Customer Reviews

The 5 Dollar Chef: How to Save Cash and Cook Fast

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't think this book will go be considered earth-shattering, and admittedly, I bought the book as a gift, so I didn't try the recipes. But, I did read the first chapters on budgeting and how to shop. If you don't have much experience with grocery shopping, or if your idea of buying food is to have something delivered, then this would be a good book. The advice is practical, and in some respects common - but face it, if you don't know it, you're not going to necessarily divine it, at least not over night.

Some of the tips are things as simple as comparing unit prices to see if the larger size is a value (face it, it's not necessarily true anymore). And looking at the cost of say flavored rice, versus buying the ingredients and flavoring it yourself.

The recipes are basic, and while not necessarily inspiring, they get the job done.

I don't think this book is aimed at the person who is a cook and looking to save money. If you're a person suddenly faced with a kitchen and no money, this will help.

I never would have believed such a short, to the point text could so well educate me and my family with such ease. We eat better, shop smarter, and have more fun in the kitchen thanks to Marcie Rothman!

I've been on kitchen burn-out for years, mainly because no one wants the same thing, or the cook gets no appreciation. Since I obtained Marcie's book, my 14-year old and I have colloborated on some superb meals. Marcie was seen on a "No-brainers" video, which made cooking into an adventure. It makes the evening meal into a healing event to share the recipes and variations. My 16 year old son has been forced to admit, the food is good! He will soon pick his own recipe to prepare for the women!

I was stunned to read that the author thought that $120 a week for groceries for a family of four was frugal! Amy Dacyzyn (of the Tightwad Gazette) only spends this amount for an entire month of meals for her family of 8!I have a family of 5, and I rarely spend more than $80! Other than that, I didn't find the recipes all that inspiring. This one will probably end up in the Friends of the Library book sale.

Besides teaching the uninitiated how to move around in the kitchen, the best thing this book does is teach you how to shop in the grocery store.
Important lessons for those just starting out from a tried and true professional chef.

My niece decided she wanted to take on some of the household duties, like shopping and cooking. (I think she actually wanted more control over what was served for dinner.) Not having done much beyond boiling pasta, this was quite a challenge. This book was a great jumping off point for her and she still refers back to it. The cupboard and marketing tips taught her that a shopping list isn't just the things you ran out of this week. She is becoming a good menu planner without breaking her mother's budget.

I am student and this book helped me to estimate my costs for food before I went to US. Although, while in Los Angeles the first week spendings were huge, lately they were less or about the same as in the book.