Martina McBride Explains the Difference Between Creating an Album and Publishing a Cookbook

Martina McBride isn't just a talented vocalist. The singer is also known for her culinary skills, having released her cookbook 'Around the Table: Recipes and Inspiration for Gatherings Throughout the Year' last month. But while McBride has recorded more than a dozen albums, she says releasing her own cookbook was an entirely different experience.

“It was creative," she told The Boot during 2014 CMA Awards week. "It was a great way to be creative, but it was different because I was writing about what I know.

"When you make a record, there’s the unknown. You don’t know what it’s going to turn out to be. There’s that blank slate. You can make any kind of record," McBride adds. "You start putting the music [together], you start finding the songs, and then putting the instruments on, and it starts to kind of take its own form and shape, and it just comes to life in front of your eyes. It’s so exciting.

"Writing a book, I was sitting down and writing about what I wanted to say, so it was easier for me -- not easier, just different."

Still, just because McBride can whip up tasty dishes, don't expect her to follow in fellow country star Trisha Yearwood's footsteps and host her own cooking show anytime soon.

“It’s terrible! I can have no distractions when I’m cooking,” she admits. “I’ve only recently reached the point where I can listen to music and cook.”

'Around the Table' includes colorful illustrations and commentary from the songstress as well. Order the book here.