Why You Don’t Need Another Cook Book!

But, this book is different. Look at those glossy pictures, perfect portions, smiling chef, promises of grandeur with carbs and calories falling from the heavens…

Guilty! I am a self confessed ‘cook book hoarder.’ Someone who has visions of epic meals, with exotic ingredients, on a shoe-string budget that take 18 long hours to prepare. You know, the ones that taste like you’re on a hot dinner date with Manu. (or George Clooney, whatever blows your skirt up.) And, just like that dinner date, it never happens.

Admit it! You have a fair collection already, right?

Most of these cook books are collecting dust on top of the fridge or shoved hard into the forgotten corner of the bookshelf. Chances are, you’ve only ever tried a handful of the recipes inside of them and the thirteen ingredients you bought, and had left over, sat in the fridge for the next month until they festered and walked out the fridge on their own.

If this isn’t you, then you get a gold star! Straight to the top of the class! (liar!!!!)

If this is you, then before you buy the next cook book have a look at the ones you already own. Throw some out! Cut out the recipes you use and pop them into a recipe journal. Think about what you actually like to cook on a day-to-day basis and where you need to extend your skill set. Check out some recipes online. These often have plenty of feedback and a screenshot on your phone costs nothing (and doesn’t clog up the house).

As a mum, with a family of five, my priorities are that food needs to be simple, vegetable dense, freezer friendly and be able to be made in bulk. I have a friend that comes over and we drink coffee while cooking up a freezer full of main meals. That works for us.

Most of foods I make do not require rocket science or a recipe.

What they do require is planning, shopping, a mammoth pot to cook them up in and a healthy dose of a ‘let’s do this’ attitude. That’s not to say I have all the answers. We are still fine tuning, season changing, upgrading our containers and drinking plenty of coffee along the way… but I digress.

At the end of the work day, my goal is to put a healthful meal on the table while chatting to my kids about homework and the ins and outs of their day.
So, before you hand over your hard earned cash on another cook book, think about your goals and the books you already have in your collection. You may find that you don’t need another cook book, but you need your nails done instead.