The Modern Proper: Simple Dinners for Every Day (A Cookbook)

by Holly Erickson, Natalie Mortimer

Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“Simple and elegant is the name of the game here. Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer have created the ultimate use-everyday cookbook...If the veggie-forward, ‘beautiful, make-able’ recipes don't convince [you] to dive in, the luscious photography surely will.” —Food & Wine

Get the most out of your time in the kitchen with these 100 fast, instant-classic dinners that everyone will love.

For pretty much everyone, life gets busy—but you still want to cook up a good meal, ideally one that’s accessible, efficient, and doesn’t sacrifice any of the delicious flavors you love. The creators of the popular website The Modern Proper are all about that weeknight dinner, and now, they’re showing you how to reinvent what proper means and be smarter with your time in the kitchen to create meals which will bring friends and family together at the table.

The Modern Proper will expand your “go-to” list and help you become a more intuitive, creative cook. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, a busy parent or a workaholic, this book will arm you with tools, tricks, and shortcuts to get dinner on the table. Every ingredient is easy to find, plus you’ll find plenty of swaps and options throughout. Each of the 100 recipes (some all-time fan favorites and many brand-new) includes prep time, cook time, and quick-reference tags.

These include:
-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mozzarella and Creamy Kale
-Stir-Fried Pork Cutlets with Buttermilk Ranch
-Sweet Cider Scallops with Wilted Spinach
-Tofu Enchiladas with Red Sauce
-And more!

With recipes to feed a crowd, an entrée for every palate, a whole chapter of meatballs, and plenty of pantry essentials, The Modern Proper is the new essential cookbook for any and all food lovers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781982177669
Publisher:	S&S/Simon Element
Publication date:	04/05/2022
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	97,780
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Holly Erickson lives in Austin, Texas, with her family, but was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She was ten years old when she took her first cooking class and has been in love ever since. In her adult life, her passion has only deepened. Her devotion to hosting parties and gathering friends, her subscription to every food magazine out there, and her short stint as a caterer joined forces to serve as an informal kitchen education. In 2012, she and her friend Natalie bonded over their shared passion for food, and The Modern Proper was born.

Natalie Mortimer lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband and three kids. Her love for food can be traced directly to her grandmother and the beautiful dishes she brought to the table at every family celebration. After years of soul searching, she found her footing in 2012 when she and her friend Holly launched The Modern Proper. With no formal education in food, but plenty of passion for good meals, Natalie and Holly have together successfully reached the homes of millions from all over the globe.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Essentials 13

All Day Eggs

Soft-Boiled Eggs 32

Caramelized Onion Frittata with Bacon and Chives 35

Migas Breakfast Tacos 36

Crispy Ginger Ramen Noodles 39

Smashed Soft-Boiled Eggs on Toast 40

Baked Eggs with Green Olives and Feta 43

Jammy Eggs on Lentils with Wilted Greens 44

Sweet and Savory Breakfast Sandwich 47

Curry Poached Eggs 50

Eggs with Crispy Green Onion Rice and Nori 53

Meatless

Any Roasted Veggie with Romesco Sauce. 56

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms 59

Cheesy Tamale Pie with Quinoa and Bean Chili 60

Toast for Dinner 62

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Labneh and Honey 67

Tofu Enchiladas with Red Sauce 68

Curried Cauliflower Quinoa Salad with Tahini Yogurt Dressing 71

Saucy Grilled Cheese with Asparagus 72

Charred Summer Squash with Whipped Feta 75

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Lentil Walnut Bolognese 76

Spicy Unstuffed Pasta Shells with Roasted Garlic and Chèvre 79

Lentil and Chickpea Tagine 80

Ricotta-Stuffed Peppers with Roasted Tomatoes 83

Clean-Out-the-Pantry Pasta 84

Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado-Corn Salad 87

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Gribiche 88

Herb Salad with Fried Feta 91

Hummus Bowl with Roasted Cauliflower 92

Pan-Fried Polenta with Blistered Tomatoes and Burrata 97

Chicken

Everyday Roast Chicken 100

Basil Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry 103

Fried Chicken with Slaw 104

Roast Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce 106

Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mozzarella and Creamy Kale 107

