More-with-Less Cookbook - help please!

hornetgirl

I know there are quite a lot of people on OS who love this book but I just can't seem to get on with it. Can anyone point me in the direction of the recipes in it which they find work well?
I can't really put my finger on what I find difficult to get on with. It's definitely not the American thing, and I was hoping that a recent trip to Pennsylvania might help me to see it in a new light, but so far no luck. I don't like to give up and can't help feeling it will be a really useful book once I can get to grips with it, so all suggestions gratefully received!

Churchmouse

First recipe I did from this was the Meat-Potato Quiche (page 158 ), using bacon bits. Is now a firm family favourite!! They also love it done with well-flavoured sausages chopped up.
The Quick Fruit Cobbler (Page273) works brilliantly. Mine particularly love an apple and blackberry one.

thriftlady_2

The thing to remember about this book is that the recipes are very plain or dare I say it 'ordinary'. They are not gourmet, they don't use trendy ingredients but they are tasty and family pleasing. The thing I like best about it is that I usually have all the ingredients I need to make almost any of the recipes. I love books by Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson too, but its rare for me to have all the ingredients for one of their recipes.

Recipes we like in our house from More-With-Less include;
Basic dry cereal
Basic biscuits
Pancake mix
corn bread
mexican chili beans
baked lentils with cheese
Pakistani kima
el burgos
new potatoes with ham
honey baked chicken
sprouts salad
greens,peas and cheese salad
quick chocolate pudding (the kids like this)
quick fruit cobbler
basic fruit gelatin (jelly;) )
yogurt-cheese pie

There are lots of other recipes I keep meaning to try. I alter them to suit my preferences. For instance I always replace margarine with butter or oil. i often reduce sugar or leave it out (especially if it's a savoury dish).I feel the recipes are very adaptable and can be used more like guidelines really (oops slipped into Capt. Barbosa there:D ).

At the end of the day if you don't like these recipes, don't use the book:) There are many different kinds of cookbooks out there not all will be up your street. I'm a sucker for all types of cookbooks, I've just splashed out on the new Jamie Oliver, but I can't see me using it. I like reading them, but when I'm deciding what to make for tea More-With- Less is the one I turn to. I also get a lot out of the introductory chapters which are an important part of the book's appeal for me.
HTH:)

Churchmouse

Had to go do some cooking, but back again! I find quite a few of the little bits at the top or bottom of the page quite good. The bits that aren't written as recipes, but just list the ingredients without quantities.

For example, at the top of page 123 in my copy, there's a suggestion for mince layered with lightly cooked cabbage, in a white sauce with a crumb topping. Mine enjoy this, but I usually either add cheese to the sauce or the crumb topping. Sometimes I'll fry up an onion or two and add that in.

I use quite a few of the vegetable recipes, potato pancakes, Italian Zuccini, ginger glazed carrots etc.

I must admit I don't do any of the Master Baking Mix, or similar because I'd have nowhere to store 4lbs or 8 lbs of mix!!

Of course, a lot of recipes are just variations of ones that most of us use anyway (think cheesecake etc) but some of the suggestions for optional ingredients are new ideas.

thriftlady_2

I agree, those little anecdotes and tips are full of good ideas. Another good one is on page 121 for rice, peas and cheese sauce.

superdog_3

This sounds like the sort of idiots guide I need! Who is the writer?

Churchmouse

Thanks thriftlady! Do you know I'd swear I've read every word of that book since you recommended it, but I've NEVER noticed that one. Sounds really delicious, and I'll definitely be trying it next week!

thriftlady_2

The author is Doris Janzen Longacre and my signature is a quotation from the book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Less-Cookbook-World-Community/dp/083619263X/sr=1-1/qid=1160849809/ref=sr_1_1/202-4560088-2422211?ie=UTF8&s=books

npsmama

The Coconut Rice recipe is fantastic! As is the Honey-Baked Lentils - a firm family favourite. I always have some Master Mix made up - make lovely cakes, cornbread and muffins as well as scones.

Funny, but I didn't think anyone else in the UK knew of More-with-Less.

A few recipes really didn't work but I suspect that was a case of 'human error' on my part.

I really like the ethos of the book. I think it's something more people should consider.

Coming back to the point, what is it about it that you don't get on with? The ingredients? The measurements? Perhaps if you're a bit more specific we can help more.

hornetgirl

npsmama - I'm not sure why I've found it difficult - possibly the layout, I just found it hard to know where to start. After posting yesterday evening I sat and read the beginning of the book again, confirming my thoughts that I definitely agree with the principles involved. I'm going to put stickies on the pages with recipes that other OSers have suggested and start with those. The meat-potato quiche suggested by Churchmouse is already on the menu plan for this week and looks like something we would enjoy.

thriftlady_2

Just to say that there are a whole lot of recipes in the book I haven't tried but would like to, like the meat-potato quiche, because my dd can't eat eggs. There are also a few cookies and whatnot that contain peanut which she can't eat either. However, I'm planning on trying some of the eggy thing out for me and OH

For the baked goods that require eggs I substitute 1 heaped tbsp of soya flour + 1 tbsp water for each egg. This is a tip I picked up from the Tightwad Gazette, it works really well in things that only need 1 egg