I am a new follower of yours.

amanda.corley@ymail.com

Becca said...

I would love to try the Chicken Marsala with a Twist.


Fun!

Anonymous said...

I would make blueberry bread.

DarcyO said...

tweeted:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/6389365220

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

bevsclark said...

I would love to make the Teriyaki Chicken.

bevsclark at gmail dot com

Jackie said...

The first recipe I would try is Mini Bacon Quiches. Sounds delicious!

Ellen said...

I'd make the Baked Chicken Chimichangas.

Melissa (Books R Us) said...

I would make the italian restaurant Chicken it looks YUMMY!!

melissa(at)gingerhigh(dot)com

-Signed up for her newsletter
-follower
-tweeted
http://twitter.com/Ginger_High/statuses/6507011267

TaDa! Creations said...

I would love to make the Teriyaki Chicken.

angel(at)eagen.com

Whitney said...

i'd make the Zucchini Apple Bread
whitlump@gmail.com

Whitney said...

signed up for jane's newsletter

Whitney said...

follow make ahead meals blog

Whitney said...

follow your blog

Whitney said...

tweet- http://twitter.com/whitlump/status/6519056088

ABCD Diaries said...

MMMM...the cheddar cheese soup sounds yummy:) Thanks for the chance!
christinbanda at yahoo dot com

ABCD Diaries said...

Follower:) Thanks for the chance!
christinbanda at yahoo dot com

Heather said...

We love chicken parmesan, so I'd like to try a make-ahead version of that dish!
augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Wendi P said...

I would love to try the Chicken Marsala with a Twist. Thanks for the chance!

Wendi P said...

I signed up for Jane's newsletter.

Wendi P said...

I follow Jane's Make Ahead Meals blog. Thanks again for the chance to win.

Wendi P said...

Tweeted, thanks so much!!

http://twitter.com/WendiP/status/6668518202

Christine said...

BBQ pepperjack chicken sounds tasty to me.

Christine
dazed1821@aol.com

Betsy said...

I am always trying to come up with new and interesting side dishes and some of the side dishes in her book sound awesome. Italian Sub Salad and Stir fried Asparagus sound simply wonderful.
I would love to have this book to try these and many others

Brittany T said...

My family loves cheesecake, so I would definitely make the mini cheesecakes first.


brittmarie2789 at yahoo.com

Brittany T said...

I am a subscriber of Jane's newsletter.


brittmarie2789 at yahoo.com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Ok, I'm assuming it's ok to list everything in one comment :D

I'd make the chicken enchiladas (yum)

I signed up for the newsletter

I'm following Make Ahead blog

I tweeted the giveaway (at bookfanmb)

I'm already a follower of Chick with Books blog

meah56 at gmail dot com

Laura said...

Oh I'd love to try the bbq pepperjack chicken! mmm

lmerritt49903@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Meatballs and Gravy in the Crock Pot...need more good crock pot recipes.

I follow the Make Ahead Meals Blog.

Anonymous said...

Uh, forgot to leave my email.

Meatballs and Gravy in the Crock Pot...need more good crock pot recipes.

I follow the Make Ahead Meals Blog.

ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Shana said...

I would make the Warm crab dip and the Italian restaurant chicken. yummy!

piscesvirgo(at)gmail(dot)com

Shana said...

I subscribe to her newsletter

piscesvirgo(at)gmail(dot)com

Shana said...

I follow her blog

piscesvirgo(at)gmail(dot)com

Shana said...

I have her button on my blog
http:/shanamama.blogspot.com

piscesvirgo(at)gmail(dot)com

Shana said...

I now follow you :)

piscesvirgo(at)gmail(dot)com

FrankSandy said...

Please enter me. walkerd@primus.ca

dsandyboy said...

Count me in.

dsandyboy@gmail.com

sweetverve said...

The chive and onion potato casserole combines two of my most favorite ingredients.

Fran said...

The first recipe to try would be the Italian Wedding Soup.

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