Breakfast For Dinner Cookbook Review: Reinvent Your Evenings with Lindsay Landis & Taylor Hackbarth

Today marks a truly special occasion in my culinary journey: a cookbook review and giveaway that I’ve been eagerly anticipating! The book in question is the innovative and inspiring Breakfast For Dinner, co-authored by the incredibly talented Lindsay Landis and her husband, Taylor Hackbarth. For those immersed in the food blogging world, Lindsay is nothing short of a blogging idol of mine, consistently delivering inspiring recipes and breathtaking photography over at her acclaimed platform, Love and Olive Oil. I even had the distinct pleasure of meeting her in person at Big Summer Potluck, an experience that only deepened my admiration for her craft.

To be completely transparent, my initial inclination would have been to pass on reviewing a cookbook centered around “breakfast for dinner.” It’s not a concept I typically embrace; my meals usually adhere to more conventional categories. However, the moment I learned that this particular book was a creation of Lindsay and Taylor, my hesitation vanished. Their culinary expertise and consistent delivery of outstanding recipes have built an unwavering trust with me. Every dish I’ve ever tried from their repertoire has been nothing short of fantastic, and this book, I can confidently say, is no exception. It’s filled with recipes that are not only delicious but also remarkably creative and far from boring, challenging preconceived notions about what a dinner meal can be.

The genius behind Breakfast For Dinner lies in its inventive concept: taking beloved breakfast ingredients and infusing them with a distinct “breakfast twist” to elevate classic dinner dishes. This isn’t just about serving pancakes for supper (though you absolutely can, and there are incredible options for that!). Instead, it’s about a sophisticated reimagining of flavors and textures. Imagine starting your evening meal with something as delightful as Italian-Style Stuffed French Toast, which transforms a sweet breakfast staple into a savory, hearty main course. Or perhaps the intriguing Savory Lentil and Carrot Stuffed Crepes, offering a wholesome and unexpected take on a delicate dish. And for those who appreciate comfort food with a twist, the Bacon Fried Rice promises a familiar favorite elevated by a breakfast superstar.

But the book doesn’t stop at innovative main courses. It understands that a complete meal is an experience, and thus, it generously includes sections for complementary sides, refreshing drinks, and decadent desserts. While some might argue that Lemon Poppyseed Thumbprints aren’t “truly dinner recipes” (though I’m certainly not one to complain about a sweet treat for dinner!), these additions are perfectly designed to round out and enhance your breakfast-for-dinner feast. They provide that extra layer of indulgence and completeness, ensuring every course contributes to a memorable and satisfying meal. The book genuinely encourages an adventurous and playful approach to cooking, inviting you to break free from traditional mealtime boundaries and discover new favorites.

The very first recipe I enthusiastically delved into was Shakshuka, a vibrant and flavorful dish that Lindsay and Taylor introduce as a traditional Hebrew creation centered around perfectly poached eggs in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. From their description, it sounded deceptively simple, and indeed, it proved to be an incredibly easy yet deeply satisfying weekday meal. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward preparation: you simply combine all the core ingredients in a single pan, allow them to simmer and meld for about 20 minutes, then crack fresh eggs directly into the simmering sauce and cook for just a few more minutes until they reach your desired doneness.

For someone like me, constantly on the hunt for flavorful, comforting, and unfussy dinners after a demanding day of work, this Shakshuka instantly earned a coveted spot on my go-to list. Its appeal is undeniable – the rich, aromatic tomato base, infused with spices, perfectly cradling tender, runny-yolked eggs. It’s a dish that feels both exotic and incredibly familiar, offering warmth and satisfaction in every bite. In fact, its addictive quality meant I’ve already prepared it several times since adding the book to my collection. My only minor mishap, entirely my own doing, occurred when I didn’t serve all the eggs immediately. By the time I returned for a second helping, the residual heat of the sauce had overcooked the remaining eggs. A lesson learned: with a dish this good, it’s best enjoyed fresh and hot, eggs perfectly runny.

