The Old Farmer's Almanac Everyday Cookbook

I have slowly been collecting cookbooks. I am always on the look-out for cookbooks that I can easily follow without a lot of complicated ingredients. I have mostly made the desserts including the carrot cake, banana sour cream bread and both have been a huge hit. I will continue to collect cookbooks mostly to read and dream of trying the complicated recipes hoping for perfection but this one I will use on a regular basis.

THE OLD FARMER'S EVERYDAY COOKBOOK ALMANAC: A Guarantee of Goodness Everyday! A review by Marty Martindale From the press which publishes Yankee Magazine and the editors of the Farmer's Almanac, this book is a collection of 400 recipes, solid recipes and a general, all'round basic cookbook for anyone. Many of the recipes are winners of recent Old Farmer's Almanac reader recipe contests. The eds promise "each and every recipe comes with the promise expectations will be met - no exceeded!" The book also carries a lot of cooking hints and tips. Special Sections in the book pertain to Backyard Barbecues and Family Favorites. Here is a quick look at some interesting recipes from the book: NUT HASH Combine nut meats, cooking oil, onion, pears, naval oranges, celery, bell peppers and cardamom SPINACH AND PASTA SOUP Turkey sausage, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, bow-tie pasta, fresh spinach and a can of cannelli beans PECAN AND PORK SALAD Boston lettuce, pecan halves, butter, paprika, pork tenderloin, oregano and a vinaigrette dressing CREAMY MUSHROOM BAKE White mushrooms, butter, nutmeg, heavy cream, French break and Swiss cheese EGGPLANT TOMATO CASSEROLE Eggplant, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, sugar, bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese JAMAICAN PINEAPPLE ORANGE CHICKEN Fryer chicken, flour, chili powder, vegetable oil, orange juice, raisins, dark rum, cinnamon, cloves and crushed pineapple DARTMOOR FIDGET PIE Lean bacon, potatoes, onions, green apples, brown sugar, egg white and pie crust LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO Mint leaves, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, basil leaves and seasoning. Serve over sauted lamb chops. BAKED SCALLOPS Scallops, butter, garlic, seasoning and parsley PEANUT SESAME NOODLES Chinese egg noodles, sesame oil, soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, peanut butter, hot pepper oil and scallions SOUR CREAM BANANA BREAD Butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, bananas, vanilla, flour, baking powder, baking soda and chopped nuts WORLD'S BEST CHEESECAKE Graham crackers, butter and walnuts for crust. Filling: cream cheese, sugar, eggs and lemon juice, Topping: sour cream, sugar and vanilla AUNT SOPHIE'S MAGIC COOKIES Butter, flour, vanilla ice cream, sugar, nuts and cinnamon SNOW PUDDING Water, gelatin, lemon juice, sugar, egg. For sauce: cornstarch, sugar, milk and vanilla [..] You can reach Marty Martindale at Food Site of the Day

The book is jam packed with incredibly easy recipes including "comfort foods", holiday entertaining, breads, cakes, soups... you name it, it's in here. The recipes are like those your grandmother used to cook. I have made a few recipes so far and they were simple to make and I had many of the ingredients in my pantry. I love the additional tips and "how to" sections. If you had to own just one cookbook the Farmer's Almanac Everyday Cookbook is THE cookbook to have.

I wish I could give 4 1/2 stars, but just couldn't work up to 5...but this will make a perfect gift for those who love old fashioned comfort food; or as a gift to yourself. Many recipes are a bit beyond diner fare, but still simple enough for beginning cooks. There are more than 400 recipes, not the 180 stated in the write-up. The book contains hints on many pages, such as to clean a pot with marks fill with water and add cream of tarter and bring to a boil, something my grandmother taught me, but doesn't seem to be well known today. There is a reference section including `how long will it keep' and `effects of freezing'. Chapters include breakfast, appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, side dishes, poultry, meat, seafood, pasta, potatoes, breads, desserts, canning and preserving, barbecues. Comments and blue ribbon ratings are given. If you are looking for a good solid old fashioned cookbook, something that would have your grandma's recipe for snow pudding or pioneer stew, but also contains braised lamb with gremolata or grilled salmon with maple mustard glaze, then this is the one for you. Just also be aware that the format is smaller than the normal 8X10, but believe me my eyesight isn't what it used to be and the pages are so clean and uncluttered I didn't have trouble reading the print.