Beat That! Cookbook: The Very, Very Best Recipe for Apple Crisp, Baked Beans, Cheese Souffle, English Muffin Bread, Flank Steak, Hot Chocolate, Key

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Summary: Beat That! Really is unbeatable.
Review: How do we, as people who love practical and fun cookbooks, go about getting the first Hodgman cookbook, "Beat This!" back into print? It is a must for cooks who are serious about good food but not into creating new religions around spices and cuisines. "Beat That" is a continuation of the fun -- and Hodgman is the best of all possible cookbook writers, one who doesn't take herself seriously ALL the time. Actually, I want to BE Ann Hodgman.

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Summary: Beat That! beats all - the best cookbook ever cooked up.
Review: I have about a million cookbooks. Most of them sit forlornly on the shelf, like last year's Tickle Me Elmo, as they see "Beat That" (and its predecessor, "Beat This) used time and time again. Every time I see either of these cookbooks in a store, I buy it, knowing that I'm going to find someone to give it to - and that that person will subsequently be indebted to me forever for introducing them to such completely, wonderfully swoon-able food. YOU MUST BUY THIS COOKBOOK

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Summary: Almost impossible to beat
Review: What a shame Ann Hodgman's first cookbook, Beat This, is now out of print. Coupled with its newer sister, the duo would have made the perfect bridal shower gift for a dear friend. The recipies are great, and often feature unusual twists on old favorites, that really do make the recipies unbeatable. Equally as important, they do not involve esoteric ingredients, over complicated or fussy cooking techniques. Just plain good eating without unnecessary fuss.