What cookbook do you recommend for a VERY new cook?

Answer 1

There are a few 'bibles' of cookbooks out there. Betty Crocker (1961-1980), Joy of Cooking (1975 or earlier), Fannie Farmer (1965), Vintage Better Homes and Gardens (the 1960's).

ALL of these were basic, comfort food cookbooks that shows you how to do things and great recipes. Nothing from a box. And you could use these cookbooks for the rest of your life (as our mothers and grandmothers still do!)

Buy them at a used bookstore (or eBay or garage sales) and try and find one of the cookbooks listed-----you should have at least ONE of these in your kitchen!! But get as many of them as you can (when you can get them for a good deal) because if you learn to enjoy cooking, you go from one cookbook to another.

If you're using the internet, allreicpes.com (2nd link) is great because you can see how others judged a recipe and look for recipes when you only have certain ingredients on hand. A good site to look through!

For a newer, how to book--Mark Bittman's HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING...a great book to have as a back-up reference. (See 1st Link) Bittman shows you how to prepare great food for all occasions using simple techniques, fresh ingredients, and basic kitchen equipment. Just as important, How to Cook Everything takes a relaxed, straightforward approach to cooking, so you can enjoy yourself in the kitchen and still achieve outstanding results.

Answer 2

Joy of Cooking Betty Crocker Better Homes and Gardens How to Cook Everything Fannie Farmer I have over 1200 cookbooks but those 5 above are probably referenced more than the rest combined.

Answer 3

I really learned to prepare meals using the Fannie Farmer cookbook. I was initially disappointed when I first received it because there are no color pictures just drawings etc. But it tells you how to steam broccoli, boil pasta, set the table etc. It has really delicious recipes for all tastes some fancy some simple. The drawings make it easy to understand what they want you to do. Mine is now 17 years old and it is my old tried and true. When in doubt I search it out! (I must own 50 cookbooks, 100 cooking magazines, and check out new cookbooks all the time from the library)

Answer 4

If you are totally brand new to cooking, the Betty Crocker cookbook and the Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks are great. They have lots of good, simple recipes, plus they have charts that tell you substitutions, oven temperatures and cooking times for meats, and also meal planning charts.
They're both really good starter cookbooks.

Answer 5

These days, many think they're learning by watching TV. But it doesn't really work. TV chefs have crews of little elves offstage peeling the garlic and chopping the parsley. That's nice for the chef, but it gives an unrealistically short — and tidy — picture of what really goes on in a kitchen. If you want to learn to feed yourself, you're better off with a book. Take a breath, wash your hands, and open one of these all-purpose guides to the world of home cooking (from basic to more complex, with a wonderful baking book thrown in for good measure). — Irene Sax

I would recommend Betty Crocker's Cookbook (10th Edition)
Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today.

Answer 6

Absolutely - a cookbook by Paula Deen from the Food Network show. They sell them at Sam's Club or Walmart. They are awesome, easy recipes that make use of common ingredients that most people have in their kitchens and pantries.

Answer 7

Cooking for Dummies. I am not joking! My husband gave me a copy (he still does all the cooking though).

I'd sift through the books and see which ones have recipes that you beleive are the easiest for you. If you have no idea what the words on a recipe book mean, DON'T BUY IT!

I like the books by Rachel Ray. Her recipes are pretty staighfoward...and the meals take less than 30 minutes to be done! So the recipes are pretty easy!

Answer 8

I actually avoid cook books because they can be very hard to understand.

When you're at the grocery store, go to the butcher counter or the produce aisle and grab the free recipes the market offers.

I've also taken the recipes from the labels of the Campbell's soup or similar soup mixes (ie Lipton, etc.) and those recipes are simple, cheap and tasty too!!

Answer 9

Julia Child's THE WAY TO COOK - You need a cookbook of techniques, not recipes - this is the one for you

Answer 10

The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook. It has great basic recipes, fancy items and menus already prepared.