HomeKitchen

Learn to Cook on a Budget: A Cookbook-Workbook Designed To Help You Find Confidence in the Kitchen with 40 Basic & Essential Video Lessons and Recipes!

Learn to Cook on a Budget: A Cookbook-Workbook Designed To Help You Find Confidence in the Kitchen with 40 Basic & Essential Video Lessons and Recipes! – A Review

If you are looking for a way to improve your cooking skills, save money on groceries, and enjoy delicious meals at home, then you might want to check out the latest cookbook-workbook by Erin Chase, the founder of $5 Dinners. Learn to Cook on a Budget is a comprehensive guide that combines video lessons, recipes, and tips to help you master cooking at home on a budget.

In this review, I will give you an overview of what this cookbook-workbook offers, what are its strengths and weaknesses, and who can benefit from it. I will also share some of my favorite recipes from the book and how they turned out. By the end of this review, you will have a better idea of whether this cookbook-workbook is right for you and your cooking goals.

What is Learn to Cook on a Budget?

Learn to Cook on a Budget is a unique cookbook-workbook that combines 40 video lessons with 40+ recipes that are designed to teach you the basic cooking skills and methods that you need to succeed in the kitchen. The video lessons are easy to follow and can be accessed through a simple link that is provided with each recipe. You can watch the videos before you start cooking, or you can cook along with Erin as she guides you through the steps.

The recipes are organized into themed lesson sets that cover different topics such as how to cook eggs, pasta, grains, meats, and more. You will also learn how to use different appliances such as the slow cooker and the electric pressure cooker. The recipes are made with healthy and wholesome ingredients that are budget-friendly and won’t break the bank. Each recipe and lesson also contains cooking objectives and featured gadgets that will help you learn new skills and techniques.

Some of the recipes that you will find in this cookbook-workbook are:

  • Poblano Egg Scramble
  • Drop Biscuits with Maple Butter Compound
  • Homemade Alfredo Sauce
  • Teriyaki Beef and Broccoli
  • Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
  • Bacon Cheeseburger Chili
  • Mason Jar Salads
  • And many more!

The cookbook-workbook also includes a helpful introduction that explains the benefits of cooking at home, how to set up your kitchen, how to plan your meals, and how to shop smart. You will also find some bonus tips and tricks from Erin on how to save time, money, and energy in the kitchen.

What are the strengths of Learn to Cook on a Budget?

There are many things that I liked about this cookbook-workbook, but here are some of the main strengths that I think make it stand out:

  • It is beginner-friendly. If you are new to cooking or want to refresh your skills, this cookbook-workbook is perfect for you. It covers the basics of cooking and teaches you how to make simple and tasty dishes that anyone can enjoy. You don’t need any prior experience or fancy equipment to follow the recipes and lessons.
  • It is interactive. The video lessons are a great feature that make this cookbook-workbook more engaging and fun. You can watch Erin as she demonstrates the cooking methods and strategies in a clear and friendly way. You can also ask her questions and get feedback through the comments section. The video lessons make you feel like you have a personal cooking instructor in your kitchen.
  • It is practical. The recipes and lessons are designed to help you cook at home on a budget. You will learn how to use inexpensive and versatile ingredients that you can find in any grocery store. You will also learn how to make the most of your leftovers, how to freeze and store your food, and how to avoid food waste. The recipes and lessons will help you save money on groceries and dining out, as well as eat healthier and more delicious meals at home.

What are the weaknesses of Learn to Cook on a Budget?

While I enjoyed this cookbook-workbook a lot, there are some minor weaknesses that I think could be improved:

  • It is not very diverse. The recipes and lessons are mostly focused on American cuisine and comfort food. While there is nothing wrong with that, I would have liked to see more variety and diversity in the dishes. For example, some more ethnic, vegetarian, or vegan options would have been nice. I think this would make the cookbook-workbook more appealing and accessible to a wider audience.
  • It is not very advanced. If you are already an experienced cook or want to learn more complex and challenging recipes and skills, this cookbook-workbook might not be very satisfying for you. It is mainly aimed at beginners and intermediate cooks who want to learn the basics and improve their confidence in the kitchen. However, if you are looking for a more advanced cookbook-workbook, you might want to check out some of Erin’s other books, such as The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook or The $5 Dinner Mom Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook.

Who can benefit from Learn to Cook on a Budget?

I think this cookbook-workbook is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to cook at home on a budget and enjoy delicious and healthy meals. Whether you are a student, a busy parent, a single professional, or a retiree, you will find something useful and valuable in this cookbook-workbook. You will also have fun and learn new skills along the way.

However, I think this cookbook-workbook is especially beneficial for:

  • People who are new to cooking or want to refresh their skills. This cookbook-workbook will teach you the basics of cooking and help you gain confidence and competence in the kitchen. You will learn how to make simple and tasty dishes that you and your family will love.
  • People who want to save money on groceries and dining out. This cookbook-workbook will show you how to use budget-friendly ingredients and strategies to make the most of your food and money. You will learn how to plan your meals, shop smart, and avoid food waste. You will also eat healthier and more delicious meals at home.
  • People who want to have fun and learn new things. This cookbook-workbook will make cooking more enjoyable and interactive. You will watch Erin as she guides you through the recipes and lessons in a clear and friendly way. You will also have the opportunity to ask her questions and get feedback. You will also discover new recipes and skills that you can use in your own kitchen.

My favorite recipes from Learn to Cook on a Budget

I tried several recipes from this cookbook-workbook and I was impressed by how easy and delicious they were. Here are some of my favorites:

Poblano Egg Scramble

This was the first recipe and lesson that I tried from this cookbook-workbook and I loved it. It was a simple and satisfying breakfast that was packed with flavor and protein. I learned how to cook eggs in different ways, such as scrambled, fried, and poached. I also learned how to roast poblano peppers, which added a nice smoky and spicy touch to the dish. I served the egg scramble with some tortillas and salsa and it was a perfect way to start the day.

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

This was another easy and delicious recipe that I tried from this cookbook-workbook. I learned how to make a creamy and cheesy alfredo sauce from scratch, using only butter, cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, and some seasonings. It was much better than the store-bought version and it only took a few minutes to make. I tossed the sauce with some cooked fettuccine and topped it with some parsley and more cheese. It was a decadent and comforting meal that my family enjoyed.

Bacon Cheeseburger Chili

This was one of the most creative and flavorful recipes that I tried from this cookbook-workbook. I learned how to make a hearty and satisfying chili that had all the elements of a bacon cheeseburger, such as ground beef, bacon, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles. It was a fun and tasty twist on a classic dish that was perfect for a cold day. I served the chili with some cornbread and sour cream and it was a hit with everyone.

Conclusion

Learn to Cook on a Budget is a great cookbook-workbook that will help you master cooking at home on a budget and enjoy delicious and healthy meals. It combines video lessons, recipes, and tips to teach you the basic cooking skills and methods that you need to succeed in the kitchen. It is beginner-friendly, interactive, and practical. It is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to cook and save money on groceries and dining out. However, it is not very diverse or advanced, so if you are looking for more variety or challenge, you might want to look elsewhere. Overall, I recommend this cookbook-workbook to anyone who wants to have fun and learn new things in the kitchen.

Trending:

Related Articles

Back to top button