How to Find Joy in a Cookbook

An Abundance of Ingredients

Food is our common ground, a universal experience.

–James Beard

This past weekend I was out of books to read. I decided to pick up a grab bag of books at our local library. It was a mystery and a delight! What would be in that bag? On my 100-day journey, exploring abundance, I find it is paramount to trust in the unknown.

There were only two non-fiction bags available, so I took a chance on one. I was so delighted when inside I found a colorful cookbook! Cookbooks have always been my first reading love.

Last night I cozied up with my favorite blanket, a cup of tea, and read through this lovely book. It is Kitchen Remix: 75 Recipes for Making the Most of Your Ingredients by Charlotte Druckman.

The colorful cover displays a beautiful and abundant mix of ingredients like bread, tomatoes, garlic, pepper flakes, olive oil, and more. This generosity of flavors intrigues me and invites me to explore the book.

Here are some ways that can help you find an abundance of joy while cooking; and reading cookbooks:

Skim Through the Book First:

Take a quick, leisurely look at the photos, the titles of the recipes, and some of the ingredients. This first look through is the key. You will know quickly if this cookbook will deliver recipes that you will be excited to cook or not, just by skimming through it.

If the recipes are too complicated, the photos are few and far between, or the ingredients are ones that you never have at home, this book may not be for you.

Read the Whole Introduction:

This is where the real gold is. Often, we skip reading this section. However, I find that getting to know the author of the cookbook is the best part. I can find out what their aim is behind this particular book. There are really fascinating backstories to delve into here.

For example, in this book, I found out that the author offered to teach her adult brother how to cook when he admitted that he did not know how to boil water. After spending a whole afternoon with him, the idea for this book was born. If you skip this section, you will miss the point of the cookbook itself.

Read the Recipes that Interest You:

Do not be afraid to skip to the recipes that sound best to you. If it sounds appetizing and you feel like cooking it soon, it will be the right recipe for you.

While you read the recipe, imagine yourself going through the steps. Does it feel like something that would be fun to cook? Do the flavors sound delicious to you? Can you imagine your family enjoying this dish?

Bookmark Recipes To Try:

The final step is to bookmark recipes to try. See if you can find most of the ingredients at home, or make a list for your next grocery shopping trip. Decide when you are going to cook these recipes and for what meals.

I am going to try two recipes in this book. They are rice fritters; a great way to use up leftover rice; and cauliflower a la prune, a crispy veggie dish. I am also intrigued by the curry-roasted carrots and the apple-oat scones.

My prayer and my intention for you today is for you to try some new recipes. Incorporate some brand new ingredients or spices into your cooking. Create an abundance of new flavors to enjoy.

Day #62: What new dishes will you cook this week?

I am tagging some amazing fellow writers on this journey. They joined me on my 100-day spiritual journey, and it is an honor to have them here on this journey. I ask that you read their beautiful work here on Medium. Thank you for your generosity! Bob Jasper, Charlotte Zobeir Ali, Rasheed Hooda, Jenine Bsharah Baines, Amy Marley, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Chowa Sekai, Michele Thill, Terry Mansfield, Tony Young, Jr., Dr John Rose, Vishnu*s Virtues, Noma Dek, Neha Sandhir S, Joe Luca, Tree Langdon, Selma, Sherry S, Melissa Bee, Annick Batamuliza, Annelise Lords, Suntonu Bhadra, Henery X, Lanu Pitan, Taha Abbas, Nihan Kucukural, and many more! Thank you Illumination, Genius in a Bottle, Paper Poetry, and Medium Family!

Trista Signe Ainsworth is a Professional Organizer at Joyful Minimalism. She guides clients on a personal growth journey through their homes.

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