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Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lemon Testing Center

I have to admit I have a slight cookbook addiction. I have gotten better over the years, only holding onto those books that I love the most. Mainly at the request of my husband because he is tired of moving my cookbook stash around.  That said I have become very picky in my cookbook selection. I want recipes that work, taste good, and that I can use again. Too many times I have fallen into the trap of a gorgeous picture,only to realize that the recipe only works 6 times out of 10.

I have had a baking book for about six years now, and I don't know why I keep it. I have tried almost every recipe in there, and had almost every recipe flop.  I am so stubborn, that I keep going back to it and trying again and again. Thinking it must be something in my technique, rather than a bad recipe.

My advice is if you have a cookbook that just doesn't work for you, get rid of it. There is no point in continuing to waste money on a recipe that obviously doesn't yield the desired result. Amazon.com is great place to sell these books and in exchange get something that is more suited to your taste.

However I know many of you are as stubborn as I am. If you have a recipe that usually seems to flop, I am always up for a challenge. Feel free to drop me a line and together maybe we can find out where things are going wrong.

Remember just because it is in a recipe book, doesn't mean its always tried and true.

4 comments:

Chef Dennis Littley said...

I am with you on the cookbook addiction, and I agree if they don't work sell them, its just sooooo hard to part with them!
Cheers
Dennis

Anonymous said...

cute blog!!! Thanks for looking at mine and becoming a follower!

Unknown said...

I used to be the same way about cookbooks. Now I check them out of the library whenever possible before I decide to buy them. I've narrowed it down to a standby basic one, my favorite vegetarian one, a good whole food one, and a binder whose contents change as I add and subtract recipes from it. Oh, and also my favorite Gooseberry Patch muffin one. :)

K. Belfield said...

I am with you Melanie. I actually have a notebook that I started writing recipes I like in, that way I can borrow the cookbook and only take what I want out of it. That being said I did just splurge on Mastering the Art of French Cooking. What can I say? Its a classic and I have to have my own copy.

Also agree with you Chef Dennis... it is very difficult to say goodbye sometimes. Alas I am moving in a few weeks, want any new to you cookbooks?