Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The I Hate To Cook Book ~ Review & Giveaway

The I HATE TO COOK Book
Peg Bracken's fabulously funny, hilariously irreverent, and saucily subversive cookbook for those who hate to cook (and unwittingly, also for those who love to), THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK is celebrating its 50th anniversary!

The Review:

Okay, for me, personally, I don't necessarily hate to cook, I do, however, hate to clean up.  Thus starts a vicious cycle, I dread cooking because cooking is messy and there's always clean up after cooking.  The I HATE TO COOK Book was a great read for me.  I could relate on so many levels to the different scenarios that the author, Peg Bracken, discusses.  For example, she talks about not accepting a dinner invitation because eventually you have to reciprocate!  That means more cooking and cleaning, and like I said, I hate to clean up!  She talks about making sure you check the fridge multiple times before calling guests to the table, because since you hate to cook, you probably forgot you did.  That seriously cracked me up.  Do you know how many times I've prepared dishes in advance to get ahead of the game and was all proud of myself.  Only to have my bubble burst when I realize I forgot to pull the dish out and serve to our guests.  Oh heck, last year I made 3 pumpkin rolls and took them to Pittsburgh for our family Thanksgiving.  Lets just say that they never made it.  They traveled the 6hrs in a cooler, moved into the hotel fridge and that was as far as they got.

So anyway, the recipes are easy to read and are easy to follow.  Peg offers many wonderful tips to help make cooking more enjoyable, or at least easier so it's not as dreaded.  She even offers complete Company Menus to make party planning all that much easier!  The book provides great entertainment, witty humor and HELP for those who hate to cook...or even those who love to cook but want awesome tips and recipes!

About the Book:

"There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who don't cook out of and have NEVER cooked out of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK, and the other kind...The I HATE TO COOK people consist mainly of those who find other things more interesting and less fattening, and so they do it as seldom as possible. Today there is an Annual Culinary Olympics, with hundreds of cooks from many countries ardently competing. But we who hate to cook have had our own Olympics for years, seeing who can get out of the kitchen the fastest and stay out the longest." - Peg Bracken

Philosopher's Chowder. Skinny Meatloaf. Fat Man's Shrimp. Immediate Fudge Cake. These are just a few of the beloved recipes from Peg Bracken's classic I HATE TO COOK BOOK. Written in a time when women were expected to have full, delicious meals on the table for their families every night, Peg Bracken offered women who didn't revel in this obligation an alternative: quick, simple meals that took minimal effort but would still satisfy.

50 years later, times have certainly changed - but the appeal of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK hasn't.

This book is for everyone, men and women alike, who wants to get from cooking hour to cocktail hour in as little time as possible.








The Giveaway:


TWO lucky readers will EACH win a copy of The I HATE TO COOK Book.  The giveaway is open to US Residents and CA residence.

Main Entry:  Comment giving me one of your cooking tips.  *Note that this entry must be done before any bonus entries.

Bonus Entries:

1 Entry Each:
Visit Bracken's Blog and e-mail subscribe.
Fan
 The I HATE TO COOK Book
 on Facebook.  Tell them A little of this A little of that... sent you.  


For even more entries you can follow me via any social media (TwitterFacebook, Networked Blogs, e-mail subscribe, GFC, RSS...) all 1 entry each. (Leave me a comment on Facebook and give yourself an extra entry!)


For daily entries you can VOTE for my blog (your click is your vote) and Tweet.

I want to WIN a copy of The I HATE TO COOK Book @BlackOlive03  #GIVEAWAY http://tiny.cc/ldbmx Ends 9/10

2 entries for each non-giveaway comment you make on my blog. The more comments you make, the more entries you get!

1 entry if you enter any of my other giveaways!

For 2 entries you can grab any of my buttons and let me know where to find them.

Love my blog? Write a review and get 10 super bonus entries! A glowing review not required but is always appreciated :-)
Review darwinsfrg.blogspot.com on alexa.com
REMINDER: If you qualify for multiple entries, you must leave a separate comment for each entry in order for all of them to count!!

