About Me
March 20, 2009 · 21 comments
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It’s the recipe collection I didn’t even realize I had – the one derived from the side of a bag of fresh vegetables, a box of sugar, a jar of mayonnaise.
As someone who regularly scours food blogs, magazines and cookbooks for new recipes to try I was stunned to discover one day that there were nearly 40 recipes printed on the packaging of food items I had in my refrigerator and pantry. I’d overlooked most of them all of these years. Of course, I’ve made everyone’s favorite Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe countless times and who doesn’t love Rice Krispy Treats? But what about all of these other on-the-package recipes? It occurred to me there could be some hidden gems in here.
Cooking On the Side – as in on the side of food packaging – is all about “revealing” these on-the-package recipes, with photos of how they actually turn out, cooking notes and more descriptive directions than package space usually allows for.
In addition to Cooking on the Side, I write Panini Happy – a food blog dedicated to panini and other original recipes for the panini grill. Before taking time off to focus on raising our two little kids, I worked in online marketing and advertising for several well-known brands. These days, I’m enjoying the delicious life of a foodblogger in sunny San Diego.
CONTACT:
Got feedback? Questions? You can reach me by e-mail at cookingontheside AT yahoo DOT com
It's the recipe collection I didn't realize I had - the recipes printed right on the food packages in my kitchen. It's time for me to finally give them a try, and hopefully I'll find some hidden gems along the way.
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
The Best Fudge Brownies Ever
Homemade Popcorn Trio
7-Layer Dip
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Kathy, what a great idea! Those are some of my favorite recipes!
Hi! I jumped over from Facebook to your other blog to here! Love both blogs and I would love to eat lunch at your house one day! I think the idea behind this blog is brilliant! Good for you!
what a cute concept!
i’ve heard this recipe from the back of the domino confectioner’s sugar box is great:
http://www.dominosugar.com/Recipe.aspx?id=505
others:
-blondies on the back of the mini’s chocolate chip bag -ghiradelli cocoa box brownies
-baker’s chocolate one bowl brownies
-hershey’s perfectly chocolate cake (from the cocoa box)
I’ve been eager to bake again so I’ll definitely look into these – thanks!
Awesome idea!
Love your blog!
Love your blog and I cant wait to try the pumpkin spice cake. And you are exactly right, some of the best recipes are on the box. The companies spend mega bucks developing recipes that showcase their products to the best use of them. Good luck with this great blog.
I enjoy the recipes I’ve tried so far & look forward to more. I really like your voice. Whoever is doing your photos (you?) is fantastic too!
Thanks so much, Tina! Yes, I do my own photos – they’re a struggle sometimes but I have fun with it
We just made the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and they are fantastic! FYI…we didn’t have enough regular sugar so we used all brown sugar and they still turned out great! Thanks Kathy!
I’m sure the brown sugar made them even better!
I had a recipe I saved from the back of a generic brand container of oatmeal for the best oatmeal cookies, thanks for the reminder to dig it out! And some of those side-of-the-box recipes are actually created by pretty well know chefs
A fabulous idea.There are many very good recipes on the backs of boxes and other packaging.
I just ran across your blog and I’m SO excited to start reading!!! So often when I find food blogs, I realize that the recipes they post are way too complicated or are for something that I would not want to cook. The recipes on your blog should be easy to follow, since they’re written for the masses, and will most likely be something I will want to cook since I already use a lot of the products on whose packages you’re finding the recipes!
I found your blog through the BYOB roundup and I just have to say that I love your blog. What a great idea! I have a drawer full of recipes that I’ve saved from boxes, cans and bags of food. I can’t wait to look through your recipes!
Greetings from Mexico!
A designated drawer – now there’s a good idea! I’ve been storing them in a ziploc bag. So glad you found me, Leslie!
This is such a clever idea. Love both your blogs, Kathy. I consider you a great find of 2010 – perfect way to start off my new year.
That is incredibly kind of you, Amy – thank you so much!
Kathy,
I just stumbled on your site searching for fun Valentine’s Day cookie recipes. The timing is amazing as I announced yesterday my plans to embark on a blogging journey of cooking my way through “Commander’s Palace New Orleans Cookbook”. The movie Julie & Julia truly inspired me. I’m not a blogger and someone who thinks she is ready to stretch her cooking abilities.
I look forward to following you from now on.
Take care.
You are awesome!
I just found your website while looking for a new recipe. I love the idea. In fact, one of the recipes from the side of the bisquick box has become a favorite of ours … Ultimate Chicken Fingers! Give it a try!