Chicken in Wine 108

Coconut Rice Bow! with Cilantro Lime Chicken 111

Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta 115

Smoky Chicken Skewers with Corn Salad 116

Chicken Strips with Za'atar Ranch 121

Baked Penne Chicken Puttanesca 122

Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing 125

Skillet Miso Chicken 126

Chicken with Tomatoes in Spiced Coconut Simmer Sauce 129

Chicken and Cabbage in Cream 130

Not-So-Basic Chicken Fajitas 133

Caraway Roast Chicken over Cabbage 134

Chicken Marbella 137

Pork and Beef

Steak and Grains with Herb Butter Vinaigrette 140

Skillet Pepperoni Pizza with Blistered Tomatoes 143

Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps 147

Summer Vegetable Steak Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing 148

Pepper Steak with Bok Choy 151

Skillet-Fried Pork Cutlets with Buttermilk Ranch 152

Cheesy Beef and Caramelized Onion Quesadilla 155

Sweet and Sticky Pork and Asparagus 156

Vodka Sauce Baked Gnocchi with Baby Broccoli 159

Pork Chops with Charred Peppers 160

Crispy Carnitas 161

Carnitas Burrito Bowl with Corn Salsa 162

Steak Sandwich with Horseradish Mayo 165

Beef Satay with Smashed Cucumber Salad 166

Everything Bagel Sausage Fried Rice 169

Garlic Butter Steak Stir-Fry with Snap Peas 170

Creamy Mustard Sauce Bucatini with Steak and Asparagus 173

Pot Roast 174

Weeknight Sort-of-Cassoulet 177

Mom's Nachos 178

Seafood

Pan-Seared Shrimp with Burst Curry Tomatoes 182

Any Kind of Fish Cakes with Red Pepper Aioli 185

White Fish in Orange Butter Sauce 186

Roasted Honey Mustard Salmon with Citrus Salad 189

Fish Tacos 190

Sweet Cider Scallops with Wilted Spinach 195

Salmon with Fried Shallot Mashed Potatoes 196

Not Your Mother's Tuna Casserole 199

Shrimp en Papillote with Couscous Salad 200

Coconut Shrimp with Peanut Noodles 203

Nicoise Salad 204

Salmon and Jojos with Tartar Sauce 207

Seafood Paella-ish 208

Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs 212

Miso Ginger Meatballs with Cabbage 215

Paprika Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce with Lemon Dill Cream 216

