Well Fed Weeknights: Complete Paleo Meals in 45 Minutes or Less

I really like the Well Fed series cookbooks. As far as content goes...this one very possibly has the most recipes that we'll actually make of the three cookbooks. Although we like to cook, like everybody, it seems like there's never enough spare time to cook as much as we'd like. So, a cookbook focused on recipes that take less time is a welcome addition. We've looked through the whole thing, and have made several things. I also find it interesting that the author has picked some of the same types of recipes that we've independently found work very well on those time-crunched nights [homemade taco meat is delicious and very simple even when using actual spices and not a 'packet', and of course grilled burgers with salad, etc.]. Trying to keep the carbs down, I AM IN LOVE WITH the cauliflower-based 'rice' and 'mashed potatoes' substitute recipes that we learned about in Well Fed 2 (page 167). This book uses those ingredients in several dishes such as "Shepherd's Pie" (page 123) and "Dirty Rice" (page 129)...and I literally see no reason to ever eat potatoes or rice ever again! I also really liked the Sticky Orange Sunflower Chicken with Sesame Broccoli (page 173). If you are thinking of doing more low-carb and/or Paleo cooking, I strongly recommend that you check out this book and Well Fed 2 (with Nom Nom Paleo also being pretty good). Now on the subject of the binding: Yeah, not sure *what* is up with that binding, but it is strange and leaves a lot to be desired. A couple of others are reporting pages falling out. That hasn't happened with ours, but if you leave the book laying open, the cover doesn't return to flat...it kinda sits there all curved around the spine of the book. And is really just funky. I saw a recommendation here by someone to get it spiral bound at an office supply or print store, and this was great advice. I just took it down to Staples, and it was only $5.50 to cut off the old binding and put a plastic spiral binding on the cookbook. It now works *better* than when it was brand new, as it lays truly flat now (see my uploaded image)! I am guessing that at some point the publisher and printer will fix this binding issue, but I'm actually glad that I've made this 'upgrade'...makes using the book much easier. My wife wants me to tell everyone on Amazon that a great cookbook with a poor binding is still WAY better than the opposite. This way, however, you can have the best of both worlds! Update 12/14/16: We've made several more things from this cookbook, and I've liked everything except for one recipe that called for ground up anchovy (Sicilian Cauliflower w/ Beef page 73...tried to be 'open' to new flavors...but no thank you). I really liked the Yucatan Green Chile Saute with Cumin-Lime Sauce (page 101) and the Greens with Potatoes & Sausage (page 111). I thought the Chicken Satay Burger was decent as well...I would have it again...but maybe not on my list of absolute favorites from this cookbook. Anyway, we're really enjoying these new meals, and some new recipes that don't take a really long time to make.

I have all of the Well Fed cookbooks in addition to several other Paleo cookbooks: Nom Nom Paleo, Meals Made Simple, Paleo Perfected, and The New Yiddish Kitchen. I went Paleo about 3 years ago simply to try something different. Fortunately, I have no dietary issues that require this type of eating, but It did have a noted beneficial impact on my health. My good cholesterol levels soared and my bad dropped. I lost weight. I had more energy. I try to follow a Paleo diet as much as possible, but I do eat traditional foods on occasion. (I know I'm one of the lucky ones who can indulge in beer or ice cream without a major intestinal event.) Since I am the primary cook for my husband and 8 year old, I subject them to my Paleo-esque eating. And they are good sports about it, happily reviewing the dishes and giving honest feedback. I'm a mom and teacher so I don't have tons of time to cook as much as love to do it; so, I was excited to get this book for Christmas because I really liked the other Well Fed books. Melissa Joulwan's style of writing is fun and easy yet thoughtful. She gives a lot of suggestions and information up front, which is very helpful for newcomers to Paleo. Recipes are well laid out. Her strong emphasis on culturally driven ingredients makes for some really flavorful dishes, but few of the ingredients are items most people who frequently cook would be without. I will say some of the recipes take longer than 45 min unless you're flying through the prep. I've made quite a few recipes from this. Here are some standouts: Burger Deluxe p. 45, Chicken Shawarma p. 53, Velvet Stir Fry - Cashew Chicken p. 58 (amazing authentic stir fry flavor). Bacon Jalapeño Balls with Everything Carrots p. 99, Moroccan Cabbage Saute p. 113, Curry Chicken Salad p. 159, Zucchini Pasta with Chicken and pistachios p. 193. These are all recipes we all loved. This is a great book for hardcore Paleo and Paleo dabblers alike. Yes, my binding also is coming apart but it gives it a Well- loved look.

