Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)As I write this review, I have a pot of 15 bean soup on the stove, recipe courtesy of this book. The soup smells and tastes delicious because I am the kind of cook who does taste as I go along.
I bought this book in the wake of news reports indicating that food prices had soared in the last year. Because I can remember paying 19 cents a pound for chicken at one point, many years ago, the price of eggs, peanut butter and such basics as sugar and flour has me reeling. Just driving to the grocery store, in winter (when walking or biking is difficult or impossible), costs gas money. As of this writing, gas price are predicted to soar and aren't exactly low.
This book offers a solution for those who feel pinched financially, a way to save money and even get by if there would be a power outage, major earthquake, blizzard or simply very tough times during a major recession.
The solution? Pantry cooking or making sure you have enough food on hand to get by without a trip to the grocery store. The author is very clever and has given readers this info:
1. A list of supplies to have on hand, enough to support one person for a year without a single trip to the grocery store. While you might not care for THAT ambitious a plan, you can adapt her method to only 2 weeks or up to 5 weeks. You don't have to commit to a year without going to the grocery store!
2. The money saving advantages of stocking up on food
3. An emphasis on whole grains and healthy foods.
4. A list of recipes, day by day, for 5 weeks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
5. Storage and pantry tips. No pantry? Think about the space under your bed or under rarely used dining room tables (with a tablecloth on top).
Recipes in this one will satisfy both vegetarians and those who like meat. The bean soup doesn't require an ounce of meat, although it does taste better with a ham bone thrown in (in my opinion). However, it is delicious just as it is. There is a nice global or cross-cultural diversity of recipes, from Anasazi stew to Arroz Con Pollo to Egg Foo Yung to Fettucini with Capers, Olives and Tomatoes. Try feeling deprived with that kind of versatility!
For those who wonder whether food is family friendly, I can vouch for that. The answer is yes.
However, you may want to substitute fresh ingredients for dried ones when you can and use the dried alternative only in a true emergency. We've experimented with both versions of recipes so I know that each is perfectly fine. I do add my own seasonings and variations to each recipe (most of the time) but we always try the recipe as the author originally intended it so I can also note that the recipes are tasty and you can adapt them beyond the original, as desired.
Other recipes include basics such as beef stew but also more gourmet fare like pasta with artichokes, smoked salmon cakes. There are also desserts like rice pudding, cherry cobbler, brownies and chocolate chip pudding.
Other features I like:
The Snack Pack: a backpack that is always filled with healthy and ready to eat snacks and drinks which can be tossed in the car and taken along. This is an idea I wish I'd used when my children were young. It would have prevented stops at fast food restaurants and early trips home from the park.
The 72 Hour Survival Kit- the basics for staying alive for 3 days
A list of suppliers and resources at the end of the book.
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Pantry Cooking: Quick and Easy Food Storage RecipesWhat is food storage, and why should every family have a store of food and water in their homes? There are many reasons why it's not just a good idea, but also a modern-day necessity. Author Laura Robins reveals just how easy food storage can be, and how implementing a food storage plan can not only keep you safe in an emergency, but can also help avoid the stress and chore of creating three healthy meals a day for your family. Learn how to create comprehensive menu plans that rotate your food storage, build and keep a 72-hour kit, lessen the stress of everyday cooking, and how to use planned menus.
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