Next on my culinary adventure through Breakfast For Dinner was the captivating Sunny-Side-Up Burgers, a recipe so iconic it graces the cover of the book itself. This dish immediately caught my eye because it brilliantly combines two of my absolute favorite breakfast elements: crispy, shredded hash browns and a perfectly cooked egg with a wonderfully runny yolk. It’s a true breakfast-meets-burger masterpiece. When I prepared them, I found myself without cheese or lettuce – a fairly common state for my pantry, I confess – but the absence of these traditional burger toppings hardly detracted from the experience. Lindsay and Taylor suggested apricot preserves as a condiment, an intriguing sweet and savory pairing. However, for my personal preference, the luxurious, rich cascade of the runny yolk proved to be ample “sauce,” lending a natural creaminess and depth of flavor that was utterly satisfying.

Beyond its innovative flavor profile, the Sunny-Side-Up Burger is also surprisingly easy to whip up, making it another fantastic option for a quick weeknight meal. To further streamline the process, I opted for frozen shredded potatoes, significantly cutting down on preparation time without compromising on taste or texture. The crispy hash brown patty serves as a delightful foundation, providing a textural contrast to the juicy burger and the silky egg. I’m so smitten with these burgers that I’ve already decided they will be my next dinner offering when I host my parents and brother. I have no doubt they will be equally impressed by this creative and delicious spin on a classic. The only potential drawback, and it’s a small one, is that these burgers can be quite messy to eat. You might find yourself unable to multitask while enjoying them, but that’s a small price to pay for such a uniquely delightful meal – perhaps embrace it with a knife and fork, or just a pile of napkins!

My “must-try” list from this exceptional cookbook is growing longer with each page turn, highlighting the sheer breadth and creativity of Lindsay and Taylor’s work. I’m particularly excited about the prospect of baking the Banana Bread Bundt Cake – will it be a breakfast dessert, or a sweet and comforting centerpiece for a brunch-inspired dinner? Then there’s the truly ambitious and intriguing Cornmeal Pancakes with Beer-Braised Short Ribs. I actually made the beer-braised short ribs last night, sans pancakes, and they were utterly delicious, falling-off-the-bone tender and rich with flavor – a testament to the quality of the individual components within the book. Pairing them with cornmeal pancakes promises an even more extraordinary experience, blending hearty savory with a touch of sweet and fluffy.

Further down my list are the more sophisticated offerings: Grapefruit Risotto with Seared Scallops, an unexpected and elegant combination that piques my curiosity; Maple-Glazed Pork Meatballs, which sound like the ultimate comfort food, blending sweet and savory notes; and the versatile Bacon Jam, which I can already envision slathered on everything from toast to burgers, adding a layer of smoky, sweet, and savory goodness. These examples barely scratch the surface, but they beautifully illustrate the diverse range of dishes found within the book, from comforting classics to gourmet explorations, all unified by that inventive breakfast-for-dinner philosophy.

Beyond the incredible recipes, the book itself is a feast for the eyes. Each and every recipe is accompanied by a stunning photograph, which is an absolute must-have for any cookbook worth its salt. The visual appeal is immense; the overall style and feel of the book are simply exquisite. The photography not only showcases the dishes beautifully but also serves as a genuine source of inspiration, encouraging you to step into the kitchen and create these culinary masterpieces yourself. The layout is clean, the instructions are clear, and the aesthetic is perfectly aligned with the inspiring and approachable nature of the recipes.

I wholeheartedly recommend Breakfast For Dinner to anyone who is seeking easy yet incredibly flavorful dinner ideas, particularly those looking to inject a dose of creativity and fun into their meal planning. You certainly don’t need to possess advanced cooking skills to navigate this book successfully; the recipes are wonderfully accessible. (Although, some might humorously argue that mastering the art of the perfect runny egg is a skill in itself!). Conversely, I would strongly advise against this book for anyone who harbors a strong dislike for eggs. Seriously, the concept of “breakfast for dinner” is intrinsically linked with eggs, and you’d be missing out on a significant portion of the book’s charm and core offerings without them. For everyone else, prepare to have your dinner routine delightfully transformed!

The giveaway mentioned earlier is now closed. Congratulations to Terri, who was the lucky winner!