Rating: 
Summary: A great addition to all cookbook collections
Review: I bought this book when I first left for college, and it is still on my bookshelf. Besides having an eclectic collection of easy-to-make recipes, it offers advice that most cookbooks would gloss over, such as how to substitute ingredients, where to find some ingredients in the supermarket, and how to salvage meals that didn't go according to plan. I'm a better cook now than I was in college and less prone to disaster, but I still use several of the recipes from this book. The veggie chili is very good and forgiving of experimentation, and the recipe for chocolate chip cookies is still one of my favorites. The writing style made me feel as if I were talking one-on-one with a friend, and the authors explain everything down to the most minute detail. You have to be going out of your way to not pay attention to screw something up from this book. Its only weakness is that it doesn't have photos, but it's not really a coffee table kind of book, anyway. It's the kind of book that'll end up with stained pages that stick together, but that's the sign of a good cookbook.
Rating:
Summary: A Cookbook Anyone (Everyone) Can Use
Review: I can say after owning the book for several years that I now have tested EVERY recipe. Tonight was my first roast turkey and it came out perfect. Each receipe has warnings and tips (I needed it). For example, Kevin Mills tells you the gibbets are in the neck cavity and the gibblets are in the lower cavity. Thanks Kevin for the warning! The turkey turned out perfect and I received rave reviews (Whew).
Rating:
Summary: GREAT cookbook for beginners and experts alike
Review: I consider myself somewhat handy in the kitchen, but when I got my own apartment, I found that there were still some basic things I didn't know how to do. That's where this book came in. It taught me not only how to do those basic things, but also to make great meals that I had always thought were difficult (like pesto sauce). Between "Mom Tips" and ratings from "Very Easy" to "Difficult," it's hard to screw up these recipes as long as you know your level of ability in the kitchen. It's also nice because once you get the easy stuff down, you can work up to the harder stuff. There is also a good list in here of the basics for those of us who come into an empty apartment with an empty kitchen and no idea what to buy as far as staples (like ketchup, mustard, pasta, etc). The recipes in this book are pretty much fool-proof, and they taste great. After venturing on to bigger and better things in "regular" cookbooks, I still come back to this one from time to time for great recipes. It is a must-have for any newbie in the kitchen and an awesome cookbook for anyone who wants to know the easy way to make just about anything.
Rating:
Summary: Goofy Title and Cover, Yummy Center
Review: I received this book as a gift as I moved into my own apartment. I was skeptical because it seemed goofy to be reliable. But the book's layout is simple and the recipes are rather varied and easy to follow. I have a made quite a few recipes out of it now and have enjoyed every one. I made a point to come to amazon and give this book a good rating. Try the spicy bean dip!
Rating:
Summary: Goofy Title and Cover, Yummy Center
Review: I received this book as a gift as I moved into my own apartment. I was skeptical because it seemed goofy to be reliable. But the book's layout is simple and the recipes are rather varied and easy to follow. I have a made quite a few recipes out of it now and have enjoyed every one. I made a point to come to amazon and give this book a good rating. Try the spicy bean dip!
Rating:
Summary: A great addition to all cookbook collections
Review: I recently discovered this cookbook in my brother's cupboard. A friend had bought it for him but he thought it was a joke. I thought I would give these receipes a try and to my amazement all of the receipes I tried turned out fabulous. It doesn't matter what your level of expertise is in the kitchen, this is a great cookbook to have in any cook's cookbook collection. Most of the receipes are fast and easy. The warnings are a great touch for beginners and a good reminder for everyone else. The receipes are easy to follow and although all the receipes do lack pictures. I think this is an added bonus to give beginners confidence because then they set the standard and can improve on the receipes as they learn more about cooking/baking. The lists in the back are a nice added feature that any cook can appreciate. This way you know exactly what to buy and all of the items listed will make about 90% of everything in the cookbook. Most of the cookbooks I own don't even have a feature similar to it, let alone 2 receipes having remotely the same list.Watch out Betty Crocker, you definately have competition in Kevin and Nancy Mills.
Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect--only needs photos
Review: I would really give this book 4.99 stars, only because it doesn't have illustrations of the dishes. The cartoon illustrations are entertaining, but not useful. I'm like many folks who appreciate being able to see what the recipe **should** look like when it's finished. :)
I have checked this book out again and again from the library where I work. I've given it as a gift, and now I'm finally buying it (tired of having to wait for it). I'm a cooking novice with a pretty sophisticated palate, and this book satisfies my need for simple, yet tasty dishes. The "Mom Tip"--sometimes more than one and the "Mom Warning" are great. Mom gives motherly advice, such as "Don't mistake vanilla yogurt for plain yogurt" and "Fresh salmon is sold three different ways. . . (she explains). The first meal I made for the man who is now my husband (we married this May!) was the Fresh Baked Salmon with Garlic Mayonnaise. I fooled him into thinking I was a gourmet cook, thanks to Kevin and Nancy.
I'm planning to buy their Help! My Apartment Has a Dining Room next, and eagerly anticipate a Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen II, with or without photos. :)
Rating:
Summary: My 1st Cookbook
Review: My mom got me this cookbook when I first moved out into my own apartment. I had no idea how to learn to cook for myself- Taco Bell and Wendy's were the equivilant of a hot meal. I couldn't believe how easy these recipes were to follow! This book saved my life (and my figure!) and I would recommend it to any first time cook.
Rating: 
Summary: This book will get you cooking
Review: The great thing about this book is that it presents enough different receipes that you will love at least a few of them; it also acknowledges the dislikes of a good majority of non-foodies (i.e. fish, vegetables). The recipes are foolproof, as described, and they are realistic for quick meals after work or school. This is stuff you find in your refrigerator.
I also really enjoyed the "Mom tips"--they give you insider information that other cookbooks presume that you know. The book isn't overwhelming, with just enough reciepes to get you started. It also helps you stock the basics in your pantry.
I have moved on to more complicated books in the last few years, but this was a great starter that made me much less afraid of "cooking."
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This book is excellent! Not only does it have easy to follow instructions, the recipes actually taste GREAT! This cookbook has helped me survive my college years without starving! I still refer to it frequently when I need to fix a good, quick meal. I highly recommend it, especially to beginners in the kitchen! You won't be disappointed!
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