Simply Symon Suppers

Recipes Tested: 9
Recipe Success: 8/9

Difficulty: Moderate
Ingredient Accessibility: Mostly Accessible
Best For: People who want healthy meals planned for them

I originally saw Simply Symon Suppers while browsing Barnes & Noble, and I was instantly intrigued.  A cookbook with whole-ass dinner menus? I don’t have to try to figure out what main goes with what side? Sign me up!

I’ll be honest. I don’t always stick to the menus as they are written. Sometimes I’ll mix and match between menus. What can I say? I’m a rebel.

Menu Planning: Well, this one is obvious since it’s the reason I bought the book. Meal planning stresses me out, and this makes it so much easier. And Simply Symon Suppers does it well. Meals feel balanced, seasonal ingredients are paired together, and many come together in a reasonable amount of time.

Recipes Worth Bookmarking: There are just so many good recipes in this cookbook. And because they are full menus, I feel like you get a lot more options–particularly for sides–than in many other cookbooks.

Organization: This cookbook is organized into four sections by season, which really works here. Symon uses on using fresh, whole foods cooking with in-season produce means high quality ingredients that are easier on your bank account.

Sanity Savings: Have I mentioned that the “meals” approach makes meal planning so much simpler? It saves time, sure. But it also saves me so much mental energy.

Practicality: A number of these menus are labor intensive, both in the time to prepare and the clean up.

Expensive: I appreciate cooking seasonally and using fresh ingredients, but the grocery bill can add up quickly with these recipes. If you are on a strict budget, this will probably not be your go-to cookbook.

Durability: This has nothing to do with the contents of the book, and everything to do with the publisher. My copy started falling apart after about the third use.

⭐ YFIF Favorite: Pork Tenderloin Schnitzel + Mushroom Gravy
We love German food in this house and, if you read my other reviews, you’ll know I love a schnitzel. It’s only partially because it’s really fun to say schnitzel. This schnitzel is also easy and tasty. Basically, it’s the schnit…zel. 

🛒 Worth the Price of the Book: Charred Brussels Sprouts
I don’t even remember what these are paired with in the book. I just know that I make them all the time, with everything. Everyone who has ever eaten them loves them… minus my 10 year old, of course.

🍝 Most Impressive for the Least Amount of Effort: No-Bake Blueberry Lemon Pie
Was mine as pretty as the picture? No. Did it get absolutely inhaled? Oh yeah.

⏱️ Best Weeknight Dinner: Grilled Salmon Steaks + Grilled Bok Choy + Mustard Sauce
This is my kind of dinner. Protein, a veggie and a reason to open a bottle of wine.

It’s OK to mix and match: Sometimes you love a little of this with a little of that. Go ahead. I give you permission.

Buy! 

This book checks a lot of boxes: health-conscious, delicious and simplifies meal planning. It may not be your everyday cookbook, but it’s worth adding to your shelf.