Cooking with KIT General Thread

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Cooking with KIT General Thread

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1Samantha_kathy
Editat: set. 8, 2014, 6:15 pm

In 2015 I’m planning on not only reading my large stack of cookbooks, but also on using them! Then I read about Prince Thane’s Cookbook Club, where every meeting has a theme and they cook recipes out of their cookbooks, and I thought ‘why can’t we do that too?’. And so, Cooking with KIT was born, in which we read and use our cookbooks!

This is the general thread and I would like to use it to discuss organization. I’m planning on having a rather broad theme each month. The goal is to read a cookbook that has at least one chapter dedicated to that theme and to cook at least one recipe from that cookbook which fits the theme. Reviewing the cookbook is optional, but encouraged!

For those who like a little more challenge, or for those who (like me) have so many cookbooks to choose from, there will also be a monthly focus. This is entirely optional. A focus can be an ingredient or a type of food.

Now, for the monthly themes and the focuses I have in mind:

January: Breakfast; focus: eggs

February: Lunch; focus: wraps

March: Soups & Stews; focus: Mediterranean

April: Baking – Sweet; focus: cookies

May: Main Dish; focus: fish

June: Side Dishes & Salads; focus: rice

July: Drinks & Snacks; focus: iced drinks

August: One-Pan Dishes; focus: curry

September: Ethnic: focus: Latin American

October: Baking – Savory; focus: bread

November: Desert; focus: chocolate

December: Holiday Dishes; focus: meat

A few notes:

I tried to make the themes in such a way that vegetarians and vegans can join in every month, although that’s not always the case for the focus.

I broke up baking into sweet & savory. Sweet would include cakes, cookies, sweet muffins, etc. Savory includes bread, savory muffins, etc.

One-pan dishes are dishes that you can prepare in one pan. Curries, chili, soup and stir-fry are some of the possibilities that come to mind.

Holiday dishes are those that require more work or are for large groups (like a roast) that you’d serve for instance on Christmas. It can also be a Christmas pudding or Yule log, or an Easter bread. Just something that’s meant for a holiday.

I hope everything is clear, but if you have thoughts, questions, or concerns? Let me know!

2sturlington
Editat: set. 6, 2014, 11:47 am

Thanks for setting this up. I have a lot of neglected cookbooks I want to use and review so I'm hoping this kit will motivate me. And likely suggest even more good cookbooks to add to my collection!

ETA I always like to make a special new year's day breakfast, so you picked the perfect start to the year!

3SleepySheep
set. 6, 2014, 1:03 pm

Yay! This looks like a super fun idea, I have been amassing a ridiculous collection of cookbooks so it will be nice to use them, finally :)

The categories all look great, although I wonder about having the ethnic focus be Asian right after the curry focus - when I think of Asian dishes I guess it kind of brings curry to mind right away since it is used throughout many Asian cultures and cuisines. I have been getting into tapas and the like, does a Spanish or South American focus appeal to anyone? Of course, it could be a great way for me to discover new Asian cooking techniques and recipes so I'm really down for anything!

Oh, and I like that you have broad topics and the specific focus - looking forward to getting new cookbooks!

4Samantha_kathy
set. 6, 2014, 1:14 pm

3> Ah, that's a problem I hadn't seen yet. When I think of curry, I think about India, while Asian brings Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean noodle dishes, fish dishes and rice dishes to mind.

I could change the ethnic focus into Latin American dishes, which would include Mexican and South American dishes. Or I could switch the themes and focuses from September and October. That would have a focus of curry in August, focus on bread in September and Asian in October.

5sturlington
set. 6, 2014, 2:24 pm

I have a new Southern-Latin American cookbook I need to try out, so Latin American would work for me.

6Samantha_kathy
set. 6, 2014, 3:31 pm

I've changed September's focus to Latin American.

Another point, do we want/need a wiki and if yes, what should go in there? I'm assuming a list of books per month. Anything else?

7sturlington
set. 6, 2014, 4:12 pm

Would be nice to see the recipes that were tried.

8SleepySheep
set. 6, 2014, 5:57 pm

Awesome, Latin American should be fun :)

Oh, and I agree about seeing the recipes

9RidgewayGirl
set. 7, 2014, 5:24 am

This looks fun. I'm erratic in my CAT and KIT participation, but I will check in each month and I'll certainly try…I'm always on the lookout for new recipes.

10Samantha_kathy
set. 7, 2014, 5:56 am

One advantage of cookbooks is that reading them is usually pretty quick. Cooking something from them only has to take one day (and not even the whole day), so it's easier to fit in when you've already got a lot of reading challenges. Yes, I'm speaking from experience here, I always overload with challenges. ;)

11.Monkey.
set. 7, 2014, 8:04 am

I guess I just don't really understand the idea of "reading" a cookbook. Do you have that many that are full of anecdotal bits, or, I mean, what is supposed to be meant by "reading" them?