This is another great book from Melissa Joulwan! I have Well Fed and Well Fed 2 and I was really excited for this one to come out. She always has such great, flavorful recipes and the idea that I could get that in under an hour is amazing. Method I have bought cookbooks in the past where I have tried to make the dish in the estimated time only to have it take 2 or 3 times longer.That is so frustrating and makes for a late dinner! That is not the case in this book - Joulwan goes through her method for recipes making the cut and she has prepared them a number of times and needs to be able to make the recipe in 30-35 minutes or less because she gets that the rest of us don't cook all day every day. I really appreciate that she has done that and all of the recipes I have made have been in under an hour. No more super late dinners! Intro In all three of her books that I have, Joulwan writes an extensive intro before the recipes. I always find lots of good tips there about kitchen set up, food prep and some "basics" - this one is equally amazing. The potato tip alone is worth the price of the book! Recipes I LOVE her recipes - which is obvious since I keep buying her books. I am pretty good at reading recipes and deciding if I think it will be good or not, but I feel like the recipes in the Well Fed books just have to be trusted. I learned a long time ago after taking several risks with her books that I cannot judge whether or not I think it will be good by reading the recipe (that is weird, I know, but she is so good!) This book is no exception - the flavor combinations she puts together are wonderful, even for something as simple as how to dress up canned tuna. I made a stir fry last night in under 45 minutes that had so much depth of flavor I couldn't believe it. Get this book! Try the recipes in it! Even if it looks weird - trust her!

I have to edit my review. When I first got this book and gave it a cursory glance, I was very disappointed. I noticed all the processed foods used (like hot dogs etc) and was completely turned off. There was nothing I was inspired to cook, the book went on my shelf and I didn't open it again until this weekend. Meanwhile, I wrote a review giving it two stars only. When I went back and gave it a more fair look though, I discovered that the section using processed stuff is actually just one section...the rest is filled with ideas for throwing together "quick" meals out of non-processed foods. I say "quick" because 45 minutes doesn't really feel all that quick to me when I'm racing to get a meal on the table on a weeknight, but that's neither here nor there, as that's what the book is advertised as. Last night we made the Dan Dan Noodles. Of course like always I alter recipes, for example I added in Daikon Radish Noodles (made just like the zucchini ones), as well as making some cauliflower rice to eat with it. These things took more time and without those additions it probably would be have been just 45 minutes from start to finish. The recipe was DELISH, and true to Melissa's spirit of relying on heavy spice usage to flavor her dishes. So at this point I'm changing my review and I'll update it again as I try more stuff. But for now, I'm very excited to try a lot of the recipes in this book. Bad on me for writing a review before giving the book a fair look. I still am docking a star because the processed ingredients just doesn't seem in the spirit of Paleo. On the other hand, this book would be GREAT for someone who is trying to make massive life changes and is not used to cooking at all, and used to opening packages. For that kind of person this book would be great.

Mel's books are my most used and recommended cookbooks (and I am a cookbook hoarder, so that is saying a lot). My favorite things about her books is the options she gives with each recipe (or set of recipes) - so I can always find a great way to use whatever I have on hand or is on sale for the week. Her books are the perfect way to introduce someone to Paleo/Whole 30 cooking. The recipes are so diverse and well laid out, in addition to being quick and easy - you don't even notice that you are changing up your eating habits. I have been looking forward to this book for months and it definitely did not disappoint. I've already ordered several more copies for friends and family members to get them excited about our planned January Whole 30. It will definitely help ease the hardest part of the program (feeling like I spend 90% of my life in the kitchen), while letting me keep my fridge stocked with yummy options. I love that the recipes include the main and side dishes, and she lays out what to do when for each (while the main is on the stove, cut up the veggies, mix up the sauce, etc). It makes cooking so much more efficient than just having the two recipes side by side and having to keep track of both at the same time! TL;DR - perfect way to introduce someone to Paleo/Whole 30 cooking, especially those that think it will be too hard or too restrictive.

