First of all, thank you for either looking at my book or purchasing it. This cookbook has been in the making for about 30 years. The idea came to me because of counting pennies. I had to be creative and make do with what I had in the home or could afford. I am sure this is not a new idea in the realm of cookbooks and there are so many on the market to choose from. I do believe though that simplicity is key to cooking at home affordably and waste-free. I am not a fancy or complicated cook. I just want to convey how easy, fast, and economical it can be to prepare a meal without stress and culinary training. However, I do have to admit I have learned a few tricks of the culinary trade from my daughter who is a trained chef.
I have provided a list of items to keep on hand in your pantry that will be your go to which you can buy on sale and keep stocked up. Most of these items can be used in a lot of the recipes in this book. It keeps things simple and the cost down.
Many of the recipes in this book can also be cooked in a crock pot, which I use a lot. While other cooking appliances exist that can speed up the cooking process, these recipes have not been tested using anything other than a crock pot, oven, or stove. I just want to note that not all crock pots are created equal. Some take longer than others to cook food and some are very quick. As a result, you may need to adjust the cooking times given in this book.
My family and I rely on the garden thoughout the summer and freeze or preserve vegetables to have over the winter. There is nothing more tasty and good for you than fresh vegetable right out of the garden. Additionally, strawberry and blueberry season is a wonderful time to make freezer jam and lots of berry crisps for dessert. Each section in this book will clearly indicate how to cook the recipes and whether to use fresh or frozen ingredients.
As far as using spices go, I am rather liberal with quantities. I find that it is best to start with a teaspoon and add more to suit your taste as everyone's tastes are different.
I am hoping that this will get people more interested in cooking at home and forgetting fast food ( well, maybe once in a while for a treat ). I have worked in health care for many years and have seen the end results of when people do not take care of themselves. Too much salt in foods can play havoc with our bodies, pushing up blood pressure. Additionally, unhealthy dietary habits can lead to an increase in diabetes as well as increased risk of obesity. If we can sit our families down to a healthy homemade meal and teach our children to eat this way and perhaps even participate in helping prepare the meal, we should be able to set them up for a better future. Here are some recipes to have with your family around the table. Bon Appetit!