Rating: 
Summary: Great Cookbook!
Review: As a college student I was tired of microwave meals- then I got this cookbook and it has been great! For someone who has never cooked before, cooks for one and refuses to make recipes that require too many ingredients, this book has been great! For those just wanting some good, basic recipes, I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Elegant and Easy
Review: Being away at college I am subjected to "dorm food." My parents are therefore delighted that I come home and work out of this fantastic cookbook. The Pork Tenderloin is absolutely delectable and the salads are meals in themselves. This book is spiral-bound so it lays flat while you are working; you don't need to fight with pages that want to turn. I really like how every recipe has a full-color picture of what you are making as well as an easy-to-read listing of ingredients in the same spot on every page. The book was published by a distinguished text-book manufacturer (McMillan I think) and is set up identically to a teacher's guide for school. Basically, it's easy to read, simple to follow, and explains EVERYTHING with step-by step pictures in a specially designed techniques section. Although an experienced chef will find this to be an excellent selection of dishes even a beginner can use this book to cook like a pro!
Rating:
Summary: Elegant and Easy
Review: Being away at college I am subjected to "dorm food." My parents are therefore delighted that I come home and work out of this fantastic cookbook. The Pork Tenderloin is absolutely delectable and the salads are meals in themselves. This book is spiral-bound so it lays flat while you are working; you don't need to fight with pages that want to turn. I really like how every recipe has a full-color picture of what you are making as well as an easy-to-read listing of ingredients in the same spot on every page. The book was published by a distinguished text-book manufacturer (McMillan I think) and is set up identically to a teacher's guide for school. Basically, it's easy to read, simple to follow, and explains EVERYTHING with step-by step pictures in a specially designed techniques section. Although an experienced chef will find this to be an excellent selection of dishes even a beginner can use this book to cook like a pro!
Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners and the more experienced as well!
Review: Finally a true beginner's cookbook which deserves a permanent place in your kitchen. Betty Crocker's answer to customer requests for a beginner's cookbook is "Cooking Basics, Learning to Cook With Confidence".This book features a nice variety of recipes including Italian Pasta Salad, Creamy Chicken and Dumplings, and Orange-Glazed Pork Chops. For entertaining there's Quick Guacamole, Tiramisu, and Strawberry Smoothies. It even shows you how to prepare an American Thanksgiving dinner from start to finish including appetizers and dessert. Each recipe includes a full color photograph, nutritional information, and helpful tips pertaining to the dish's ingredients. Substitutions are discussed and there are suggestions to help keep the dish low fat. What I found most impressive were the informational chapters on everything from kitchen utensils to classy centerpieces. So in addition to the fabulous recipes, the book contains handy information covering all areas of cooking and the kitchen. This cookbook can take a college coed living on their own for the first time up and through the marriage years for it demonstrates cooking basics such as the proper way to cut an onion or how to cook an omelet, yet teaches the art of preparing Shrimp Scampi or Pesto Sauce. For all these reasons, I highly recommend this cookbook.
Rating:
Summary: Darn good pork chops!
Review: I bought this book for two reasons: (1) the pages are spiral-bound, making it easy to refer to while cooking, and (2) it assumes you are a beginner and therefore know nothing. I've just begun life in my first apartment. This book has told me what supplies I need for my kitchen, how to fix great meals, and even some helpful safety tips (like getting a plastic cutting board so juices from raw meat don't soak in). My favorites thus far: pork chops with apple, pasta primavera, and chicken with orange glaze. The chicken and dumplings are up for tomorrow night!
Rating:
Summary: Great Start!
Review: I have never wanted or known how to cook but I received this book for Christmas and not only can I actually make the recipes, but they turn out really well! I would highly recommend this as a starting cookbook if you are afraid of your kitchen. You can't go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I have this cookbook and I love it. I recently moved in on my own and this tells me how to do everthing. I didn't even know how to cook a baked potato and this book told me how. It is the perfect gift for a college student or someone on their own for the first time. The recipes are simply and very easy to follow. I highly recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: From an experienced cook
Review: I originally purchased this cookbook for my daughter-in-law at a homeshow and after bringing it home, I decided to keep it myself. So I purchased another through Amazon.com. This book is great because it lays completely flat on the kitchen counter. It has great basics like mashed potatoes and pot roast to understanding menu terms and how to pronounce them when ordering at a restaurant. Also how to make substitutions when you don't have all the ingredients the recipe calls for and how to convert some of the recipes to a lower fat version. Thanksgiving Dinner is even in there. I currently have probably over 30 something cookbooks but I think this one is the most complete and informative ! Don't miss the Beyond the Basics section. I Love This Cookbook. Can you tell?
Rating:
Summary: the best!!!
Review: I used to own over a hundred cookbooks. most I never used. I also have cooked professionally in restaurants. I ignored this book on the shelf because I thought I was above such things as "cooking for those who are clueless". so one day I gave in to looking at it in the store and was pleasantly surprised. even though I am capable of making elaborate food...with two kids...if it doesnt go together in under half an hour it isnt happening. I have made almost every recipe in this book. with the exception of a couple of the stir frys(and maybe thats just us..my husband hates stir fry), everything has been not only delicious, but unbelievably fast. I use this book a few times a week. I have a few other cookbooks that get heavy use, most of them Betty Crocker, but this one is at the top of the list.
Rating:
Summary: Good Cookbook for the Bachelor
Review: I'm a single guy who got tired of fast food. I tried this book, because it seemed like what I wanted; information on how to get started cooking. I have no basic cooking skills, so traditional cookbooks leave me dusted before I get past the introduction. Also, what I now have learned is a hallmark of Betty Crocker cookbooks, you will notice that the production values are very high (lots of color, lots of illustrative content). Content-wise, nothing is assumed. My advice: If you want to learn how to cook, get this book.
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