From lazy cook to self publisher
26/03/2007
"The Purple Spoon" by Lazy Cook Mo Smith is a delightful mix of old fashioned homeliness, spirited determination and a real talent for cooking.
A captivating memoir, it takes the reader from a childhood in the Black Country, not the most auspicious setting for culinary training, to a Bisley kitchen deep in the Cotswold countryside - the perfect setting for a professional cook. Read it, and you will feel compelled to dash into the kitchen and rustle something up.
Mo charms us with her love of cookery and a desire to share her obvious expertise with others. She has enjoyed the achievements of writing, publishing, giving cookery demonstrations, radio broadcasts and appearances on national and regional television after overcoming numerous obstacles on the way.
She said: "I am a 70 year old pensioner who, through sheer determination and belief in my skills as a cook, has written, self published and self promoted five books over the past seven years,
selling thousands of copies nationwide. The Purple Spoon is the story of my struggle against the odds from humble beginnings and a poor education in the Black Country, to cookery demonstrator, whilst juggling the many demands of raising a family and looking after my husband, who has had many years of ill health."
One key to her success may be that her recipes are based on healthy, simple and easy eating. Says Mo: "Just because we are short of time in our busy lives does not mean that the food we eat need be any less nutritional and healthy. The Lazy Cook recipe books are based the use of fresh seasonal foods, with a mix of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes."
She also devotes time and space to the subject of children's and family cooking. With an ever increasing number of prepared ingredients available in shops Mo believes these should be seen as an aid to creating healthy home cooked meals in minutes - and controlling what we eat with the minimum of fuss.
Mo Smith has become one of the most successful self-publishers ever - having sold thousands of her Lazy Cook cookery books over the past five years through major book shops and supermarkets country-wide. And her Lazy Cook recipes have been featured in YOU magazine, the Mail on Sunday, The Sunday Express magazine, The Bookseller and countless other publications countrywide and locally.
Special deal for Mature Times readers
Mo Smith is offering Mature Times readers a copy of The Purple Spoon for only £6.99 incl. p/p (normal price £8.99)
Please mention the Mature Times and send a cheque to: Lazy Cook Mo Smith, Bear House, Bisley, Stroud, Glos. GL6 7BB, or visit the link below.
Tangy Tomato Soup - the Lazy Cook's 'Recipe of the month'
Tangy Tomato Soup is one of the quickest and most popular soups I
make, and will give you a nourishing meal in Mo-ments! Make a batch to
keep in a refrigerator or freeze in portion-sized helpings.
To serve 6-8 helpings
Skin and finely chop one large onion, wash and thinly slice 2 carrots
and soften these together in a little boiling water with lid on pan.
Remove with a slotted spoon and process or liquidise with a 600g tin
of tomatoes. Return to the pan juices and add 1lt. ham, chicken or
vegetable stock (home-made if you have it), 2tbls. orange marmalade,
freshly ground white pepper and half a teaspoon of mixed dried herbs.
Stir well and simmer for 30mins with lid on pan. Serve topped with
orange zest and/or a swirl of cream - optional. Store, covered, in a
fridge and use within 5 days.
Delicious!