Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen)

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Summary: One of the best general cookbooks available
Review: I have to admit that the most beat-up, stained, and abused book that I have in my house has always been a Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. The 12th Edition of this wonderful cookbook will be no exception. The newest version has hundreds of new recipes and an entire chapter on crockery cooking.

For those of you who are frustrated with cookbooks that only have sections for appetizers, main dishes, beverages, and desserts you will be thrilled with the organization of this cookbook. It is divided into multiple sections so you can easily find an appropriate recipe. The sections include Cooking Basics, Appetizers and Snacks, Beans, Rice, and Grains, Beverages, Breads, Cakes, Candies, Canning and Freezing, Cookies, Crockery Cooking, Desserts, Eggs and Cheese, Fish and Shellfish, Grilling, Meat, Pasta, Pies and Tarts, Poultry, Salads and Dressings, Sauces and Relishes, Soups and Stews, and Vegetables and Fruits.

I particularly liked the section on cooking basics which covers such topics as equipment, appliances, tips, time tested secrets, a glossary, information on seasonings, nutrition basics, food safety and storage, meal planning, and even place settings.

Unlike other books that indicate a preparation time of an hour for a recipe and then in the recipe itself indicate that it takes another three to cook it, there is full disclosure of time to prepare the recipe. The total recipe time is divided into section such as preparation time, cook time, chill time, etc. so you know exactly how much time it will take to complete the recipe. Recipes that are quick to prepare or low fat or no fat are marked with a colored rectangle so they are easy to spot in the recipe section or the index.

As with all cookbooks, if possible get the hardcover version as it will wipe off easier and make sure it is at least spiral bound if not ring bound so that it will lay flat. The preference is for ring bound because you can take a page out if necessary and just use the page as a reference instead of trying to find a place in the kitchen for the whole book while cooking. Clear instructions, many illustrations and photographs, and just plain delicious recipes you can't go wrong with the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. While I have several specialty cookbooks, this is the standard you will find in more homes than any other cookbook. A highly recommended purchase, this book should be in every home.

Rating:
Summary: Every cook should own this cookbook
Review: The previus edition of the Better Homes and Garden New Cookbook has been my most used wedding present (after my dishes & crock pot!) I have used it for every type of dish, from the simple to the spectacular. There are lots of simple recipes that you can use again and again, but there are also special dishes for when you want to go all out. In fact, it's been such a great cookbook that I wasn't planning to replace it-until I saw the slow cooker section, and the increased number of ethnic recipes. It really lives up to the "Better Homes and Gardens" reputation. Buy one for everyone you know who cooks-and everyone who needs to learn! And buy the ringbound edition. It is so much easier to use in the kitchen, and still very reasonably priced.

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Summary: Love the updated edition
Review: Don't be fooled, Better Homes and Garden's updates their cookbook from time to time. I for one, grew up with my Mom's edition and have come to think of it is my personal standard. This book is much different in books of the last few years. They tend to swap out a few recipes each time. This updated version has more recipes, and is thicker than they have been in the past. They do their best to offer you recipes that are easy to prepare and have a wide range. There are vegetarian recipes, ethnic recipes, and much more. This edition offers you a new section on crockpot cooking.
The sturdy ring binder will last for years in your home. It is coated with plastic so it will clean up just fine. The recipes come complete with nutritional value, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. It has some pictures of recipes, and it will also show you how to do a particular techinique. I think this is a great book and I would recommend it to the beginner cook as well as the more seasoned cook.

Rating:
Summary: They have done it again
Review: This is the first cookbook anyone should own.

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Summary: Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book/Ringbound
Review: The best for me, Linda, the non-cooker! I got this as a wedding gift many, many years ago. I've always loved it. It has clean, concise directions. Great photos. The ringbound edition makes it so you can remove a page, display only that page while working and you can even copy your favorite recipe to attach to a 'food gift' for the any occassion especially the holidays.
I recommend this for a first time cook, too. It makes a wonderful gift all year-round. My husband and I share this account; he is Army school trained and me---not. We do enjoy sharing this icon to cook books.

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Summary: No kitchen should be without it
Review: I have over 100 cookbooks, and even though they are all wonderful, I still turn to this one more than any other. It was my first cookbook and it's still the best. I have an old 50's edition that was my mother's and one from the mid-80's that I took to college with me. I thought that would be enough, but recently I bought my dad a copy of the new edition, and he's constantly telling me about great recipes that aren't in my older editions! So now I've ordered this new one as well. Three BH&G editions may seem excessive but I'm sure I'll use them all.

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Summary: Don't bother with the paperback
Review: I wore out my trade paperback of the previous edition, and bought a new paperback edition. The new paperback edition is an odd size and thickness. You can't open it flat to cook from it.

Buy the 3-ring version, instead. It's worth the extra money.

Rating:
Summary: Always the best
Review: Put away all of your other cookbooks! If you're a young single like me, this is the ONLY cookbook you need! It has extensive in-depth explanations of how to do things (defines different ways to chop, different kinds of mushrooms, all with pictures!) Shows lovely pictures of the finished products, gives diet exchanges and nutritional information so those of us on Weight Watchers will never have to guess; also includes crock-cooking recipies, and always notes which recipes are "FAST" or "BEST LOVED" or "LOW FAT" to make skimming for a recipe a joy.

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Summary: The old standby is an old standby for a reason.
Review: I can't think of anyone who can live without a "red checkered cookbook" as a good friend of mine put it. This, along with the Joy of Cooking, are an indispensible pair for any household.

The binder is truly a blessing in the kitchen. I love having a cookbook indexed by tabs. Of course, if you are hard on the pages (or have children who tug at pages) this is perhaps not so beneficial. The pages are obviously not waterproof, but they wipe off easily. Then again, is there any such thing as an immaculate well-used cookbook? Probably, but not in my kitchen. ;)

Whether you're starting out or you are the experienced home cook and want to add a timeless classic to your library, this book is for you.

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Summary: EVEN GUYS CAN LEARN TO COOK WITH THIS!!
Review: I've had an edition of the NEW COOK BOOK for 5 years now and it helps me out on a regular basis. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. That's good news for me because I hate complicated instructions.

--George Stancliffe