Giveaway ends September 10, 2010 at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours from the e-mail time stamp to claim their prize. In the event that the prize isn't claimed within those 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

I received a product sample to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions posted are my own and are 100% honest. 

92 comments:

Unknown said...

Here is my cooking tip: You don't need to cook pasta per the package instructions. Just bring to a boil, turn off burner, and cover with lid for 10 minutes. This will save on utilities.

Unknown said...

I signed up for Peg's blog emails.

Unknown said...

I liked on facebook and commented.

Unknown said...

I follow on twitter (SunnyStreetz).

Unknown said...

I'm a fan of A little of this and A little of that on facebook.

Unknown said...

I'm a follower on Google Friends Connect.

Unknown said...

I subscribe via email.

Unknown said...

I follow via Networked Blogs.

Unknown said...

I subscribe via RSS.

Unknown said...

I voted for you!

Unknown said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunnystreetz/status/22799164421

Unknown said...

I have your button: http://sunnystreetz.blogspot.com/

Entry #1

Unknown said...

I have your button: http://sunnystreetz.blogspot.com/

Entry #2

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

try to cook all meat in one session and freeze

Connie said...

My tip is buy the family pack of chicken/beef. Keep out what you are going to use that night for supper and freeze the rest in several freezer bags. :)

I love this giveaway! I really need this book..LOL

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

slb3334 said...

make extras for leftovers.

Trisha D said...

my advice, have a back up plan...if you are anything like me, you will burn it or overcook it or read the directions wrong!

Trisha D said...

i fanned i hate to cook on fb!

Trisha D said...

i follow you on twitter @whitetrashtrish

Trisha D said...

i follow on gfc

Frugal Science Gal said...

I think my biggest cooking tip is to stock up on certain items to make it cheaper and then make large portions for left overs!!

frugalsciencegal [at] gmail [dot] com

Frugal Science Gal said...

Follow you on GFC

frugalsciencegal [at] gmail [dot] com

Frugal Science Gal said...

Subscribe via e-mail

frugalsciencegal [at] gmail [dot] com

Carol Harrity said...

This is really a Rachael Ray tip. Whenever you add chili powder also add cumin. The smoky flavor enhances everything.

Carol Harrity said...

This is really a Rachael Ray tip. Whenever you add chili powder also add cumin. The smoky flavor enhances everything.

Anonymous said...

Add some sauted onions to your turkey burgers to make them moist.

Anonymous said...

I signed up for Peg's blog emails.

Anonymous said...

I liked on facebook and commented.

Anonymous said...

I liked on facebook and commented.

Teslaca said...

Seasoning a dish well with salt can make a mediocre dish taste great. Sometimes just a little pinch more is all it takes.

mmentor said...

sign me up

Darlene said...

Cooking tip:
To cut down on odors when cooking cabbage, cauliflower etc. add a little vinegar to the water while cooking.
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I fanned The I Hate to Cook Book on Facebook and said you sent me.
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I follow you on Twitter as Darlene 7
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I Like you on Facebook
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I follow you via Networked Blogs
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I follow you via email
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I follow you via GFC
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I left a comment to you on Facebook.
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I tweeted as Darlene7
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/22951858830
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I voted for your blog
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

I have your button on my blog
http://mylittlehouseoftreasures.blogspot.com/
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Deanna said...

tip: slow and low when heating milk
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

GFC
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

email subscribed
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

voted
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Darlene said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/23077154388
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

susitravl said...

When I need crumbled bacon, I cut it up with kitchen shears before I fry it.

susitravl said...

Follow your blog via GFC

susitravl said...

Follow you on Twitter - susitravl

susitravl said...

Facebook Fan (SusanBenegas)

Kim said...

TIP - use an Ove Glove - so so easy!

Kim said...

subscribe to bracken's blog

Kim said...

netwk blog follower

Darlene said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/23168828343
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

The Green MomSter said...

hmm I don't really cook at all, my husband does so I was hoping this book would help me so I can give him a break.

If I do have to cook I look for things with very few ingredients! The fewer the ingredients the easier it is in my book!

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

The Green MomSter said...

I subscribed to Bracken's blog via email

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

The Green MomSter said...

I'm a fan of the I Hate to Cook Cookbook on facebook

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

The Green MomSter said...

I'm gfc follower Lindsie

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

The Green MomSter said...

I subscribed to your blog via email

elkmeese at yahoo dot com

Darlene said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/23255463806
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Liz said...

One of the only tips I ever learned was to keep a slice of bread in your canister of brown sugar. It keeps the sugar moist.

contactdealfriends@gmail.com

Darlene said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/23930147139
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Becky said...

Mine is to get a London Broil and marinate it in Lowrys seasonings for 24 hours before grilling or cooking.

sweetypieinsc at aol dot com

nickieisis3 said...

buy in bulk that way you have enough for future meals.

NICKIEISIS3@gmail.com

Jenn S. said...

Keep things like frozen meatballs on hand for quick meals (like meatball subs, meatball pizza, spaghetti and meatballs). A slice of bread in a bag of cookies also keeps them moist.

jas8929(at)gmail(dot)com

Darlene said...

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/24043977567
darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

BookMarc Blogpants said...

My best cooking tip is when cooking frozen pizza make sure you take the cardboard off the bottom of the pizza. Yes, I actually left the cardboard on by mistake...twice!

mckelly74(at)gmail(dot)com

saturdaynightfever said...

The greener the lettuce, the better nutrition it has!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

KayMI said...

this would be great medicine of healthy laugh...I used to cook but now No explaination...bad, blah, burnt, no taste...bad....kaysweep at att dot net

KayMI said...

facebooked YOu and voted for You

Benita said...

Tip - to make great hard boiled eggs, put room temp eggs in cold water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, shut the heat for five minutes. Perfect eggs every time.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

GFC Follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I voted for you on we're on the fence.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

kakihara said...

cooking tip--keep all non cookers out of the kitchen--my husband does not cook--but he loves to sabotage my work--once I asked him to turn the oven off --because what I was cooking would be done soon and it was fine to stay in the warm oven. Instead he turned the stove on and ended up overcooking what was in the oven and scorching the bottom of my kettle.
kakihararocks@gmail.com

Leigh Melton said...

When cooking a bag of frozen vegetables, toss a vegetarian bullion cube into the water. (A little butter helps too).
Thanks for the contest; sounds like a great book!

Susan said...

My cooking tip never cook bacon in the microwave.. it is bad! suelee1998 @ gmail.com

katklaw777 said...

My cooking tip...get a crockpot and use it! There is nothing better than throwing some ingredients in my slow cooker and coming home to a wonderfully cooked and ready meal. Chili is a fav and so easy!

katklaw777 said...

I subscribe via email.

katklaw777 said...

Signed up for Bracken's blog.

Darlene said...

I voted for you.

darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Darlene said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Darlene7/status/24123743559

darlene.demell@sympatico.ca

Amber said...

leaving the water running makes my eyes water a little less when i cut up onions. It doesn't help completely, but any little bit is better than none. ugh.

ayoung3360@hotmail.com

Melissa B. said...

When measuring out peanut butter, line cup with a cheap sandwich bag. The clean up will be much easier.

Aleksandra Nearing said...

I like to cook recipes with 10 or less ingredients. If it has 15+ I toss it aside! aleksa91 hotmail

jlmk said...

I like to cook on the weekend and make large quantities of a few items -- that gives us leftovers to eat for lunch all week.

cman said...

I make homemade chicken stock and freeze in 2 cup containers. With an easy defrost I have some on hand for soups, gravies and pastas.

Bakersdozen said...

A lot of recipes call for chopped onions. I like to chop and freeze a large amount and store them in ziploc bags. That way I don't have to repeatedly deal with chopping onions and irritation my eyes. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Samantha said...

cooking tip- keep pizza number handy, for those times when dinner tends to come out a bit not like you planned...like, black, runny, or both?
lol
thanks!
kangabunnie@gmail.com

Samantha said...

follow GFC
thanks
kangabunnie@gmail.com

Kenna said...

New Follower from mailbox Monday!