How Cooking Works

Rating:
Summary: My Most-Used Cookbook
Review: Of all the cookbooks I've collected in 40 years of cooking, this is the one I reach for most often. It contains basic information such as what to look for when choosing fruits and vegetables and what to expect from certain cuts of meat, but it doesn't overwhelm you with pages and pages of details. The recipes are clearly written, focusing on basic techniques and real-life ingredients that won't send you hunting through ethnic markets or gourmet catalogs--but it also doesn't expect you to simply combine the contents of various cans and packages (i.e. you won't find a recipe calling for a box of yellow cake mix and a container of Cool Whip here). Despite the usually commonplace ingredients, the recipes result in more interesting, flavorful dishes than most Americans regularly enjoy--even those who still actually cook. This book deserves to go back into print.

Rating:
Summary: My Most-Used Cookbook
Review: Of all the cookbooks I've collected in 40 years of cooking, this is the one I reach for most often. It contains basic information such as what to look for when choosing fruits and vegetables and what to expect from certain cuts of meat, but it doesn't overwhelm you with pages and pages of details. The recipes are clearly written, focusing on basic techniques and real-life ingredients that won't send you hunting through ethnic markets or gourmet catalogs--but it also doesn't expect you to simply combine the contents of various cans and packages (i.e. you won't find a recipe calling for a box of yellow cake mix and a container of Cool Whip here). Despite the usually commonplace ingredients, the recipes result in more interesting, flavorful dishes than most Americans regularly enjoy--even those who still actually cook. This book deserves to go back into print.

Rating:
Summary: An excelent book
Review: This was my first cookbook, and it's still my favorite. It explains not only how to cook, but why these techniques work.

Rating:
Summary: An excelent book
Review: This was my first cookbook, and it's still my favorite. It explains not only how to cook, but why these techniques work.