The Occasional Cook: Culinary Strategies for Over-Committed Families [Paperback]

Cyndy Salzmann (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419697110
• ISBN-13: 978-1419697111
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,491,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don't let the "laugh lines" around my eyes fool you -- I'm still deep in the trenches of motherhood. Here's a little bit about me and my family...

I've been married to my patient husband for 23 years (and he still believes I don't know how to start the lawn mower). We are busy raising three children - Freddy (20), Liz (18) and Anna (14). A note to mothers of young children. Catch up on your sleep now. You'll need it for the teen years.

I started writing books in 1997 -- as an excuse to avoid laundry. The subsequent publication of these musings led to a speaking career - surprising me even more than my children. (You mean people actually ASK you to talk, Mom?) Now my kids all know how to sort colors - and what to do when the washing machine starts jumping around.

I do most of my writing on the back of fast-food wrappers'usually while waiting for carpool. It still
amazes me I finished four books. That's a lot of chicken quesadillas!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Idea, Wonderfully Done, December 7, 2004

By 

CharityH - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Occasional Cook: Culinary Strategies for Over-Committed Families (Paperback)

This is a great concept for anyone who stands at the fridge at dinner time wondering what to make. I have been doing this for the past few months and it is wonderful!! All the recipies are fantastic and very easy. It is definitely worth the time!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I use this book every week!, January 28, 2007

By 

midnight*star (Waukesha, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Occasional Cook: Culinary Strategies for Over-Committed Families (Paperback)

I use this cookbook a lot! While I haven't gone as far as to use her cooking plans, they do look useful for people who want to do a "cooking day". I personally am at the point where I double the recipes she gives each time I cook one, to put one half away in the freezer. Or I cook up a whole bowl of chopped chicken breast and make up a bunch of those particular dishes to freeze ahead. So far we've found some really good meals that my husband likes - Savory Meatloaf, Swiss Casserole, Italian Biscuit Cups, Easy Chicken Divan, and Chicken Tettrazini, to name a few . I especially like that her basic ground beef mixture includes carrots - so my kids get some veggies without even noticing! The recipes may not all be gourmet, but for good, home-cooked comfort food, this book gets you going. It has taken some stress out of the daily deciding what to make for dinner.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, practical, go-to cookbook when you're "stuck" on what to make for dinner!, December 29, 2010

By 

Lynn Smith "five_smiths" (Overland Park, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Occasional Cook: Culinary Strategies for Over-Committed Families (Paperback)

Cyndy's book is wonderful! It's designed to be used as a "cook for a month" book, but it adapts easily to a "what's for dinner tonight?" cookbook. I've been using it for the past 8 years now, and I know I can rely on it when I'm out of dinner ideas. I find that I can adapt the recipes easily when I need to (which I have to with my sometimes picky husband). There's also a nice selection of ground beef recipes, and I often substitute ground turkey without problems in the end result. (I can always find chicken recipes!!!) I also like to write in my cookbooks; I make notes on whatever I modified, and so I can rate how each family member liked it (so I know if I should attempt the dish again). It's a great go-to book for meal-planning and for back-up last-minute dinner ideas. I won't ever be selling my copy!