“Quicker Than Quick” the book!

Well, friends, my second book baby, Quicker Than Quick, is about to make its way into the world on Tuesday, April 21st and I can barely contain myself!  Unlike an actual baby, books take a long time.  I originally pitched the idea of a book of quick to prep and quick to cook recipes to my agent in late April 2018.  She was incredibly enthusiastic about the idea and encouraged me to write a proposal, “and make it quick!”  We sent the proposal to the editor of my first book and we had a deal within the day.

I worked on Quicker Than Quick for a year, and then it was in the publisher’s hands.  After many rounds of edits and patiently waiting, the time has come for me to share this book with you.  After all, I wrote it for you.

Teaching cooking classes as often as I do has afforded me the unique experience of connecting with people in way most food bloggers do not have.  I’m in private home kitchens, prepping around kids, meeting spouses, in personal spaces.  I see what ‘s in pantries and refrigerators.  And then I talk to people.  We talk about what they struggle with around cooking, mealtime, health, for themselves and their families.  I have been doing this for 12 years and I have literally taught thousands of people in hundreds of home kitchens.  And I am here to tell you I hear you and I see you.

Most of us really want to cook healthy food often, but you know what?  We all face a lot of challenges that can get in the way, and the biggest one that comes up over and over again is time.  So it was easy to come up with the theme for my second book.  I wanted a book that you and I could turn to and know we could open it up and make something now without having to marinate overnight or have beets already cooked or be stocked with lots of unusual, expensive ingredients.  I wanted for you and me a book with recipes that could be on the table in less than 30 minutes.  I also wanted it to be flexible like Kitchen Matters, where most recipes could be adapted for different diets.

Did I know that Quicker Than Quick would be released during a global pandemic when we would be forced to shelter in place for 2 months (and probably longer)?  Did I ever imagine that all the events, appearances, parties, and signings that took months to negotiate and coordinate would be postponed indefinitely?  I think you know the answer.  But, I also think this book could not come out at a better time.  The recipes are quick (obviously) and easy, which is so welcome right now because we’re all a little tired of cooking three meals a day.  They’re flexible and rely on mostly pantry ingredients.  Truthfully, I could rename this book Quicker Than Quick Quarantine Cooking!

I appreciate your faith in me as a cooking instructor, food blogger and a mom.  I promise you will love this book, and if you don’t, return it to Amazon.  If you would like signed copies of Quicker Than Quick, you may order the book through Pages Bookstore through this link and you’ll be supporting a local, female-owned bookstore.  When you get it, I want to hear from you! I want to see your creations!  Please ask me how I can help you adapt a chicken recipe for your vegan family memeber or what to use in place of sweet potatoes because you don’t want to go to the store.  I truly can’t wait for you to cook from this book because I know you will be as thrilled with it as I am.  I only wish Tuesday would be here quicker!