Top Five Cookbooks for Busy Moms

Twenty years ago, dinner was a time for families to gather and reflect on the events of the day. Today, due to busy schedules, it is often difficult for families to find time to sit down together and eat a meal. For many families, meals are "on the go" and consist of fast food or dining at a restaurant. Whether you are a stay at home mom or a working mom, these cookbooks are must haves and will allow you to prepare tasty meals for your family in a matter of minutes.

Fix it and Forget it Cookbook (Dawn J. Ranck and Phyllis Pellman Good)

If you are frequently on the go, but would like your family to have a home-cooked meal, a slow cooker is a great investment. This cookbook is an excellent resource filled with over 800 tried and true slow cooker recipes. It is broken down into the following categories: Appetizers, Snacks and Spreads; Breakfast Foods; Breads; Soups, Stews, and Chili; Main Dishes; Bean Main Dishes; Vegetables; Desserts, and Beverages. It includes comfort foods such as beef stew, chicken and dumplings, and beef stroganoff as well tasty desserts like hot fudge cake and lemon pudding cake. The book is spiral bound and retails for $16.95. There are several other books in the series including one for diabetics, one filled with "light" recipes, and one for entertaining.

101 Things to do with a Slow Cooker (Stephanie Ashcraft and Janet Eyring)

If you are just starting to use a slow cooker, this book is a worthwhile investment. The recipes are simple to prepare, require minimal ingredients, and are family-friendly. The book includes tips for getting the best results with your slow cooker as well as information to allow you to adapt other recipes for use in a slow cooker. It is divided into the following categories: Beverages; Dips and Fondues; Soups and Stews; Beef; Chicken; Pork, and Desserts. Some favorites include: Easy Flank Steak, Shepherd's Pie, and Shredded Pork Burritos. It is spiral bound with a clear plastic cover and retails for $9.95. There is a follow-up book in the series called 101 More Things to do with a Slow Cooker.

Classic Rachael Ray 30 Minute Meals: The All Occasion Cookbook

Between her television shows on two different networks and her line of cookbooks, Rachael Ray is quickly becoming a household name. All of her cookbooks include recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less and this latest book is guaranteed to include plenty of favorites that will have your family saying "Yum-O!" The book is divided into four areas: Everyday, Parties, Date nights, and Kid Chefs. Your kids will love recipes such as "Meatza Pizza Balls" with "Smashed Potatoes" and a Tropical Yogurt Parfait. Each section has several complete menus which include the entrée, side dishes, and dessert. If you have never purchased a Rachael Ray cookbook before, this is a great one to start with. It is hard back and retails for $19.95.

101 Things to do with a Casserole (Stephanie Ashcraft and Janet Eyring)

Casseroles are a great option for busy families because they are easy to assemble, kids enjoy them, and leftovers can be quickly reheated. This cookbook is very user friendly and includes plenty of helpful hints such as tips for preparing them in advance and freezing them. The book includes the following sections: Breakfast; Vegetarian; Chicken; Turkey; Pork; Beef, and "Family Favorites" such as Easy Lasagne and Tater Tot Casserole. The book is spiral bound with a clear cover and retails for $9.95.

Favorite Brand Name Four Ingredient Cookbook

This cookbook includes a variety of recipes that even a beginner will be able to follow. Most meals can be assembled in a few minutes and include everything from one dish meals such as Broccoli, Chicken and Rice casserole to Herb-Roasted Turkey. Each recipe includes only four ingredients, and all ingredients are "brand name" items which you likely have in your kitchen already. Recipes include beautiful illustrations so that you know what to expect from the final product as well as tips that will help you save time while shopping and cooking. The book includes the following categories: Appetizers and Drinks; Meat; Poultry; Seafood; One Dish Meals; Marinades and Sauces; Salads and Sides; Brunch and Lunch; Bread; Cakes, Pies, Cookies, and Desserts. The book is hard bound and retails for $29.95.