Cookbook Offers Field Meal Inspiration

Deanne Frieders has seen tractor cabs stocked with more junk food than a convenience store. While the Waterman, Illinois, farmer is the first to agree that everyone needs a snack now and then, she's written a new cookbook aimed at taking meals to the field filled with homemade goodness.

Titled "Meals in Motion," her latest cookbook features quick and easy recipes for families on the go.

"The recipes are from our family's table and they reflect the need to bring family together to share the stories of the day or just have a really good meal wherever that meeting spot might be," said Frieders.

Those meals aren't about being impressive. They are about keeping your people fueled so the work keeps moving, she added.

In 2016, Frieders started an online cooking presence called "This Farm Girl Cooks" as a place for cooks looking to feed their families well without losing their minds over what's for dinner.

"Cooking for those we love should be doable and depend on ingredients that you have on hand and don't have to run all over town to find," she told DTN. "I hope this cookbook is a valuable tool -- whether you are feeding a crew or just two people."

From breakfast to main dishes to side dishes and desserts, Frieders holds firm to her philosophy that field meals should not be complicated. She simplifies cooking (and cleanup) with one-pan recipes. The slow cooker, instant pot or air fryer can become a kitchen hero for those short on time. You'll find tips on meal planning and ways to make the most of your time.

When it comes time to go to the field, Frieders said to forget the fancy sauces. It's time for meals that are easy to transport and will hold the heat. Casseroles, sliders and wraps are favorites.

"But don't be afraid to shake up the traditional," she said. "For example, Quiche Lorraine may be on the menu that day. But if someone doesn't have time to eat, it fits quite nicely into a to-go wrap."

Cowboy Cornbread Casserole. Crockpot Mississippi Pork Sandwiches. Air Fryer Meatloaf. Grandma's Potato Salad. Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars. The book includes a combination of her own recipes and family favorites. In some cases, she updates well-known recipes to make them a bit healthier, while tossing in some creative shortcuts.

"I come up with a lot of them based on pain points of my readers," she said. "I've learned a lot about what readers like and what will make all our lives just a little easier. Then, I try to carry that mindset over when I'm creating recipes."

TIPS FOR TAKING MEALS TO FIELD

Frieders published her first cookbook called "Table to Tailgate" in 2020 and shares these tips for taking meals to the field.

-- Farm meals require flexibility. Slow-cooker meals and Instant Pot meals are your friend. Cook foods that can be ready 30 minutes early or served two hours after they are ready.

-- Use the "no knife required" test. Almost anything can be prepared to be portable. The best bet is food that can be picked up with hands or eaten with a fork.

-- Provide a snack for later, such as an apple or something healthy for the inevitable time when the stash of cab snacks runs out.

-- Don't get your feelings hurt if eaters don't rave about the food. Too much visiting and you take the chance that the whole meal idea might get eliminated. In other words, save the long picnics for after fieldwork is finished.

-- Track what works for your family and what is liked best, so you remember for next time. The new cookbook offers a meal memory tracker.

-- Turn meal prep into family time. Let little hands help wash veggies and let them help "feed the family."

-- Corral your meal into laundry baskets for easy transport. Don't take good kitchen utensils to the field if you care about them making it back to the kitchen.

"Food is more than what we eat," Frieders said. "It nourishes us from the inside out. It fuels the body, but it also feeds the soul and builds community."

Find more information and free recipes and ideas from This Farm Girl Cooks website www.thisfarmgirlcooks.com. Paperback and Kindle versions of the cookbook are available through Amazon.

A DTN story about the book Table to Tailgate can be found here: https://www.dtnpf.com/… .

Check out another fun read on field meals in this post by DTN Content Editor EllaMae Reiff. She reveals the top five meals as rated by her 18-year-old brother and provides the recipes at https://ellamaereiff.substack.com/….

Pamela Smith can be reached at pamela.smith@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform @PamSmithDTN

(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.