Plan meals ahead to ease the stress

4 Ingredients, Menu Planning by Kim McCosker, Random House, $24.99

Kim McCosker is the queen of 4 Ingredients. With 18 cookbooks behind her, each containing recipes using just four ingredients, Kim emphasises that the key to a relatively stress-free life is organisation.

Her latest book helps plan meals in advance with as little fuss, and budget, as possible.

I asked Kim a few questions.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COMPILING THESE BOOKS?

Almost eight years. 4 Ingredients 1 (with the original green cover that "would never sell") was published in March2007.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE 4 INGREDIENTS COOKBOOKS?

I was a full-time working mum and wife, with one little boy and another on the way. I needed a recipe book for simple, delicious meals.

HOW MANY WORK WITH YOU AND WHAT DO THEY ALL DO?

I have two full-time staff, (my office manager/PA and business development manager/digital media guru; one part-time for PR and marketing; and then three consultants in my research and development team. They assist with testing new recipes and during photoshoots. And then my amazing husband is operations manager.

A BRAINSTORMING MEETING TO FIND NEW RECIPES AND NEW BOOKS CONSISTS OF ...?

It starts with constant demand from our Facebook family and public requests. I travel all over Australia, to New Zealand, the United States and Britain, making public appearances and talking to people. When I hear the same request time and time again I know it's something that is wanted. My team get together, discuss the title, timing and contents - then it's R&D (research and development) time.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FROM START TO FINISH TO PRODUCE A 4 INGREDIENTS BOOK?

Anywhere from four months to a year. I've had a couple of terrific opportunities requiring fast turnarounds to meet specific release dates. It's just all hands on deck from content, testing, photography, layout, proofing, and print.

HOW DOES YOUR LATEST BOOK ON MENU PLANNING HELP WITH A FAMILY'S BUDGET?

Statistics estimate that 20 per cent of groceries are wasted. This equates to one in five grocery bags of food or $20 of every $100 spent. We need to shop smarter, cook wiser and reduce food wastage. Money isn't a luxury for most, nor is time. Shop in bulk, cook in batches, freeze and use leftovers. Save money and spend less time in the kitchen.

YOU SAY THAT PLANNING MEALS ALSO ENCOURAGES HEALTHY EATING. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT IDEA

To know ahead of time what you plan on cooking at the end of a long day, know that you have the ingredients and that it's only four and won't take long to prepare or cook, can reduce so much stress. It alleviates impromptu purchasing of takeaway or processed packs. It may be a frozen meal to pop in the oven or fresh meat and home-made sauce. Either way you have a healthy recipe that equals simple and delicious.

HAVE YOU A FAVOURITE RECIPE IN THIS BOOK?

I love so many. Tray Bake Chicken, Beef and Coconut Satay, Salmon Flan and Chocolate Slice. But our Vanilla Slice is the most shared recipe on our Facebook page. Simply divine - but not for dinner.

IS THERE ANOTHER BOOK SIMMERING IN THE BACKGROUND?

There are always ideas.

In Australia we have just released 4 Ingredients Cook 4 a Cure to raise $100,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This money will be used for research towards a cure for breast cancer.

We also have 4 Ingredients Celebrations that's due for release in November and, fingers crossed, will be available in New Zealand. It's an extension of the Christmas book.

TELL US FOUR INGREDIENTS YOU COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT

These are what I call "star" ingredients.

They add flavour to a meal and that is key to every dish, especially when only four ingredients are being used. Bacon, herbs, citrus and chocolate.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

My family will always and forever be my greatest achievement. Three boys and a happy husband.

WHAT DID YOUR SCHOOL REPORT SAY?

That I was a hard worker. Rarely did I not put in a 100 per cent effort.

IF YOU HAD SUPER-POWERS WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Instant energy. Feeling exhausted is the biggest downfall of sheer hard work. But every second is worth it.