BASIC But Good Cookbook Suggestions for Young Bride

[BethR]

I know this topic was discussed on this board a while ago, but my search didn't turn it up. Anyone know a really good first cookbook for a young bride who has very little cooking experience? I just got How to Cook Without a Book by Pam Anderson for myself, but I'm not sure it's appropriate for this bride. I like the idea of Anderson's book -- teaching basic techniques -- but I think it might be a bit imtimidating to the novice cook. Thanks!

[Julia1Pin]

Try giving her a subscription to Cooking Light. The recipes aren't very difficult, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like to try anything with more than 5 ingrediants http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Also, how about springing for a cooking class. They're usually about $40/class. This way she can get her feet wet.

[SQ]

"The Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking" is a very basic cookbook I received for a wedding gift. It has lots of picture and is very well organized. It has the basics, like meatloaf, meatballs, lasagna... and the not so basic, like frogs legs, paella, roast rack of lamb... . Fish and Dessert sections are good, too. BTW, it's edited by Charlotte Turgeon

[Laura]

I think the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook is excellent for new cooks. While the recipes are not generally light, they do provide a wide of variety of recipes and step by step illustrated instructions. It was my first cookbook many moons ago and I still use it from time to time.

[Beth]

Originally posted by Julia1Pin:
Try giving her a subscription to Cooking Light. The recipes aren't very difficult, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like to try anything with more than 5 ingrediants http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

If you can find the Mastercook program, you can giver her the program and a CL subscription for just a few dollars more!

I have always thought Joy of Cooking was a great resource, but I am not as familiar with the updated version. LauraB has raved about How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. I looked at it breifly at B&N, and I think that would probably be a good choice too.

[ama47369]

I received How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman as a wedding gift, and think it is a good choice. Also, I don't know how young the bride is, but I got a book called Where is Mom Now That I Need Her? by Betty Rae Fransen when I went to college. My roomates and I used it often, the recipes are very basic and the book also has nutrition info, tips on how to pick out produce, tips on laundry and clothing repair, simple first aid, info on getting sick, and car and bike maintenance. We found it very helpful and the recipes are easy and good.

[BlueMoose]

Check out the Woman's Day Cookbook

[Jodi]

How to Cook Everything is a great book. As someone who's known for cooking, I got 3 copies at my wedding shower earlier this year!

There are also some cookbooks targeted to brides. I know on one in particular that's supposed to be pretty good called The Bride & Groom's First Cookbook. Not sure who the author is, but the cover is yellow and white striped. (I'm thinking the cover description may help since it's June -- wedding month -- and there might be a display at bookstores. You never know!)
Jodi

[schuh]

This is a little on the gourmet side, but I loved The New Basics. Their sections covered information like how to select and cook virtually every veggie imaginable, what part of the steak the various cuts come from, etc. And the recipes are terrific. My cookbook has fallen apart with wear.

On the other end of the spectrum was Cooking for Absolute Beginners. It's very old and has a heavy emphasis on meats. But it has such info as how to hard boil an egg, etc.

One more idea are the various Junior League cookbooks. The recipes tend to be nice without being overly complicated. My personal favorites are Applehood and Mother Pie from the Junior League of Rochester (NY) and Gatherings from the Junior League of Milwaukee.

Good luck. I think a cookbook is a great gift, but it can be hard to find just the right one.

[JennieL]

I made a family cookbook for my new SIL. It included 2 or 3 recipes from everyone in our family and I added family photos (scanned). I also included recipes from my Great Grandmother that has been passed down to my Mother. I had them spiral bound at Kinkos. It turned out so well, that I send everyone a copy for Christmas. It was time consumming, but well worth the effort.

[AndreaU]

Jennie,
We did something similar for my cousin's bridal shower. Everyone was asked to bring a favorite recipe or two on a recipe card that was included with the shower invitation. My mom & I bought her a Longaberger recipe basket in which to keep them all. She had quite a collection started, especially since my mom included about 20 or so recipes alone!

[cchhbb]

I saw a cookbook the other day that I thought would be perfect for a new bride. It was called the newlywed cookbook. It had a ton of recipes for only 2 and also basic instruction. I think it had some ideas for entertaining too.

[LaraW]

I will put my vote in for The Joy of Cooking. I received this before we were married, but I have found it to be a great resource.

I got a Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook when I was in college, and enjoyed that as well. At that time, it was one of about 3 or 4 cookbooks that I owned, and I was able to find both basic recipes (cookies, muffins etc) as well as more interesting things (Chicken Marsala is one recipe that I still make from that book)

[Beth Y]

The book I always get people is also my favorite reference cookbook. It is the "New Basics" by those women that do the Silver Palette Cookbook. It is very helpful for new cooks. For instance, in the vegetable section, for each vegetable it list how to buy, how to store, how to prepare(not recipes, but how to steam, boil, etc. or however you can cook that vegetable) and then recipes for that vegetable. I prefer this over the old standards, such as Good Housekeeping or Joy of Cooking, becuase it is more in tune with how I cook, with the newer, more international ingredients, such as different types of rices, and veggies (bok choy, baby artichokes, etc) and just more simple and updated. I have also never found a bad or even marginal recipe in the book. Check it out.

[breadmama]

Two that we like are Dad's Own Cook Book, by Bob Sloan, and How to Cook by Elaine Corn. (This is from memory - I think those are exact titles and authors...) They are not "light" cookbooks, but you can make adjustments. Both books assume you're a beginner, and have lots of side-bar type lessons...interesting reading and full of good ideas. The Dad's one has several helpful charts that we still refer to, for grilling times and food storage times. It would also make a good Father's Day gift.

[kathleen415]

I'd get The New Basics (Silver Palate authors) -- great for the vegetable info, the roasting charts, and variations on simple recipes so that the bride can experiment and show off if she wants to.

[Sabrinah]

I also recommend How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. I've tried several recipes and all turned out great. The only thing is I wish the recipes were more health-conscious but it's not difficult to modify it to make them healthier. It has very detailed information on food along with the recipes. The other book that I've been using alot is The Best Recipes by Cooks Illustrated Magazine. Very thorough research into every recipe. Has good information on ingredients and cooking materials.

[BethR]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I ended up going with the Bittman book. I also realized the danger of starting such a topic -- now I want to go out and buy myself the cookbooks mentioned in the responses! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I'm just a cookbook junkie.

[This message has been edited by BethR (edited 06-03-2001).]