-
More-with-less
Posted on January 29, 2011 by Andrew in By AbbyThat’s the name of my new favorite cookbook. Seriously, it’s great!
When getting ready to move to Kenya, I knew I would have to leave my cookbooks behind. First of all, they were HUGE and would never fit with the weight limit I had. But mostly, I didn’t know what kind of food I would be able to buy here, so I figured they would be a waste of space if I couldn’t even purchase the ingredients they called for.
We had lunch with some missionaries up in New York in November, and the wife recommended this cookbook for me. They lived in Kenya for some time, and she said that it was perfect for living here.
And it is!
Have you ever seen the movie ‘Julie & Julia’? It is one of my favorites. I feel like Julie right now, cooking through my cookbook. But for different reasons.
I am not aspiring to be like someone, or to make something of myself. I have simply found a cookbook that is amazing, and I want to cook my way through it.Let me tell you a little about this cookbook. Its recipes and suggestions come from several Mennonite families that call for low-cost, low-fat, low-sugar, and less expensive protein ingredients. As it says on the cover, ‘how to eat better and consume less of the world’s limited food resources.’ And since it is created by a Christian group, the pages are filled with encouraging quotes and Bible verses. I even like to just sit and read what people have to say inside.
Andrew and I decided to put stars by each recipe that we try. 1 star is the worst, 5 is the best. This way, when we go back to make it again, we will remember how much we liked it. We also like to make notes.
I have documented most of my favorite recipes that I have made. That’s how good they are! Now, don’t get me wrong, there have definitely been some recipes that have not turned out so good. Since it is a cookbook focused on using simpler ingredients, there have been some bland meals, and some flat-out gross meals. But about 93.28% have been successful.
Here have been some of my favorites…
Delicious pizza. Completely from scratch.
Chicken turnovers with broccoli. Inside is chicken, green onions, mayo, onion, and CHEESE!
Wheat thins with guacamole.
Tortillas.
Granola. My personal fave so far.
English muffins.
I LOVE buying produce here. This entire pile of veggies was only $2.84!!
And the last picture is important. My mom was very worried that I would not find any shortening here. Don’t worry Mom…I have plenty!!
Bon Appetite!
LOVE this post. You can be Abby & the Mennonites instead of Julie and Julia.
What a great post, Abby! I’m so impressed that you are using a MENNONITE cookbook! I actually recognized the MCC organization’s logo on the front before I read that you were using it! Thank you so much for keeping everyone up to date on even the littlest things in your life. It makes it so much more personal! I have your card above my desk and continue to pray for both of you. Be blessed this week!
This is Melissa Miller by the way, haha forgot to sign it.
Ha. It still seemed to recognized you because your first comment came up as your blog. At least it made me laugh 🙂
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I know Abby especially appreciates the feedback. We both appreciate your prayers! I hope the semester is going well. Say hello to everyone for us.
Abby I enjoy reading everything you put on the Blog and website so much. I print it all and I am taking it to Aunt Mimi to read. She reads a lot and prays a lot so she will be a good support prayer partner. She doesn’t have a computer and is not able to get out much.This will be a real blessing for her.She has been very active in Missions in her church for years. Love you Nana
Hey Nana thanks for your comment. I am glad that Aunt Mimi is able to keep in touch with us through you…thanks for doing that! Love you.
Abby your blogs sound just like you talk and they make me miss you so much! I’m SO GLAD you have been adjusting so well to living in Africa! Chris and I are praying for you and Andrew and we hope to come out there and help y’all out sometime in the future! Tara and I are seriously planning to come out there summer 2012 when we’re both done with school and Chris is deployed, Lord willing! Until then, keep posting these wonderful blogs so we can hear all about your exciting life!
Abby: Debbie, Michele, Tiffany and I miss you dear friend. Give a huge hug to Andrew. We look forward to tasting your home cooking someday. Blessings, G