[pinit]
Every year I tell myself I should commit more of my time to helping out others in need or volunteering my time at a shelter. Guess what happens? Every year quickly passes by along with my resolution. In what I acknowledge as a meek attempt at fulfilling this yearly commitment I will be giving away several cookbooks from folks who do a much better job at this than I.
I follow several amazing food blogs for recipe, photography and content inspiration for New South. One of those blogs, A Couple Cooks not only create great recipes like these quick veggie pita pizzas which gave me the idea for mine. They are also donating their time to a great cause which you can read about below. Information on the cookbook giveaway is at the bottom but please take the time to read the entire post about the great work Sonja and Alex are doing.
THE COOKBOOK: WHAT IT IS
-A cookbook to benefit the Green Mango Cafe & Bakery restaurant and culinary training program in Battambang, Cambodia, started by Center for Global Impact (CGI – a faith-based non-profit based in Greenwood, Indiana).
-A collection of 40+ recipes based on the menu of the restaurant, ranging in a variety of cuisines from Cambodian to Mexican, Italian, French, and American. A few examples:
Banana Bread French Toast
Mango Chicken Salad
Cambodian Curry
Spring Rolls
Creamy Tomato Soup
Crepes with Fresh Fruit
Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread
Mango Pie
-Extras include explanations of Cambodian-ingredients, how-to’s, information about Cambodia and the cooking school / restaurant, and photographs from our time in country.
–All proceeds go to CGI’s programs in Cambodia.
–What it’s not? An anthology of traditional Cambodian recipes, or a collection of A Couple Cooks-stylerecipes (though we did adapt all of them based on notes from the restaurant!).
HOW IT HAPPENED
-We felt called to do something to help in the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery, specifically using our passions like writing, photography, and food.
-We got connected to Chris Alexander, President of Center for Global Impact, a non-profit that runs several trafficking prevention and care programs in Cambodia including one for job training in culinary arts. He said, “Why don’t you write a cookbook?“
FROM CAMBODIA TO INDIANAPOLIS
How did this cookbook come to be? It’s been quite a journey. We:
-Traveled to Cambodia in March 2012 to spend time at Green Mango Cafe & Bakery and understand Cambodian culture. The Green Mango a full-service restaurant in Battambang, Cambodia (it’s actually gotten great reviews on Trip Advisor!). The young women there taught us some of their traditional recipes. More…
–Interviewed Resident Training Chef, Ryana DeArmond, who gave us notes on the recipes she had developed along with the founding chef, Paul Vida (a chef and culinary arts instructor here in Indianapolis!). We also asked the girls working at the restaurant at the time for their favorites.
–Developed, tested and photographed recipes based on Ryana’s notes in our own kitchen in Indianapolis. All food was shot in the comfort of our own home — except for the recipes with the green place mats, which were shot at the Green Mango Cafe! And with the exception of the photographs from a few friends (see below).
–Wrote the text and developed the graphic design for the book, which ended up being one of the most involved and difficult parts of the process.
–Organized recipe testers from our family and friends to make sure the recipes were clear, concise, and easy to follow.
HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER
–Professionally, Sonja is a project manager and technical writer, and Alex is a graphics designer (for the same small company). So, a lot of the skills we had gained from our professional background. However, this project was a stretch for us in many ways – we’d never written a complete book before. We also write this blog about food and take photos of it – which provided the other key element to cookbook writing.
-Most importantly, we had lots of help from lots of wonderfully talented people! We have been overwhelmed by the support of our community in this effort. You’ll see a few photographs from other food bloggers, including Annie from Annie’s Eats, Lindsay of Pinch of Yum, and Erin of Naturally Ella, who contributed to the cause with recipe testing and photographs. A long list of other food bloggers (including The Fig Tree), friends, and family helped with the recipe testing and editing. Center for Global Impact also did a huge amount of the leg work in terms of production.
-Special thanks also go out to our local Indianapolis printer — Moeller Printing. They did an amazing job and we couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.
Interested in buying a copy? Click the picture below.
I think this sounds like an awesome idea. I’m sure it will help a lot of people.
This cookbook looks awesome!
I don’t volunteer with a similar cause, but I do donate money to my local foodbank.
Every bit makes a difference in someone’s life.
Some yummy sounding recipes, especially Mango Pie! I’ve never heard of that!
I’d love to win! Looks like some delicious recipes! I’m sharing this at suchfuntogive.blogspot.com.
That´s a beautiful cookbook and a great cause!Congratulations 😀
What a beautiful cookbook!
One of the ways that I like to give back to my community, while fulfilling my love of cooking, is that I founded an organization that provides meals to people and families during times of crisis. The other founders and I have grown the organization over 4.5 years, to the point where we have gotten volunteers to cook thousands of meals for families that have hit rough patches in life. Whether it’s as a result of a young mother/father’s illness, a child’s illness, or even the result of positive stress (ie. a mother gives birth to her sixth baby and has s house full of littles ones who still need food while she’s in the hospital), our organization has served hundreds of families in our city. Home-cooked meals are delivered daily for up to teo weeks and it makes a real difference! We’re so proud
That’s awesome Elana! Tell me more! What city and is there a website?
I spend some of my free time by cooking for others, especially those who are not well or going through situations that keep them from cooking for themselves.
That’s a great way to use your talents Phyllis!
I love what Alex and Sonja are doing and regularly follow their blog. Would love to win a copy of this inspirational cookbook!!
What a great idea and what a great cause! While I do not do any volunteer work internationally (yet) I am very involved in giving back (I work for a nonprofit organization). My job on a daily basis is to write grants for really great programs like autism, cancer survivorship, a mobile dental van providing dental care to those less fortunate…and many more! I feel that if we can give back in any way, even the smallest way, we are making the world a better place. I am happy to find like minded people and will definitely start following your journey. Cheers!
Sounds like an amazing and fulfilling job Julia!
I am glad you are a part of helping school age children learn to eat “real food” and not processed fast foods that most American kids are eating.
I have been vegan for a little over 4 mohtns now and was compelled to make the transition primarily for health related reasons. I am 26 years old and overweight, due mainly because of my old eating habits. Winning this cookbook would mean that I could enhance my ability to cook healthier & delicious meals. I want this not only for myself, but I want to have children one day & I want them to be proud of their mom. Being able to cook healthy, vegan meals for myself and loved ones is how I want to live every day.
I really like the new photo also of the hummus. Thanks for what you are doing to help their cause.
Any comment will do but it would be great to hear how you donate your time or resources to a similar cause.