'A Girl Called Jack' cookbook

[KumquatMay]

Sorry if there's already a discussion on this, but I bought the GCJ cookbook and just want to recommend it.

It's a really great book, really simply written and loads of tips on how to make a budget stretch. We had it from the library, tried three recipes (sardine pasta, lentil burgers and mushroom stroganoff) and loved them so much we bought the book straight away.

DH and I wanted to start eating loads less meat but were a bit stuck for alternatives. It's also made me realise that I waste loads by cooking twice as much as we actually eat.

I know I sound like an advert, but really it's brilliant - I've already bought copies as presents!

[momb]

It is simply written and I guess is great for those it's aimed at. I bought it because I always thought we ate pretty well for not much money but was really keen for ideas, and didn't find much new: we eat roe, sardines, pulses, root veg a lot. Plus I have economies of scale and a freezer so feeding one adult and a toddler for 10 wouldn't be so hard for us. I did think it was really good for dispelling myths about what constitutes better vs worse food: tinned veg is of course better in a situation where you can't keep veg fresh, for example, and the suggested storecupboard spices and herbs made sense to me: they are the ones I use more frequently too.
I was just disappointed because I was expecting too much: it's aimed at ready meal or niche foods people and could make a huge difference to them in terms of savings and nutrition.

[Toowittoowoo]

I bought it because I love her recipes in the guardian. I was really disappointed with the book though. I tried the bean burgers and the chickpea and peach curry and thought both were bordering on inedible.

I have to admit that the book got put back on the bookshelf after that and I haven't looked at it since.

Maybe I should get it back out.......

(However I am currently obsessed with the mumsnet cookbook so I'd have to put that down 1st!)

[KumquatMay]

that's a shame too maybe I just picked the best recipes.

I usually add a bit more to my cooking than she does (extra veg/spices) but found it really good for a 'base' recipe that I could add to IYKWIM.

I must admit I wasn't too keen on the idea of a peach curry. Still find it amazing that she manages to cook such good food on such a tight budget. I feel like we spend loads and never have anything to eat!

[CecyHall]

I really wanted to like it but everything we tried was just so bland, but I don't know why as the recipes looked like they would be ok (onions and some spices etc) I gave up in the end.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I've been banging on about this book too.

The mixed bean goulash is luvverly....

[Toowittoowoo]

okay you've inspired me! What should I try this week?

I fancied the aubergine meatballs but DH didn't think they would be very filling.

By the way her fish tagine and kale pesto in the guardian are fantastic. Both are available online if you google then!

[Galvanized]

I like the oven-baked saag aloo but with leftover new potatoes (not canned) and more spices.

Has anyone tried the cornflake cakes with stuff in? Do they still set?

[AnnField]

I've done the peach curry a few times and really liked it. I did add more spice and less of the peach juice than the recipe said though.

[LeonardoAcropolis]

Lentil bolognese! Superb, I use red lentils as it's all I usually keep at home. Very quick, too.