Why Another Cookbook?

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A nudge from my oldest son as he left for college was the inspiration to write a cookbook. He was trying to keep me from missing him too badly - and I was desperate for something to do. Almost five years later, the book has been published and I feel as if we've both graduated. There was a lot to learn - everything from food writing to recipe writing - from finding a cooking niche to writing a great proposal. Organizing stacks of recipes, testing each one, having others test each one and then cooking everything all over again just to be sure. All the while making cooking FUN, less pressured and more doable. It was a long road.

"60,000 Cookbooks Published Each Year"
This was the first statement spoken by a speaker at the first cookbook marketing seminar that I attended. I was ready to pack up my recipe card file and head home. Sixty thousand - WOW. How in the world would I begin to compete with that statistic? When the numbers are broken down, the challenge becomes even more daunting.

Thousands of local charities produce cookbooks for fundraising purposes, including churches, schools, museum groups and of course the biggest charity of all - the Junior League. I have long treasured these special books. Not only are they collections of some of the best regional and traditional dishes, they are often a wonderful historic perspective of each community that they represent. I would guess that you have several Junior League cookbooks in your collection at home and better yet - I will also wager that you have contributed a recipe or two to your local League. I know I have.

Another huge group of books are commercial cookbooks written to accompany special products like a microwave oven or food processor. These books can be as simple as a pamphlet or as complicated as the hardback book that is sent with every top-of-the-line range. I saw one book that features eight or more five-star chefs - each customizing their favorite recipes to work with that brand new oven. Regardless of how complicated, each of these books deserves a look through to find interesting and appealing recipes. You probably have more than a couple of these sitting in a drawer in your kitchen.

One of the largest segments of books are health and diet cookbooks. Should we even go there? I bet you have one or two of these laying around. Some are based on complicated math formulas - like "Enter The Zone." Others simply rule out entire food groups like "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution." I must admit that I recently purchased "Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss." There is some amazing stuff in there!

Then of course, there are the celebrity tomes. Purchase one of these books and you can make pasta like Sophia or soul food like Patti LaBelle. Eat well with Suzanne or dish with the Sinatras. You can find a cookbook written by almost anyone from Mike Milken to Laura Ingalls Wilder - I'm not kidding - food from Little House on the Prairie! And, we haven't even begun to count the celebrity chef line up of books. There are several books each by Bobby, Emeril, Wolfgang, Mario and lest we even mention MARTHA - oh my.

What's a Mere Mortal to Do?
After the nightmares receded (the ones where cookbooks sprouted arms and legs and stole into my kitchen to read my recipe notes, then changed around the ingredients so that I included cayenne pepper in the cinnamon rolls and jalapeno in the French toast), I decided to take a look at what I, a busy, food-loving mom, could add to the stacks of already written cookbooks. Four full rewrites later, the idea was honed, the recipes tested, the publisher partnered and the book born.

What's Different?
In addition to the obvious fact that I am definitely not Sofia, there is a lot that makes this cookbook unique. Restaurant types sort the 250 plus recipes into chapters. Visualize yourself driving home after work. You might decide to stop by "The After Work Pub" for a few nibbles. Or, you may pull into "The Corner Italian Restaurant" for a plate full of pasta. If you are craving mom's Sunday suppers - a quick visit to "The Cozy Comfort Diner" will satisfy your hunger. When you feel the need for sugary sweets, let's not forget "The Dessert Café."

The recipes are also sorted by cooking technique from the easiest to more elaborate. There is a timesaving chapter written about kitchen set up, cooking terms and fun gadgets. There is another chapter written about menu planning. You can read all about hosting the perfect party with tips for your buffet or sit-down table. There are numerous instructions on ingredient substitutions, cooking methods and meal presentations.

So - What Else?
I figured out that most busy women really want to cook at home but they don't have the time to learn. So, I added a teaching component to this cookbook via an interactive Web site. At any time that fits your schedule, you can visit the Web site. There you will find a Web page for each recipe page in the cookbook. The Web page offers even more helpful information. For each recipe, you will find step-by-step instructional pictures, tips from me, tips from the recipe testers, readers comments, menu suggestions, links to similar recipes and even product information so that you are able to find the right tool for the job!

On the Web site, you will also find frequently asked questions and answers, articles on cooking for kids, entertaining and more, happenings and book signings and brand new recipes. You can even sign up to be a new recipe tester!

Now That's Something
I believe that this cookbook represents a fresh, new approach to cooking because it is supported by a terrific Web site. But even more than that, I think this book is unique simply because it is designed to help you - the busy working executive - find the FUN in preparing exciting, excellent family meals - every day. With this cookbook, I think you will enjoy entertaining your co-workers and sharing your homemade treats with friends. In a way - it's like having mom beside you in the kitchen - to give you a little help, a friendly suggestion and a pat of encouragement.

From my family kitchen to yours - from my busy life to your time-constrained schedule - from my tried and true favorites to your new ones - from me ……… to you, Happy Mother's Day and Happy Cooking!

More information about Jorj's cookbook, At Home in the Kitchen

Jorj Morgan is the Lifestyle Director of BlueSuitMom.com and the author of At Home In The Kitchen: The Art of Preparing the Foods You Love to Eat. Visit Jorj's interactive Web site at www.Jorj.com and share your food ideas with other BlueSuitMoms by sending her an email at jorj@jorj.com.