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Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as it gets
Review: A good basic cookbook. Not a lot of involved marth-esqe recipes but specializes in many good old fashioned delights. Need to have a page holder as the book doesn't work well open on a counter. Desserts are especially well done and represented.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent General Cookbook
Review: Better Homes and Gardens publish many quality cookbooks, and the "New Cook Book" is one of their best. Often referred to as the "red plaid cookbook," it's been released in various editions since 1930. It covers a wide variety of food categories, techniques, and information - truly a "general" cookbook. If you have only a few cookbooks in your home, this would be a fantastic addition to help round out your collection.
Categories include 1) cooking basics, 2) appetizers & snacks, 3) beans, rice, & grains, 4) beverages, 5) breads, 6) cakes, 7) candies, 8) canning & freezing, 9) cookies, 10) crockery cooking, 11) desserts, 12) eggs & cheese, 13) fish & shellfish, 14) grilling, 15) meat, 16) pasta, 18) pies & tarts, 19) poultry, 20) salads & dressings, 21) sauces & relishes, 22) soups & stews, and 23) vegetables & fruit.
Each section seeks to educate the reader, so it doesn't just contain recipes. For example, in the "beans, rice, & grains" section, a full-color page shows what various beans, rice, and grains look like. Throughout the section, boxes discuss topics such as buying rice, how to substitute canned beans for dried beans in recipes, and basic information pertaining to cooking times and methods.
In addition, full nutritional information is included for each recipe: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and daily exchanges. Although the recipes are not all low-fat or low-calorie, the reader will be able to select recipes based on the nutritional information. Symbols also designate recipes that are "fast," "low fat," "no fat," and "best loved." About every other page contains a full-color picture of a recipe, ingredient (e.g., types of salad greens), or technique (e.g., how to shape various kinds of rolls or trim fennel), so roughly ΒΌ of the recipes are shown.
Although the recipes cover a wide-variety of foods and styles, the cookbook could be best described as general all-American. Most of the recipes are fairly no frills, not overly exotic or spiced, and could be served to kids as well. It's the kind of cookbook that most cooks could use, regardless of their taste and experience level. Because it includes so much basic information, it would be a great gift for a beginning cook; however, more advanced cooks would likely appreciate many of the recipes and information as well. Overall, Better Homes and Garden's "New Cook Book" is an outstanding general cookbook. Most highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A great cookbook
Review: Easy to use, especially the version with the tabs. It has clearly delineated sections such as cookies, eggs, vegetables, meat. And it also has a handy guide to cooking basics.
Overall, a good beginners cookbook. Doesn't cover a few things I wish it did- no anise cookies for example, but I can hardly complain for a basic/general guide.
Very good. My highest recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Great resource
Review: I love this cookbook, the 11th edition being my favorite. They do add/delete/change recipes from one edition to the next. For example, my favorite fudge recipe is altered from the 11th edition to the 12th. And, the recipes are organized by category within category in the 12th; for example, cookies are orgazined in that chapter's table of contents by bar cookies, drop cookies, etc. In the 11th, everything within each subject category is alphabetical. That may not seem like a big deal, but once you are used to that, it's a little weird to go to the 12 edition and have to get used to the change. But overall, I love BHG for the basic rules and guidelines. This cookbook (all editions) is great for both the experienced cook and the absolute beginner. Find eggs benedict and boiled eggs in the same book.
Rating:
Summary: What a GREAT Cookbook
Review: I originally purchased this book for my mom but when my boyfriend saw the book he LOVED it too! So I had to go and purchase another one so they both could have the cookbook at there dispose all the time.
It has GREAT recipes - We've made SO much from this cookbook.
The recipes are not difficult to prepare and make. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect gift for anyone
Review: I received this cookbook when I first moved out on my own. My older sister wanted to make sure I wouldn't starve. It's super for starter cause it gives you detailed instructions and photos for many recipes. It explains what the difference cuts of meat are and has a great veggie index telling how to prepare and how long to cook each veggies. It's a great resource I use quite often. Now that I am a more experienced cook, I used many of the recipes as starters and build on them.
Now my younger sister is ready to move out on her own so she will receive a copy from me.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray! I can cook!
Review: I'm laughing at myself because I find the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book to be fascinating! I remember reading my mom's version back when I was a little girl - and so I think it's funny to see so many of the same (classic?) recipes in the book.
In all seriousness, this book is a great resource for new cooks like myself. I am newly married, and am trying to learn how to cook more than pasta. Although some parts of the book make me feel a bit like a Stepford (tips on grocery shopping?), I appreciate the background on basic cooking styles, and even a description of the various cuts of beef (who knew?). I especially like the "emergency substitution" chart in the back.
The cookbook has a nice range of "easy" dishes. I appreciate the designation of "fast" meals (under 30 minutes) and "low fat" meals. My only complaint about the cookbook is that I wish there were more pictures, and more suggestions about side dishes. I am often unsure about what type of side dish would work best with which entree.
This is definitely a classic cookbook that I will keep in my kitchen!
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of the Culinary Art
Review: I've collected cookbook that interested me from a very young age. When I was four I had a beautiful Chinese cookbook and I'll never forget the images and how it improved my vocabulary. This is that kind of book. It's like an encyclopedia of cooking knowledge. You have pictures of lettuces, olives, hot peppers, fruits and mushrooms with their American and/or International names. I was taught by my Godmother to set a table and this book comes with that and how set it up according to the occasion. You also get the kinds of techniques you would pick up from watching hundreds of cooking programs like The Frugal Gourmet (Jeff Smith), Gordon Elliott, The Galloping Gourmet (Graham Kerr ), Yan Can Cook (Martin Yan), Julia Childs, Emeril Lagasse, Cucina Amore and all those other great cooking shows and master chefs. You even get explanations on how to use cooking utensils. The recipes? Of all kinds. From classic southwestern to French cuisine. I love, love, love this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A classic for good reason
Review: The Better Homes cookbook has been in print for generations now, primarily because it provides good, solid cooking reference for the rest of us. While I highly recommend the Joy of Cooking in addition to this book, Better Homes is the best suited book for basic (and not-so-basic) cooks. After all, how often does the average person need the detailed knowledge outlined in Joy?
The Better Homes cookbook is one of the best bridal shower gifts I received. My mother says the same of hers, which she was given over 35 years ago. The 3-ring binding, the easy reference pages, and the staple recipies all make this book indispensible for the newer cook.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect beginners book!
Review: This book has become my recipe staple! I cannot think of any recipe that turned out bad!
It has several "dictionaries" for those new to cooking, each recipe has an approx. time from start to finish, and lots and lots of recipes!my only suggestion is to get a book holder; The size and binding of this book make it difficult to hold the page open.
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