Once a week cooking?!

There are people out there who want to save money and time in the kitchen. So what they do is cook larger batches of stuff. Say cooking once a week or once a month I have even heard of someone who cooked once every 6 months. My husband and a friend we cooked for a day and had enough meals for a month. We did it right before my baby was due. I had a 16 month at home and with a new one on the way thought this would be great for us. It was very handy to have all those meals already in the freezer. Loved it. It was a lot of work cooking for that one day. Which for us to a bit longer. We finished a few things the next day. If you have the time and energy to do it it is a great thing. I was at a friends house the one day and checking out her cookbook collection. As you know I love cookbooks. She had this one that intrugued me. Called cook once a week, eat well every day. I borrowed it. I fell in love with this book. Every recipe I tried tasted great. I was dissappointed that there was not many pictures. But the tasty meals made up for it. You would make one meal the one day and it would make enough to make a different meal the next day. Check it out. If you are thinking of starting more of a bulk cooking once a week is a great way to start.

Yum Cookies!

So I was checking out this blog the other day, sweetopia. Great site. The blog interviewed the author of the cookbook called, cookie swap. I just love the look of the book. I love making cookies that  I can decorate with icing. This author has some very creative ideas. Check it out. I can't wait to make Easter cookies. What is your favourite cookie? Do you decorate cookies at all?

Pies and Cakes

My mother had a cookbook called Better Homes and Gardens Pies and Cakes. My mom always made the best pies and cakes. She is an amazing baker. I sure know where I got my gift from. This cookbooks first edition was 1966. My copy is 1973. My moms book is falling apart because she has had it so long and uses it so much. I got my copy one day as I was in the mall and they had an antique sale on. In the middle of the mall different antique dealers had tables set up. As I was looking at the different tables I spotted this book. I had to get it. Plus the price was only $5 CDN. So how could I pass that up. I can't recommend this book enough. I have made so many excellent things from here. Today I made Mothers Best Fudge Cake. Great chocolate cake recipe. Some of the pictures are dated looking. But the recipes are still good and you can decorate your cake or pies any way you want. Decorating with jello on top of cupcakes looks gross to me. So do check out this book if you like to bake. A must for all bakers cookbook collections.
Pies and Cakes

To Freeze or Not to Freeze

So that is the question to freeze or not to freeze. Do you  ever wonder can I freeze _______? Fill in the blank. There has been many times that I have thought hmm wonder would this freeze well? Well wonder no more. I have found 2 cookbooks on line that look like they would be great additions to anyone's cookbook collection. The first is How to Freeze by Carolyn Humphries. I found a review at flipkart.com "The complete A to Z guide for freezing almost any food. Includes tips on freezing management for maximum enjoyment from your frozen foods. Contains instruction on food preparation, packaging suggestions, storage times, defrosting techniques, hygiene, and food safety." The other book is Can I Freeze It. This one looks really good. Along with all the freezer tips. She has filled the book with recipes that are great for the freezer. So check out the link read the reviews. It really looks like a must have cookbook.

I have recently discovered how to make pie. I love it. Pie making is so fun! Oh and so tasty to. So since I have discovered this I now want a pie cookbook. Like this one. Pie and Pastry Bible. Which has about 700 pages. Wow the variety of pies that must be inside. I can't imagine all that they are but wouldn't it be fun to start baking on page one and go all the way through. That would be a great way to get proficient a pie making. I really want this cookbook. would be great for summer when all the fruit is fresh. Hmm would make me a great birthday gift. As I have a summer birthday. Hint hint!!

Another Fav Cookbook

You know a cookbook is your fav when the book looks worn, the pages are stained. I have a few of those. The one I want to talk about today is Cooking from Quilt Country. Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens. Fabulous cookbook. I love it. I make many things from here. The book is written by Marcia Adams. She had visited the Amish and Mennonite communities and studied there recipes. The Amish and Mennonites are great cooks. They make everything from scratch. Which I do not. I make some things. But not all. Like chicken stock. I often buy that. I know homemade tastes better but I don't always have the time to make it. I definately recommend that you check out this cookbook. You wont be disappointed. Here is a recipe from it.

Chicken Corn Soup

6 tbsp butter, or rendered chicken fat                                              3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup finely chopped onion                                                           3/4 cup half and half
1 cup finely chopped celery                                                              2 tbsp shredded carrot
6 tbsp all-purpose flour                                                                    1 tbsp finely minced fresh parsley
2 cups chicken broth                                                                        1/4 tsp grated nutmeg, rounded
1 1-pound can cream-style corn                                                       1/8 tsp black pepper
11/2 cups very coarsely shredded cooked chicken

In a large saucepan, cook the butter, onion, and celery over medium heat for 3 minutes. stir in the flour, and cook 5 to 6 minutes longer, or until the mixture is golden. Add the broth, and whisk until smooth, raising the heat a bit. Add the remaining ingredients except chicken, and then lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Add chicken just before serving- allow soup to stand a few minutes to heat the chicken pieces.

