Discover why every kitchen worth its salt has a flour-dusted, bouillon-stained, batter-encrusted and whisk-maimed copy.
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reviews
Apr 19, 2008
Amanda
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I think My Mom gave me this one as a graduation present. It's not quite as good as having her in the kitchen with me, but the recipes remind me of childhood: 3-bean salad, cowboy coffee cake, corn chowder, snickerdoodles, spanish rice and all the candy and canning recipes My Mom has a knack for and I usually don't have the guts to try on my own.
I love how they keep coming out with new versions of the "New Cookbook" and this version is extra special because of the section More...
I love how they keep coming out with new versions of the "New Cookbook" and this version is extra special because of the section More...
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Oct 31, 2007
Jennifer
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I don't know if perhaps it's me, but I there are a number of recipes in this book that I have had to tweak to make *ahem* BETTER. I am not a chef, but I do consider myself an amateur foodie of sorts. I had to adjust the muffin recipe (maybe I am just used to the super fabulousness of Gingerbread Muffin Company muffins, but anyways...), I had to work on the pizza dough recipe to get it to rise just so and become the correct consistency of pizza dough and not so crunchy at it kept turning out with
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Mar 06, 2008
Erin
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This is my go to book for baking, it has the best recipes for peanut butter cookies, ginger snaps, and fruit crisps. It also is a great cook book to have if you don't want to have 10 cook books (like I do) and it has enough of a variety to be your "only" cookbook, as these are tried and true recipes. The one downfall is that it doesn't have many ethnic or alternative (non-meat) recipes, so you'll have to go elsewhere for that.
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Aug 18, 2008
Zanthera
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Great for a beginner with explanations of techniques and terms at the beginning. The book has been in family for ages though I have a later edition than the one my mother used.
Very simple and easy to follow. General over all.
Very simple and easy to follow. General over all.
Nov 18, 2010
Mandee
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I have finally decided to get rid of this book. For the last month I've been using it to hold down the lid of my dog's dry food container so she won't get into it because the latch is broken. I kept wanting this to be a good, useful go-to book like our old Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook that we've had all my life (and that got used so much it's completely falling apart), but everytime I try to use this book I'm disappointed. It's got good ideas, but the recipes are NOT good imo. So final
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Feb 04, 2008
Janine
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Best cookbook for beginners. It has all the classic instructions and recipes that a new cook needs. A MUST have in any kitchen. The 3-ring binder version is by far the best.
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Oct 20, 2011
Frances
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Most recipes are your traditional bland, unhealthy, too much meat and white processed flour type stuff. I keep it because there are times that I need a recipe for certain audiences that require bland food and this has always come through for me. This is not the best beginners cookbook, there are not allot of step by step pictures that beginners need. This 75th anniversary edition includes a bunch of old school recipes that are interesting but I would never make unless I want to kill someone with
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Aug 21, 2011
Shar
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Of all my cookbooks - and I LOVE cookbooks!! - I would have thought this would be one of my favorites. Not even close. There are very few recipes in this book that I have made more than once. For example, don't even bother with the banana muffins. They tasted like a big lump of baking soda. Way too salty and no flavor at all. I won't bother making them again. All in all, I don't recommend this one, particularly to beginner cooks. You'll never want to learn to cook if you try these crappy recipes
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Mar 31, 2009
Monica
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My family has been using this cookbook in one version or another since I was a child in the 1970s. My mom's copy is old and tattered around the edges, with dots of sugar and flour on the pages of our favorite recipes. My new copy looks almost pristine in comparison, a testament to the fact that I can't read print and use a copy of the book scanned into my computer. I've kept my print copy to give to my daughter when she gets her first apartment. Hmm. Maybe I need to put some sugar dots on our fa
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Dec 15, 2011
JanBreesmom
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The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook by Jennifer Darling is my "go-to" cookbook at the moment. It is the cookbook I keep on my wrought iron cookbook stand right next to my stove. It is very easy to use, informative, and it is simple to turn to needed information during the cooking process.