12dudes22
set. 7, 2014, 8:07 am

I was at a birthday dinner for my sister the other night and we were all talking about trying new recipes and getting away from cooking the same things all the time, so I think this would give me the push to try and do that. I think I'll probably skip the History CAT this year to try this Kit instead.

13Samantha_kathy
set. 7, 2014, 8:11 am

Well, reading for me involves reading the bits that aren't recipes - introductions, introductions to chapters, sometimes I have cookbooks with extra information in them. Jamie Oliver's books are a prime example of this, where there's a general introduction to the book, an introduction for each chapter and usually special pages - in Jamie's Italy there's pages about making perfect pasta or risotto and anecdotal chapter intros. But I've also got cookbooks that have a 'how to cook' section and other extras like that. Aside from that, most recipes in at least half my cookbooks have a small 'intro' as well. I like to read all those. Furthermore, reading a cookbook for me is paging through it and seeing all the recipes (and pictures) and making mental notes of which sound good.

I think reading a cookbook is different for everyone, but I'd think most people would at the minimum page through a cookbook to see every recipe - not necessarily read every word, but explore what the book has to offer.

14.Monkey.
set. 7, 2014, 8:16 am

I always do that when I get them. Looking through all the recipes, seeing what's appealing. And almost none of them have anything but recipes except maybe a page or two of intro at the start of the book (even that is only in a couple). Ah well.

15Samantha_kathy
set. 7, 2014, 8:57 am

Well, that's good enough to join the KIT with! Doing that + making a recipe is all that's really required for this KIT. It's all about encouraging people to pick up their cookbooks and use them, after all.

16.Monkey.
set. 7, 2014, 9:15 am

I don't expect to be picking up any new ones, haha. Yeah, don't get me wrong, I like the goal of using the cookbooks, I definitely am guilty of finding a few favorite recipes from them and making those more often, heh. But I don't think the KIT would really work for me. I'll probably keep an eye on it though and see what people are doing, possibly pop in here and there, but not often.

17mamzel
set. 8, 2014, 4:20 pm

I fully expect that everyone will post mouth-watering pictures of the recipes they try!!!

18LittleTaiko
set. 8, 2014, 4:26 pm

I'm definitely intrigued by this KIT and may participate throughout the year.

19aliciamay
set. 8, 2014, 6:08 pm

Thanks for putting this together Samantha! Very excited about this KIT as a way to crack open more cookbooks. My one critique of the monthly themes is having baking in July - a time when I am loathe to turn on the oven. Maybe swap with February or April? I love the idea of sharing recipes and pics on the monthly thread and I think a wiki would be a good idea too.

20Samantha_kathy
set. 8, 2014, 6:14 pm

Good point, didn't think about that! Have switched things around a bit.

21luvamystery65
set. 8, 2014, 8:42 pm

I can't bake in July either. Houston is a hell hole in July & August! This thread is going to make me very hungry.

22SleepySheep
set. 8, 2014, 9:04 pm

Oh, nice catch about the summertime baking! I always end up baking a lot in summertime because of all the fresh fruit but I also always end up hot and cranky by the end. At least then I have a pie to console me ;)

23MissWatson
set. 9, 2014, 5:13 am

This looks like a yummy project. And not baking in summer is definitely a wise choice.

24LadyoftheLodge
set. 15, 2014, 10:01 pm

This looks like fun! I have tons of cookbooks that I inherited from a friend when she moved. Lots of good reading as well as cooking. I need to get out of my cooking rut anyway.

25LoisB
set. 23, 2014, 10:47 pm

I have to admit that I don't normally "read" cookbooks, but this might be a fun way to do it!

26mysterymax
set. 24, 2014, 8:09 am

I'm in! After years of having lots of cookbooks on the shelf, but never getting around to trying the recipes we have just begun digging into them. This will make a great motivation to keep it up.

I don't understand about posting on the wiki's, haven't ever done it with my challenges as I don't really know how, but would be happy to post the recipe.

Great idea and thanks for setting it up. -

27Samantha_kathy
set. 24, 2014, 11:07 am

Welcome to everyone who's dropped in here since I last posted!

Mysterymax, don't worry about the wiki. Once I set that up (probably next month), it'll be really easy to use. You can edit the wiki and just copy someone else, entering your information instead of theirs :D. And any mistakes can be fixed. Besides, using the wiki is not a requirement. I'll set up a monthly thread where people can post what they're reading, reviews if they write them (or links to their reviews), they can lists recipes they've tried and even post pictures. I know I'll be doing all of that, in addition to listing things on the wiki.

