I am pleased to welcome Ann Martin Rolke, author of “Hands-Off Cooking: Low-Supervision, High-Flavor Meals for Busy People“, to Metropolitan Mama today.
Ann Martin Rolke is a culinary consultant and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Duke University. She has a 5 1/2 month old daughter. Ann blogs at Sacatomato.
ME: What is your schedule like right now?
ANN: I have a babysitter two mornings a week so I can do some editing, blogging, and playing Scrabulous (it’s good for my brain!). My husband is off on Mondays, so he takes her for a few hours on those days so I can do some work. But mostly I’m having fun being a mom.
ME: Do you cook dinner for your family every single night?
ANN: I cook most nights, but not all. My husband cooks one or two nights a week. We usually try to have some staples, like pizza dough and cheese on hand for a quick meal. We also try to plan a few nights of meals before we go shopping, and then know we have those ingredients ready to go.
ME: What are YOUR top three favorite cookbooks?
ANN: The ones I seem to use over and over again lately (besides my own) are Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon, 5 Spices 50 Dishes by Ruta Kahate, and Mexico One Plate at a Time by Rick Bayless. They offer a variety of flavors for the spice and condiment addicted cook that I am.
ME: What is the one recipe that you come back to over-and-over again?
ANN: I really do cook from my book a lot, especially now with a baby. I make the Lentil Soup with Greens and Sausage pretty frequently. We like to eat leafy greens and almost always have lentils and sausage on hand. I also make the Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna a lot–year round.
ME: What tips do you have to help parents make evenings more peaceful around mealtime?
ANN: We always try to feed the baby before we eat so we don’t have to interrupt our meals as much. We also all sit down at the table together (Eva in her high chair) if possible, so she understands that we take time to enjoy dinner together. Of course, as she gets older, I’m sure this may not be so easy!
Thanks, Ann. Best wishes to you on your next endeavor.
WIN IT! One winner will receive “Hands-Off Cooking: Low-Supervision, High-Flavor Meals for Busy People” by Ann Martin Rolke. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Saturday, May 3 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Sunday, May 4. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner is #103 Audrey. Congratulations!
This book would be perfect for me! I attempt these kinds of meals, for the most part, already. It’s hard to find many options in my current repertoire, though, and I end up making the same 7-8 dishes all the time! I hate having to stand in the kitchen for an hour cooking the meal…I would much rather spend time crawling on the floor with my son!
“5 Spices 50 Dishes” I have now read about a few times, and I think I am going to add that one to my Amazon wish list! (As well as hands-off cooking, now!)
I’d love to try the Lentil Soup recipe! And I have some canned pumpkin in the cupboard…I think I’ll give the Pumpkin Lasagna a try. Sounds like a good cookbook.
The Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemonade Sauce that Ann mentions on her blog sounds fabulous. My husband and I love cooking together and are always looking for new recipes to try. I’d love to win this book!
Her recipes sound so interesting! I can’t even imagine what Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna tastes like…guess I’ll have to win the book to find out ;) j/k!
Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna sounds yummy but since it does not have any meat I don’t think my family would eat it, maybe if I add some meat they would like it
Very nice!
i think lentil soup sounds tasty
I’ll buy it just because of the title!
I just love lentil soup!
Wow, so many wonderful recipes. I’d love to try the Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna. Thank you so much!
Looks great
Wow, the lentil soup looks divine!
so many wonderful recipes. I’d love to try the Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna.
This would be great for me too, bc when I go back to school…cooking time is going to be cut down
I really need this…I can’t cook
What a great book!
This book looks really interesting. All the recipes on the index sound so good, with a varied mix of dishes both meat eaters and vegetarians, like my mother and I. It’ll be a pleasure to try some of them out, if I happen to win the book.
I like the idea that she promotes sitting down together as a family for dinner. It’s so hard to fit this into our busy lives, but it is soooo important. Her recipes will help us make the time!
The first thing I’d check out is the stove top cooking recipes. Those always seem less intensive to me.
sounds great!
I’d like to win
this is just what i need
i’M ALL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT HELPS MAKE MORE FAMILY TIME! i’M EXCITED TO SEE IF i WIN THIS
Sure would love this. Thank you
sounds delicious
I love new recipes especially easy ones!
like to win this
This cookbook sounds fantastic. With always being busy, this would be great.
