I love to read cookbooks and when I got the opportunity to review Jean Norton’s Cooking for the Newly Unemployed, I was intrigued by both the concept and the contents. It was a pleasure to read as the recipes are amazingly simple to put together and they can help save a fair amount of money being spent on eating out or takeaways. There are 16 quick and easy recipes, including both Entrees and Side Dishes.
A Starter on How to Save Money on Food
The cookbook is designed to be a help to the many workers who have lost their jobs in the current world recession. For the out-of-work, it is important to make the food budget go as far as possible. Drawing from her own experience of being laid off, Jean Norton crafted Cooking for The Newly Unemployed as a good introduction for anyone who wants to save money on food and dining. And, truth be told, who doesn’t in these days of uncertainty even if they have a job?
Jean skillfully describes in the Introduction how much a family of 4 can save if they eat a made-from-scratch meal rather than a takeaway. In her example, it’s possible to save a total of $22.40. Yes, that’s right — almost $25 just by cooking at home!
Each recipe includes an estimate of how much it costs to make. While the figures are indicative and will vary a bit depending on where a family lives and shops, they do look good and help one get started on cooking to save money.
A Good Resource for New Cooks Too
Since the recipes in the e-cookbook are simple and easy to make, it is an ideal option for anyone who is just starting out in the kitchen, including college students, new wives and novice cooks. The pictures that accompany a few of the recipes make cooking instructions both interesting and easy to follow. Moreover, the recipes are such that an entire meal can be planned and executed with great success. For instance, by using the cookbook, it is possible to serve a balanced dinner consisting of roast chicken, baked potatoes and a salad. All made from scratch and easily, too.
Easy-to-Follow Recipes and Instructions
The recipes are simple and come with easy-to-follow instructions. I tried out the roast chicken and the salad. Both of them came out well. While I did add my blend of spices and seasonings, Jean does give us the creative freedom to experiment and modify her basic recipes.
One of the best things about Jean Norton’s approach to saving money in the kitchen is that she takes a single ingredient and uses it to create at least two meals. For instance, she takes a simple chicken and, using different parts and portions of it, turns out three separate dishes. So, the frugal cook can have a chicken salad, a chicken soup, and chicken enchiladas from a single chicken. It’s an easy way to cut cost on food and reduce time in the kitchen.
What Readers Must be Aware of
While the e-cookbook is helpful and interesting as well as useful, I did find the end a tad abrupt. It concludes with the recipes for Jean’s pasta and baked potatoes and I felt that a conclusion to wrap it all up would have been perfect. More pictures might also add to the usefulness of the book. A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words and more so in the case of a cookbook. Pictures make it easier to follow instructions, brighten up the page and show a cook how a particular recipe will turn out. Finally, at $4.99, the price is a bit high for a 20-page e-book, but the money saved in creating satisfying meals at home makes up for this.
Other than these two things, I truly enjoyed reading Ms. Norton’s Cooking for the Newly Unemployed . It is a great gift for anyone who is starting out in the kitchen or someone who knows how to cook but needs some instruction in how to use culinary skills to save money on food. And, for those not ready or able to buy, Jean offers a free “frugal easy” recipe each week!
To order, please visit Cooking for the Newly Unemployed.
**This e-cookbook was provided to the Untrained Housewife for review.**
