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Summary: I bought 2 of these...
Review: I bought this cookbook for my 20 year old college-bound son, but when it came I decided it was better off with me. It looked too weighty for him; I reasoned that he really needed a book entitled How to Cook SOMETHING. So I got him the very approachable new Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, which turned out to be a good start for him. But as I guiltily used Bittman's book on a weekly basis, I realized that my son could easily handle this. The ingredients are readily available and there is a lot of sound advice in this book. So I bought him a copy. He likes it. Oddly, the first thing he chose to make were cream puffs. They were great.
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Summary: The first cookbook I turn to...
Review: I used to have the mantra "Cookbooks must have photographs". If I'd been perusing books in a bookstore, I would have rejected How to Cook Everything because it contains no photos at all. What a mistake that would have been! Luckily, I bought it through ... where I overlooked the lack of photos. This book fulfills exactly what I was looking for when I chose it: a book with lots of basics. How do you cook a steak medium vs well done? What kind of apples are best for different purposes? What cut of meat should I choose? As well as answers to these questions, it has an amazing array of delicious recipes. The meat sauce for pasta has become an instant favorite in this household. The one criticism I have is that I'm not sure the book itself will hold together if I continue to use it daily. I've only had it a couple of weeks, and the pages are already showing a lot of wear and tear. I think the publisher should have chosen a heavier weight paper that can withstand food splatters better.
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Summary: If not everything...
Review: If Mark Bittner hasn't taught us how to cook everything in this book, he's come pretty darn close. With more than 800 pages of recipes, tips, tricks, advice, and down to earth chat, you can be sure he's covered all the bases at least once. OK, so you won't be able to cook all the more obscure ethnic foods...that's OK. You'll be able to cook most of them. And, the recipes are incredible simple. I forget just how many different meals he has in there that you can cook in less than thirty minutes. Oh, and let's not forget the guide to buying foods. He teaches you the nuances of buying specific types of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as various types of meats. The buyer's guide alone is worth the price of admission. Warning: If you buy this cookbook, it will be the last one you need...and you'll use it often, too. Do yourself a favor and put it in your shopping cart now. You'll be glad you did.
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Summary: THE KITCHEN BIBLE!
Review: This is not just another recipe book; it is the Kitchen Bible that tells one everything you could possibly want to know about the selecting, buying, preparing and cooking of every food under the sun. For those who are just learning to cook, you will probably find this is the only book you will ever truly need. The recipes range from the very simply, easy to prepare dishes to more complex "serious chef" recipes. The instructions are straight forward and easy to follow."How to Cook Everything" would make an idea gift for the bride-to-be or for those leaving the nest and starting out on their own. Even single guys will love this book; after all, they have to eat too, and what a terrific way to impress the new lady in your life by treating her to a specially made, home-cooked meal. This book is for everyone and a terrific handy-helper in the kitchen.
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Summary: Get Cooking!
Review: If you are going to own only one cookbook, own this one. Bittman not only gives fabulous, straightforward recipes, he also tells you how to prepare various kinds of foods *without* using recipes. (The basics of pork chops, the basics of pasta...advice on how to cook any vegetable, how to buy a fish steak versus a fillet, etc.) The only problem I can see with How to Cook Everything is that in today's diet-conscious world, the recipes don't have dietary information. Since the recipes don't have a whole lot of ingredients, however, figuring the dietary stuff out yourself is not difficult. Get this book and get cooking!
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Summary: Now I can cook everything!
Review: This book is a wonderful edition to any single or married person's household. I love the easy to follow recipes and diagrams. You must purchase this cookbook!
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Summary: Cooking for the Reluctant
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this cookbook.It is not only an exhaustive compilation of recipes -- many of which are simple and quick -- but an excellent reference book for those of us with little background knowledge of different types of food.Bittman has actually made me like to cook.
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Summary: Excellent general purpose cookbook.
Review: This is a great easy to use cookbook. The author puts a large focus on techniques and basic ingredients. The way he deals with bell peppers is a good example of the philosophy of this cookbook. He has a few paragraphs about peppers, how to buy and store, and then lists best cooking methods. Then he provides 3 recipes and lists over 1/2 dozen other recipes in the book in which peppers can easily be substituted. In this way the read learns now only the excellent recipes he provides but how to cook. Almost all the recipes are simple in design and execution. Bitterman writes The Minimalist cooking column in the New York Times. He has a commitment to simple recipes that show case the chosen ingredients true flavors. Its one of those cookbooks like Joy or Cooking or NY Times cookbook I recommend to friends who ask which one cookbook should I own, especially to beginners. I am glad it its on my bookshelf.
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Summary: I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK
Review: This cookbook is so user-friendly. I absolutely love it and have purchased it for friends and family ranging from cooking novices, like myself, to experts. I love the fact that the author gives you basic recipes and then offers variations which take advantage of what many people may have already in their pantry. I also didn't find myself buying spices for one-time use. Everything has been very sensible. And when was the last time you saw a recipe for basic cake? I love the fact that the author takes nothing for granted.
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Summary: It's not intended to be advanced
Review: I think this is a great book. If you don't know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich, this'll show you. It has more than that but it's not for professional chefs and it's not specialized. It's not meant to be. It says on the title "Simple Recipes...". There are some things I don't know how to cook and there are some ingredients that I don't know where to use so this is perfect for me. It's almost like an encyclopedia.
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