Free 'Cooking Good Food on a Budget' e-Book!

[Fire Fox]

http://www.ckmhome.co.uk

This needs to be credited to Burp on the Old Style board for finding, thank you Burp! The author MarkKeogh also posts on the site, and I understand he would welcome any comments or constructive criticism in order to guide a second installment. The author says

"Please realise I just like cooking and until our change in circumstances we spent more, then my wifes' friend wanted some personal advice so as an author I wrote this specifically for her, then, due to her reaction and pushing, I put it out there to help people.

I don't deny it would have been nice to get published, and tried, but it was impossible to break through so I set up the site for free, as I think something needs to be out there now that covers more of the bases than gathering the information piecemeal as it were, so there it is warts and all.

Anyway thanks again for your post, I'm just pleased no-one has said it's a pile of poo as my wife has told me to look at my cooking instead of engineering for years now and I haven't had the confidence to do it."

http://www.ckmhome.co.uk
And click on the book cover itself to download the PDF.

Official MoneySavingExpert.com Insert:

The website's a small personal one so may struggle under traffic from the weekly email. If it does, please bookmark the web address and try again later.

This Forum Tip was included in MoneySavingExpert’s weekly email

Don't miss out on new deals, loopholes, and vouchers

• FAQs
• Privacy Policy
• Past Emails
• Unsubscribe

[Addams]

Thanks for that.
Had a good look. It was fairly interesting, but didnt seem to have alot of variety and not many potato dishes, but good for a change and useful info about other stuff.

[markkeogh]

This thing seems to be getting up a head of steam now thanks to people like yourselves, so thankyou for your interest.
All I want to say is Part 2 has potatoes!!
I know the first part has its foibles so feedback like this is very helpful.
Please can I ask someone send me an email of any comments as I am working my backside off just trying to figure out how to take a £26 shop and pack it into 7 days meals, let alone write Part 2 in a week, so I am only taking emails most of the time.
Thans again for the interest.
Mark

[Fire Fox]

Apparently the author is going to do later installments including more potato dishes!

[raven-333]

thank you

[markkeogh]

Originally Posted by raven-333

thank you

Part 2 is being released next week for information.

[Vickii]

Looks good thanks for posting

[Claire DC]

I hope this isn't seen as trying to offend anybody (be it the member who posted the link, or indeed the authors of the ebook)as I'm really not intending on doing that, but having now read the ebook, I actually could not take it very seriously.

I am not surprised at all that it has not had any interest in being published as it currently stands as there's a lot of repeated information in there, a lot of contradictions (how can going slow in a supermarket be classed as less stressful one sentence, and then make you 'very cross indeed' the next for instance) and a lot of irrelevant information (especially the way it seems to keep going back to immigrants/migrants not being willing to pay much for spices) which to me just seems like unnecessary filler content.

The recipes themselves are very bland and basic with not much variety... yes it seems cheap, and yes it encourages somewhat eating better too but I don't think it's anything new, that most people don't already know or what many people would pay for.

However, having said that... as a freebie, it is well worth downloading for those people who do not have a huge amount of cooking/budgeting experience.

[markkeogh]

Originally Posted by Claire DC

I hope this isn't seen as trying to offend anybody (be it the member who posted the link, or indeed the authors of the ebook)as I'm really not intending on doing that, but having now read the ebook, I actually could not take it very seriously.

... yes it seems cheap, and yes it encourages somewhat eating better too but I don't think it's anything new, that most people don't already know or what many people would pay for.

However, having said that... as a freebie, it is well worth downloading for those people who do not have a huge amount of cooking/budgeting experience.

I understand your point.
As an author of mainly technical work for engineering companies for 27yrs, but this was a quick throw together for a friend of my wifes that took 3 days. From that point Mid-August she pushed me to get it out there as she gelled with it so I have developed a website, got free publicity, done live radio features and written her a second issue.
Please don't take it for any more than it is.
I have a vast array of ingredients still left in my cupboard and trying to create meals from a chosen few to get our friend confident was quite a challenge so please don't over analyse it.
Thanks for the comments though, if I try to make it a proffession this is what I'm going to have to work to, but think for one moment of people this might be aimed at who lack all confidence and then might be put off by some of the comments.
The second Part is on there, so I'd appreciate your comments please because it may become something more. I'm trying to build our friend up with this part into more technical matters.
You're effectively watching the growth of me showing a friend how to cook remotely.
All the best
Mark

[Jovan]

Both books very useful, thank you.

