Category Archives: Food

[2] & [3] A dinner from Better Homes and Gardens, circa 1962

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (1962)

Tonight’s dinner was inspired by the fact that Bill and I hadn’t done much shopping this weekend, in anticipation of our CSA half share arriving. Also, it was inspired by not wanting to leave the house today. The final inspiration for it was realizing we have committed to cooking nearly 2500 recipes before we can ever buy a cookbook again, and we want that to be the shortest possible time.

I have to admit, we’re both a little nervous about tackling the Better Homes and Gardens “New Cookbook”, because it’s huge and so many of the recipes seem to come from a cooking style rather different than our own. Still, my grandmother gave it to me when everyone had good reason to believe I was going to starve in undergrad (I was not so much a fan of cooking back then).… Continue reading →

The Little Black Apron – GIFTED

the cover of The Little Black Apron

The Little Black Apron

Natasha brought this book into the relationship. I’m not really the “A single girl’s guide to cooking with style & grace” (the subtitle) type. Because, you know, I don’t do style.

The few things we’ve made from the book before the website started were all good.

Number of recipes in this book: 116 (estimated)
Number we’ve cooked: 0

You can click on the “little black apron” tag below to see all recipes from this book.

27 May 2014 note: I am pretty sure we gave this one to our friend Siana. Because, you know, she does style and Bill doesn’t. Also, it’s a good “cooking for one” book, which she needed more than we did.… Continue reading →

[1] Whole-Grain Griddle Cakes

Joy of Cooking

We have a funny way of making pancakes in this house. Namely: we don’t have a big griddle to make them on, so they come off the pan one or two at a time. This leads to eating in the kitchen while waiting for the next one to come off the pan. We’ll also alternate who makes each one so that the other can enjoy theirs while it is hot.

As far as heat is concerned, let the pan get hot over a medium heat. Add your butter (what else?), add the batter, and wait until you see bubbles popping and not closing back up. Flip the pancake, then turn the heat off. Repeat a lot.

This says it makes “about fourteen 4-inch cakes”.… Continue reading →

The Joy of Cooking (1997 reprint of 1975 edition)

Joy of Cooking

I’m sure that you’ve heard of this book. You’ve probably even seen one. There are a million editions. My mom gave me a copy, and Natasha has one that she’s not certain the providence of (the one I’m talking about here). It’s the classic “give to your kids when they go away to college” book.

Of course, this one is from the 70s, and so it’s got some surprise recipes. Molded Creamed Fish? We’ll probably skip this one.

Number of recipes in this book: 4500
Number we’ve cooked: 1

You can click on the “joy of cooking” tag below to see recipes from this book we’ve made. The book link is an affiliate link via Amazon.com, so if you click on the book and buy something from Amazon.com,… Continue reading →