an accidental book review

I am such a creature of habit. I didn't know that about myself until fairly recently, though, I'm sure my friends and family were well aware.

One habit I've had for some time concerns cookbooks. I have lots and lots and lots. I often buy new ones, especially Paleo cookbooks, but I rarely use them. Mostly, they sit on one of many, many shelves. And worse, I often don't read or use them at all until they've been around awhile. I'll often open them, glance at a few pages, maybe the table of contents, then set them aside. This has become such a habit that I talk myself out of each purchase many times before I succumb to the temptation.

Yesterday, I bought a new cookbook, Quick and Easy Paleo Comfort Foods, by Julie and Charles Mayfield. I had almost ordered it half a dozen times on Amazon. I think at least once I even ordered it and then cancelled the order two minutes later. Yeah, that's another dumb habit I'm not so proud of.

Still yesterday, when we came home tired and hungry and not really wanting to cook, I actually opened that brand new book. Just look at its title, Quick and Easy Paleo Comfort Foods. And staring at me to the right of the Table of Contents was meat on a stick; okay, they called them Beef Kebabs. I love the look of almost any food on a stick. And I just happened to have thawed a package of beef filet chunks from US Wellness Meats. Before we even put away the groceries, I was making the marinade. A couple of minutes later (seriously) the tender chunks of filet were soaking up those lovely flavors. GK fired up the Big Green Egg, and we were off and running.

I still didn't know what I'd serve with the beef. When I am tired and hungry, I'm at my least creative. But somehow I opened the book to Greek Salad. It sounded perfect. And it was.

This morning, feeling more relaxed and less rushed, I've been turning the pages, oohing and awing over the pictures as much as the recipes. I've got a long mental list of dishes I want to try. Seriously, for those of us who cook virtually every meal we eat, quick and easy sounds like a siren's call. Possibly, the only thing better is comfort food, but we don't have to choose. Buy the book. Or ask your local library to get it for you.