1 Cookbook...Week 1

Teressa and I talked a lot about what cookbooks we would use. It's important you know that Teressa is a serious cookbook collector. I'm not sure she uses them often, but she has a lot, and she LOVES them! :)

We were both pretty clear on what we wanted from a cookbook...something simple with recipes our family would eat that didn't require tons of ingredients or anything expensive. We talked about all our favorite Food Network chefs. Paula Deen...too much butter. Rachel Ray...too many ingredients. Sandra Lee...been there done that. We like some of the newer people, Ann Burrell, Claire Robinson, but they don't have cookbooks out.

So, we met at Barnes & Noble this weekend, and we pulled every cookbook off the shelf that looked interesting. We sat in the cafe and previewed them all over coffee. The first one we unanimously chose was Cook This, Not That! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding.


Maybe you've seen some of their Eat This, Not That! books? They're interesting. Unfortunately I haven't followed their advice much, but the books are worth checking out. I have to say, I love their cookbook!! There is a lot of helpful information before you get to the recipes. The authors rate food by it's healthfulness (is that a word?). They include cereal, carbs, meat, dairy, etc. The book gives you kitchen utensils you should have, and helps you create the perfect pantry. The book is well written. It's helpful, interesting, and funny. (One part that made me laugh out loud talked about leaving a stick of butter and a stick of margarine on the counter. The butter gets runny which natural fats should do. The margarine, "looks like Tori Spelling's bust - unnaturally firm.")

The recipes are great! One thing that made this cookbook stand out was something many cookbooks have surprisingly few of...pictures. This has a color picture for every recipe! The recipes are divided into chapters (breakfast, appetizers and small bites, soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers, off the grill, pasta, American classics, ethnic dishes, sides snacks & sauces, and desserts and drinks).

Needless to say, you will definitely be able to find things you like in this cookbook. So, we chose this book for Week 1. We will each cook at least 3 recipes from this cookbook, and 1 of those 3 we will both make on the same night. You will get 2 different perspectives on 1 recipe!

So, to our 8 faithful followers (only 1 of which is a family member, thank you very much), get ready for our journey. We are thrilled you've decided to join us!!

On three, "Start Cookin'!" One, Two, Three..."Start Cookin'!"