Potluck-Style Teriyaki Meatballs and Macaroni Salad 219

Baked Chicken Souvlaki Meatball Wrap 220

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Meatballs 223

Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro Yogurt 224

Pork Meatball Bowl with Mojo Sauce 227

Turkey Meatballs in Red Curry Sauce 228

Meatballs in Buttery Marinara with Pesto Garlic Bread 231

Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Glass Noodles 232

Soup

Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Soup 236

White Bean Soup with Ham and Chard 239

Turmeric Chicken Noodle Soup 240

Smoky Sausage and Potato Stew 243

Minestrone with Basil Pesto 244

Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup with Green Beans 246

Chicken and Barley Soup 247

Carnitas in a Stew 248

Creamy Broccoli Soup with Roasted Garlic 251

Coconut Chicken Soup with Kabocha Squash 252

Creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage and Kale 255

Curry Lentil Soup 256

Tortilla Soup 259

Spicy Salmon Chowder 260

Things for Dipping, Spreading, and Dressing

BBQ Spice Rub 264

Everything Bagel Seasoning 264

Caramelized Onions 265

Taco Seasoning 267

Basil Pesto 267

Pickled Onions 268

Salsa Verde 271

Chimichurri 271

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette 272

Green Goddess Dressing 272

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing 274

Romesco Sauce 275

Peanut Sauce 275

Herb Butter 276

Acknowledgments 279

Index 283

Editorial Reviews

12/20/2021

Great minds think alike when it comes to pleasing the household in this satisfying guide to weeknight family dinners. Bringing their Modern Proper blog to print, self-taught cooks Erickson and Mortimer’s quest to rediscover the “lost art of hospitality for the modern homemaker” begins with eggs for all hours in dishes such as jammy eggs on lentils with wilted greens, and shakshuka-inspired curry poached eggs. Meatless entrées take on an international flair with such choices as tofu enchiladas with red sauce, and a Moroccan lentil and chickpea tagine. Meanwhile, chicken, seafood, and soups each get their own chapters, all related in the chatty prose of two friends who, to the point of distraction, are in lockstep agreement on everything from their favorite recipe in the collection (crispy pork lettuce wraps) to their favorite foods in general (“We love eating paella”). Meatballs hold a special place in their collective heart, with an entire chapter dedicated to the likes of miso ginger meatballs with cabbage, lemongrass pork meatballs with glass noodles, and spiced lamb meatballs. And in lieu of dessert, they offer spreads and dips, including make-your-own versions of taco seasoning and ranch dressing. Those looking to add a little variety to their repertoire without reinventing the wheel will find much to enjoy. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"The recipes in The Modern Proper are approachable, creative, and simple enough that anyone can make them. I literally want to make everything from this book! I already made a home for it on my bookshelf." —Gina Homolka, creator of Skinnytaste and author of the Skinnytaste cookbooks

"Together both Holly and Natalie have taken family dinners and turned them into easy, fun to create, and totally delicious to eat recipes. The Modern Proper is full of approachable, colorful and creative recipes that the whole family will love. I want to make everything from this cookbook!" —Tieghan Gerard, author of New York Times bestselling cookbooks Half Baked Harvest Super Simple and Half Baked Harvest Cookbook

"Holly and Natalie have created a beautiful cookbook that will transform your cooking experience. Each of these recipes are full of life and flavor that will make you giddy to gather around the table with your friends and family!" —Alex Snodgrass, New York Times bestselling author of The Defined Dish

"Recipes that are impressive yet easy, comforting yet nutritious, decadent yet unfussy, plus an entire chapter on meatballs! Natalie and Holly take the guess work out of what to cook for dinner or any occasion. This book is a must-have for all food lovers." —Ronny Joseph Lvovski, cookbook author and creator of Primal Gourmet

“The Modern Proper: Simple Dinners for Every Day by Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer has some of the best date night meals and family-geared dinners you’ll find. Unique yet not out-of-reach to concoct yourself, this cookbook has the it-factor, for sure.”–New York Post

“The Modern Proper cookbook is too good to pass up. It’s filled with gorgeous photos, practical tips and, most importantly, delicious recipes that are simple for even the novice cook to whip together.” —New York Post

“In their debut cookbook, you’ll get an impressive roster of go-to dishes, ingredient swaps, pantry essentials, and kitchen shortcuts that will help you become a more creative cook.” —The Food Network

From the Publisher

03/01/2022

Erickson and Mortimer have long run a successful food blog (The Modern Proper) that offers ways to update and reimagine classic Western European cuisine. Their new cookbook is a reflection of their blog, and several recipes appear in both. The first half of the cookbook includes an account of the authors' creation of their blog, followed by their suggestions for essential ingredients to keep permanently stocked, including favorite sauces (homemade or store-bought) and basic and special spices they use in several of the recipes that follow. Recipes for sauces and seasoning mixes are grouped at the end of the book but are referred to throughout. Chapters follow in logical order, beginning with basic egg recipes, followed by "meatless" recipes and other main dishes. Several of the entrée recipes are accompanied by menu suggestions or recipes for side dishes. Color photographs accompany most recipes and add context. VERDICT Erickson and Mortimer's cookbook terrifically updates traditional Western European cuisine, as well as copying and improving on favorite restaurant dishes. This wide-ranging collection will appeal to basic and experienced cooks.—Danielle Williams

Library Journal