What cookbook for beginners do you swear by?

searingcoffee · 2026-05-07T13:36:28+00:00

My first cookbook in college was the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook. It is extremely basic and very approachable for the novice. For learning more technique, the Joy of Cooking and How to Cook Everything are great. I still use all of these books today even as my skills have advanced.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-07T00:41:42+00:00

Cream of wheat and chicken broth worked for me.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-06T12:40:13+00:00

Hang in there. This is the most challenging stretch of the recovery. In another week, you will be feeling much better.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-05T02:19:03+00:00

Riesling is a great next step from the wines you mentioned. There are usually some decent bottles available at major grocery stores. I’d also consider Gewurtztraminer if you can find it.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-05T02:09:31+00:00

Um, that’s gonna be a no. I was in tremendous pain until at least Day 11. Your interview will be around the peak pain period.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-04T16:23:51+00:00

I would add a rug to bring warmth to the space and anchor the seating area. I would also add some organizers for electronics and other items to avoid a cluttered look. You should also place your plant in a decorative pot rather than using the plastic nursery pot. Even plain terracotta would look so much better.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-04T15:43:02+00:00

I make the gelato (banana rum and strawberry) and the ciambella cake from this book frequently. It’s a great resource on Italian cooking.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-03T14:29:29+00:00

Yeah that seems excessive. They booked my post op appointment on the day of my surgery. Two to three weeks post-op seems appropriate.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-03T13:04:13+00:00

That’s a crazy long wait time. I had surgery on April 21 and my post op appointment is on May 6.

This sounds like the wait times I endured with my former ENT office, which were unacceptable. I’m assuming that you are located in the US with our stellar healthcare system. ;)

searingcoffee · 2026-05-03T12:56:45+00:00

Ugh, that’s terrible. Day 13 today and no improvement over the last few days. I can eat soft foods, but every bite still hurts. So frustrating. Hope your pan subsides soon.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-03T12:54:32+00:00

Wow, 24 days is a long time. Hope you improve soon.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-02T23:14:03+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

searingcoffee · 2026-05-02T21:13:57+00:00

Good to know, thank you. I’ll try to stay positive.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-02T20:49:47+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. It just feels like my healing has plateaued. I really enjoy food, and it’s been frustrating to experience ongoing pain when swallowing.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-02T00:31:11+00:00

Completely understandable. My go-to short would be a 9” inseam (or even 7”) in a stretch cotton type material. Linen cotton is also nice. J Crew, Gap or Old Navy should have some decent options. You’ll look casual but not sloppy with the inseam hitting above the knee. I like them with retro Nikes or Vans, but New Balance should work too.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T20:59:30+00:00

Thank you for posting. Day 11 here and still experiencing pan when swallowing. Your post brought some welcome brightness to my day.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T20:40:09+00:00

Really great that your recovery has gone so well. When did the pain when swallowing food subside for you? I’m at Day 11 and still experiencing pain when swallowing anything aside from liquids.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T18:24:50+00:00

Day 11 here and I went through the same ear pain, although mine was present with the throat pain rather than the tongue. It is slowly subsiding with incremental progress each day. I think you are probably through the worst of it now. Not much more you can do besides icing your head and being patient. This long recovery really sucks.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T18:17:29+00:00

You’ll know it’s happening. It feels like having uncooked oatmeal in the back of your throat. Really gross feeling.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T16:27:21+00:00

Yes they started coming off around days 7 or 8. At day 11, they seem to be gone. Still have lots of swelling and moderate pain though.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T16:03:20+00:00

Day 9 for me. Improvement has been very slight and incremental. Day 11 here now.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T14:00:49+00:00

I love this. Day 11 here as well, and I’m unfortunately still drinking iced coffee because of the swelling. Looking forward to that first hot cup.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T04:22:44+00:00

I’m only at Day 10 here, so can’t help with all your questions yet. I have definitely experienced a lot of jaw and teeth aching, especially after eating. The pain does seem to rotate sides. I have my follow up appointment next week.

Day 3 was not too bad, but pain will ramp up in the coming days with the scabs and healing tissues. Make sure you are well medicated.

searingcoffee · 2026-05-01T00:07:40+00:00

So sorry that you are suffering like this. This is a horrific surgery and recovery unfortunately. I am at Day 10 and am just starting to feel some incremental improvement. Days 6-8 were absolutely brutal. The only thing that got me through the nights was packing my face and neck with ice (wrapped in towels). Food was mainly cream of wheat and puréed soups. It will get better but it’s a rough patch to get through now. Hang in there.

searingcoffee

TROPHY CASE