Cookbook Reviews...Farm Journal Timesaving Country Cookbook

I think I have almost all of the early Farm Journal cook books.  This one, the Farm Journal Timesaving Country Cookbook, says it has 1000 recipes for make-ahead, no-watch and jiffy dishes.  I have the paperback “popular edition”, from 1961.  You can see it is well used.

The book says there are 3 kinds of timesaving cooks, the make-ahead cooks who like to plan everything, and who do some or all of the work in advance.  They make salads, desserts and casseroles ahead and have ready-to-go recipes in the freezer.

Back of dust cover

The second group are the folks who like slow-cookers and slow-cooking oven recipes, who then have time to get something done out of the kitchen.

The third group are last-minute, jiffy cooks, who specialize in 30 minute or less recipes.  They have expanded what used to be the emergency shelf to work for them every day, using purchased or home-made convenience foods. 

Of course, most busy cooks have recipes that fall in all 3 categories.  This book has lots of recipes that fit one or another of these patterns.   If you only use one of these timesaving methods, then it may be time to try something new.  The book is arranged as most women plan menus, with the main dishes first, then the foods to go with it.  As usual with Farm Journal cook books, this book makes good use of farm products: meat, dairy, and garden vegetables and fruits.   As I browsed through this book, I saw plenty of recipes that I have seen later in church or community cookbooks…old favorites.  Instead of doing recipes we have made before, we chose something different to try. 

Green Bean Burger Bake

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Creamy Cabbage

Baked Fish Fillets

Whole Wheat Batter Bread