Everyday Cooking

     For several months now, I have been part of the writing staff for a monthly household publication called Molly’s Digest.  I love helping folks save money creatively.  Recently, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I have been able to expand that love by being part of the Molly Team.  This team has been put together to use and review products relating to the home.  Our first product review has been wonderful! 

     I am a cookbook junkie.  Yes, I admit it.  I am one of those who has to be dragged away from the cookbook section in bookstores or else I will buy them all.  I love cookbooks.  Funny thing is, I am very particular about what type of cookbook will become a favorite.  I like cookbooks that are practical, family friendly, and easy to use.  It really doesn’t matter to me if a cookbook is gorgeous.  I am interested in the recipes and other information provided.  As a member of the Molly Team, my first product to review has been just such a cookbook.

     Everyday Cooking, by Vicki Bentley, is a 100 page cookbook, available in either a spiral-bound print format or an e-book format, that is full of practical, family-friendly recipes.  Vicki is a mom of eight, so she has had a lot of experience with kids in her kitchen.  I have six kids and they have been working in the kitchen with me since they were old enough to sit in their high chair beside me as I cooked.  All of my kids can follow recipes, to a degree, and prepare simple meals.  Everyday Cooking has been, and will continue to be, one of my favorite cookbooks of all time because of several features – one of which is a list of basic cooking skills.  I am working through these and making sure my kids have grasped the basics.  As for the recipes, these are simple no-frills recipes.  Most of the recipes use common ingredients and most recipes use inexpensive ingredients.  I am usually not a measurer when cooking.  I am a pinch and dump cook.  Evidently, Vicki is the same type of cook because on some of her recipes she has a disclaimer that says she never really measures, she just sort of eyeballs the amounts (paraphrased).  I love that she is honest enough in her recipes to let the reader know it is ok to estimate a little and adjust a recipe according to your family’s tastes. 

     Everyday Cooking would be a great cookbook to use with kids of any age as part of a basic home economics study.  It is straightforward and simple to understand.  I would have enjoyed a few pictures, just for fun, but the recipes definitely stand alone.  All in all, for $14.99 for the e-book and $17.99 for the print version, Everyday Cooking is a great value.  I received the e-book version.  I really like this version.  I have it on my IPad and can pull up the recipe I need in a flash.  It is super convenient for me when I go to the store.  I just keep the recipe pulled up and use that for my grocery list. One of our favorite recipes so far is Vicki’s bread recipe.  Unfortunately, we are carb fanatics around our house and bread is one of our big weaknesses.  I love bread recipes – especially whole wheat, and Vicki’s recipe is great!  It doesn’t turn out dry like a lot of wheat bread recipes do.  You can visit the Everyday Cooking page of Vicki’s website and actually follow a link to some sample recipes if you would like to try before you buy. I highly recommend this cookbook.

     Other members of the Molly Team have been using Everyday Cooking as well as another of Vicki’s books, The Everyday Family Chore System.  To read their reviews, simply visit our team blog page.

**Disclaimer:  As a member of the Molly Team, I received an electronic copy of Everyday Cooking for purposes of review.  All opinions are my own. No compensation was received.**