I confess, patience isn’t exactly my strongest virtue. I’m the kind of person who avoids powering down my computer just to skip the long boot-up sequence. Bumper-to-bumper traffic, endless grocery checkout lines, and drawn-out commercial breaks are my nemeses. And when it comes to cooking, you can bet I’ll always pick a lightning-fast pressure cooker over a leisurely slow cooker. So, after three dedicated years of meticulously developing, testing, and crafting our new cookbook, keeping it under wraps felt like an eternity. You can only imagine the sheer anticipation I’ve harbored, just itching to share this monumental news with you.
Our publisher initially advised us to maintain a low profile until roughly two months before the official release date. But after months of biting my tongue and keeping the details (relatively) hush-hush, the moment has finally arrived! It’s time to proclaim the news from the digital mountaintops and share the exciting revelation that has been brewing behind the scenes:
READY OR NOT*, OUR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW COOKBOOK IS SET TO DEBUT ON AUGUST 1!
For those of you who diligently follow me across various social media platforms, the launch of our brand-new cookbook likely comes as no great surprise. You’ve witnessed firsthand, through countless updates and glimpses, the immense dedication we’ve poured into this culinary tome for what feels like *years*. This journey began shortly after our first book, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans, burst onto the scene way back in 2013. The landscape of the Paleo cookbook world has undergone a dramatic transformation since then—and let’s be honest, the entire world has changed profoundly!
When our debut cookbook was released, it proudly shared shelf space with a select handful of pioneering works from friends, including timeless bestsellers such as Practical Paleo, Well Fed, and Against All Grain. Fast forward to today, and bookstores are brimming with literally *hundreds* of Paleo titles. You can pick up almost any one of them and discover a treasure trove of healthy recipes, insightful guides, and meticulously planned meal strategies. With such an abundance of choices, a natural question arises, one I hear frequently:
So with all these fantastic options already available, you’re probably asking yourself: How does Ready or Not! stand apart from the vast array of other cookbooks on the market? And, perhaps more importantly, is it truly worth adding to my collection?
Allow me to elaborate on the compelling reasons why this cookbook is an absolute must-have and why you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on what we believe is our most innovative and helpful work yet:
1. IT’S ESSENTIALLY THREE BOOKS CONVENIENTLY ROLLED INTO ONE!
Back in 2014, when Henry and I first began brainstorming the concept for our second cookbook, we found ourselves at a crossroads. We struggled to pinpoint a single overarching theme. Should our focus be on “make-ahead” recipes, perfect for meal prepping? Or perhaps on inventive “leftover makeovers,” transforming mundane remnants into exciting new dishes? Or even “quick-and-easy” weeknight meals, designed for those frantic evenings? We debated intensely: should we cater primarily to the meticulous home cooks who revel in planning ahead? Or to those who are utterly fed up with their dull, repetitive leftovers? Or to the perpetually busy individuals who constantly find themselves scrambling to get a wholesome meal on the table before hunger strikes?
It didn’t take long for us to realize the root cause of our thematic dilemma:
The reality is, most home cooks encounter all of these very scenarios throughout any given week.
Consider your own cooking habits for a moment. Some days, you wake up feeling energized and inspired, eager to spend time in the kitchen creating culinary masterpieces. Other days, the mere thought of preparing dinner fills you with dread. More often than not, you find yourself oscillating between moments of culinary inspiration and sheer desperation. So, what’s a busy (and let’s be honest, sometimes a little lazy) home cook to do when faced with such a varied routine?
We specifically designed and wrote Ready or Not! to simplify healthy home cooking, making it a breeze regardless of your schedule. Whether you have ample time to prepare an elaborate meal or just mere minutes to spare, this cookbook has you covered. Whether you’re a fastidious planner who meticulously maps out every meal or a spontaneous improviser who whips up dishes on the fly, you’ll discover an abundance of deliciously nourishing options. From impressive make-ahead feasts and delightful treats to lightning-fast leftover makeovers and instant “make-now” meals, our new cookbook offers unparalleled versatility and guidance to fit your unique cooking rhythm.
In fact, to make your cooking journey even more intuitive and enjoyable, we’ve organized Ready or Not! into five brilliantly color-coded sections. These sections are specifically designed to correspond to your precise level of readiness on any given day or night, ensuring you can always find the perfect recipe for your mood and schedule. Let’s delve into these innovative categories, starting with the foundational “Get Set!” section:
GET SET!
This essential section is your ultimate guide to a well-stocked and functional kitchen. We help you build a robust foundation with indispensable components, ranging from convenient store-bought necessities and critical cooking tools to easy-to-make D.I.Y. ingredients. These building blocks are carefully selected to empower you for effortless cooking anytime inspiration strikes. Here, you’ll uncover recipes for deliciously versatile sauces and fundamental staples like our renowned All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce, the delightfully zesty Sriracha Ranch Dressing, and savory Duxelles. Crucially, we also provide clear blueprints and creative ideas on how to expertly mix ‘n match these basics to effortlessly assemble quick, satisfying meals throughout your week. This section is all about setting you up for culinary success, making subsequent cooking adventures smoother and more enjoyable.
READY!
Are you feeling motivated and eager to get a jump start on your week by meticulously prepping meals in advance? Or perhaps you’re on the lookout for more intricate, show-stopping dishes or special occasion treats designed to utterly dazzle your guests? When you find yourself with the luxury of time to truly immerse yourself in the kitchen and indulge your culinary creativity, this is the section you’ll want to turn to. Here, you’ll discover a collection of recipes perfect for crafting impressive make-ahead feasts and spectacular crowd-pleasers. Imagine savoring dishes like our perfectly seasoned Salt + Pepper Fried Pork Chops, the tender and flavorful Pressure Cooker Bo Ssäm, an unforgettable Primetime Rib Roast, and a delightful dessert like Strawberry Almond Semifreddo + Berry Balsamic Sauce. This section empowers you to cook with passion and precision when the mood (and time) allows.
KINDA READY!
Picture this scenario: you peer into your fridge, and there they are—those tired-looking leftovers, perhaps eliciting a slight scrunch of your nose and the almost instinctive urge to reach for your phone to order takeout. Sound familiar? Resist that urge! In this ingenious section of the book, I’ll be your culinary mentor, teaching you invaluable techniques to effortlessly transform humble pantry staples and those languishing leftovers into spontaneous, incredibly satisfying meals. These dishes are so unexpectedly delicious, they’ll please even the most discriminating palates. Beyond just makeovers, I’ll also demonstrate precisely how to expertly flavor-boost your meals, leveraging the versatile building blocks you prepared from the “Get Set!” section. This means no more food waste and a whole new world of exciting, impromptu culinary creations.
NOT READY!
We’ve all been there: after an exceptionally demanding and long day, mustering the energy to prepare dinner can feel like an insurmountable challenge. When that inevitable feeling of exhaustion sets in, this is the vital section of our book you’ll want to turn to. Here, we’re dedicated to proving that even emergency meals can be incredibly delicious and deeply satisfying! Within these pages, you’ll uncover a collection of super-fast recipes designed for those moments when time is of the essence. Think savory, quick-fire stir-fries, effortless sheet pan suppers that minimize cleanup, and even speedy, wholesome snacks to tide you over. This section is your culinary lifeline when you’re truly “not ready” to cook, offering tasty solutions that don’t compromise on flavor or health.
The vast majority of the recipes featured in this section are designed to be on your table in no more than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. Explore tempting options like our flavorful Chicken Curry in a Hurry, the succulent Honey Harissa Salmon, and irresistible Red Hot Onion Rings. What’s even better? Some of these speedy creations can actually be prepared and served in a remarkable 15 minutes or even less, making healthy home cooking a realistic goal even on your busiest days.
BEYOND READY!
So, you’ve mastered the art of stocking your fridge with convenient make-ahead meals, transformed tired leftovers into exciting new dishes, and become adept at whipping up delicious emergency rations. Now, how do you truly elevate your cooking skills to the next level? In this advanced section, we’ll guide you on how to go “beyond ready,” offering both meticulously detailed weekly meal plans and ingenious “no-recipe” recipes. This means you’ll be empowered whether your aspiration is to become a super-organized, meticulous planner or a spontaneous, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants cook. By the time you’ve thoroughly explored and practiced the techniques in this section, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true kitchen ninja, capable of tackling any culinary challenge with confidence and flair.
In essence, and to put it succinctly: Ready or Not! is meticulously crafted to be your ultimate culinary companion, ensuring you’re perfectly equipped for delicious, healthy meals, regardless of whether you’re primed to cook a feast or find yourself utterly unprepared. It’s the versatile guide every modern home cook needs to navigate the delicious complexities of daily life with ease.
2. THIS BOOK MAKES HEALTHY COOKING DELICIOUSLY FUN AND ACCESSIBLE!
I’m a self-professed cookbook hoarder. My (admittedly exceedingly messy) house is strewn with cookbooks, and I maintain a towering stack of them on my nightstand for my nightly reading ritual. But I’ll be honest, even some of my most cherished cookbooks can, at times, feel a bit intimidating. I’ve frequently encountered vague or puzzling recipes, complete with techniques that I simply can’t visualize in my head. As a profoundly visual learner, when I’m striving to grasp a new culinary method or concept, I instinctively gravitate towards recipe books that clearly demonstrate—through high-quality photographs or detailed illustrations—precisely what steps to take. After all, the primary purpose of cookbooks should be to inspire confidence and foster a spirit of improvisation, not to generate confusion or demand guesswork from the reader.
It’s precisely for this reason that Henry and I have always prioritized visual clarity. We meticulously packed the hundreds of free recipes available on our website (and, of course, within our acclaimed iPhone and iPad app) with comprehensive step-by-step photos. When we embarked on producing our first cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans, we upheld this commitment wholeheartedly; in its pages, you’ll discover over a thousand stunning full-color photographs that vividly demonstrate how to prepare each of its 100+ recipes, ensuring a seamless cooking experience.
But with Ready or Not!, we challenged ourselves to push the boundaries of visual instruction even further, setting a new standard for clarity and engagement.
Every single step-by-step image in our new book is thoughtfully paired with an encouraging, easy-to-understand caption. These captions don’t just describe; they explain exactly what’s happening and precisely what you need to do next. It’s designed to feel as if I’m right there in the kitchen with you, offering gentle guidance and holding your hand through each and every stage of the cooking process. From the very beginning, our unwavering mission has been to deliver recipes in the most fun, delightful, and incredibly easy-to-follow format imaginable. We sincerely hope that upon experiencing it, you’ll find that Ready or Not! not only hits this mark but exceeds your expectations, making healthy cooking genuinely enjoyable.
To ensure our recipes are broadly accessible and genuinely appeal to a diverse audience, we also meticulously focused on incorporating foods and ingredients that are widely available in most grocery stores. For any items that might be slightly harder to source, we’ve thoughtfully provided easy-to-find alternatives. For the enthusiastic Instant Pot fans out there, we’ve integrated a dozen dedicated Instant Pot recipes, making the most of this popular appliance. However, we also made sure to include alternative cooking methods for those of you who prefer not to use pressure cookers, ensuring everyone can enjoy our delicious creations, regardless of their preferred kitchen tools.
Furthermore, we consciously steered clear of super-hardcore Paleo dishes. While ingredients like offal and insects undoubtedly offer remarkable nutritional benefits, we recognized that the majority of our readers would likely prefer more familiar and comforting options, such as delicious chicken recipes. This book is, first and foremost, intended to be an everyday cookbook—a practical, go-to resource for busy home cooks. As many of our long-time readers already know, we are not Paleo perfectionists. As I proudly state in Ready or Not!, “the recipes in this cookbook were thoughtfully designed with these core principles in mind: healthfulness, mindfulness, practicality, and undeniable deliciousness—all while maintaining zero patience for dogma or unnecessary deprivation.”
Ultimately, you don’t even have to strictly adhere to a Paleo diet to absolutely love and benefit from this book. Ready or Not! hones in on one fundamental life skill that possesses the power to make an enormous impact on your overall health and well-being: the art of cooking your own food—whether you’re feeling ready to cook a feast or unexpectedly find yourself unprepared. Getting healthy, incredibly tasty, and genuinely made-from-scratch meals onto the dinner table can sometimes feel like an impossible feat, which perfectly explains why so many of us unfortunately opt for less healthy convenience foods. But with Ready or Not! as your guide, you’ll always come home to a wealth of healthy and delicious options, ranging from strategically make-ahead, reheat-and-eat dishes to super-fast, creative pantry concoctions. It’s about empowering you to take control of your plate, effortlessly.
3. THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST THING WE’VE EVER CREATED (WITH THE OBVIOUS EXCEPTION OF OUR WONDERFUL CHILDREN)!
