3 Ways Ina Garten Taught Me To Simplify Dinners (And Be a Calmer Mom)

The 2014 release of Ina Garten’s Make It Ahead coincided when I was a newlywed and brand-new mom. In retrospect, it was exactly the book I needed to help me balance some of my new responsibilities, like making dinner every night while caring for my family.

I realize how old-fashioned this may sound, but I had dreamed of being a wife and mother for a long time, and I wanted so badly to be good at it. Since I’ve always enjoyed cooking and my love language is acts of service, making comforting meals was one way I knew I could show that affection.

The problem was that I had always been able to take my time in the kitchen to churn out perfect recipes; with a baby to care for, things had changed. That’s where Ina’s book found me.

Why I Love Ina's "Make It Ahead" Cookbook

I picked up Make It Ahead at my local bookstore—the same place where I would push my baby girl up and down the aisles in her stroller, looking for her little smile of approval when picking out books to read to her. After she fell asleep, I’d make my way over to the cookbooks.

Since I was already a longtime fan of the Barefoot Contessa, I was immediately drawn to her new book, and the gorgeous photos sealed the deal. I knew it would provide me with a few new go-to meals, but what I didn’t realize until later is how much her make-ahead methods would help take the stress out of cooking.

3 Things I Learned From Ina's Book

From Make It Ahead, I learned how to store big batches of soup to enjoy weeks later (I had never before thought of freezing soup). I also discovered that I could marinate pork tenderloin in advance to yield flavorful results and cut down on day-of dinner prep.

Ina even taught me how to preassemble and store salads without soggy results (let grains and hearty ingredients marinate in dressing overnight, add more delicate greens right before dinner).

I also figured out a few things on my own while cooking from Ina’s book. One of those lightbulb moments came when I was making her Parmesan Chive Smashed Potatoes—a recipe that has since become a favorite in my home. The recipe is simple; still, it takes almost an hour, and that’s time I didn’t have back then, at least not all in one stretch.

Instead of boiling the potatoes while I waited for the oven to preheat, I began boiling them whenever I had the chance—sometimes at breakfast or in the middle of the night when I was up feeding my daughter—then storing them in the fridge so I could smash and roast them with a moment’s notice.

Since they roast in a simple dressing of olive oil, salt, and pepper, I started using the potatoes as a blank canvas for a variety of toppings (think chimichurri, or lemon and parsley). It was a bonus that I could also set aside a few potatoes to peel and turn into a purée for my then-toothless daughter.

Becoming the much less frazzled mother that I am today required many lessons outside of the kitchen, but Ina’s shortcuts provided me with calm moments to discover those lessons. And while the cover of my book and my marriage may be long lost, every time I make one of her comforting recipes, I feel like I’m getting one thing right.

Find Ina Garten's Make It Ahead on Amazon or at your local bookseller.