Easy Frugal Cookbook

by Sarah Walker Caron

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Easy Frugal Cookbook: 100 Satisfying Recipes That Won't Break the Bank is a new cookbook and recipe collection by Sarah Walker Caron. Released 7th July 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 180 pages (for the print copy) 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 included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The book has a straightforward and easy-to-follow format. Following an introductory chapter on food budgeting and cooking well and cost-effectively, the author covers the other necessary tools, supplies, and ingredients (with some very astute observations on making the most of your cooking time and keeping food fresh to minimize waste and costs). The following chapters include the recipes, arranged thematically by type: breakfast, soups & salads, sandwiches & wraps, vegetarian & vegan mains, poultry & seafood, beef & pork, sides & snacks, desserts, and recipes for condiments sauces & dressings. The nutritional info provided is arranged with most major info given (calories, fats, carbohydrates, sodium, sugar, fiber). Almost none of the recipes are photographed, but the ones which are, are photographed well and clearly. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. The lack of photography subtracts a bit (but not much) from the overall experience for me personally. (I like pictures, but realize and accept that they raise the production costs a lot on a book project).

The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Special classifications for each recipe (30 minutes or less, 5 ingredient, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc) are included in a header bar. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The book also includes a short author bio and a metric conversion chart, but lacks any index or a general ingredients index. The recipes are tasty and easily prepared, most requiring few ingredients and little prep time.

Four stars.

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