28mysterymax
set. 24, 2014, 11:30 am

Thanks, it's nuts. Nothing else on this site - or on any of the things I do on pages really bothers me, but you say 'post to wiki' and my heart starts pounding and my brain goes numb.

I know I will have to bite the bullet and do it one of these days...

29Samantha_kathy
set. 24, 2014, 12:01 pm

No problem! It's not necessary for this, so you can put off biting that bullet for a while longer ;)

30mysterymax
set. 24, 2014, 1:25 pm

Whew!

31SharonGoforth
set. 24, 2014, 4:24 pm

This looks like a lot of fun! I have several cookbooks that have been sitting on my bookshelf for quite a few years now that fit the themes. So now maybe I will be able to not only get out of my reading rut, but also get out of my cooking rut! What a great group :)

32clue
Editat: set. 24, 2014, 8:56 pm

I've been thinking about this very thing, trying something new from my cookbooks. Looks like fun!

33Samantha_kathy
des. 17, 2014, 11:21 am

34LoisB
des. 28, 2014, 6:00 pm

I added my book for January. Are they supposed to be in alphabetical order? (I was third and the other two were no alphabetical.)

35Samantha_kathy
des. 28, 2014, 6:13 pm

I usually alphabetize my wikis, so yes. I was first, and I think LadyoftheLodge just added hers beneath mine. I've changed it, no worries.

36LoisB
gen. 4, 2015, 9:43 am

One down! The Breakfast Book Lemon Yogurt Muffins (contains 2 eggs)

I woke up at 7:00 AM and instead of turning over and going back to sleep, I got up to make Lemon Yogurt Muffins since our Meyer Lemon tree is producing fruit right now. Bad idea, as I don't do well early in the morning! First of all, I was out of baking soda! So, a quick internet search indicates that I can use extra baking powder and should substitute whole milk for the yogurt. Don't have any whole milk, so will proceed anyway. Mixed the dry ingredients, only to realize that I was supposed to put the sugar in with the wet ingredients! Too late now. Put them in the oven and prayed!

They actually turned out OK. You make a lemon syrup and drizzle it over the warm muffins.

The Breakfast Book is an old favorite. It has lots of variety - mushroom toast, potato bacon pie, etc. When you realize that I gave about 2/3 of my cookbook collection away when I retired to Florida, you will understand that this book is special to me. Rather than reproduce the recipe, I will list Marion's rules for "Breakfast Table Civility And Deportment":

1. Clean up before you come to the breakfast table, wash your face and comb your hair.
2. You don't have to get dressed.
3. Clean fingernails, please.
4. Reading the newspaper at the table is acceptable, but a pleasant word or salutation must be spoken to all present.
5. Sit up straight and try to be cheerful
6. Talk to one another politely; talk and listen in turn.
7. Because everyone is defenseless at breakfast, there should be no contentiousness or crossness.
8. Don't even mention food dislikes or criticize the food.
9. Don't lick your fingers or stuff your mouth with food.
10. Don't play with your food.
11. Don't talk with your mouth full.
12. Butter your bread one part at a time; don't put your uneaten pieces back in the bread basket.
13. Don't answer questions in a saucy manner.
14. Remember, guests always receive the choicest portions

37sturlington
gen. 4, 2015, 10:57 am

>36 LoisB: Those are great rules. I particularly like numbers 4, 7 and 13 and will adopt them immediately.

38lovelyluck
gen. 4, 2015, 11:39 am

>36 LoisB: I always fail at # 1 my hair looks a hot mess in the morning :(

A little like this

39LoisB
gen. 4, 2015, 1:15 pm

>38 lovelyluck: :) It doesn't say it has to look good, it just has to be combed - although with that hairdo, I'm not sure what the difference is.

40Helenoel
gen. 4, 2015, 1:42 pm

I'm dropping a star here. I have plenty of material for the challenge but not sure how well i'll follow through. Are general comment about cookbooks outside the theme welcome too?

41maggie1944
Editat: gen. 6, 2015, 7:51 am

This looks like so much fun, I want to join into the game.

so, where do I go first? What do I do first?

I looked at the wiki but I have no idea how to edit to add to it. Am I supposed to add the cookbook I'll be using for January? Where do I post whatever recipe I decide to try, and pictures, and the like?

The first cookbook I'm going to read is an old, old one. First printed in 1980, Sunset Ideas & Recipes for Breakfast & Brunch by the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine.

42Samantha_kathy
gen. 6, 2015, 7:52 am

Hi Karen, welcome to the fun!

January's thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/184695

In this thread, you can post which cookbook you're using for January, what recipe you decided to try, pictures, and whatever else you want to tell us.