[tortoisesaver]

Just had a quick look through the two booklets and wanted to post to say WELL DONE to the author. So often people blame the price of fresh veg and meat for why they eat ready meals, and I believe the sort of knowledge in your booklets is getting lost as the generations pass. Knowing what to do with basic ingredients, other than cook one bit of meat with vegetables, is invaluable and I for one will be taking a closer look later to learn some of the techniques!
Schools may be interested in these? It seems that this sort of cooking know-how is not being passed down the generations any longer and I think schools need to take some responsibility for teaching children how to cook from scratch.

Thank you Mark and family

[JanineB]

Sent these to my other half. He loves cooking

[madtog]

Thanks, I found these very useful

[markkeogh]

Thanks again everyone,
it's with these sort of posts that comments like the ones below come about.
Feel very proud of yourselves for getting it out there all who started this, and pass it on as much as you can. (crossed out the names for privacy)

Qoutes:


Hi Karen,
I hope Mark gets some work out of this as well, as it is really good.

NAME=xxxx
COMMENT=Thanks, recently become a single parent at the ripe old age of 41, these downloads were just what I needed. Thanks Again

Hi,



Thank you both for doing something wonderful for mankind, I was made redundant and know too well what a struggle grocery shopping is on a Budget, when there is no income.



Thank you again, people like you Really Do Make The World Much Sweeter to live in. xx


I feel sure that your kindness will be rewarded.



Hi, I just saw a link to your book on moneysavingexpert.com forum. I'm currently studying to be a teacher (part time in order to take care of our daughter) and my husband's monthly wage is £12 more than our rent. I'd love to see your recipe book but my computer won't let me open it. Is there any way you could email it to me, or show me anther link (i've had no luck with PDF) it would be so hugely appreciated! thank you and God bless you for this book, I know it will help so many people living on a shoe string!
Regards,


xx


Just a few of the comments, you should all feel very proud to help people. Just got to find sponsorship now to really drive it forward.

Wish us luck and thanks again.

Any suggestions on what we do next or help would be very gratefully appreciated as we're like a rabbit in headlights now!

All the very best to you all.

Mark and Karen Keogh

[newlywed]

Thanks for this. To be honest I wasn't too impressed with part 1 but the chicken jointing instructions are useful (still not jointed a raw chicken yet). Facing redundancy and with OH with very little work at the moment, perhaps I have a renewed attitude towards it all but your part 2 is definitely improved and inspiring

Will be printing it off later and hoping to get some tips to stretch any redundancy pay at far as possible

[cooking-mama]

Wow,thanks for these,have downloaded both "booklets",not had time to read them through as im off to work soon,but from what ive seen im very impressed.
must admit tho would need more than just a Tuna sandwich for lunch,whilst water is fine for drinking (and free from the tap) I also give my girls a piece of fruit(or 2)and some calcium(yoghurt,cheese etc),in their packed lunch,but cereal for brekkie is fine and the main meal ideas look fantastic(wish we still had 2009 prices tho)But even taking into account the rise in food prices im confident these recipes will help reduce my weekly food bill,ive a weeks holiday from work during Feb',im gonna give the full thing a proper trial..Brilliant Thanks again,much appreciated.

[SplashWellyKid]

What a nice idea - you've worked really hard to try & explain things clearly for the novice chef. I'm sure these books will have helped a lot of people - good luck in getting the next instalment done.

I like the way you've tried to include ideas of alternative veg to add for vegetarians, because they are often left out of this type of guide.
- You've already mentioned buying veg from markets - surpluses can easily be washed, chopped & frozen (especially useful if you're veggie) -& dried pulses can be even cheaper than tinned (ethnic supermarkets tend to sell these, rice & spices/herbs in much larger quantities & far cheaper).
- You can always consider suggesting using soya mince (dried is cheap for a big bag - in most supermarkets they now do their own-brand or get from health food shops). It can be simmered first in your tasty basic stock of tomato/garlic/spice/herb base to gain a soft texture & take in the flavours before cooking the rest of the recipe as for whatever meat you've used (you may need to add a little more liquid). Advantage - low in fat/cholesterol & high in protein; keeps for ages in the cupboard.
- For your Sunday dinner, you could suggest veggies make a nut, rice or lentil roast which is the traditional veggie non-meat option (you should be able to grab or adapt eg one or two simple MSE veggie recipes using your store cupboard & credit if required) or put a nice veg mix in pastry & serve with the other vegetables you suggest.
- With the third part I'm sure you'll mention adding in more fruit, including in desserts, which can be still be very healthy, tasty & cheaper than shop-made ones. I bet your friend is much more confident cooking now!

Hope the new job goes well & you enjoy your radio appearances.

Best Wishes.

Splash