I love: + Recipes are delicious and filling. Personal favorites are the Chinese Pancake and BLT Egg Salad + The weekly cook up is a great idea, and allows us to prepare most meals in <20 min + Melissa's writing style and personal anecdotes included with each recipe make you feel that she is a friend, guiding you while cooking. It is just plain cute. I am irritated by: + Many of the recipes (really, the recipes used the "Food Court" section) do not have ingredient measurements. I get it, this is to help you prepare the meals faster (I mean, who cares if your salad has 1 or 1.5 Tsp of walnuts? Just throw 'em in) but when cooking with my hubby, he will use all of the available ingredient, leaving nothing for the next days' recipe. Whatever. I like my salad with two cups of pepitas. No baby, the Yucatán Chili Saute didn't really need them. + I love variation, but with a full time job and new baby - oh and something about the laundry - my mind isn't what it used to be. Many of the recipes (again, I'm looking at you, "Food Court") have the prep, main ingredients and variation-ingredients spread out over two plus pages. My mind does not work that well anymore. I always miss something. Flipping pages and remembering where you were is hard when you are doing 400 other things. + Without the cook up, <45 min is a stretch. I can do it, but G-d help me if i need to preheat the oven. I hate: + Ingredients are out of order. They should be listed in what you use first, seconds, etc. They are not. Or maybe I'm confused by all the page flipping. All I can say for sure is it really pisses me off. + The book binding is a complete and utter disappointment. Pages were falling out and haphazardly stuck back in my book. It was $6 and 20 minutes of my time to get it rebound. I could have spent that time, and that $6, drinking cheap wine. Or making faces at our newborn and investing in her collage fund. Or both. + Seriously, if this girl is eating a hot dog, I'm putting it on a bun. With mustard. And don't try to sell me on these organic, pasture raised, grass fed hot dogs. I'm no hot dog hater (quite the opposite, actually) but it's still a hot dog. Overall, I'm glad we purchased the book. We eat at least 2 recipes per week from Melissa's "Well Fed" series. This has been a nice add.

Thank you Mel Joulwan for being amazing! I love this cookbook - the idea (fast paleo meals? Yes, please!), the design (bigger fonts, beautiful photos, "you know how you could do that?"), and the clever writing (Mel, can we be besties?). This was an early Christmas present to myself - along with an immersion blender! - and armed with these two weapons, I'm about to become a kitchen ninja. I'll update as I cook my way through, but honestly, Ms. Joulwan's recipes have never, ever failed me. What I've made so far: Mini Cookup: a blast through the kitchen to prep/cook paleo basics! One hour of time to cook/prep chicken, potatoes, zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, mayonnaise, and salad dressing. This worked. And it made my life easier. Win. And win. Sausage & Peppers: I love the seasoning for the meat - tastes like pizza! We used it as topping for home fries and as a side for zucchini noodles. Everyone in the family loved this - even my picky eater. Glad I made a double batch! Beef Burrito: The seasoned meat is delicious on its own, but the Cumin-Lime Dressing added zing! We threw this on home fries and added tomatoes. My husband kept saying,"This is SO good!" Made a double batch of this as well, and I can't wait to try it as taco salad. Spicy Peach Vinaigrette: I made this dressing twice actually...the first time the jar tipped and sprayed my kitchen counter with semi-blended peach globs, but what is cooking without a few casualties? I *love* that I can make it in a mason jar and not have to mess with the blender. Creamy Italian Dressing: Dip for my veggie snacks, and a very good reason for me to buy a copy of this cookbook for my mother. The dressing recipes alone are worth it!

I love this cookbook! I have 7 other paleo cookbooks, and I am amazed by how good this one is. When I first glanced through the book, I have to admit that I was intimidated by the layout and long ingredient lists. However, once I dove in and tried a couple of recipes, I realized how the layout worked and it is actually very simple to follow. I have tried 5 recipes so far and each one has been absolutely delicious. And much faster to make than I thought it was going to be. I am a single mom with 2 kids so I don't always have time to cook and I'm not very intuitive at it. She makes it so easy for me to feel like I am a gourmet cook. I already have all of these ingredients in my house but she really shows you how to put them together. I also like the way a whole meal is incorporated into one recipe and she takes you step by step through the preparation. This book is wonderful and just what I have been looking for. I have ordered the first Well Fed book and am anxious to try some recipes out of there as well. I have never written a product review before, but I was compelled to share just how much I like this book.

This is the holy grail of books! Love it!!

Really good book for simple paleo food

Amazing book with super delicious recipes. All recipes are easy to make which allows you to enjoy paleo supper during weeknights.

All of Melissa's books are great, this one is no exception. This book works with some meal templates then gives you tons of different ways to diversify them with simple adjustments to the ingredients. Tuna salad, 12 ways. Each look amazing. Simple, clean, incredibly tasty food.

Die Sammlung der Rezepte ist super, da habe ich beim Durchblättern schon viel gefunden das ich unbedingt nachkochen möchte. Was mich allerdings stört, ist, dass dieses Buch a) weniger übersichtlich ist als Well Fed 2, und b) die verwendete Schriftart einfach nicht gut leserlich ist. Warum man das vom Vorgänger nicht einfach übernommen hat ist mir ein Rätsel.