You can use the wiki if you want, but it's not necessary. The wiki is here: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/CookingwithKIT

To post on the wiki, go to the wiki page. On the right side of the heading January - Theme: Breakfast there's an edit link. Press that. Copy one of the lines of books that's already there, paste it and change the information to whatever you read. To change the link of the book, simply go to that book's page (click on the title in your library) and copy the link. Then paste it in the correct place. Press save - you often need to do this twice, as the first time fails - and it should be good to go. If you mess anything up, don't worry! It's easy to fix, just post on this thread or the January thread that it went wrong.

43jjmcgaffey
gen. 7, 2015, 4:04 am

I have a _lot_ of cookbooks, most of them picked up at yard sales and the like because I flipped through and saw at least one recipe that sounded good. Most of them I never got around to cooking, though. So...I'll try this! Don't know what I'll start with - I do have a cookbook about eggs (300 Ways to Serve Eggs From Appetizers to Zabaglione), but I have no idea what's actually in there. I'll take a look at it, anyway.

44jpatomg
gen. 18, 2015, 12:12 am

Latin American should be great topic!

45maggie1944
gen. 18, 2015, 2:46 am

I made a really simple egg dish, but forgot to take a picture of it! Dang. It is the "middle" of the night here now and so I don't want to go get the cookbook and give you all the information. I'm posting here now so as to not lose the thread, and in the morning I'll report more.

46lovelyluck
feb. 1, 2015, 1:43 pm

Is there a Feb thread yet?

47VioletBramble
feb. 7, 2015, 7:56 pm

I started a thread for February. I'd post a link but I don't know how.

48sturlington
feb. 8, 2015, 8:19 am

Here is the link: http://www.librarything.com/topic/187640#

Thanks for starting things off.

49Chrischi_HH
maig 15, 2015, 7:22 am

I just opened a May thread, you can find it here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/191129

50countrylife
des. 30, 2015, 8:44 am

Closing out my year of COOKING KIT:

JANUARY - - - Breakfast; focus: eggs
..... Farmhouse Christmas by Gooseberry Patch (coffee cake, p.20) (1/23/15)
FEBRUARY - - - Lunch; focus: wraps
..... Not done.
MARCH - - - Soups & Stews; focus: Mediterranean
..... The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier, Ree Drummond (Cauliflower Soup) (3/15/15)
APRIL - - - Baking – Sweet; focus: cookies
..... The Art of Making Good Cookies Plain and Fancy by Annette Laslett Ross (Butterscotch Shortbread) (4/29/15)
MAY - - - Main Dish; focus: fish
..... All-Time Favorite Fish & Seafood Recipes, Marcia Stanley (Egg Stuffed Fish Rolls) (5/26/15)
JUNE - - - Side Dishes & Salads; focus: rice
..... The Davis Family History and Recipe Book, Davis descendants (Mama's Slaw) (6/25/15)
JULY - - - Drinks & Snacks; focus: iced drinks
..... Screen Doors and Sweet Tea, Martha Hall Foose (cantaloupe daiquiris) (7/12/15)
AUGUST - - - One-Pan Dishes; focus: curry
..... Everyday Thai Cooking, Katie Chin (Braised Chicken in Thai Yellow Curry) (8/28/15)
SEPTEMBER - - - Ethnic: focus: Latin American
..... Healthy Latin Eating by Angie Martinez (Argentian Skirt Steak) (9/12/15)
OCTOBER - - - Baking – Savory; focus: bread
..... The Garlic Lovers' Cookbook, Gilroy Garlic (Garlic Focaccia) - 10/26/15
NOVEMBER - - - Desert; focus: chocolate
..... Chocolate Fantasies by Ann Harvey, Oxmoor House (Velvety Chocolate Cake, p.20) - 11/5/15
DECEMBER - - - Holiday Dishes; focus: meat
..... Greetings from Maine: Recipes from the Maine Kitchen, Fran Philip (Filet Mignon, p.125) - 12/25/15

Missed one month.

51maggie1944
des. 30, 2015, 9:36 am

My niece and I were looking at this thread this morning, and we are wondering what you thought of Chocolate Fantasies? I could not find any reviews of it on Amazon or LT.

Happy New Year. Will you be reading cook books again this year?

52mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 11:47 am

>50 countrylife: Well done!

I only participated a couple of months but I really enjoyed looking at everyone else's wonderful food photos.

53countrylife
gen. 7, 2016, 8:51 pm

Maggie, my copy of Chocolate Fantasies is a paperback cookbook with not a picture in sight. There are some sketches to adorn some of the pages, but I prefer to know what my dish is supposed to look. I've only tried a couple of recipes out of it, but they were decent, not extraordinary. I'd give it a 2.5.