Everyday Mom's Meals: A Hand In The Kitchen Part 1 {A Review of Cooking Planit}

Monday, August 26, 2013

A Hand In The Kitchen Part 1 {A Review of Cooking Planit}

Have you ever said to yourself "Cooking would be so much easier, if I just had a little help. Another set of hands to make sure everything is getting done at once."? Well, if you have, you are not alone. Anyone who spends any amount of time in the kitchen at some point has wished for a little assistance to make everything run smoothly. And today I have the answer to those wishes...in the form of not only a website, but also an app you can run on your iPad or iPhone!

Let me introduce you to Cooking Planit, the site that takes the guesswork out of the kitchen. From your grocery list to the final product, they are there every step of the way, making sure your meal goes off without a hitch.

From their website:

• Simplified Meal Planning – Thoughtful and tested meal plans that your family and friends will love.

• Organized Shopping – No more headaches while getting your list together. We build your shopping list just like you would.
• Guided Cooking Steps – It's like G.P.S. for cooking! We'll do all the organization and lead you through each recipe's steps so that the entire meal is ready at the same time.
• Cloud Sync – Sync your account across the web, your iPhone and iPad

That's right, every single detail is not only thought of, but executed with ease and simplicity. When you find a recipe you want to make, just save it to your cookbook. Then when you are ready, it's waiting on you. Step by step instructions, all leading to a delicious meal, where all dishes are done at the same time!

Let's start at the beginning. Here is this recipe, on my iPhone using the Cooking Planit app. It starts by telling me everything I should gather in the kitchen, so my ingredients are waiting on me, not the other way around.

Next up, it tells me what equipment I'll need throughout the entire cooking process. No searching for a gadget at the last minute this way!

Now here is one of my favorite parts. Before you even start, it asks how many servings you are cooking for, adapted the recipe accordingly. Only have 2 in your house? Not a problem. No more guessing how much to make. It's so user friendly for cooks of all walks of life, from the small household to the ones cooking for a small army.

And this...well, this is my absolute favorite part. The timing aspect. It talks to you and tells you how much time you have before the next step needs to be completed. It even has a timer so you know exactly where you are in the process. Plus...if you get ahead of schedule...it even tells you that. And suggests you have a seat and enjoy a glass of wine while you wait! It truly is like having a friend in the kitchen with you!

Cooking Planit is the perfect site/app for everyone who enjoys cooking, but can always use a little help. I think it would be a great idea for college kids, living on their own for the first time, or maybe a new bride who isn't quite comfortable in the kitchen yet. But I also love that the more experienced home cook can adapt the recipes to fit their tastes (which is exactly what I did for this one) and even "skip" steps to better fit their time frame. Cooking Planit is easy to use, fun, and a home cook's best friend!

Plus, they are very generous! They are giving EMM readers a chance to win a 12-piece T-Fal Cookware Set! It is GORGEOUS! And all you have to do to enter, is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below!

Now, for this recipe, I took one on their site, and adapted it to satisfy our family a little better. If you want to see the original, click here. This would make a great addition to your Labor Day picnic or backyard party...NO mayo! The light dressing makes it delicious without being too heavy. And I love the combination of spinach and feta!

If you are looking for a little help in the kitchen, look no further than Cooking Planit. And be sure to check out the giveaway below, and come back on Wednesday to see the sandwich I made to go with this salad too!

Bow-Tie Pasta Salad with Spinach and Feta

Adapted from Cooking Planit

12 oz. bow-tie pasta

1/2 c. sliced black olives

1 c. fresh baby spinach, chopped

1 (12 oz.) jar roasted red peppers, drained and rough chopped

1 c. feta cheese crumbles

1 clove garlic, minced

1 TBS olive oil

1 TBS lemon juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente, about 10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, add garlic, spinach, peppers and olives to a large bowl. Stir to combine. When pasta is done, drain well. Add directly to bowl. In a small bowl combine olive oil and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Pour over pasta while warm. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Place in fridge at least 10 minutes to chill. Just before serving add feta and toss to combine.