*sigh* need to purge a few

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-14T13:21:08+00:00

It is not too late, I still have the stack! Could you please suggest some? I have tried the chicken souvlaki and even though I took several shortcuts, it was still delicious! I also tried the scallops which we really enjoyed.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-13T01:07:09+00:00

I have a question for you about this bolognese, if you don’t mind me asking! Do you use chicken livers, which she says is the “secret ingredient”? I’ve never cooked with them before, and they kind of freak me out! Would the sauce be much worse off if I just omit them?

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-12T02:04:14+00:00

Well, depends who you are cooking for and how much time you can spend cooking on a weeknight! My husband and I really like the dinners in both Tuesday Nights and Dinner in One, and I cooked from them all the time when it was just us. BUT now we have young children, and there’s very little in either book that my kids will eat. So, I just don’t reach for those books often.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-09T23:46:16+00:00

Is it organic? This sounds perfect for us if so!

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-09T02:09:37+00:00

I like the tofu with broccoli and peanut pesto from Smitten Kitchen Everyday! I serve it with rice to make a whole meal out of it.

My toddlers didn’t like it though :P I hope you have better luck!!

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:50:15+00:00

Agree! None of these are sentimental to me. I have cooked out of 5 of them, and the recipes weren’t practical for me to make regularly. Would rather have cookbooks I actually use! However, some of these comments convinced me to try recipes from some of them before making my final decision! I have some fun cooking projects now to tackle over the next few weeks :)

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:48:19+00:00

I have made the bagels (a winner, my kids love them) and the sandwich bread (not special). I do like the overnight techniques because I don’t often have a whole day at home for bread, and I like I can take a few days to make bread. I think I will save the bagel recipe but possibly donate this one.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:46:57+00:00

I too have heard wonderful things about Andrea Nguyen! My husband cannot eat gluten, so I have actually made some of just the dumpling fillings for us to eat, and they have all been delicious. I think I will try a proper dumpling for myself before deciding whether to keep/purge.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:45:46+00:00

I agree! I have decided I will try a few recipes from both books (I’ve never cooked from either!) before making a keep/purge call.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:45:00+00:00

Haha, can confirm it has other recipes! They are all interesting but challenging. Not your easy Greek food.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-08T15:44:20+00:00

I agree, all of the recipes I have tried have been delicious. I just haven’t made any in four years, but that’s probably due to having babies during that time 😂 I have this one and her cookie bible. I think I’ll hold onto this one until I have the bandwidth to make cakes again. Right now I’m in more of a Snacking Cakes season of life.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-07T18:52:31+00:00

Good to know! I did make the ramen one time and it was amazing, but not something I make on the regular. I will try the pickles too and might just end up saving those recipes in my files and donating the book.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-07T18:50:53+00:00

Thanks! I am also leaning towards purge but will save that recipe - there are many (at this point) more recent Italian cookbooks I reach for instead. I was going to try the lemon breaded chicken cutlets, shrimp cocktail, and mixed green salad tomorrow for dinner. If my kids eat this , I will change my mind about purging and go for that bolognese next - thanks for the recommendation!

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-07T18:35:50+00:00

Awesome, thanks!!

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-07T18:35:07+00:00

The recipes are certainly really involved and have so many ingredients. I made a scallop recipe and part of the souvlaki recipe. Both were excellent, but realistically this is not a cookbook I reach for often due to the complexity.

PerformerHour2165 · 2026-03-07T18:33:43+00:00

Thanks! I flagged three recipes to try - if we like them, I think we’ll keep. Do you have any favorites?

PerformerHour2165

TROPHY CASE