As a working mother to a small family, cooking dinner is a nightly ordeal for me. I have to juggle my way around between my career and feeding my family when I come home from work. Thinking about what to feed my family isn't easy. Too much of the same thing daily will give rise to a tiny revolt from my boys.

After a long working hour in the office, it isn't easy to "pop-out" a delicious dinner for my family. How nice it would be if we could eat-out everyday, but it's impossible with all the expenses that my husband and I have to handle. Soon I realized that I have no idea what-so-ever to cook for dinner. My family is sick and tired of eating the same thing everyday. That's where I decided to invest a tiny sum of our family budget on a mini cookbook that specializes in meals that can be cooked under twenty minutes. It can fit into my handbag nicely and carried around without being conspicuous.

I know some mothers can plan out their menu weeks or even month ahead. I wondered how they can have the luxury of spending so much time reading cooking recipes and cookbook. I am so busy with work and the kids till I don't have time to do things that I love doing. I thought of attending cooking classes or getting a set of cookbook, but that will cost me time and money which I don't have. I just need to have some cooking tips that I can use to satisfy my "hungry" family.

It happens that one of my colleagues had a small food magazine which is actually a mini cookbook. I had a look at it and loved the layout and simple to cook recipes. The magazine or rather cookbook provides valuable insights into purchasing quality ingredients, food preparation, cooking tips and new recipes to try out. Since it small enough, I can "sneak" the mini cookbook into my office and read it during my lunch break. Oh – what a great idea. I could save lots of time doing it.

The first issue I purchased was in 2003 and I've kept buying them since then. I now have a decent collection and it is used as a cookbook, reference guide and kitchen resource.

Cooking is my favorite hobby, but to cook for a small family is not an easy task. We need the right tools, cookbook with easy to cook recipes and other aid to provide some inspiration on what to cook for dinner. My cookbook will always be my companion and I will not trade it with any other.

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