Thanks for this giveaway.
Count me in!
I’d surely love to win this!
I really need to cook more…..
Hello! What could be better than a cookbook that gives you low supervision and high-flavor meals?! Our family sits down together for the dinner meal almost every night. Sometimes things like baseball practice, games and such get in the way, but mostly we are togother. Please enter me in your drawing. I really appreciate it…..Cindi
Lentil soup would be perfect today —cool, cloudy and rainy
This is the cookbook I really, really need!
I’m always look for good and easy recipes to make. I get so tired of eating the same old stuff. This cookbook would be great to use.
love to get an easy recipe book
This sounds great!
I really need all the cooking help I can get. I’d love to win this book!
I have a 6 month old and work full-time – please send me this great cookbook – I need it!
How great to get a cookbook from a mama herself! a lot of my recipes come from allrecipes.com but sometimes is more effort than its worth…I can never do just the original recipe! Plus, I’m always inspired by pretty pictures in cook books…and the pictures never print out nice!
Okay, and how awesome is it that she gets a sitter twice a week! I know its not all fun and games, but it sounds great for both baby and mama. I just might have to look into setting something up like that! :)
I am a cookbook-a-holic, is there a group for that? I’ve been trying to prepare healthier meals for my family (and myself). This cookbook (and the author) sound like it has some easy healthy recipes included. I would love to take a look.
i certainly need this
i love to cook. unfortunately i have a 1 hour commute each way every day. This cookbook sure would come in handy
Boy – do I need this.
Hands off cooking sounds perfect for me Thanks
This sounds so wonderful!!!
I want to win!
I could really use this! I am busy busy working 12 hour shifts. I feel like quick recipes often lack substance and tastes. Sounds great!
deeelama[at]gmail[dot]com
Would love to try some of these recipes! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway! :)
ooh sounds like a great cookbook with wonderful recipes!
Great gift for working mothers
I try to cook healthy, but time is definitely a limiter!
This would be great.
I want this
As a busy student, a cookbook like this would be perfect for me so I can focus more on my studies. What a great giveaway!!
I am so excited about this book! This is definitly something my busy family needs.
wow- who doesnt need somethign that requires less attention if you have a toddler around=)
Please enter me thanks
Sign me up for not having to hang out at the stove while dinner’s cooking!
This would be a great staple for my kitchen.
I’d like to win this.
The Kahlua cake on p. 161 sounds like a winner! I’d love to win this cookbook for the easy recipes!
I’d like to try out your recipe for Chicken Mole. I am always looking for a better way to make this!
Sounds wonderful, thank you again!
Enter Me Please !!
Just what I need!!
I’m in.
Thanks.
right up my alley – plug me in
I think I would really use this book!
Sounds like a great idea. I watch my nieces two day a week and with four kids running around I am always looking for something in the crockpot to make, or a quick hot dish I can throw together and then put in the over at dinner time. I could definately use more ideas though!
this book sounds like a must read
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
I hope you pick me. My family will thank you! They often complain that I cook the same things over and over again but you know how it is there are only so many hours in a day. If only i could have two of me lol!
sounds like a great cookbook
This looks like a cookbook I would use!
What a great cookbook! I want to try that lentil soup!
I could use this, I hate cooking & this sounds really cool.
I’d love to add this cookbook to my collection!
With 3 kids there’s not always a lot of time! The lentil soup and the lasagna sound great. I would love to win this for both my husband and myself as we love cooking! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.
I love to cook, but ever since my little one came along, it’s more stressful than relaxing for me. I would love a cookbook like this…
I can use this cookbook.
Count me in!
Please enter me.
Wow! That title really caught my eye. What a great idea!
I love to try new recipes….count me in!
New recipes are always fun to make. Add my entry.
I’m a cookbook collector, and this one looks practical/beautiful/purposeful. I had a routine DOWN when cooking for the 2 of us . . . now that there’s 3 of us, thinks have gone topsy turvey and I feel like I’m learning to create meals all over again.
