When we think about the 60s, it’s easy to fantasize about the retro aprons and think about how people cooked back then. After all, a common mantra among real foodies is “if your grandma wouldn’t recognize it as food, don’t eat it.”
The I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken blows that notion right out of the water. Originally published in 1960, this updated and revised edition includes a foreword by her daughter Jo.
Instead of the happy housewife, think a sophisticated woman who just wants to get the cooking over with so she can get to cocktail hour. Which makes me wonder . . . do people who live in big cities always go to cocktail hours and happy hours? It’s a fascinating concept to me. Working all day, then cooking, thinking about cleaning, does not make me want to get glammed up and go out for some drinks. But I digress . . .
The book is funny. Check out this excerpt:
Most of [the recipes in this book] are quick to fix. Actually, you can’t trust the word “quick” any more. Some cookbooks, when they say “quick,” mean that you needn’t grind your own flour. Others mean that you pour a can of tomato soup over a veal chop and call it Scallopini. We must face facts. If a recipe calls for eleven different chopped ingredients and cream sauce and a cheese-topped meringue, you don’t call it “quick” if you hate to cook. On the other hand, that tomato soup on the veal chop will taste remarkably like tomato soup on a veal chop, and you can’t call it Scallopini.
While it’s entertaining to read, what struck me the most was how much cooking has changed in the past 50 years or so. Well, for some of us. When I went on the Midwest missionary union tour a few years ago out in Iowa and South Dakota, I had many of these recipes; along with sweet pickles and Jello salad at every meal. So maybe it’s just MY cooking that has changed, as a result of this project of cooking through Simply in Season. Regardless, here are the things that stood out to me about this cookbook:
Emphasis on meat.
The majority of the main dishes are focused on meat. Large hunks of beef and lamb. Either meat was cheaper back then or they spent more of their budget on food. I tend to prefer my meat sprinkled throughout a stir fry, or accompanied by vegetables.
Liberal use of canned “cream of” soup.
My friend Holly and I used to joke that Midwest cooking requires a 9×13 pan and a can of cream of mushroom soup. That is certainly the case in this cookbook!
Not so liberal use of spices.
As the author states in the beginning, curry powder, chili powder, oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, and bay leaf are about it. I wonder what she would think about my cupboard full of spices? And that my biggest problem is running out of turmeric.
Vegetables as an afterthought.
Field staff and missionaries who have lived overseas are amazed when they come back to the U.S. and, in a lot of Midwest homes, find that dinner is a huge hunk o’meat and a tiny bowl of vegetables drowned in butter. What passes for enough vegetables for 4 is considered a single portion in most of the world, and vice versa for the meat. Likewise, most of the vegetable recipes in this cookbook call for butter.
The book also includes desserts, menus for special occasions, and household tips. Overall it’s a really fun read!
Disclosure: I received a free review copy. I was not obligated to do a review nor were my opinions influenced by the publisher.
Congratulations ky2here and Brit! They won the giveaway.
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I would like to read this book because I abolutely love to cook. I also love to read recipe books to get new ideas.
I’m interested in this book because I’m just the opposite…I love cooking! I’m intrigued by these recipes : )
i hate to cook because i’m a terrible cook, maybe this would help
I want to win because I like to learn new tips for the kitchen. Thanks for the chance
I would like to learn some new quick healthy recepies that i can make when I get home from work.
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This book sounds great because it sounds humorous and seems well written plus I will learn some great tips!
I Love to cook but I’d like to win this for my friend Laura who loves to cook even more
I am a subscriber. I left my reason why I would like this in the same comment as telling you I am a subscriber first time around.
I’d like this book because I’m not a good cook and could use some help.
LOL I really would love this book because I also hate to cook, but I
LOVE recipes for when I do
Although I enjoy cooking there are nights I am just to tired or just plain don’t feel like it and I think this would be great to pull out on one of those days.
The fact that it was originally published in 1960 interests me. I do like to cook. It would be fun to see the recipes.
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I’d love to win this!! I used to kind of enjoy cooking but since becoming a mom I absolutely loathe it. I love quick and easy recipes and this looks great!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
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This book sounds interesting because I hate to cook
I love books about cooking, so this sounds really interesting.
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i subscribe to your blog thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com
I’d love to have this because I need some new ideas. It seems like I just do the same things over and over.
I’d like this because I don’t enjoy cooking and need some more recipe ideas.
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This book sounds interesting to me because of the humor and the recipes.
I like how easy and different the recipes sound. I’m always up for trying something new because it could be the next family favorite!