Monday, July 26, 2010

THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION : REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK

Updated and Revised
BY PEG BRACKEN
50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who don't cook out of and have NEVER cooked out of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK, and the other kind...The I HATE TO COOK people consist mainly of those who find other things more interesting and less fattening, and so they do it as seldom as possible. Today there is an Annual Culinary Olympics, with hundreds of cooks from many countries ardently competing. But we who hate to cook have had our own Olympics for years, seeing who can get out of the kitchen the fastest and stay out the longest." - Peg Bracken Philosopher's Chowder. Skinny Meatloaf. Fat Man's Shrimp. Immediate Fudge Cake. These are just a few of the beloved recipes from Peg Bracken's classic I HATE TO COOK BOOK. Written in a time when women were expected to have full, delicious meals on the table for their families every night, Peg Bracken offered women who didn't revel in this obligation an alternative: quick, simple meals that took minimal effort but would still satisfy. 50 years later, times have certainly changed - but the appeal of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK hasn't. This book is for everyone, men and women alike, who wants to get from cooking hour to cocktail hour in as little time as possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Former advertising executive who published the best-selling cookbook, “I Hate to Cook Book.” She sold more than three million copies and relieved the anxieties of millions of American women who did not like slaving over a hot stove. Bracken, a full-time employee and a reluctant cook, pooled her friends' recipes that did not take hours to prepare. Her wry take on cooking helped women save time by cutting steps in the kitchen and using convenient mixes as key ingredients. She wrote several other cookbooks in her life with the same sarcastic spin. Peg Bracken died on October 20, 2007, in Portland, Oregon.
Meet Peg's daughter, Jo Bracken, by visiting her blog.
MY REVIEW:

Funny how things come back around if you wait long enough. For example, that long empire waist flowing dress from the 70s is back in style with the young women of today, or drinking martinis is back in fashion again after being a staple in the 50s. And so it is no surprise to find Peg Bracken’s THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK written fifty years ago is back and needed now more than ever. Written originally to help the mothers caring for family and home and still expected to have a home cooked meal on the table each night, this cookbook is once again in fashion and has been updated and revised by the author’s daughter, Jo Bracken.

In the foreword, Jo Bracken writes about how now we deal with an MP3, PDA, DVD, etc while still running a household yet still can’t find a way to add more hours to the day so we can get food prepared to eat. Whether Mom or Dad, many people today will find relief in this book as an alternate to the delivery or take-out that has become the answer for these busy people, as well as the ones who just plain hate to cook! Bracken admits right away that the book is definitely for those who would rather relax by the pool then spend time cooking in the kitchen. As a baby boomer myself, I know my generation will enjoy the author’s sense of humor and be able to reminisce about their younger days.

The cook book reads more like a novel with recipes and the reference to things being prepared prior to microwaves and food processors, and using double boilers and pressure cookers while having a drink, smoking a cigarette, and frying in some good old lard, makes for an entertaining, as well as useful, read. Most of the ingredients are the normal things we tend to have around the house. The word that caught my eye most often was “fast” as that makes the chance of my trying a recipe even better.

The book is filled with everyday recipes that draw your eye to the chapter immediately. Some of my favorites are “The Leftover-OR Every Family Needs a Dog”, “Potluck Suppers-OR How to Bring the Water for the Lemonade”, and “Company’s Coming-OR Your Back’s to the Wall”. The book also includes a “30 Day-by-Day Entrees” chapter that is also known as “The Rock Pile” and my favorite, “Desserts-OR People are Too Fat Anyway”. The chapter on “Household Hints” is filled with 75 really useful hints that also lend themselves to being green and ecologically conscience. “Equivalents, Et Cetera” is MOST helpful as, come on, how many of us really remember how many teaspoons make up a gallon anyway? It also includes those magic tidbits of what you can substitute if you don’t have something you need. I think this is a really useful and fun book and probably some may complain about there not being any pictures but myself, I prefer it that way. I always hate to cook something and then when mine doesn’t look anything like the picture, get totally defeated and depressed. Thanks Jo Bracken for bringing back her mom’s wonderful book to a whole new generation of “cooks”!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA AND MY FRIENDS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
COLLECTIBLE ANNIVERSARY EDITION
COOK BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS COOK BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED FROM MY BLOG. IF YOU HAVE ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY ON EACH FOR MORE ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 14!

GOOD LUCK!

131 comments:

Shauna said...

I would LOVE to win this.

tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

Shauna said...