If you genuinely enjoyed our first cookbook, I can confidently bet that you are going to absolutely LOVE this one. Ready or Not! is not just bigger, but demonstrably better, featuring an expanded collection of over 150 mouthwatering recipes and nearly 2,000 vivid images spread across its impressive 352 pages. If the old adage holds true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then this cookbook truly contains the equivalent of a staggering 2 million words of culinary wisdom and visual delight. It’s an immersive experience designed to inspire and guide you every step of the way.
We went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that our new cookbook stands alone, looking and feeling like no other on the market. Once again, our incredible publisher, Andrews McMeel, granted us ultimate creative control over every single aspect of the book’s production. This invaluable freedom meant we could implement features and design choices that are typically unattainable for other cookbook authors, largely due to the challenging economics of traditional cookbook publishing. For instance, including photos for every single step of every recipe—a hallmark of our style—is an indulgence most publishers can’t afford to offer.
One prominent cookbook author recently articulated how significant production costs critically influence the aesthetic and tactile experience of the vast majority of cookbooks:
The photography, meticulous color correction, intricate layout, and iterative proofing processes are not only exacting but incredibly time-consuming… [and] pages that are full-bleed, printed with a luxurious 6-color process, significantly drive up printing costs. This inherent financial constraint is precisely why most cookbooks—even those deemed the very best—unfortunately do not feature photographs for every single recipe… The next time you pick up a cookbook, take a moment to estimate how many pages are entirely, or mostly, filled with just words, then carefully page through the book. You’ll likely be quite surprised by the scarcity of images. And now, you’ll understand why there isn’t a picture accompanying every recipe and finished dish, even though the recipes that do include pictures tend to be the only ones readers actually bother to cook.
Crucially, there is an unspoken mutual incentive baked directly into the structure of most publishing agreements: to deliberately reduce costs wherever possible. For the authors, this often translates to cutting corners on photography and design production in order to retain a larger portion of their advance money. Concurrently, this strategy also benefits the publisher by allowing them to keep the overall printing cost as low as conceivably possible, often at the expense of visual richness.
In stark contrast, with Ready or Not!, we made a conscious decision not to cut any corners whatsoever. In fact, we deliberately chose not to try and save on our production costs at all. (As many of my devoted long-time readers will attest, I’m often playfully accused of being “money-stupid” when it comes to the quality of our projects, prioritizing excellence above all else.) Our commitment was, and remains, to deliver the absolute best possible product to you, our cherished readers.
Ready or Not! is a true masterpiece of culinary publishing: a coffee-table-quality, full-color, hardcover book. It boasts a meticulously designed lay-flat, double-reinforced binding, a thoughtful bookmark ribbon for easy navigation, and features the thickest, heavyweight pages we could possibly source. This results in a super-hefty volume, containing an impressive 22% more pages than Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans. What’s more, it features approximately 20 times the number of photos found in most other cookbooks, all while maintaining the same affordable cover price as our very first book. We poured every ounce of our creativity and resources into this project because we don’t plan on writing a bazillion books; our focus is on quality over quantity. Who knows? Ready or Not! could very well be our magnum opus, our ultimate cookbook, so we concluded that we might as well go all-out and make it truly exceptional.
Fortunately, I had an indispensable secret weapon to help me meticulously bring this monumental project to fruition: my incredible husband and brilliant co-author, Henry. While I dedicated myself to the demanding tasks of writing, extensively developing, and rigorously testing each recipe, Henry channeled his immense talents into crafting Ready or Not!’s distinctive and highly engaging design, capturing stunning photography, meticulously editing every word, and creating charming illustrations. Whenever Henry wasn’t busy with the demands of his day job, I had him enthusiastically cranking away on the book. On nights and weekends, he tirelessly shot, edited, and color-corrected countless photos, thoughtfully re-worked my prose to enhance clarity and flow, plotted out ingenious comic-book-style layouts for each individual recipe, and drew whimsical cartoons to add an extra punch of personality to the pages. Henry painstakingly laid out every single square pica of every page—a labor of love that spanned over an entire year. Flip open the cookbook, and you’ll instantly understand why: The pages are not padded with vast expanses of empty white space. Wherever humanly possible, we maximized the available real estate with valuable information, vibrant photos, witty cartoons, and a healthy dose of sass that is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of every reader who isn’t an inveterate grump.
