What’s Cooking w/ my new Betty Crocker Cookbook

Back in the Fall of 2007, my mom and I were out shopping at Westmoreland Mall. This was back when they had bookstores still in the mall. We stopped at Borders (formerly Waldenbooks). This was back when I was just out of college and trying to figure out what to do with my life. I was between furthering my knowledge of the restaurant business, studying Culinary Arts, and just going back to school for another unrelated post- baccalaureate degree. My mom saw how interested I was in cooking and encouraged me to buy a cookbook that looked like it piqued my interest. “Anyone Can Cook” from Better Homnges & Gardens was the name of it. It also would have made a perfect Christmas present for me, but I digress.

Sadly, we never really went further with it. This would have been a nice way for my mother and I to collaborate on something together. I owned that cookbook and Anyone Can Bake as well. Despite not using them much, I still haven’t lost interest in this craft, even in 2023. Being employed by a grocery store chain means you become a food enthusiast at some point. I know I get a craving for pasta when I’m stocking the pasta sauce in Aisle 2 at my Giant Eagle. Market District is a food enthusiast’s paradise and I love going there when I have the opportunity.

Recently, I used my Amazon gift card I got for my birthday (plus what was left over from Christmas) on the newest edition of the Betty Crocker Cookbook, which came out in October of 2022. It’s delicate so I’m handling it with care. The 13th edition is completely revised with 375 new recipes. I have a 12th edition which is spiral-bound. This cookbook is for both the novice and experienced cooks. One thing I do like about it is that it tgives you: a rundown of the basics, what utensils and ingredients you need, plus how to store everything and for how long.

It also keeps up with trends, and one of the biggest right now is charcuterie. I was first introduced to this popular trend during 2020 when I took to following small businesses and giving them my support during the pandemic. At our Fall picnic the following year at Laurel Hill, we had a charcuterie board as part of the spread. I loved it so much that I had to get a picture of it and send it to my friends.

Another popular trend right now is eating vegetarian or vegan, as well as eating foods that are plant-based. It is a healthier trend and I’ve experienced this as I’ve ate with friends. Back in November 2021 just before I started at Giant Eagle, I was invited to a Friendsgiving celebration with my “sister” and her friends. They had a vegetarian spread as Sara was trying out this new way of eating. It turned out very good and we did it again a few months later when we had tacos with cauliflower instead of meat.

There are some heirloom recipes I’d love to try (eggs benedict and chicken noodle soup) as well as some hip, newer ones as well. This book teaches you about different types of pasta and meat as well as how to make international foods.

My mom has collected cookbooks over the years, including those written by Ina Garten and Ree Drummond and I’m dating myself but the Frugal Gourmet. I have a few from Trisha Yearwood and I am a fan of her show on Food Network (Trisha’s Southern Kitchen). Garth Brooks has written the Foreword part of the book. I am a fan of both of their music.

Once Fall gets here and we get closer to the holidays, I’ll be checking for great seasonal dishes and learning how to make them. Lots of memories were made as we put Christmas cookies together.

Time to fire up the oven!