The Absolute Beginner's Cookbook: Or, How Long Do I Cook a 3-Minute Egg?

I bought this book approximately 17 years ago when I was fresh out of mom and dads, and trying not to starve. I learned a lot from this book (the lasagne recipe is great) and past roommates still comment on the book (calling for certain recipes.) I'm now pretty comfortable in the kitchen but I still pull this cookbook out for one of its many easy recipes. ( The chicken wellington is easy to prepare and showy enough to impress.) My 10 yr old is now leafing thru it asking to make dinner! Hope this helps!

This was the first cook book I got when I moved out on my own 20 years ago and I still refer to it. (I swear I still can't remember the temp or time for a baked potato). I also peep back in for my lasagna. I made the linguini with clam sauce and it was the *^$#...I was really proud of myself.

My mother valued her solitude in her kitchen, and so I didn't know a thing about cooking when I decided to make my new girlfriend dinner. Thanks to this cookbook, the first meal I ever cooked was a cheese souffle, and because of the book's never-fall recipe I looked like a culinary genius. It's now seventeen years later and I'm married to that woman, and both of us still return to this book. When my two children are ready to cook I'll be buying them copies.

It's perfect for my boyfriend who is learning to cook and asked for "cooking for dummies" but I saw this book and the excerpt I read was great so I got it instead.

The book teaches you everything you need to know from how to hard-boil an egg to stir frying broccoli. It makes are great gift of any beginning cook. Recipes include breakfast foods, eggs, breads, soups, sandwiches, salads, main dishes, vegetables, desserts, & appetizers. There is no gourmet fare here, just the delicious uncomplicated meals for everyday people. Some of my favorite desserts are the apple dumplings & easy lemon chiffon pie. I enjoyed the oven pot-roast, meatballs, chili, & pork chops as well. I know I will never get bored with 8 different potato recipes.I also loved the one-step lasagna. It's great because you don't have to cook the noodles before baking, making it quick & easy to make. The never-fail cheese soufflé & salmon pate will impress dinner guests without hours of frustration.