I love going through them and getting ideas - then I kind go off on my own. I do follow recipes for baking (for the most part).
We just love food, I love easy and yummy recipes and if I can add frugal in there too - it's a win-win recipe for me!
I have several books that have long been my go to books. Now I do have my Mom's very old and fat (and well worn) cook book. I do several baking recipes from it - as they are sure fire favorites of the family. There are even sweet little notes and suggestions written in the margins in her hand writing. Many of those recipes have been past on by myself to many of the younger generations in the family. Those are just special.
Here are a few of my favorite books - that get used often.
I like simple. The one on the top right that is hard to see is 500 Recipes Using Zucchini. My MIL found it at a yard sale and thought of me years and years ago. It was put together by a garden club in Southington, Ohio. Copyrights are 1968-1988. I have tried to find information on it, as many others have wanted one as well. Goodness, my brother actually copied the entire book himself on his home printer. It cost a small fortune in ink!!!!!
The things we do for our recipes (and our zucchini)!!!!!
I love Amish recipes as they are pretty straight forward. That book also has a lot of other types of tips and hints and stories as well. The other books are pretty self explanatory.
I was going through the bookshelf in the other room this week, trying to do some de-cluttering. There are many books that have been read - and won't be again. I will keep all my cooking, medical, gardening, herbs, and crafting books, as well as G's books on mechanics, guns, and home fix-it.
There are so many self help books that just may come in handy someday.
If I have read a novel - it really needs to go.
OK - I have veered off path here.
I found these 2 books tucked away in there - and I think they are very wise keeps as well. The hamburger book is dated 1960 and the other 1980. Good and easy recipes never go out of date!!
The Amish book I purchased new in the late 80's at an Amish 'fair' of sorts. All the others came from yard sales for pennies.
If you don't have any simple and frugal cooking idea books - you might think of getting a couple. They are just fun, but they may give us some super ideas in days that we have little money or variety of pantry goods to work with. We can't always depend on having a computer to fall back on. I want good old fashioned hands-on books as well.
Do you have any good basic, easy, fun and FRUGAL books that you tend to use a lot?
I am sure there are many, so please spread the word on ones that are good.
Let us know if we need to be looking for some new ideas.
HAPPY COOKING
In your last post you discussed meats. I don't use canned meats very often, but remembered a wonderful recipe for tuna which someone gave me at my bridal shower. I used it lots of times way back then but haven't used it for many years. I decided to pull together all the recipes I have using canned meats. I will copy them and put into a red folder (easy to find in an emergency). I've been reading your posts and those at A Working Pantry. I think this would be helpful in an emergency situation. I really enjoy your posts. They make me stop and think.
ReplyDeleteChristine what a wonderful idea. I think that may be a good one for all of us. Put together a binder of our favorite and most often used. That is a great tip!!!
DeleteThank you for being here and glad you enjoy.
I think we all learn so much from each other. Thanks again!
Amish cookbooks are good, and straightforward. Other cookbooks that are similar are Mennonite Cookbooks. Both types are always good food made frugally and with basic ingredients. I've got a collection of both, and love cookbooks, too! Some of the older books that have canning recipes may not be all that safe. My family is Amish and Mennonite, so we do have lots of "church recipe books" that have been handed down. You have a good idea, Christine, about a folder on what to make with canned meats. Especially if you're not used to cooking with them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get a Mennonite cookbook as well. That s neat that your family is Amish and Mennonite. I find that so interesting. My Dad's family was Amish as well (a few generations back). I find the family history so interesting. I often feel that is why I do things the ways I do to some extent.
DeleteI like 'church' recipe books as well. I have one from my grandmas church.
Thanks so much for your input!
Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression by Rita Van Amber is a seies of 5 books that share stories of what families did to survive during that time as well as tons of very simple, economical recipes. They were a bit pricey (I think I paid about $15 to $20 per volume on Amazon) but worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteOh Trina, how neat. That sounds like something to look for and to invest in.
DeleteI have several of the FoxFire books and they have stories of many hill folks.
I will definitely look for those! Thanks.
I keep returning to my mother and mother in law's books from the 40/50s...one is a green cover the Home Institute Cookbook and the other a yellow cover in the same ilk (title escapes me right now)...both are comprehensive, have great indexes, and even some pictures...I really like the variations that follow each recipe.
ReplyDeleteThose old cookbooks of our Mom's are so cool. You are so right, they have a lot of the old basics and go to recipes. I love my Mom's old book (40's) as well. My baking mostly comes from it.
DeleteGreat reminder to hang on to those wonderful books and cherish the memories as well! Thanks for a great reminder to all.
One I go back to over and over is the Mennonite cookbook More With Less. It is a tried and true in my house.
ReplyDeleteI have that or at least I did. That is something I need to check on. I didn't remember it being one I really enjoyed. Maybe I am thinking of something else.
DeleteI will search through my books today!
Thanks.
"More With Less" is a great one
DeleteI have to look at that one again! Thanks
DeleteI love the old cook books. I have one that was the nursing mothers cookbook and nothing the green and gold cookbook. I love simple recipes, wholesome, basic ingredients... versatile. These are sensible. Many new books require 40 ingredients and things you will never likely use again, I dont even bother. Give me five ingredients or less!
ReplyDeleteI am the same way Annabel. I like to keep my food simple and tasty. No fancy ingredients and few of them.
DeleteMy husband is always seeing pictures of food that looks good and says 'how about this' - then looks at the list of ingredients and says 'never mind'! He's learning!!!!