And that’s truly just the tip of the iceberg of what awaits you within these pages. Beyond the essential kitchen tool and ingredient guides, invaluable meal plans, practical shopping lists, and delightful cartoons, this book contains a curated collection of some of my absolute favorite new recipes. This includes tantalizing dishes like our legendary Mok Mok Wings, the exquisite XO Pork with Blistered Green Beans, a truly comforting Rustic Chocolate Cake, the deeply flavorful Sunday Gravy, and many, many other culinary treasures that I have been absolutely dying to share with you, our cherished community. Each recipe is a testament to our dedication to delicious, healthy, and accessible cooking.
The vast majority of the recipes presented in Ready or Not! are brand-spankin’ new, representing fresh culinary explorations and innovative flavor combinations. Alongside these exciting new creations, you’ll also discover a carefully selected handful of Nom Nom Paleo classics that are making their much-anticipated debut in print for the very first time. These beloved favorites include legendary dishes like Ollie’s Cracklin’ Chicken and our exceptionally tender Pressure Cooker Kalua Pig. If you’re eager to explore the complete listing of every delicious recipe included in Ready or Not!, I invite you to take a delightful gander over yonder at our comprehensive Recipe Index. Our meticulously detailed Recipe Index goes further by specifying which recipes are conveniently nut-free, egg-free, nightshade-free, and freezer-friendly—making it easier than ever to cater to various dietary needs and preferences. Furthermore, dedicated Whole30® fans will be thrilled to discover that over 120 of the incredible recipes within this book are entirely Whole30-friendly, ensuring delicious compliance with your program!
In summary, even though I generally shy away from self-praise and rarely boast, I’m going to make an exception and enthusiastically sing the praises of our new book: It is truly, exceptionally good! But don’t just take my word for it; the wonderful GoodReads members who received advance review copies of Ready or Not! have already begun sharing their honest, unvarnished opinions about our new culinary creation. I encourage you to go check out what they have to say and see for yourself the positive reception it’s garnered. Their insights offer an unbiased look into what makes this cookbook so special.
Okay—are you thoroughly hyped now? Have I successfully convinced you that you absolutely need to be among the very first of your friends to cook your way through the exciting pages of Ready or Not!? If your answer is a resounding yes, then please take a moment to preorder our eagerly anticipated new cookbook today. It’s available from virtually wherever quality cookbooks are sold, ensuring you can secure your copy through your preferred retailer. Explore the links below to find your copy:
(Not located in the U.S.? Don’t worry! You can also readily find our book available through various retailers and online platforms around the globe, ensuring that our delicious recipes can reach kitchens everywhere. Look for it in Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, Italy, China, and Japan. Additionally, Book Depository offers the fantastic convenience of shipping for free to almost every country in the world, making it easier than ever to get your copy!) With Ready or Not!, wholesome, delicious cooking is always within reach, no matter where you are.
Okay—that’s it! This marks the conclusion of our rare, once-every-four-years pledge break, where we openly share the passion and effort behind our creations. Our humble little mom-and-pop operation, powered by our family’s dedication, thrives solely through the incredible support of readers just like you. For every share, every purchase, and every kind word, we are profoundly grateful for everything you do to keep our small venture afloat and thriving. We are absolutely brimming with excitement to get Ready or Not! into your hands, and our sincere hope is that you will cherish and love it as fervently as we do. It has been a labor of love, crafted with you in mind.
Now, there’s just one thing left to do: go buy our book and enthusiastically tell all your friends, family, and fellow food lovers about it! Spread the word and let’s embark on this delicious culinary adventure together. Happy cooking, and may your kitchen always be filled with joy and incredible aromas!
Curious to get an exclusive sneak peek of Ready or Not! and watch me in action, demonstrating how to cook our versatile All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce and delectable Paper-Wrapped Chicken? You can catch the full demonstration on my Facebook Live broadcast, originally recorded on May 31, 2017. It’s a fantastic way to see the recipes come to life and get a taste of the cookbook’s magic before you dive in!
Always on the hunt for more exciting recipe ideas to invigorate your kitchen? Be sure to head on over to my comprehensive Recipe Index, where a world of culinary inspiration awaits! You’ll also discover an array of exclusive recipes meticulously crafted for my acclaimed iPhone and iPad app, offering convenience and deliciousness right at your fingertips. And, of course, don’t forget to explore the extensive collections found in my beloved cookbooks: Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and our latest masterpiece, Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)! Happy cooking, and may your culinary adventures be endlessly delicious.