How to make a cookbook?
This image of Beyonce is from her site.
We all wander into the kitchen from time to time. Some of us like Beyonce admit that they are “disasters” in the kitchen. How do I know? Because when I did a google image search for “disaster in the kitchen” most of the sites were about Beyonce. Interesting. Non? Well, maybe not.
But not all of us are so inept. Some of us believe we know something about creating inspiration via cooking. And we have our secret sources of inspiration. Grandma? Julia Child? Well, internet brings more and more potential sources. But here is my question. Is that inspiration available on demand? Every day? As we plan for gatherings? When we shop? When we chop? When we clean up? Are we part of a learning community where food takes center stage?
Some say “no” and so they try to help us by writing cookbooks for us. Here is a link to one of my favorite blogs, 101 cookbooks, where the author discusses the urge to write a cookbook. It is a fascinating process — digging into routines to build inspiration. Here is a link to another of my favorite sites, Japanese Food Report, where the author shares his learning about how to cook Japanese style.
But I have an even more basic question. Why can’t we all be building our own cookbooks from our own experiences? Why can’t we create our own records of our kitchen learning process as we go through the daily rituals of planning, shopping and cooking? Couldn’t we all be inspired and inspiring? Good question.
I have a few thoughts about this and I will post on this a bit more as part of my “good life” rift. Stay tuned! Beyonce, of course, is excluded. No disasters allowed.