It’s so close I can almost taste it. Right now, I’m sitting on the couch at the home of Bill and Hayley of Primal Palate finally finishing up my cookbook that I have been working on since September. I’ve made over 100 recipes, I think it’s around 120 recipes but I’m not totally sure yet. This will be my fourth and final trip out to Pittsburgh to finish up the photography that Bill and Hayley have been doing for my book. I come out to Pittsburgh, live with them for 7-10 days, I cook 4-6 recipes per day, they take the pictures for every recipe, we sing songs and watch movies. Boom. That’s my cookbook life. Actually, we mostly listen to music while doing dishes because THERE ARE SO MANY DAMN DISHES. But I guess that’s a good problem to have.
This trip has been absolutely awesome. My last trip to Pittsburgh was previously planned for January but then I got bronchitis and was coughing until I threw up, so I decided to hold off a couple months before coming back out and finishing the book up. Such a good idea. If you don’t know much about Pittsburgh, please understand that it is incredibly gloomy in the winter. Which sucks for food photography. But right now it’s 60 degrees, sunny and extremely springy. The photography is looking beautiful and these last few days are going to make the cookbook officially amazing. I know it seems like I’m tooting my own horn or something, but I have to. I’ve never been so excited for something. Like, ever. I’m so proud of the hard work I put into it, the positive attitude I had along the way, and the creativity I put into every recipe. I’ve really tried to make a cookbook that YOU will be proud to own. But enough about the cookbook, let’s talk about the recipes themselves.
I’ve shared some sneak peeks on instagram of some of the recipes I’ve made this fourth trip.
Pictured (in simple terms): Roasted Radishes, Tomato Salad, Green Beans, Winter Squash Salad, Caramel, Chocolate Bark
Pictured (in simple terms): Chili, Loaded Portobello Mushrooms, Scallops, Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pictured (in simple terms): Maple Bacon Pork Loin, Pulled Pork Benedict, Pulled Pork Salad, Tomatillo Ranch and Whipped Cream
Today is a little different though. After getting some feedback from my publisher that my cookbook cover didn’t really fit the vibe of my cookbook (my cookbook is very sarcastic, has humor, and you know…don’t take no sh*t…whatever that means) so we decided a different cookbook cover was the way to go. Which blows because I bought this dress specifically for the cover and it showed up extra short in the crotch, meaning I will not be wearing anywhere else. Here’s what the first cover looked like:
But alas, I understand why the photo doesn’t make sense for my normal recipe banter. I’ve also had to change how I word some thing in my book. Not everyone thinks feces jokes are hilarious. I for one, do. But my editor was a bit grossed out by my feces comment in a cookbook. Understandable. It’s not that she doesn’t understand humor, it’s that she’s not disgusting. I kind of am. Another reason why this cookbook cover doesn’t fit my book. Maybe, when I’m a professional French cook who has traveled the world and knows everything about fine dining, and uses words like mozzarella where I roll my r’s like Giada…then I can reuse the cover of this cookbook. Until then, I must change the cover and remove my feces joke. Such a shame.
Today I’ll be frosting cupcakes, making chicken wings and scooping ice cream for the cover shots and inside book shots. Then tomorrow I’ll be making some Cuban and Venezuelan food (my damn plantains won’t ripen, THE BASTARDS!!!) then I’ll be heading home to purchase a house. Eeeeeeeek. Big week right here!
But real quick, before you go, I need to ask you a question! What do you like to see in your cookbooks? Is there something that stands out and keeps you going back to that specific cookbook? I want to make sure that this cookbook fits everyones needs as best as possible, so while I still have time to add in things and change things up, tell me what you want…what you really really want! And then name that song!
I LOVED the recipe index in The Paleo Kitchen. I would love suggestions for what recipes to pair together. I am a good cook, but I’m not so good at putting together a whole meal. Or suggestions of what to do with leftovers?
I am so excited for this cookbook!
I prefer cookbooks with pictures of every recipe. It seems like a “no duh” but i got a new book a couple weeks ago that doesn’t include a shot of every recipe. I feel better about what I make when the product looks like the picture. One reason I enjoy TPK!
In other news, I made your Char Siu with Char Siu Fried Rice yesterday and it is AWESOME! Literally, the BEST PORK I’ve ever had. So thank you for sharing your ideas and talent with the rest of us. 🙂
totally agree with the pictures of all the recipes. You would think that would be a given, but I also got a cookbook recently and it sadly didn’t have that. I usually get super excited and read them cover to cover when I get them, but this once just didn’t capture my attention like that because the lack of pictures. Can’t wait to get this book!
I use the books that have recipes that work. Sometimes it seems like the writer hasn’t ever attempted to follow their own instructions. I like seeing photos of the process, first it looks like this, then it looks like this, especially when consistency is important. I wouldn’t worry about style, if you try pleasing everyone else, you won’t get what you want. Always be yourself, unless you can be a pirate, then always be a pirate. Looking forward to your new book Julie.
Agree on the picture recipe index from The Paleo Kitchen! (Which is a great book, by the way.) I also think the information pages for storing produce, etc. are very helpful and the listings of what season is best for which produce.
Welcome to adulthood!! Getting married, buying houses….next thing you know you’ll be 35 with two kids running around! haha! But seriously, how do you not have on a leather jacket for your cover pic?!?! A leather jacket, booties and gorgeous jewelry is quintessential Juli! (Gorgeous original pic, but I think the fake eyelashes were a bit much. I know, I know, they’re all the rage.)
I agree with the recipe index at the end with pics of the recipes like your last book. I love, love, love a good ingredient index too for when I’m trying to use up that enormous bag of broccoli from Costco. I think meal suggestions are good too like this side dish would go well with this entree and if you really put some thought into it…like while this entree cooks for 45 min…you can whip up this side and have them done at the same time! Now that would be a godsend for us working moms! Oh and I think Instyle magazine used to do this…they included a page with those sticky post it tags so you could remove one and tag pages…well I could tag my favorite recipes! Now I’d pay extra for that!
Well, I gotta ask, if you’re preparing that much food each day, what are you doing with it after the photo shoots?? Feeding the neighbors, church groups, shelters? Lucky bastards…..
I agree with the comment about the tools needed! Also, if you use a ingredient that isn’t too common it would be good to know where to buy it (can you go to the grocery store or do you have to get it online) and, if possible, brand preferences and a substitution for that ingredient. And, maybe some notes on something that you should not substitute or eliminate.
I’ve already pre-ordered, can’t wait to get it! 🙂
I love it when cookbooks have ingredient indexes in the back. I’m sure it’s a major pain in the ass to compile but when I’m trying to make something in a pinch with what I’ve got in the fridge it makes life so much easier!
And oodles and oodles of pictures! I rarely make recipes that don’t have a picture accompanying it.
I agree. An index by ingredients is very helpful, and pictures, too, lots of them.
What I look for are new and different recipes. It seems every paleo cookbook has their version: cauli-mash, cauli-rice, coconut whipped “cream,” etc. While the basics are good to know, I don’t need them in every cookbook I own!
That’s really funny, I pulled up your book on Amazon this morning to see when it is coming out, and had the exact same thought about the cover pic! It’s gorgeous, but not what i have come to love and expect from you! I hope your new cover pic has your ring, and Jackson in it!
As for cookbooks, I love it when the ingredients are in the order in which they are used. I also really like photo indexes!