The I hate to Cook Book is a book written by an author that’s after my own heart. You see, I hate to cook. I’d rather clean a bathroom, write five thousand words on baby shower favors, scoop cat litter or do several loads of laundry than cook a full meal. I’m not ashamed to tell people, either. I freely tell people that I hate to cook, and that I only do it out of necessity. When I can, I ask my mom to cook, usually by bribing her with the offer to buy the food and clean up after the meal so long as she’ll actually work her cooking magic. My friend, who loves to cook, often volunteers as well, which is always a nice break.
So when the chance to review the 50th anniversary edition of The I Hate to Cook Book, written by Peg Bracken’s daughter, Jo Bracken, I said heck yes!
The author of the book, Peg Bracken, is a lot like me — she didn’t like to cook, either. So she put together a book that both commiserates with women of our ilk and provides us with easy go-to recipes that work without a lot of muss or fuss.
Description:
“There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who don’t cook out of and have NEVER cooked out of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK, and the other kind…The I HATE TO COOK people consist mainly of those who find other things more interesting and less fattening, and so they do it as seldom as possible. Today there is an Annual Culinary Olympics, with hundreds of cooks from many countries ardently competing. But we who hate to cook have had our own Olympics for years, seeing who can get out of the kitchen the fastest and stay out the longest.”
- Peg Bracken
Philosopher’s Chowder. Skinny Meatloaf. Fat Man’s Shrimp. Immediate Fudge Cake. These are just a few of the beloved recipes from Peg Bracken’s classic I HATE TO COOK BOOK. Written in a time when women were expected to have full, delicious meals on the table for their families every night, Peg Bracken offered women who didn’t revel in this obligation an alternative: quick, simple meals that took minimal effort but would still satisfy.
50 years later, times have certainly changed – but the appeal of THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK hasn’t.
This book is for everyone, men and women alike, who wants to get from cooking hour to cocktail hour in as little time as possible.
Needless to say, I am really enjoying this book so far. I can’t wait to start making some of the recipes that are featured in it!

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