I do hate to cook so I NEED this :)
tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Oh wow... why I think I should win this book. Because I really hate to cook. The sad part is I use to love cooking. But one day hubs left for out of town work (had been gone for 10 wks) and daughter was gone for school (8 weeks)... so I was left all alone... and cooking for one person is no fun... so lean cuisine meals and salads is what I survived on and now my family is coming back home...... and I need help to get the mojo back!!!

alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to have this book. I am not a very good cook and half of the time I don't like to cook. I think this book would immensely help me out. Thank you for a fantastic giveaway!!! :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! I also entered "The Sadness of Lemon Cake" giveaway as well. Your dog is really cute! :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I would like to win this cookbook because I have been cooking for over 40 years and I have been running out of ideas what to make.

traveler said...

Lovely giveaway which would be such a great resource since I could use more creativity. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Beach Giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The To Kill a Mockingbird giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Shoulder Bag giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Curtains. giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Cheap Cabernet giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com.

traveler said...

I entered Bitch is the new black. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

elaing8 said...

why I'd like to win this? well, I could use all the help I can get. I'm not the best cook.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

elaing8 said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/19589182692

elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Steve Capell said...

I really like to cook, but I also like to try new ideas on cooking and also new foods and preparation of foods. This may give me some ideas for cooking and I am always open to trying new ways to prepare food. BTW ... I love the cartoon "I didn't burn the beer." Absolutely hilarious! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Love this book which would provide me with ideas which I need. Thanks.rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Suburban prep said...

I would love to know how to have a better attitude regarding cooking. What I make tends not to turn out that great
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I entered the Sadness of Lemon Cake giveaway.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I entered the What's Up Cupcake giveaway.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I'd love to have a copy of this. My daughter is getting her first apartment and she and her roommates will be cooking rather than eating university food. While there are dozens of things she can fix, it's alway nice to have another source of recipes.

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Tweeted about contest
http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/19594955264

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Entered "THE PARTICULAR SADNESS
OF LEMON CAKE"
Humm is it my imagination or do I see a pattern here?


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

entered THE SEARCH
BY NORA ROBERTS



alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

entered the WHAT'S NEW, CUPCAKE GIVEAWAY

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

PoCoKat said...

Would love to win this...love all cookbooks.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

I am entered in the Beach giveaway

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Kaye said...

I'd like to win this for my older daughter. Her idea of cooking is cutting open a bag of salad. Her excuse is just she "hates to cook".
What can I say? Something needs to spur her on to at least trying to learn.

florida982002@yahoo.com

Renee said...

I don't hate to cook but I am too busy to cook many nights

Reneesuz82(at)msn.com

Allison said...

I need this book because I need all the cooking help I can get!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I have entered other giveaways!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I would love to win this! I know what you mean about everything coming around again and I know this was something my mom had! Thanks for the info and chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Babushka's Beauty Secret giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Take Hatchette to the Beach giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Spellmans Strike Again giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Cheap Cabernet giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Dead in the Family giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Shoulder Bags and Shootings giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Search giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the RITA award winners giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the TKAM giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Damaged giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the What's New Cupcake giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

I could just really use a good cookbook. My family would love it too! :)

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I entered the To Kill A Mockingbird giveaway too!

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I entered The Search giveaway.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sandra K321 said...

I remember when this book first came out (I was very young of course) and my mother had it. I would love to read the comments that her daughter has added to this classic.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I follow your blog via google friend connect.

seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I think it would be interesting to look back at cooking styles of 50 years ago. My mom always cooked everything in Crisco.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Damaged giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Search giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I would like this book because the recipes look like they are simple and easy to prepare. I am always looking for new recipes. Plus, I collect cookbooks, and I would love to add it to my collection.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Benita said...

I have a great collection of cookbooks, and most days I love to cook. But there are days when I just plain don't. I'd love this book to assist me on those particular days.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Ghost Shadows.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Take Hachette to the Beach.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered The Sadness of Lemon Cake.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Bitch is the New Black.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Cheap Cabernet.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Crazy for Love.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Curtains.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Shoulder Bags and Shootings.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Scout, Atticus and Boo and to KIll a Mockingbird.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aimee said...

I love to cook, but my sister doesn't! And she just got her first apartment so she really needs it!

gcpeach17 said...

I, too, am a baby boomer and may still have one of the first 'I Hate to Cook Books'. I would love to win this. Please, enter me. I still hate to cook!:)

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I have entered "The Search" giveaway

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I have entered "one Season of Sunshine".

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I also entered "Ghost Shadow" giveaway.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Debbie said...

I cook every day and I feel like I'm at my wit's end! I need this:}

fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

robynl said...

I have lost my joy in cooking so this book would help immensely. I need some new recipes.

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I find that as the years go by I really am starting to hate cooking! I'd love to win this!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Unknown said...

I would love to win this as I do hate to cook. Probably because I am so bad at it. Hopefully this book would help

thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/thriftycanucks/status/19824527539

thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I have entered the Rita Award giveaway
thriftycanucks@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I have entered Babushkas Beauty Secrets
thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I have entered Take Hachette to the Beach giveaway
thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I have entered The Disappearing Spoon giveaway
thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I have entered The Island giveaway
thriftycanucks at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

I am always looking for new recipes to try so I would love to win this book
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Shirley said...

+4 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+4 swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

Katia said...

I would love to win this book because I am completely lost in the kitchen.
kr_moreau(at)doglover(dot)com

clenna said...

If I win this book, maybe, just maybe, I'll enjoy cooking!
I sure hope I win

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered the Nora Roberts book giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered Ghost Shadow giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered The Disappearing Spoon giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered Crazy for Love giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered the Beach 5 book giveaway

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered A Vintage Affair giveaway

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest giveaway

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered the Stieg Larsson Trilogy Part two giveaway.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I entered the Island Audio Book Giveaway
clenna at aol dot com

HODGEPODGESPV said...

i want this for my dh so that i can give it to him for our anniversary which i hope he will use. spvaughan@yahoo.com

Lynn said...

I would like to win this book because I dislike cooking and could really use some easy recipes!

lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Lynn said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/livelovelynn/status/20154366410

lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Lynn said...

I entered the giveaway for The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.

lynnx512 at gmail dot com

Sarah said...

I love to cook but would enjoy reading this book.

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I entered the shoulder bag giveway:)

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I entered the vintage affair giveaway.

foxchick0323@live.com

Annmarie Weeks said...

I would love to win this book...since I truly don't like to cook at all! But with a family of 4 (and a hubby who often works late), it's a necessity and I'm always on the lookout for new, quick, easy recipes that my family with enjoy!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/20404601506

Tina said...

I collect cookbooks but I don't have this one!

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Tina said...

I entered the "Disappearing Spoon" giveaway.

tbranco AT hughes Dot Net

Tina said...

I have your giveaway button posted permanently in my sidebar at http://tutus2cents.blogspot.com

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Pam S (pams00) said...

I would like this book because of the simplicity it boasts of making meals ;).

Pam S
pams00 @aol.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

tweeted:
https://twitter.com/pams00/status/20511140293

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

entered:
SHOULDER BAGS AND SHOOTINGS GIVEAWAY

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

entered:
BABUSHKA'S BEAUTY SECRETS GIVEAWAY

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
spd

Pam S (pams00) said...

entered:
GHOST SHADOW GIVEAWAY

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

entered:
SEVEN YEAR SWITCH and THE WILDWATER WALKING CLUB SET GIVEAWAY

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

entered:
FAMILY TIES GIVEAWAY

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com

Shirley said...

+5swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Christine H said...

+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+5swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

This would make a good addition to the cookbook collection!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Back to Beach 5-book giveaway.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered A Vintage Affair giveaway!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Furious Love giveaway.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest giveaway.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Hamlet's Blackberry giveaway.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Susan Fobes said...

I get tired of the same old recipes, and this cook book looks interesting...

Susan Fobes said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/SusanFobes/statuses/20759470690

Amanda said...

I would love to win this because I used to love to cook before I had kids, but now with two little ones, it's just a race to throw something edible together and put it on the table as fast as possible!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

ossmcalc said...

I think that I really need to win this book as I have just gotten to the point of fixing what is quickest and easiest since my divorce many years ago and my daughter now has her own family. I used to be a great cook even though there was a time that I tried a new recipe and my former husband asked her if she would like to go out to eat with him when I set it on the table. I could use some help and think that this is the book that could be a great help to me.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/21132608058

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered the giveaway for THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST. I have heard so much about this book that my interest in reading it has peaked. Since it is the third and last book in the trilogy, I hope to win the other two books as well.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I have entered THE STIEG LARSSON TRILOGY, PART TWO GIVEAWAY with high hopes of winning all three books of the trilogy. There will not be more due to the untimely death of Stieg Larsson. I have heard of these books and have been wanting to read them for a long time. Hopefully, this will be my chance to read all three books.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered the QUEEN OF THE NIGHT giveaway as I love to read a good thriller, and this book sounds just like one.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered the HANGMAN giveaway as I love reading thrillers. This book sounds fascinating to read as long as I keep everyone straight. I like to read books where the characters are intertwined like this. I would love to read it.

Thank you,

Christine
womckcm@sbcglobal.net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY