What do you think is the one first, basic, teach you everything cookbook?

[music-city-missy]

I can't decide on which of mine is my favorite and one best for a good basic cookbook to answer questions and get you cooking and my stepson asked for a good basic cookbook to help him expand his cooking from scrambled eggs and grilled cheese sandwiches.

I think I am looking for something that has tips and techniques. Basic recipes, etc. A great go to book.

 

[gayr]

MCM, I happen to love Marion Cunningham's "Fannie Farmer Cookbook," wonderful resource.

 

[steve2-in-la]

IMHO either the updated "Joy of Cooking" or Bittman's "How To Cook Everything".

 

[joe]

For me it will always be Julia's "The Way to Cook."

 

[angak]

I had Betty Crocker and Better Homes and Gardens for first cookbooks.

I find the recipes easy for beginners and lots of tips and basics.

 

[dawn_mo]

The old Joy of Cooking. It taught me everything. At least the basics. From there it's your path.

 

[traca]

For a guy, I'd probably go with Bittman's book. For me, I'm visual and the format of

both the Joy of Cooking and Julia Child's books are hopelessly boring to me. Whatever gems are in there, the format has no appeal and I just can't bring myself to use them.

Bittman's got an easy going, approachable and more modern style. If your stepson is not really interested in cooking, I'd pick up Bittman's book before I'd approach the others. Plus, Bittman's videos and articles are interesting and also available on the New York Times site.

For me, my interest in cooking developed through a couple successful recipes, then I wanted to try more. Jamie Oliver might be a good one to ease his way into also. Readability has a lot to do with whether I'll use a book.

 

[gayle-mo]

Those were my first two, also, Ang.

Bought the 1st, the Better Homes and Gardens with Green Stamps in 1969. I was 17. Still have it and can't bare to part with it.

Oh, I'd had several little booklet type cookbooks I'd bought at school book fairs but back in the day, those two were some thing I was proud of. I learned a lot about basic cooking techniques from them.

 

[melissa-dallas]

I started with Betty Crocker too, but I love my old two volume Doubleday and it

just seems to have everything I look for and good how-to's also.

 

[janet-in-nc]

I vote with Joe

 

[lisainla]

I self-taught from this book - it is still the one I use the most.

 

[steve2-in-la]

F

 

[steve2-in-la]

"For A Guy"!? Really? You can make generalizations like that? Interesting.

 

[traca]

Busted! I wanted to go back and change that, but you can't change titles here...

 

[steve2-in-la]

Just teasing Traca. You know guys really just want Aidell's "Meat" book. ;>D

 

[traca]

LOL! Now that the weather has turned, I'm giving my Charcuterie book a good look.

 

[traca]

Well, I'm not a guy either, so I suppose gender has nothing to do with it. smileys/smile.gif