Budget-Friendly College Cookbook

by Sara Lundberg

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Budget-Friendly College Cookbook is a new recipe collection aimed at a cost effective student lifestyle. Released 16thJune 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 154 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions for prep-work and the challenges of working in a small space on a very tight budget is followed by chapters for breakfasts, snacks, lunches to go and single serving dinners (as well as late-night study snacks), multiple serving meals for gatherings, and desserts. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Recipes have special category notes in a header (vegetarian, no-cook, gluten free, etc). Nutritional info is not included. Variations and alternatives are provided in sidebars at the end of the recipes. There is a metric convesion table at the back of the book.

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery store although some might need to be sourced at specialist grocers.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of budget friendly (mostly) healthy foods in a wide variety of styles.

Four and a half stars. I've rounded up for the quality of the writing and the distinctly high quality of the recipes themselves (tasty!) and the mission of the book: high quality food with a budget friendly price tag. Good food shouldn't be ruinously expensive.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.