Need Recipes?

I have often stated that I need not purchase any additional cookbooks because my collection of recipes is so vast I will never live to try them all! During our early years of marriage, I purchased a few specialty cookbooks as well as the well known Betty Crocker cookbooks. I was given a cookbook by one of my mother's friends when we married and it has occupied a place of honor on my kitchen shelf since that time. It is one of those thick, comprehensive "explain all" cookbooks and fits the bill for the novice cook wishing to expand her culinary skills or the more experienced cook who has a question about a cooking method.

Whenever I shop, I am amazed at the number of recipes printed on grocery items that can be used to compile your own personal recipe collection or cookbook. There really is no need to purchase cookbooks unless you particularly want to do so. Most likely your favorite can of beans, frozen vegetables, rice or a myriad of other grocery items has at least one or several recipes printed on its label. The recipes are so prevalent we probably overlook many of them. My recipe box is brimming over with recipes I have collected from newspapers, canned goods items, frozen food packages, produce and the like. I have always had a fascination with seeing how grocery items can be incorporated into everyday dishes that make a meal just a little different from the usual fare. Sometimes as I shop, I see a particular item and though I may not purchase it during that shopping trip, I will write down or mentally note the website and then later view that website for more recipes. Let's face it, variety is indeed the taste of life! Listed in this article are some places where one can find free recipes to add variety to your recipe collection and menus.

Canned goods: I recently tried a delicious chili recipe that I spotted on the label of chili beans I had purchased and was pleased with the recipe. Brand name as well as store brand canned goods often have recipes on the label or inside the label.

Baked goods items: Recipes abound on the labels of bakery products such as cake mixes, cookie and muffin mixes and similar products. In a short amount of time, you can bake a delicious dessert item to top off the day's dinner.

Websites of supermarkets and large retailers: Family Dollar and Dollar General not only detail their weekly sales on their websites but they also include a section containing recipes for appetizers, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Who would have ever thought such information would be included on a large retailer's website? Check out their recipes at www.familydollar.com or www.dollargeneral.com. Kroger's(www.krogers.com) and Publix (www.publix.com) have marvelous recipes and cooking tips on their websites. I have found some easy to make, tasty recipes using these resources and have adapted some of the recipes to suit my family's culinary preferences.

Health fairs: Some of the information distributed at health fairs contain healthy and wholesome recipes to use in preparing meals. Although the recipes may be targeted to help manage specific diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, we all can benefit from incorporating these dietary recommendations into our own cooking regimen. You do not necessarily have to buy a specific cookbook to address your health concerns. Free recipes are available from national medical organizations such as the American Diabetes Association(www.diabetes.org) and Mayo Clinic(www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100.

So, take advantage of the free recipes available on your grocery items. You can make your own recipe collections and categorize your recipes in the manner that pleases you. Those of you who are crafty and creative, no doubt can make your own fancy cookbook covers with personalized designs and give as gifts to a new bride or graduate. I like to think that when I purchase a grocery item, I am getting a "2 for 1" bargain" from the product contents and then the recipe. Keep your eyes open and check out the labels on your grocery items in the refrigerator, freezer and the pantry shelf for new, delectable recipes to help answer the question of "what shall I cook today?"