I believe that there are two types of cookbook readers: those it who read a recipe and follow it exactly, and those who read a cookbook like a novel and throw it over their shoulder on the way into the kitchen. I have both kinds of friends and their reactions to my recipes are really helping me with my own cookbook. One of my friends claims to not be a cook at all. She always says her husband did not marry her for her cooking skills. Actually he probably looked her over, realized she was not only quite pretty, but also very nice, and thought that take-out would be just fine. The fact is, that she is a busy mother of two boys and a perfectly good cook. She cooks by the book. Here are our texts when she decided to make Warm Chocolate Mess:
Her: (from the grocery store) “What knd cake mix?”
Me: “Kind u hv coupon 4 or on sale.”
Her: “NONONO! There r thngs n mix, butter/ pudding/ chips/ milk/ dark & other countries.”
Me: “Countries????????”
Her: “German Chocolate”
Ok, some cookbook revision required.
My other friend is the second kind of cook. She is a member of a food co-op and receives a box of mystery produce weekly. I love that and mentioned it to my husband, Sammy. He reacted as though I had suggested a box of mystery snakes be delivered. He doesn’t view the vegetable as his friend. Thank goodness Richard was too old for Veggie Tales, or it might have slapped the religion right out of him.
Anyway, when my vegetable loving, gourmet friend read my recipe for Arugula Salad, her immediate reaction was to dump my poor unsuspecting salad right out of the bowl and replace it with the option of a variety of greens, different nuts, dried fruits, and several cheese selections, all while experimenting with infused vinegars.
Maybe I should give more choices in some of the recipes.
Actually, the challenge is to spell out exactly what the novice cook needs to have and needs do to make a particular dish, while still encouraging that cook to make the dish their own. That’s why I keep writing and re-writing the recipes and why I appreciate your input and suggestions.
I have a guest chef coming home from college this weekend. She’s coming home with an angel on her shoulder. Is that a good hint?
Part of Cookbook Collection Vegetables from our Garden