More Romantic Cookbooks

I stumbled upon this cookbook one day on line. I want this. Read this review from Amazon.ca

"From delectable Duck Breast Salad (Crush in Portland, Oregon) to sensuous Green Tea Crème Brûlée (Dragonfly Bistro in Leavenworth, Washington), this colorfully illustrated cookbook lets lovers experience at home the Northwest's most romantic restaurants, wineries, B&Bs, and inns. Covering breakfast, appetizers and small plates, salads, main courses, and desserts, the book includes engaging sketches of each recipe's source establishment, as well as cooking tips and reasons why these dishes are the perfect companion for that special tête-à-tête. Informative sidebars profile romantic dining, aphrodisiacs, wine pairings, and other Northwest epicurial excursions." I just love the sound of this cookbook. The reviews in Amazon on this book are really good too. Check out this book here.

Cookbooks for Valentines

Well I have been debating with myself when to talk about Valentines. But if you want to buy  yourself a new cookbook for Valentines you have to buy it in advance. So I will post some cookbooks that I think would be good. I know Valentines is only one day but love can be celebrated all year long. So I found this cookbook called Intercourses. I got to see it one day at the bookstore and thought what a great book. The photography was very tastefully and artfully done. The pictures are of naked people who have all there approprate body parts covered in food. So there is not much nakedness to see. If that would concern you. The recipes looked really good. It is an aphrodisiac cookbook. Aphrodisiac for those who don't know means, food, drug, potion, or other agent that arouses sexual desire. This is a book you could have a lot of fun with on Valentines or any other day of the year. I bought this book and can't wait till it comes in the mail. I am sure Ben can't wait either. :o)

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Chocolate for Breakfast

Does that sound wrong to you? Chocolate for Breakfast? Chocolate is heavenly should it not be eaten at any time of day? Well I got to look at this cookbook in my local bookstore. The pictures in side were amazing. I love a cookbook with pictures. The pictures alone sold me. Also I do love chocolate. Here is the review from Amazon.ca " "With over 100 detailed recipes and 260 full color photographs, this lavishly illustrated cookbook is the ultimate tribute to the world's favorite indulgence. Chocolate connoisseur and chef extraordinaire Barbara Passino is renowned for her sinfully decadent breakfasts, which she serves daily at the luxurious Oak Knoll Inn, situated in the heart of Napa Valley, California. "Chocolate for Breakfast" is a sumptuous collection of Barbara's passion-filled techniques, philosophies and anecdotes, all presented in easy-to-follow recipes and illustrated with the spectacular photography of renowned photographer Marc Hoberman. Menus with a chocolate twist inspired from cultures around the world are presented, including Italian, French, Asian, Moroccan, Spanish and American, as well as some fun surprises such as breakfast ideas for Valentines Day, the secret to making a perfect bed (who says breakfast has to be at the table?), a Chocolate-y proposal and a lot more." This book looks like a must have to anyone's cookbook collection. I know I sure want it. Now if I could just get that money tree in the back to grow. I could buy all the cookbooks I wanted.

Easy Bake Oven

Hey do you know some one who has an easy bake oven? Or maybe you have a child who has one. Great toys. my daughter got one for Christmas. Looks like it will be a lot of fun. But the cake mixes what is in thoses things? How expensive are they to buy more? I got to thinking could I not make my own recipes? It sure would save me money and time. I started searching on line. Well in my searching I came across two cookbooks on is called Easy Bake Oven Gourmet  Looks great. It is filled with vintage pictures, and 32 recipes from  famous chefs. Gourmet recipes at that. Who wouldn't want to try Almond Raspberry Cake with White Chocolate and Cream Cheese Frosting. Or how about Pear Streusel Coffee Cake. I would love this cookbook. Now some of the reviews stat that the chefs don't make the recipes small. They leave it full size. Means you are left with a lot of cake. Also some of the recipes they say are to gourmet for kids. But my kids eat a diversity of foods so for me I am not so worried about it. But things to keep in mind. Also I can not find a more reasonably priced edition. $65.73 is a bit much for a kids cookbook. I am not willing to pay that price. So I keep looking for a better one.

There is how ever another cookbook that I found. Called Baking with Mommy Cookbook  This also looks really good. It has 70 recipes in it. A mom made this for her daughter who had an oven with a light bulb. Wouldn't you like to try Rocky Road Monster Truck Brownies? Or how about  Hot Diggidy Dog Pizza. This is also way more reasonably priced. $13.95. I would love to get them both. It would be fun to have. So if you or someone you know has an Easy Bake Oven one of these would be great to have. 

 

Bread in 5 minutes a day?!

So as I have been searching the web for cookbook blogs I have stumbled upon this book. Called Artisian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. The first time I saw it I thought the title a bit of a joke. Did not even bother to look at it. But when I had stumbled upon this persons blog today and they had comments from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times just to name a few.Promoting this guys site and cooking ability. I looked around his site. He promoted this cookbook. From a guy who does not use cookbooks. His site is called  norecipes.com. The guy is an experimenter in the kitchen. Makes up his own recipes. That is cool. Like my husband. Who is very cool. Honey you are a great cook!  Well I had to take a look. It intrigues me to no end. Can you really make bread in 5 minutes a day? I have to see if my public library has this. I can't wait to check this book out. I love making bread. It is such a satisfying feeling. Knowing I made that. It tastes so much better then store bought. Also smells so heavenly as its baking. They also have another cookbook called Healthy Bread in 5 minutes a day.  I really want this one. Check them out I don't think you will be disappointed. If  you own or hear of an interesting cookbook please do let me know about it. I am always interested in cookbooks. If you have not guessed that already.

Another Fav Book!

So I have a bit of a collection of cookbooks. Not sure of an exact number around 35. Tell me do you think that is too many or not enough? To me I need more! Well o.k. maybe need is the wrong word I want more. I am always wanting more. For Christmas I got 2 new cookbooks and my son got 1. I can't wait to use them. But I am not writing about those today. Today I want to talk about a book I bought in 1992 I think. My edition was written in 1990. The new deluxe edition is written in 2009. The book is called Food Lover's Companion. My copy says on the front, "comprehensive definitions of over 3000 food wine and culinary terms." The new deluxe edition says " more then 6,700 entries." Wow I thought over 3000 was pretty good. Basically what the book is, is it's a dictionary for the kitchen. An amazing one at that. Have you ever had a recipe that lists an ingredient and you wonder what on earth is that? Or recommends a cooking term and you have no idea what that means? Or say your in the grocery store and you see an item in the fruits and veggies and scratch your head wondering what is that? Well then this book is for you. Pretty much there is everything in here. I have found this book an invaluable tool. I even read it just for fun. There is so much good stuff in here. Did you know that "the Aztec king Montezuma so believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac that he purportedly drank 50 golden goblets of it each day." You can find that under Chocolate no doubt. Or that white chocolate is not real chocolate. So next time you have spending money or your birthday rolls around you need to get or ask for the Food Lover's Companion. You wont regret it.

My Favourite Cookbook... maybe

So I thought I would start off with talking about my favourite cookbook. Well it is hard for me to have a favourite as I love so many. But I would say this cookbook is one I could not live with out. Betty Crocker's New Cookbook. Mine is the soft cover version and it is slowly falling apart. :( Cause I use it so much. Betty knows so much. If there is something you don't know about cooking Betty will be able to help you out. We make pancakes and waffles from here every Saturday. Pizza dough every Friday. I have tried many of the recipes in the cookbook and have liked them all. You can also check Betty out on the web. bettycrocker.com Here is one of my favourites from her cookbook.

Beef Enchiladas

Prep: 15 min; Cook 20 min; Bake 20 min

Makes 4 servings

1 pound lean ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2cup)

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp pepper

1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

2/3 cup water

1 tbsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp

dried oregano leaves

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2 whole green chilies, chopped, if desired

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 can (15oz) tomato sauce

8 corn tortillas (6 inches in diameter)

Shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped

onions, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350o

2. Cook beef in 10 inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in onion, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, the parsley and pepper. Cover and set aside.

3. Heat bell pepper, water, chili powder, oregano, cumin, chilies, garlic and tomato sauce to boiling, stirring occasionally, reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes. Pour into ungreased pie plate, 9x1 1/4 inches.

4. Dip each tortilla into sauce to coat both sides. Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture onto each tortilla; roll tortilla around filling. place in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1 1/2 inches. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas.

5. Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream and  chopped onions.

Cheese Enchiladas: Substitute 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese for the beef. Mix with onion, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, the parsley. salt and pepper. Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese on enchiladas before baking.

I have also substituted the beef with ground turkey or chicken. I think even once with ground bison.