I’d love to learn recipes that are great for the entire family (not just when my husband and I love to die for spicy and international cooking–because that’s not always so great for baby).
Do I need more time? Who DOESN’T. Life will become even more demanding when I soon juggle practicing and seeing patients while also being mom and the primary cook.
Hope I win…I’d love to have the chance to use this book to its fullest potential.
nice prize! enter me please
jchic45102@yahoo.com
Sounds like this was written for me.
i want to win
I need some new recipes. I am tired of the same old same old.
Love cookbooks-love coiokbooks for busy people! Thank you for this giveaway!
I would love to have this cookbook. It would be so helpful for my family!!
My husband would be so THRILLED if I won this book! I have tried and tried to cook, and I just am not any good at it. Most nights I cook, we just have soup (from a can) and muffins….bless his heart, he is so tired of them!
I definitely need this! I’m always looking for easy, quick recipes!
This would be great for any busy mom.
I enjoy cookbooks like these, and would love to try it. As our children grow, I see the dinner hours as becoming busier and busier. Having the togetherness mealtime provides is important to us — and absuloutely requires planning and committment. This sounds like a book to keep moving in that direction — and the recipes she discussed sounded great!
I’m a busy Mom of soon to be 3, this would be very beneficial! We love to cook!
This book would be perfect for me!!!
This book would be great. I love being able to put dinner in to cook and not have to worry about it until it is done.
This book sounds great! We would love this! Thanks!
I’d love to read this, I could definitely use some inspiration
lentil soup yum yum. Go ahead, make my ……..mothers……….day
I have a wonderful husband who actually cooks since I’m NOT THAT GOOD at it! : ( We are so busy that I think he’d appreciate some help in this area so I’m expressing my genuine interest for him! Ha! As for me, if I were to actually get this book I may be required to DO something with it like prepare a meal and that would be no bueno! I HEART your blog! : )
Sounds like my mind of cooking!
This may even motivate me to cook!
This book would be simply wonderful. What a great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
Sounds great for my busy life…I can use a few tips and ideas! I don’t like spending too much time in the kitchen, and I know my husband will appreciate that as well.
Low supervision AND high flavor? The only thing that could be better would be for someone else to do the shopping and assemble it for me! In truth, this cookbook sounds like it could add some new items to our menu. Thanks for the chance to win.
would love to add this to my library of cook books!
I am always looking for better ways to take care of my family. This would be a good addition to my collection. And I agree about Rick Bayless.
I’d love to add this cookbook to my collection.
I could really use this cookbook. My husband and I both work full time and we have two small boys. It certainly qualifies as a busy life. I try to cook healthy meals everyday, but sometimes have to resort to the boxed macaroni and cheese (I do add some ground beef and broccoli at least!) Thanks for the great giveaway.
dbach1[at]nycap.rr.com
I love cookbooks, I like to try new things, but I don’t always have the time. I am going to try Ann’s recipe for Tandoorish Chicken, that sounds good.
Sounds like exactly what I need.
i hope i win
Lentil Soup with Greens and Sausage sounds delicious. Thanks for the contest.
pumpkin lasagne?! sign me up NOW!
Yummy, yum-yum!!!
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds wonderful!
Seeing as I havent cooked a real meal since Connor was born.. I think I could use some help :)
I blogged your contest on Prize-a-Tron!!
http://www.prizeatron.com
Hello! Pick me This would be SO perfect
I have been cooking over 40 years and always enjoy trying new recipes.
This is a wonderful giveaway… thanks!!
Count me in!
Please enter me. I could use the help :)
I would love to try new recipes.
enter me
I’d like to try some new recipes.
We need a new infusion of quick, healthy recipes. Between crazy work schedules and the kids’ sports, it’s become hard to sit down to a proper meal.
Great with this book I can still fix something tasty and not leave poor Brea in the playpen forever.She will be very excited if we get this. Thanks
Where does the time go?!?!
Lentil Soup with Greens and Sausage has my mouth watering. And, trying to do it all with 2 small children means I need this cooking advice!
this sounds like such a great book, i think this would really help me
Looks like a great coookbook, please enter me.
We need some new recipes.
