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ATK does DIY (and you can too!)

This giveaway is now closed-congrats to Jody, the winner of the cookbook!

You guys know of my undying affection for Cook’s Illustrated and America’s Test Kitchen, right? And you know how I’m always excited to do a cookbook giveaway from CI or ATK too.

But my excitement over this DIY cookbook is even greater than usual.

I really, really love it.

It might not be as practical as the ATK Quick Family Cookbook I gave away recently, but it is just so much fun!

The DIY cookbook is filled to the brim with recipes for making things from scratch. And I’m not just talking things like grape jelly. Noooo…this cookbook covers home-brewing, meat curing, cheesemaking, and it even shows you how to make copycat version of things like Ritz crackers and Thin Mint cookies.

Oooh, and this is the cookbook where I found the fabulous no-stir granola recipe that I shared with you before (if you like clusters of granola, this is the recipe for you!)

So.

The DIY cookbook has fun and unusual recipes, aaand there are tons of full-color photos. Each recipe has a text intro, followed with step-by-step photos and instructions…kind of like a blog post, actually.

The tone of the writing is unstuffy, and relaxed. For instance, one recipe instructs you not to “futz about” with scraping the bowl clean. And there’s a nice conversational tone about the directions, which tell you more than traditional cookbooks do, (like, “You’ll think you should stop beating at this point, but keep on going until the full 10 minutes are up.”) I find that to be so helpful.

Thus far, I’ve made the No-Stir Granola about a zillion times, and I also tried the granola bar recipe, which was really tasty.

And I made marshmallows too.

I want to make the beef jerky. And the Ritz Crackers. And the ricotta cheese. And the Neufchatel cheese.

Seriously. I want to make so much stuff from this book.

(Although I must say that some of the cured meat recipes are going to remain untried here at Chez Frugal Girl.)

(The liver mousse recipe might be one of those.)

(Just saying.)

Anyway. Since you all are a frugal crowd, and since most frugal people like to make things from scratch, I think that you guys would really love this cookbook.

And one of you won’t need to buy a copy, because I’m giving one away!

___________________________________

To enter, leave a comment telling me about the most adventurous thing you’ve ever tried to make from scratch.

(If you’re not an adventurous cook, you can just tell me you want the book!)

One entry per person, please.

Apologies to my dear international readers, but this giveaway is limited to the continental U.S. only.

I’ll use random.org to choose a winner after midnight EST, Friday, November 9th.

Disclosure: ATK sent me a free copy of this cookbook, but I was not compensated in any other way. And my deep affection for CI and ATK is 100% genuine.

Brandie

Saturday 10th of November 2012

I like to make bread from scratch, which seems to be an ever evolving process so I get good loaves and bad. I also tried to make macaroons one time but couldn't get the egg whites fluffy enough. I just ended up with coconut mush, yuck! Thanks for the book give away!

LeAnna

Friday 9th of November 2012

I've attempted jelly and relish...(my relish needs some touches but jelly was great!) I love cooking from scratch but need a base recipe to guide me and eventually add my own touch. I would love this book, definitaly peeks my interest. Seems this book has some great ideas!

Kristen

Friday 9th of November 2012

Well - I'm not sure about the most adventurous thing I've made from scratch. I love to can, I make bread, I have yet to try yogurt but I want to try it and cheese. I love the America's test kitchen cookbook that I have and I know this one would provide many wonderful hours of fun experimenting (and eating!).

Erin

Friday 9th of November 2012

Hmm...I don't know if I've really made anything truly adventurous...but am learning that with a little practice most things I tend to think I have to buy are more delicious homemade--such as soft pretzels or egg rolls or tomato soup.

Maureen R.

Friday 9th of November 2012

I would love to win a copy of this book! I seem to be far more adventurous in my mind than in real life because the most exciting think I could think of that I've made from scratch is cream cheese and yeasted rolls...oh! and preserved lemons. There, that's adventurous... :)

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