Learning to Cook with Marion Cunningham

I have 6 children, ranging from teens to toddler, and I cook a lot. I have always appreciated Marion Cunningham's recipes because they are realistic and the way families eat. I bought this book to add to my collection and have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family has enjoyed everything I've cooked from it. With this cookbook I successfully made delicious biscuits for the first time. Even when the subject is an area I'm already comfortable with I enjoy reading it. I agree completely with her goal of helping us cook for our families and friends so that we can share a delicious, wholesome meal with the people we love. Her recipes and comments are to be treasured and passed down to future generations with wonderful memories.

This is a cookbook for everyone from novices to experienced cooks. The directions are clear and easy to follow. Handy hints are helpful and informative. I personally have prepared several of the recipes including "Pot Roast with Vegetables and Gravy." All were excellent. This cookbook would make a perfect gift for newlyweds or anyone else with a budding interest in cooking.

Being a novice and a poor cook I had tried a number of cookbooks and found them all lacking. Until I bought Learning to Cook. Now I'm a good cook and getting better, and I've only had the book for a little over a month. Whats the differance? Easy to read, great recipes/uncomplicated and mistake proof. Cooking is now fun, not only that but the family now actually looks forward to dinner. Using this book wiLl make all of your cooking better, reguardles of where the recipe comes from. So far I have yet to repeat a recipe, and not a bad meal yet. My personal favorite is the Pork Tenderloin with Jalapeno Sauce. After having the Original Macaroni and Cheese my nine year old proclamed it the best she had ever eaten. Get this book.

Have you tried to make scrambled eggs and they came out dry and bland? Bought some fresh trout from the supermarket, tried to follow a recipe, only to be disappointed with your dinner?If this sounds like you, chances are you're a beginner cook. You are trying to use your kitchen to make home cooked / hearty meals - but don't always know exactly how to prepare something. Or cut something. Or season.If the above is the case, then this is THE book. Learning To Cook has several sections - appetizers, soups, salads, fish, chicken, meats, vegetables, breakfasts, deserts, etc. Each section has 5 - 10 recipes. What makes this book unique is that each recipe is a beginners "how to" on how to make the dish. And the instructions cover EVERYTHING! That is, you can start clueless, then read a recipe in 15 minutes and know exactly HOW to make a great salad - or soup - or fish - or chicken dish.I've used this book for a month as follows: I've read one recipe about every other evening. I've stopped at a supermarket on my way home from work to purchase what the recipe calls for. I then re-read the recipe and then follow the instructions to make a great meal - every time.In just a month, I've graduated from the level of kitchen neophyte!The book is also full of tidbits - how to store fruit, photos of various salads, what to do with leftovers.If you've never cooked in your life, or have tried and have been disappointed, or are embarresed to admit it you don't know what you're doing in a kitchen, then Learning To Cook is a must!

At this point I am a really good home cook, and I would have passed this up as a book for beginners if I didn't consider Ms. Cunningham a culinary genius. I owe my skills to my love of good food, followed by Julia Child, M.F.K. Fisher, Barbara Kafka, Marcella Hazan, and last but definitely not least, Marion Cunningham. Anyone who loves to cook should get this book, buy a waffle iron, and make raised waffles for everyone he or she loves. You will not be disappointed (but you may gain weight)and whoever you have served them to will be in your thrall. Enjoy.