The Cook's Kitchen Bible: Over 150 Step-By-Step Techniques

Rating:
Summary: The Best Cookbook I Own
Review: I'm a good cook, but tend to like fairly simple fare (sort of meatand potatoes +). I'm also fairly experienced, but might notknow offhand, say, the proper way to peel a kiwi fruit or exactly the right way to make an omelette. If you come close to fitting that profile, buy this book! It combines authoritative and beautifully illustrated tips and tricks on cooking basics with several dozen wonderful recipes. The best meatloaf you've ever eaten. The best pancakes you've ever eaten. The best beef stew you've ever eaten. The best scallion soup you've ever eaten. And so on. The recipes themselves are attractively presented and not overly complicated (I manage them despite having a toddler in the house).

Rating:
Summary: The basics at your fingertips
Review: Sure- there's plenty of cookbooks out there with elaborate recipes and la-dee-dah ingredients; but what good do they do you if you've never learned the basic skills (think Bridget Jones attempting to make her fancy Birthday dinner)? What if you just want to know how to make a simple hollandaise sauce or how to properly cook and serve an artichoke? Enter "The Cook's Kitchen Bible"- this cookbook lists everything you need to know about very simple recipes for soups, meals, sauces, desserts, etc. If you know someone who enjoys cooking, this makes a great, inexpensive gift. I use mine over and over for everyday meals as well as when company comes over.