Basic Cooking: All You Need to Cook Well Quickly

I love this cookbook. I have had it for 5 years, and it is still my favorite. The best thing about it is that it teaches you everything you need to know about stocking your kitchen with essentials, how to cook all different types of foods, and even how to cook for company. The recipes are simple, and taste delicious. I could never get tired of it. Most of the meat dishes are now my staples. I am actually an accomplished cook, but I bought this book because I used to be a vegetarian, so I did not know how to cook meats. It makes everything simple, and doesn't use crazy ingredients, which makes it a staple for everyday cooking. Also, it tells you how long it takes for prep time and cooking each dish so you can judge if you have time to make it.I highly recommend this book to beginners and anyone looking for easy fast recipes that will have everyone thinking you are the best hostess ever.

Often, a cookbook is pretty or it's a textbook. This one has taught me more in 30 minutes of perusal than many others have in days of reading dull recipes. It is large and lays flat for easy consultation during cooking. The prep times have been pretty accurate even for a cooking klutz like me and the recipes are simple enough to allow plenty of room for experimentation. This book has given me the confidence I lacked (and lost more of when looking through other books of "basic cooking"). Love it. Have sent copies to other kitchenphobes in my circle.

This book is much more than a bunch of recipes, it teaches process. I've recently found a passion for cooking. This book has been extremely helpful in allowing me to become a better cook. The other cookbooks I have didn't help nearly as much.I also like that it is large and lays flat without me having to put something on it. It means I can check the recipe without having to hold the book open at the same time. The vibrant pictures really inspire you to want to try out a recipe. I find that inspiration is often the hardest thing.In addition to all this, the recipes are great. I wasn't a huge fan of the pumpkin soup, but everything else has turned out wonderful.This is a must have for anybody who wants to start cooking good meals for themselves.

I've been cooking for a long time so I really didn't need to know the basics. In fact, as a graphic designer, I only bought the book originally because of its beautiful yet trendy book design. But EVERY single recipe I've made out of that book (about 12 so far) has been incredible! They have everything from sushi, creme brulee, to the BEST guacamole. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone looking for a wide range of easy to follow yet great quality recipes!

Not only is this book lovely to look it, it's completely easy to understand. It goes beyond the typical cookbook by providing advice on staples to keep in kitchen, essential cooking tools, and even how and where to store food in the refrigerator. The color photography makes you want to start cooking right away -- and with these great basic recipes, even a novice cook succeeds.