I confess. I hate to cook.

I hate to cook. I hate to bake. Therefore, I hate potlucks, or as they’re called in my part of Texas, covered-dish dinners. I said it for all to hear. Yes, I hear the gasps out there, but it’s true. And I bet I’m not the only one out there.

You may be asking yourself why I would hate potlucks, even if I hate cooking. For someone who isn’t good at something to have to compete in the big leagues is intimidating. Yes, a potluck is a competition. The cooks bring out their best and there are cheers all around the room. Then the rest of us sit and watch our dish draw nothing but flies.

Oh don’t get me wrong. I enjoy the fellowship of a potluck meal. I’m happy for those who like to cook and are able to bring crowd-pleasers. But there’s pressure on the rest of us. “Oh, honey, what did you bring?” {Sigh} “That lopsided cake over there.” “Oh, that’s nice.”

<Can I hear a few “Amens” out there?>

Help for Hopeless Cooks

I’m not one to run to the grocery store deli for something or grab some southern fried chicken at a drive-through window. The competitor in me insists on beating myself up by trying to cook something. I know I’ll limp in last and take home as much as I came with. But I should at least get a participation trophy, right?

What do I cook at home? A lot of soup, not from a can. I throw a bunch of stuff in a pot with broth. Can’t mess that up too much. I can do a pretty mean hot dog also. My slow cooker has been a savior for meals with guests.

I have found some cookbooks in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle which are for the non-cooks among us. If you’re like me, don’t be afraid of these recipe books. They are down to earth, have ingredients that most of us have in our cupboards, and are easy. Here’s a few of what you’ll find:

• Emergency Meals by Beth Cranford uses a method that I like. Put it all in one pot and cook. Frozen biscuits are allowed. Salads for simple side dishes are suggested.
• 81 Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes from FunCheaporFree.com and DealstoMeals.com. Slow cooker sandwiches? You betcha. From lunch sandwiches to desserts, this cookbook helps out the helpless. Although it does use some ingredients that aren’t household items. Don’t you love cooking experts that start a recipe with “a can of …” or “frozen vegetables?”
• Soups, Chilis, and Stews from LynnsKitchenAdventure.com. As I said I can whip together soup fairly well. I need some ideas now and then, though. This cookbook gives me those ideas. A plus for Soups, Chilis, and Stews is the printable recipes.
• Kids Cook Real Food Recipe eBook by Katie Kimbell. One of my favorite classes, when I was homeschooling my children, was cooking. It meant I didn’t have to. The fact is one of my sons is a wonderful cook. (He didn’t inherit from me.) This cookbook will help your children not be a potluck failure. If you want to give them a head start to adult cooking, get the Kids Cook Real Food online class.

Get these cookbooks and 89 other e-books plus printables and bonus in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, more than $1,000 worth of product for $29.97.

Bonus offers:

• Purchase today and receive the e-reader upgrade free (expires 11:59 p.m. EST).
• Plus, you will receive a free electronic version of my book Preschool: At What Cost? Just send me your receipt at sales@practicalinspirations.com and let me know if you would like a PDF or Kindle version.

The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is only available until Monday, May 2, 11:59 p.m EST.

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