Do you keep balsamic vinegar in your desk drawer? Do you grate garlic or lemon zest at work? If you have a sieve and a whisk and don't mind dicing onions and cooking chicken in the microwave, then this book is for you. If you have buckwheat, agave nectar, almond milk, chia seeds or cacao powder in your pantry (or know where to find them) then you're definitely the target audience for Made in the Office by Rachel Maylor.
If, however, you're like me and you don't fancy eating cooked beetroot or fresh garlic at work and don't have time to whisk up a delicious dressing in your lunch break then you're not alone.
When I picked up Made in the Office I was eager to discover lunch hacking recipes and inspiring new ways to prepare food using a kettle, toaster and microwave. There were glimpses of the kind of content I was hoping to find and the instructions for poaching an egg in a mug in the microwave were excellent. The cake in a mug recipes were fun and the water infusion suggestions were interesting, but overall I wasn't impressed with Made in the Office, despite it's delightful presentation.
If you're a foodie at home with pomegranate seeds, take a lemon or lime to work every day and enjoy eating out of a jar, then you'll find this book - and the recipes within - irresistible.
On the other hand, if it's inspiration and 'lunch hacks' you seek, then you'll need to join me and look elsewhere.
My rating = **
Carpe Librum!
My rating = **
Carpe Librum!
Thanks for this review! I'm a foodie, but the lazy kind of foodie. Personally, I'm not looking for something complex, I just want something tasty and easy. I have looked into various microwave recipes on Google and found some pretty decent ones before. Only recently, I've begun doing pasta in the microwave and accompanying it with sauce. What I think is weird is that, on many cooking shows, the chefs seem to shun the microwave as if it's something terrible. However, if you know what you're doing, it's not such a bad piece of equipment. It can be used well with practice, just like any cooking area of a kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI had sort of been intending to get this book. However, on reconsideration, it might not be as much of a priority. I'll still keep it on my wishlist, but for now, perhaps it's best homed with someone else.
I agree with your comments about using the microwave, I'm all for it, and tasty and easy sounds perfect. If you were planning on buying it, perhaps borrow it from the library first so you can decide if it's for you or not. If you're a foodie though, I think you'll like it.
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