<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A Staple for Every Kitchen
Review: A mark of a good cookbook is how worn it is (and how splotchy, flour-y and bendable) My Kitchen Companion is covered with flour, oil spots, and opens right up to the Basic Pancake recipe.Polly Clingerman is a marvel at explaining the most simple recipes without being patronizing (like for scrambled eggs) and the most ingenious delicacies without being complicated (like delices savoyardes). This book has saved me many frenzied trips to the grocery store because she includes many substitution tables (how to convert all-purpose flour into self-rising flour, for instance). It's also saved many meals that could have been ruined by adding too much salt or baking too long (she recommends adding a lot of whipped cream to burned desserts!). All in all, this has been a tremendous resource in every sense of the word, filled with over 100 yummy recipes and many more cooking tips. I can't wait to see what else she has written.
Rating:
Summary: Every household needs a copy!
Review: I can't even remember how many times I've accessed this book to answer questions, prepare something properly, find a substitution, or fix a disaster. Makes a great gift for a young person setting up his or her own household, but parents beware: If you wanted your kid to call you more often, they'll have to do so less if they have this book!
Rating:
Summary: Best book in my kitchen!
Review: I love this book. I've been cooking for 20 years, but found there were still plenty of gaps in my knowledge. This book fills those gaps. It's a terrific reference on everything from correct temperature to cook the "new pork" to microwaving to herb substitutions. I'm buying a copy for my sister for Christmas. I know this is one gift she will love.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Should be in every kitchen
Review: If you don't have this book your missing a great reference. It is the best, most easy to use book in the kitchen. I just ordered 2 more for gifts. Its a great house warming gift (what we got it for). Its not a cookbook it a reference book that just about covers everything.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for all types of cooks
Review: This is just about the best book I've ever received. It's full of great tips, and recipes. Whenever I'm using a recipe that calls for something that I don't have, I reach for this book, and it let's me know what I can substitute. I was never really great at cooking, but with the helpful hints I've received from this book, I've got more confidence in myself. This is one book that will not end up in one of my garage sales!! Whatever your level of experience is in the kitchen, this book will be a tremendous help to you.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the Impatient or Unobservant
Review: While this book is wonderful for cooks who understand basic cooking terms and is useful for the beginning cook, it's not the most easily understood cooking encyclopedia ever. I thought this would be a marvelous wedding gift for a friend who thinks she "can't" cook, only to find that this book would make her right. It's interesting, but finding simple directions is not easy.
As an alternative, I would recommend the Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Companion: the A to Z Guide to Everday Cooking, Equipment, and Ingredients by Chuck Williams (Editor), et al. It's alphabetically organized by ingredient or term and is meant to be used with recipes, not by itself. The entries offer a description of the item as well as helpful cooking suggestions and even some interesting background information on where things come from. It's much more beginner-friendly, and is a joy for more experienced cooks as well.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the Impatient or Unobservant
Review: While this book is wonderful for cooks who understand basic cooking terms and is useful for the beginning cook, it's not the most easily understood cooking encyclopedia ever. I thought this would be a marvelous wedding gift for a friend who thinks she "can't" cook, only to find that this book would make her right. It's interesting, but finding simple directions is not easy.
As an alternative, I would recommend the Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Companion: the A to Z Guide to Everday Cooking, Equipment, and Ingredients by Chuck Williams (Editor), et al. It's alphabetically organized by ingredient or term and is meant to be used with recipes, not by itself. The entries offer a description of the item as well as helpful cooking suggestions and even some interesting background information on where things come from. It's much more beginner-friendly, and is a joy for more experienced cooks as well.
<< 1 >>
| 
