Saucepans and the Single Girl

Way way back in high school, I worked in a bookstore, and when the time came to go to college, this was the cookbook I chose to take to school with me. What a hoot to know that this fun, funny book has been updated and rereleased! And a lot of the recipes, though hardly gourmet, are still easy enough for a beginning cook to handle. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.

The recipes are great. The best part is that it is sooo fun to read. I recommend it highly. You don't have to be single to enjoy it.

Love the book! The original was marvelous and this is even better. Can't wait to give it to my daughters to let them enjoy it too. There are many easy and fun recipes mixed with very clever writing.

Saucepans & The Single Girl was originally published in 1965. The authors have updated this version with commentary and have modified the text and recipes with footnotes as necessary for present-day clarity. From 1965 to 2006, this book transcends the generation gap because the age-old problems of the lack of money and storage space are still issues in many lives. If you are dealing with a limited budget and smaller living quarters, you can glean several tidbits of information for dealing with these issues from this 60's book because the basics are still the same even if the terms and references have changed. Saucepans & the Single Girl contains itemized lists of the bare minimum requirements for the small kitchen. Like what to buy and keep on hand in the way of dry pantry items as well as refrigerated staples. This could be helpful for those who are just starting out or for the retiree who is downsizing to the extreme, say retirement home or motor home living where space is severely restricted. Also included are: which herbs are best bought and used fresh or dried, basic utensils and pans you will need to prepare the recipes, and simple hints for entertaining for the less-than-Julia Childs types. There is a glossary of wines on pages 16-28. Over a third of the recipes require some kind of alcohol. (They did not list substitutions for the non-drinker.) The recipes range from the simple Hors D'oeuvres of Idiot's Cheese Delights, page 169, to traditional Yankee Pot Roast with noodles, pages 136-137. WARNING: pay close attention to the tiny question marks, clocks, light bulbs and spoons next to the text, which indicate a notation at the bottom of the page. It could mean there is an important amendment to that recipe. (I assume to keep the flavor of the past, they didn't update the recipes, but it would have made the instructions much easier to follow.) If you are looking for an in-depth beginner's cookbook, I agree with the authors, go with a more traditional cookbook. Armchair Interviews says: For an amusing trip back to the 60's single scene filled with terms and idealisms reminiscent of that era, you will enjoy Saucepans & the Single Girl.

Contains many wonderful recipes that have stood the test of time--almost 40 years! In 1967 it was also very funny, but because women's lives have changed so much, this humor may not be appreciated today. Favorite recipes include Swedish Cream(still make 3-5 times each summer), Obese Tomatoes, Opulent Chicken, and Gnocchi.