"The Sober Kitchen" by Liz Scott

[NMDemDist2]

I just picked up this book as I love good food and have taken up cooking as a hobby. But I often get frustrated as so many recipes call for wine or apple jack or whiskey or rum.

This woman is a professional chef and she not only talks about recipes, but learning healthy eating styles as a bulwark against relapse.

fun quote

I recall with a smile one person's response on learning I was writing this book, "A cookbook for alcoholics? What a great idea, as long as we don't have to follow directions!"

check it out

http://www.thesoberkitchen.com/

Phase One : Saving Your Life and Staying Sober

Phase Two : Getting Comfortable and Feeding Your Inner Child

Phase Three : Enhancing Your Health and Becoming a Sober Gourmet

[KitchenWitch]

1. HMMM, Must add that book to the cookbook library!

:yourock:

[NMDemDist2]

2. it's a good basic cookbook so far (I just got into Phase Two)

even if you've never cooked, it has good instructions and tips using easily available ingredients

I highly recommend it. I found mine on sale for $7 at the local Hastings...

[Justpat]

3. wow. even I might try that.

I've been on a cooking moratorium since about 1967, but what the hell, I have to give it
a try again sometime.

That book sounds interesting.


Thanks for the info.

[NMDemDist2]

4. good basic recipes using solid simple techniques

what's not to like?

and when you're feeling adventurous the last section gives some more gourmet choices

she also includes a LOT of nutritional info and food history. she did a good job IMO

[NMDemDist2]

5. She's written an entertaining cookbook too

http://www.sober-celebrations.com/

[Kajsa]

6. This looks very good.

A few years back I heard a speaker
state," I don't drink or eat alcohol today".

You have to be careful.
Not all of the booze burns off with the heat
of cooking/baking sometimes.

The taste alone could trigger problems.

I haven't cooked much in recent years,
( something to do with having an ADHD child)
since my time in the kitchen was limited.

I'm going to check this out.
It looks great, and easy recipes are a good way
to get back into the swing of things.

Thanks AZDem.!

:pals:

[NMDemDist2]

7. they finally did a study on the 'booze burns off' meme and at best 50% is gone

usually it's closer to 25%

a full 50-85% of the alcohol remains!!

:wow:

PS get that kid in the kitchen, cooking and gardening are great 'chores' for kids and will help keep them focused

start with radishes. they sprout in as little as 5 days, so it's practically instant garden gratification

:hi:

[Kajsa]

8. Hey that's a great idea!

We really don't have a garden here, with no backyard
( I miss that sooo much! :cry:)
but- if he's interested, he could help me cook and/or
bake.

One of his coaches at OCC- Orange Coast College-
keeps bugging him,
"when are you going to bring me some of your
mom's cookies?" ;-)

Hey- Karl can help bake them!


Thanks.

:pals:

[NMDemDist2]

9. a big pot and a sunny corner is all you need

forget tomatoes (unless you have room for one of these http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=246x6421 )

but lettuce, radish and herbs can all be done in pots in very little space and what a great addition to your cooking! let the busy guy pick the lettuce leaves, trim the herb stems and dig up the radishes

also known to make picky "I hate vegetables" eaters convert hehehe

:hi:

[Kajsa]

10. Good idea.

Everyone here ( except the kitties-LOL)
loves vegetables.

:hi:

[Justpat]

11. I ordered the book.

I'll let you know how it works out. Mr. Broad needs to put on some weight.
He is also one of us. He'll like the sober cooking - he'll any cooking actually.

[NMDemDist2]

12. I didn't cook for years and years

finally, forced by financial circumstances, I started again

whining, moaning and bitching the whole way

after a couple months of that I realized I had my glasses on backwards and decided I'm make cooking my hobby

I'm ok with it now, it's all in how you look at stuff yanno? :evilgrin:

edit to add, join us in Cooking and Baking, they are so helpful and a great group of DUers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=236

[Justpat]

13. When I was a kid

my father went bankrupt. He was out of work for years (and drunk)and my mother went
to work in real estate to support us. So I was forced to become the little homemaker
at age nine. I had to cook all the meals for a family of six from that time on until
I ran away from home after HS.

From that day on I have not ever ironed a piece of clothing, cooked so much as an egg
or cleaned the house. I hate it all. And it made me a terrible housekeeper. I was
laughing so hard the other day when I realized I had so little domestic skills that
I was reduced to vacuuming the top of the stove instead of cleaning it with a sponge.
It is not a pretty sight in here. But I'm going to try the sober cooking thing as
soon as the book arrives.

[NMDemDist2]

14. I took on the housekeeping and cooking but only for 3 instead of 6

at the age of 9 or 10

my mom was manic depressive and spent long stretches hospitalized or as a thorazine zombie

baby steps OB, one day at a time

:hug:

and there's nothing to say Mr. OB can't help in the kitchen, it's a great way to catch up on the day and many hands make short work

he may find he enjoys it too.

my Mr. didn't but the deal was when we both worked, I cooked and he did the dishes

:shrug:

[Justpat]

15. I've taken a lot of baby steps in sobriety -

but none of them have been in the direction of the kitchen.

Thanks for all your support.

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

16. call me anytime, I'm a full time housewife now

and would love to share my tips and tricks!!

here's the first tip

get one of these



http://www.target.com/NordicWare-Vegetable-Seafood-Steamer/dp/B00008UA3J/sr=1-1/qid=1205104579/ref=sr_1_1/602-3516627-2521411?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Asteamer%20vegetable&page=1

microwave veggie steamer (better to cook veggies in the microwave)

start with the easy stuff, fry up a chicken breast, serve with rice or a baked tater and steamed fresh veggies

takes 20 minutes, minimal cleanup and tasty as hell! don't be afraid to try different spices in the fry pan, but I started with Worcestershire sauce for beef and bottled lemon juice and regular mustard for chicken

it's spring time so pick up some herb seed packets (they're everywhere this time of year) and throw em down in a sunny spot by the kitchen door, water em, and see what grows. Basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley whatever! don't worry about getting all technical, literally throw the seeds down and water

a jumble of fragrant herbs outside the kitchen door and a sharp pair of scissors makes every night an adventure

:rofl:

seriously, call me. I'll cheer you on and answer any questions

:hi:

[Justpat]

17. OK.

I'll get one of those veggie things and then call you so you can tell me how to use it.

[Westegg]

18. Very helpful! Thanks.

[Justpat]

19. Hello, Westegg.

It is good to see you here. Welcome to A/R.


:hi:

[Justpat]

20. This book arrived several days ago.

It is like having a meeting in the kitchen. I love it.

And so far everything has been EASY to make.

[NMDemDist2]

21. woohoo

:woohoo:

I'm finally home and was so glad to fix a few eggs and some toast in my own kitchen

:hi:

[Justpat]

22. Glad you are back.

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

23. yeah 2 days late and $2000 poorer

my transmission blew up in Albuquerque

:cry:

[FloridaJudy]

24. I've got to check that out

I've found that apple juice can be substituted for wine in most recipes that call for it. But I'm always up for another cookbook - I call it Food Porn.

[NMDemDist2]

25. LOL that's what hubby calls it too. he just laughs at me but encourages me to

buy the book. he says "I can't argue with the results, go for it babe!"

:rofl:

I had to rearrange my hutch to gain another shelf just this week for the gardening and cook books I've acquired this winter

:evilgrin:

and it's spring here in southern NM and my radish, carrots, broccoli and tomatoes have all sprouted along with my basil, parsley and marojam.

:bounce: