Cookbooks You Need When Moving Abroad

Written from a Mennonite perspective, More With Less is another must have. This cookbook taught me how to make homemade bagels, English muffins, granola, and curry among other foods. 

Unfortunately I had to leave it behind in China. But as soon as possible, I replaced my copy. It is an essential in my kitchen. Again, the recipes use whole ingredients -- soy beans, oats, fruits, meats, spices, and vegetables. I found recipes for unsual vegetables that I never saw in my native America but that were sold in China. More With Less gave me the confidence to try and master new recipes.

More With Less espouses limiting our consumption of meats not for dietary reasons but for political ones. But the cookbook still has plenty of meat recipes. So if you don't agree with that perspective, just ignore it. 

Another expat was leaving China and passed on her spiral bound Betty Crocker cookbook. I was so thankful after I realized what a treasure trove of cooking from scratch it had inside. I especially liked all the cake, pie, and cookie recipes. Without a cake mix or frozen pie crust, you've got to learn how to make these desserts the old fashioned way.

Betty Crocker has all the classic recipes plus some interesting ethnic dishes as well. I often turned to it for macaroni and cheese, fajita marinade, desserts, pizza dough, and breads.

I am now back in America and have access to packaged foods and convenience mixes. But I have become accustomed to making my own foods from scratch. And more importantly, I have come to love the flavors and health of using whole foods instead of processed "foods." I don't think I would ever want to buy a cake mix or a package of taco seasoning mix. My homemade foods taste better and are far healthier!

So these three cookbooks are still in use on a daily basis in my American kitchen.