The make-ahead cook 8 smart strategies for dinner tonight

In this practical guide to preparing exciting meals in advance, the editors at America's Test Kitchen (The Complete Cook's Country TV Show Cookbook) supply readers with eight make-ahead cooking techniques (e.g., ready-to-serve entrees, one grocery bag makes three dinners, easy slow-cooker favorites). These are applied to recipes such as roasted spice-stuffed pork loin, which can be prepared up to 24 hours before being cooked, and picnic fried chicken, which retains a crisp texture even when served straight from the fridge. For each recipe, the authors include portion sizes; prep, storage, and finishing times; and numerous tips on food storage, from how to choose the best containers to how to maximize freezer shelf space. VERDICT Indispensable for busy families and anyone who has limited time to cook during the week. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.