In talking to MS, RD, and cookbook author, Katie Morford, about her book Prep: The Essential College Cookbook, we realized that it’s more than a quintessential collection of recipes that kids should know how to make before leaving home. It’s a fantastic, simple guide for any beginner home cook, regardless of age. In this episode, we talk about the basic kitchen skills we all need to master and the recipes that help us master them well.
The Key To Kitchen Empowerment
If you were to happen upon the new book, Prep: The Essential College Cookbook, by our friend Katie Morford, you might assume that it’s for teens and folks in their twenties and not for you. As it turns out, you’d be wrong: It’s for all of the above, and even kids, too, if you ask us.
As we flipped through Prep, it quickly became apparent that Katie wrote this book for beginner home cooks to master 10 essential kitchen lessons, key knife skills, and the handful of recipes you’ll want to eat — and feed others — over and over. (And over!)
In that way, it’s brilliant for kids who are just leaving home and starting to cook for themselves, but you know what? It’s also great if you’re struggling to cook more now that you have to feed kids on the daily. And if want to hand your partner who never cooks a cookbook from which they can actually master a family dinner — and give you a break. And even if you just want a new resource of crazy simple and totally delicious recipes to save your weeknights.
In this episode, Stacie and Katie go over the most important things every home cook should master (hint: we’re home cooks, so we’re not talking about mother sauces), how you can build your own cooking confidence and also boost it in others, and go through some recipes that Katie considers the new basics for home cooks today.
Think: Cheeseburgers with Awesome Sauce (pictured above), Cheesy Parmesan Polenta, Quinoa with Pesto, a killer Breakfast Burrito, Mix-in-the Pan Applesauce Cake, and of course, One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The Ultimate Cheat Sheet For Inexperienced Cooks
RUN, do not walk, to buy Prep: The Essential College Cookbook by Katie Morford. If you know a graduate this season, it’s a must-gift — just be sure to get your own copy too. Trust us that it will come in handy to you now and also as your kids start to experiment in the kitchen. Or when you starting nudging them to!
About Our Guest: Katie Morford
Katie Sullivan Morford, MS, RD, is a freelance food and nutrition writer with more than 20 years of professional writing experience. She has been published in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, Real Simple, and Family Circle, among many others.
Katie is the author of Rise & Shine and Best Lunch Box Ever, and she writes the popular food blog Mom’s Kitchen Handbook. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook as @momskitchenhandbook.
PSST… DID YOU LISTEN?
WONDERING WHAT STACIE’S SON, ISAAC, SAID THAT HE WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO COOK BEFORE LEAVING HOME?
All the details will be in our Listeners’ Group. Join now!
Follow Us on Social Media
Want to keep up with us between episodes? Follow us on Instagram where we share what we’re cooking in our kitchens, along with tips, and recipes too.
Find Meghan at @meghan_splawn and Stacie at @staciebillis And of course, together, we are @didntijustfeedyou.
If Facebook is more your speed, we’re there too! You can find us as @didntijustfeedyou. And if you’re a listener who knows the answer to the secret question (hint: it’s in this episode), be sure to join our Listeners’ Group too.
This week, we want to know:
WHAT’S THE ONE DISH OR RECIPE THAT YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO LEAVE HOME KNOWING HOW TO MAKE?
Your Next Listen
If you’re always looking for something to listen to after hearing us gab, check out one of our favorite podcasts, The Mom Hour.
Between them, hosts Sarah and Meghan have EIGHT kids from little to grown and are in different stages of life in different parts of the country. Together, they offer a wide lens on this whole motherhood thing.
Every week, they share practical tips, judgement-free advice, and real stories of how they’ve handled parenting challenging, from potty training to finding time for genuine self care.
They’re not experts, but parents who’ve been there. They’re not perfect, but they’re real. And we think they’re hella funny too.
Trust us, you’ll never want to miss an episode, so subscribe right now wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