I recommend this cookbook as the basic cookbook everyone should own; from the new, inexperienced cook, to the seasoned home chef, it is a great cooking reference to have handy.
I recommend this cookbook as the basic cookbook everyone should own; from the new, inexperienced cook, to the seasoned home chef, it is a great cooking reference to have handy.
Aug 31, 2009
White
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I'm kind of picky when it comes to cook books, mostly because I hate eating what I cook so it has to be exceptional. I bought this book because I happened on a cookbook back in 1974 when I was engaged to be married to my first husband. It was a Better Homes and Gareden one so I got the real McCoy. I found this one to not be up to par with the little spin off one that I got. So I was disappointed and I still had to eat the food I cooked from this one.
Jul 19, 2009
Mrs_M
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I'm kind of picky when it comes to cook books, mostly because I hate eating what I cook so it has to be exceptional. I bought this book because I happened on a cookbook back in 1974 when I was engaged to be married to my first husband. It was a Better Homes and Gareden one so I got the real McCoy. I found this one to not be up to par with the little spin off one that I got. So I was disappointed and I still had to eat the food I cooked from this one.
Sep 22, 2011
Cat
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We used to have a copy of this growing up and used it all the time for family meals and snacks. When I moved to the UK and realized I'd have to cook on my own I immediately ordered this cookbook from Amazon. I use it at least once a week!
The recipes are easy to follow and the ingredients are easy to find. I especially like when the pictures are present, but I know that anything I make from here will turn out right.
The recipes are easy to follow and the ingredients are easy to find. I especially like when the pictures are present, but I know that anything I make from here will turn out right.
Jan 09, 2012
Melanie
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I received mine as a Christmas gift in 1993 so it is a tad outdated. I'm not likely to find pad thai. I'm vegetarian and like to take traditional recipes from my childhood and adapt them to my veggie diet. This is my go-to cookbook for that. I don't know how much my copy differs from the latest versions. For anyone who wants just one cookbook that covers the basics to the gourmet, this one should keep you pretty happy.
Jun 10, 2010
Stacy
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This was my mom’s go-to cookbook when I was growing up. From it, I baked all of my first pies and quick breads when I was learning to cook as a young adult. It has some useful references (like how long to cook meat, measuring conversions, etc.). While I don’t cook these recipes all that frequently now, my cookbook collection wouldn’t feel complete without the trademark white and red checkered cover.
Sep 04, 2009
Noel
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I couldn't live without this book!
It was my starter cookbook, first introducing me to the ease and rewards of cooking. Yet over the years I have learned there are some things that just can't be improved. For instance, the pecan pie, lemon tart, and pie crust recipes are perfect and simple. Also, when I need a taste of home (the Midwest) I can find a navy bean soup recipe, or such, close by.
It was my starter cookbook, first introducing me to the ease and rewards of cooking. Yet over the years I have learned there are some things that just can't be improved. For instance, the pecan pie, lemon tart, and pie crust recipes are perfect and simple. Also, when I need a taste of home (the Midwest) I can find a navy bean soup recipe, or such, close by.
May 17, 2011
Leah
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I received this as a wedding present. It was a great gift! This is one of my favorite references for cooking times, measurement equilvalents, and a wide-range of recipes. This is a teaching cookbook with definitions and pictures. It pictures & explains everything from different cuts of meat to all kinds of beans, herbs & mushrooms. It even tells me how to properly set the table...with pictures.
Oct 13, 2011
Debbie
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My favorite basic cookbook. I go to this book when I want to know exactly how many minutes to boil an egg (to avoid the greenish ring that sometimes forms around the yolk) and at what degree and for how many minutes to bake the perfect baked potato (soft on the inside with a crisp skin). Also, the Old Fashioned Beef Stew recipe in this book is one of my favorites.
Oct 23, 2010
Megan
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There's a reason this one is a classic! Some of my favorite "go to" recipes are in this one. I love the clear explanations & use this as a reference when I'm experimenting, like tonight when I cooked spaghetti squash for the first time. Plus, it reminds me of my Mom when I use this one since it was on her cookbook shelf when I was growing up. And one she still has today! :-)
Apr 26, 2010
C
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Another basic kitchen staple. Some folks swear by it - I do like the pictures (which Joy of Cooking does not have, using only illustrations).
If you're looking for one of these, go for the 3 ring binder edition rather than paperback. Mine fell apart, so it isn't pulled out too often.
Culinary Skill Level: kitchen basics cookbook, perfect for beginner to moderate.
If you're looking for one of these, go for the 3 ring binder edition rather than paperback. Mine fell apart, so it isn't pulled out too often.
Culinary Skill Level: kitchen basics cookbook, perfect for beginner to moderate.
Oct 09, 2009
"A great basic cookbook. This is the one I turn to when I need a basic recipe for baked goods, family favorites, and general American foods like pizza, pasta, muffins, cakes, cookies, ground beef presentations, fish dishes and so on. Nothing innovative, but a lot of family foods. Nutrition info is provided. The ring binding is appreciated in the kitchen."
Oct 28, 2011
Beth
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This is a good "starter" cookbook since it's got all the classics and instructions on all the cooking basics. It's still my go-to book when I need to look up things like roasting temperatures for chicken, etc. But now that I use Epicurious.com I don't rely on this book like I once did.
This isn't a five star cookbook in my estimation - just because it's so basic.
This isn't a five star cookbook in my estimation - just because it's so basic.
Apr 10, 2010
kaity
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Got this as a wedding gift and like its reference sections. Many recipes rely on processed ingredients more than I normally do, but they all are easy and probably crowd-pleasers. I also love that it is subdivided into very specific sections; much easier to flip to the Cookie tab than wade through an entire Dessert chapter, if that's what I'm looking for.
Jan 27, 2010
Eastofoz
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3.5 stars. There are some good general cooking and cooking with substitutes tips as well as metric conversion charts but overall the recipes I tried were so-so in taste. The recipes are easy to understand and the binder presentation makes cooking and reading possible. I was expecting something better though in terms of taste from Better Homes and Gardens.
Jun 07, 2011
Baystate09
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This cookbook was ok, but not spectacular. The recipes sound delicious, but even though I follow the recipe to the T, they've all tasted a bit bland, like they're missing something. I tried a few dinner dishes and desserts and had the same result. The best part is how the index is organized. However, I still prefer Betty Crocker's recipes.
Oct 14, 2011
Sacha
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This is my go to cookbook. Anytime I want to try making something new, be it a squash, a grain or cookies I can count on this book. Yeah, I could just look up a recipe on line, but then I wouldn't be able to scribble notes in the margin. Anyone who picks up my copy can tell what recipes I use the most by how much gunk is on the page.
Nov 18, 2009
Carly
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I like how simple the recipes are in this cookbook, & I've used the a lot of the chicken ones & the apple pie one & the veal chop, plus more that I can't remember all of them of the top of my head. I haven't cooked through the entire thing yet, but I did that would sure take forever because its a long cookbook.
Dec 11, 2008
Joanna
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I have the 1982 edition by Meredith. It is fantastic - especially for beginners or people on a budget. This is pre-foodie revolution. Most of the ingredients are already in the pantry. While some of the recipes are a little bland for the modern palate this book is a great place to try the originals.
May 06, 2010
Amy
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I use this cookbook all the time. The recipes are simple and easy to execute. When I'm in doubt as to what to make for dinner or for a party, I always turn to this cookbook. It doesn't have anything too fancy (it's no Julia Childs cookbook) but it's a no-fuss solution to any common day cooking question.
Nov 09, 2009
Michelle
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I'm not a great cook and don't keep many recipes in my head. This has been my go-to guide since college for everything from basic recipes to knowing how long it takes to broil a cut of meat. I love the charts at the ends of many of the chapters and the helpful hints in boxes scattered throughout.
