Super Simple Half-Baked Harvest – Tieghan Gerard
Super Simple Half-Baked Harvest is a beautiful book full of a variety of recipes – ALL with fresh ingredients. There is a nice combination of recipes that are quick and easy and others that you can take your time while making. The photographs are outstanding and it’s one of those books where the recipes are calling you to make them based on either the picture or their combination of ingredients. In many of the recipes, Tieghan Gerard gives options for stovetop, slow or pressure cooker. I’ve tried SO MANY of the recipes in this book and have made a few notes of my own (see chart below) so that you can hit the ground running when you pick up your copy.
Let’s start with a recipe so easy and good that I am pretty confident if you are a blue cheese fan this will become your GO TO APPETIZER. Super tasty and impressive and just 3 ingredients – it doesn’t get much better or easier than these Blue Cheese Bites.
Speaking of easy, the Chicken Tinga Tacos are a breeze to make and are packed with flavor. They come together easily in about 25 minutes making this a great weeknight dinner option, which can also provide a tasty lunch the next day. I did make the Pickled Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa with them (just 4 ingredients) it’s really quick. That salsa which include pineapple, lime and cilantro tasted much lighter than the traditional salsa.
This French Onion Soup was restaurant quality and not overly complicated with the help of the slow cooker. You cook the onions for 4 – 6 hours and then add some broth and spices and cook for another 2-3. I am a fan of this soup, ordering it frequently at Panera or other restaurants- but had NEVER made it at home until NOW. Adding toasted bread (so it doesn’t soak up all the good stuff) topped with Gruyere cheese is a perfect pairing for this dish.
The Jerk Shrimp and Mango Salsa Rice Bowls are something to talk about. When I say that, I MEAN IT!!! This is basically a sheet pan recipe which most of you have ALREADY tried. It takes 35 minutes. Yes, it has tomatillos – DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU – You CAN DO THIS!!! These are so easy to work with and add so much flavor. I will include Tieghan’s The Best Jerk Seasoning, but you can easily substitute a store brand. Either are great to season chicken, potatoes, salmon, or pork.
Half Baked Super Simple has a variety of great recipes to offer. Please see the chart below for my favorites.
| 10 Make again SOON! |
| 8-9 Definitely make again |
| 6-7 Might make again |
| 4-5 Would not make again |
| 1-3 Could not eat |
| Recipe | Category | Page | Rating | Difficulty | Notes |
| Lemon Basil Pesto | Basics | 19 | 7 | easy | Lemon flavor strong. |
| Peach Rose’ Sangria | Appetizers | 74 | 8 | easy | Used peach vodka instead of Elderberry Liquor due to $$$ |
| Blue Cheese bites | Appetizers | 52 | 10 | super easy | only 3 ingredients – fast |
| Jalapeno Butter Shrimp | Fish | 224 | 6 | easy | Not as good as Skinny Tastes / similar recipe. |
| Coconut Banana Muffins | Breakfast | 43 | 6 | easy | No sugar is a positive. Very dry topping doesn’t stick well |
| Everything Bagel Salad | 80 | 7 | easy | Great way to use leftover lemon pesto. Mixed reviews at the dinner table. | |
| Jerk & Mango Salsa Rice Bowls | 236 | 9 | medium | Came together quick – weeknight meal. | |
| Rubbed Flank Steak w/ Garlic Butter Corn Salad | 216 | 9 | easy | Rub makes the dish. Would be when having guests. | |
| Breaded Lemon Chicken | Main | 174 | 7 | medium | |
| Rosemary Peach Bruschetta Chicken | Main | 180 | 4 | easy | I would just use peaches and omit tomatoes . |
| Penne Vodka | Main | 126 | 7 | medium | |
| Black Pepper Buffalo Cauliflower Bites | Side | 136 | 8 | easy | This could also be an appetizer. |
| Cheesy Poblano and Bacon Quesadilla | Main | 48 | 6 | medium | Toppings are a must. |
| Egg-in -a- Hole with Tomato and Bacon | Breakfast | 31 | 8 | easy | Pesto is made this special. Used regular pesto. |
| Chocolate Peanut Butter Blonde Brownie Bars | Dessert | 274 | 8 | medium | A lot of steps but worth the effort. |
| Autumn Harvest Salad | Salad & Soup | 84 | 8 | easy | Suggest switch Romaine for half the kale. Pecans very good. |
| Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread | Breakfast | 44 | 7 | medium | Dry |
| Blueberry Lemon Pull-Apart Bread | Breakfast | 39 | 6 | medium | Not sweet enough and dry. |
| French Onion soup | Soup & Salad | 88 | 8 | easy | Convenient crock pot recipe |
| Instant Chicken Gumbo | Poultry & Pork | 170 | 7 | Oily – suggest smaller roux 1/2 cup potion of oil and flour or switch to roux with butter and flour. | |
| Chicken Tinga Tacos | Poultry & Pork | 183 | 9 | easy | Fast & simple. Great weeknight meal or lunch. |