This looks great, and will be a lot of fun to try out.
just to cool
would love to win
no one needs this more then my wife, she’s busy yes, but if for nothing else “the more flavor” part… shhhhh
This is what I need since I really do not like to cook!!
This book sounds perfect for me. I am so tired of making the same things, and coming up with new ideas for easy nutritious meals is always a challenge.
Hi, please enter me, I could use some help in the cooking arena.
I really need this ~ I work full time and stress about cooking every night of the week!
Ooh – this sounds great. I burn a lot of stuff because I’m trying to do too many things at once
I’d love to win – with a three year old underfoot, low maintenence meals are a must!
I need this…I can’t cook
I could really use this book
This book is perfect for me
This is wonderful. I hate spending time cooking when I know there’s so much else that needs doing but I do appreciate a great meal. I think the basic premise of this cookbook is a winner.
This cookbook sounds good. I also have a young one, almost 5 months. I recently bought a slow cooker and with the right recipes sometimes I even use it twice a day (dinner, late night snack) – I love to make rice pudding in there and oatmeal pudding and even made banana walnut bread (thanks to Judith Finlayson’s slow cooker books). Sometimes I do my own potatos in there, and soon I’ll be doing my baby’s sweet potatos to put in the food processer – cooking them in the slow cooker with a little water, and using the same water to blend them up – seems the best way to keep all the nutrients.
I like the idea of low maintenance cooking. Thanks for the contest!
pan seared salmon recipe sounds yummy, would love to win this!
What a great idea for a cookbook! My husband is dying for me to cook meals for him but I am too pooped at the end of the day so we just end up eating random foods for dinner. You might guess that my mother-in-law is not too happy about this.
I’m not feeding her BABY BOY!! :)
I thank you for the opportunity to win — and my mother-in-law does too!!!
Looks like a great book! Would be busy for hectic weeknights.
Sounds like a great book!
Always looking for some good quick and easy, but tasty recipes!
I’m all hands-off, except for the stinky salad I made that takes about 30 minutes to make. This’ll be interesting…
What a wonderful prize I would love to win this!
I really need a good cookbook, I don’t do so well on my own
Looks like a good book.
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Author Ann Martin Rolke is a culinary consultant and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Duke University.
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I would love to win this book.
…great contest; I need to expand my culinary horizons !!!
Low maintenance cooking…where have you been all my life? Count me in to win this wonderful tool for the busy woman.
Great contest
The cute babies on this page are making me jealous! I have four, but my baby isn’t as baby-ish as those cuties. Anyway, I want the book for my husband. His hobby is cooking and his books got ruined in a flood. :(
Please enter me :)
I would love to try to make the nutty pumpkin Lasagna.
I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. This sounds like a great cookbook- I would use it all the time.
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is Lentil soup??? The only thing that comes to mine is the Streissand movie with the caracter of Yental. Many thanks to all who enter. Best of luck to all
please enter me :)
This sounds great!!
* * * * Cooking inspiration * * * *
Author Ann Martin Rolke is a culinary consultant and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Duke University.
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I am not a great cook, and usually end up cooking the same old tried and true things that I know will be tasty. This book sounds terrific for me! Imagine — sitting back and letting a delicious dinner take care of itself! Thanks for the chance to win!
Cool cooking topic! Thanks for the giveaway!
This would be great for those busy days! Thanks for the contest.
Wow…would love this. My husband and I both work full-time and have two kids that are hungry when we get home and can’t want two-hours for a good meal on weeknights.
What a great gift – thanks for the opportunity to win it !
love to make different things,please pick me! ahdrad2932 at msn dot com
The salmon sounds extraordinary.
This book would help my family so much!
Sounds great.
sweet.
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
* * * * Cooking inspiration * * * *
Author Ann Martin Rolke is a culinary consultant and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Duke University.
* * * * Cooking inspiration * * * *
I could really use this book! It takes me SO long to cook. I feel like I’m still on 101!
I really need a new cookbook. I am running out of ideas and my old recipies are getting boring.
Hands off cooking sounds like a solution that would suit my lifestyle perfectly. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love to cook, and new tips are always appreciated!
This book would be perfect for me!
With a busy schedule,this is the cookbook for me.
Please enter me and thanks.
definitely use some inspiration