"Minimalist Cooking: 27 Practical Recipes" by Meg Wolfe: An Ebook Review

When Meg asked me to review a copy of her Minimalist Cooking ebook I was flattered and concerned: Her request was like asking Wrong Way Corrigan to review travel directions!

In other words, I stink when it comes to cooking. Friends joke and offer take-out when I volunteer to cook! However, the thought of maybe finding some recipes that I can actually cook spurred me on, and I have gamely read this entire ebook today.

What is This Book About?

This book is about taking our kitchen (and our diets) back from the Marketers. It is about preparing healthy foods with simple ingredients, and demonstrating that one does not need a lot of fancy cooking utensils to prepare delicious, healthy fare.

Meg starts out by introducing herself, describing her journey as a cook, covering the lessons she has learned along the way and sharing the Four Rules of a Minimalist Cook's Kitchen. She continues on to discuss the equipment she recommends and uses in the recipes, then launches into 7 sections of paradise for Minimalist Foodies everywhere, written in a language that even this disaster-prone cook could understand.

"Minimalist Cooking: 27 Practical Recipes" by Meg Wolfe:

What is the Best Part of this Ebook?

Due to time restraints, this reviewer decided to choose one recipe to try before writing this review: that said, I do have a batch of no-knead bread started on the kitchen counter! However, this reviewer decided to attempt something that she is not known for: cookies.

The peanut butter cookie recipe on page 56 is not only easy to understand, but was easily whipped together by yours truly, and I anxiously placed a round in the toaster oven and drooled over the oven until the requisite 15 minutes had lapsed. The smell was incredible!

I pulled the pan out of the oven, and they were done perfectly. A glass of milk and I was in heaven! I cannot wait to try these cookies on the kid!

Also contained within this ebook is the world's simplest recipe for roast beef I have ever seen-all you add is the beef. This recipe is calling to me, and this reviewer plans to get a roast the very next time she goes to the store, if she doesn't make a special trip beforehand! This may actually be yet another recipe that I can't mess up on!

Meg explains things in easy to understand language, even to revealing the official name for the brown bits that stick to the bottom of a skillet (fond) and how to use that for even more flavor in your food! The most difficult term in the whole book was "zest" and that is answered by a simple Google search.

These recipes are designed for a family, so single folks and couples may want to cut the ingredients in half to avoid leftovers, but one of the recipes (like the Potato Sausage Skillet Supper) actually calls for leftover potatoes.

This is a cookbook that is actually going to get used, unlike the others I have bought, tried and tossed. The simple terms, minimalist logic and staple recipes may actually end up turning this reviewer into a cook her kid can be proud of!

Normally I try to find at least one thing to critique on a work; I had to search to verify that I understood the term "zest" and the recipes will have to be cut in half for singles or couples. Neither of these are really faults, however. One indicates my lack of cooking skill and the other my tiny family!

"Minimalist Cooking: 27 Practical Recipes" by Meg Wolfe:

Where Can I Get a Copy of this Ebook, and How Much Does it Cost?

Meg surprised me with this one. She has the ebook available at this link, but she is only charging $4.95 for the whole book! This book is worth twice that price easily! The layout is excellent, the recipes are simple, easy to follow, and it contains all the basic tips and tricks for those who are learning to cook or want to return to the basics (or happen to be a klutz like yours truly).

This book is worth more than the $4.95 price Meg Wolfe is charging for this. She does not try to sell you on fancy tools and equipment, just give you a variety of simple recipes for you to use as your cooking foundation. I highly recommend this book for anyone who cooks or wants to start cooking, or as a gift to college students moving out of the home.

Source:

Review copy of "Minimalist Cooking: 27 Practical Recipes" by Meg Wolfe