Pam Anderson grew up watching her parents and grandparents make dinner every night by simply taking the ingredients on hand and cooking them with t...
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reviews
Jan 10, 2009
Michele
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I stumbled across this cookbook when I was first trying to learn to cook by instinct rather than by recipe. Anderson's innovative approach in this cookbook provides the reader with techniques (how to make a pureed vegetable soup, for example), rather than recipes per se. The techniques are easy (in this example, begin with aromatice vegetables like onion, add stock or broth, then the featured vegetable for the soup, some seasoning, cook and puree), and following the base instructions, she provid
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Aug 29, 2010
Lauren
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Great book, I definitely don't think it's just for idiots like someone else previously commented. My only criticism of the book is that I think there are FAR too many recipes or formulas with alcohol in them. I don't drink, but don't mind occasionally eating food that was prepared with alcohol- let's face it, it's nearly impossible to avoid at restaurants. However, I don't really want to support the liquor industry by buying and storing several different kinds of wine in my house even if it's o
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Mar 05, 2011
Karen
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I came across a recipe years (and I mean years) ago in this book by Pam Anderson book(check out Pam's blog by the way, Three Many Cooks) for cooking cutlets (pork, chicken, whatever) and making a quick pan sauce to go with them that I've used over and over and over throughout the years...definitely worth the price of the book just for that recipe. This book is handy for making suppers from whatever you have on the shelves/in the fridge/in the freezer already and want to find a use for before it'
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Jan 02, 2011
Mallory
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I love everything about this book. I've never met a recipe that I don't think I can do better. This book teaches you how to be a better cook. Not by adding recipes to your box, but by adding knowledge, skill, and technique to your brain. If you truly love to learn then this is the book for you. Even when I use another cookbook or recipe I have this one open to use for reference.
Apr 06, 2009
Gwendolynpatrick
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My friend, Scott, who is an excellent cook, recommended this book to me. I confess that I have not read it lately. Read it once or twice and LEARN to make really good food. For me, it was the advice on making soup that clinched it. I now make soup at least once a week and it's very good!
Sep 19, 2009
Mallory
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There are plenty of good cookbooks with good recipes, but this book teaches readers to cook a wide range of meals without having to use a cookbook. The things I learned from this book have become staples in my menus and have made meal planning so much easier!
Jan 28, 2010
Thursday
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Saw a recommendation for this cookbook on The Pioneer Woman's site. This cookbook is a great resource for anyone who cooks a little but wants to step up their game.
It's rapidly become my eighteen-year-old sister's favorite cookbook, as well.
It's rapidly become my eighteen-year-old sister's favorite cookbook, as well.
Oct 25, 2009
Stephanie
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This is a great cookbook that gives you a basic recipe, and then lists all these different variations for that recipe based on your own tastes. Although I still feel like I have to reference it, I think it has made me more confident in the kitchen.
Oct 05, 2009
Lisa
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One of my favorite cookbooks. Simple, a good book for learning techniques and lots of good adaptations once you have the basics down. Plus the irony of the title isn't lost on me. A book for learning to cook without recipes... love it
Aug 24, 2010
Windy
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I am loving this cookbook. I'm learning a lot.
Update ***Finished it! I'm going to have to make some of the recipes. Despite the title of the book, this may be a cookbook I want to buy for my kitchen.***
Update ***Finished it! I'm going to have to make some of the recipes. Despite the title of the book, this may be a cookbook I want to buy for my kitchen.***
Feb 01, 2010
Laura
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I love this because it uses formulas for basic dinner ideas so that you can experiment with whatever you have on hand. A must-have for anybody who has to get dinner on the table after work on a regular basis.
Aug 08, 2011
Sara & Jon
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I love this book! It is the first cook book that makes any sense to me, and is truly teaching me how to cook, using the ingredients at hand. Great addition to any new cook's library.
Oct 01, 2011
Melissa
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This is another book that is a great starting point for the beginning cook. Each dish starts with the basic dish and then adds different flavor ideas to change it up.
Feb 07, 2011
Danielle
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This wasn't what I hoped it would be; it's a little to advanced for me (who loves the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks but also isn't afraid to mod a few Food Network recipes here and there). Probably more for advanced intermediate cooks.
Aug 28, 2009
farmwifetwo
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It is a "I've never made more than a peanut butter sandwhich - I need help" kind of cookbook.
Anyone else who knows the basics... it's a waste of time.
Anyone else who knows the basics... it's a waste of time.
Jan 05, 2011
Elitynski
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If you like to cook but want to learn how to get dinner on the table without following cumbersome recipes - this is an AMAZING BOOK!!
Jul 30, 2009
Hope
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I first received this book when I moved from the States to New Zealand to marry my husband. Not only did I gain a husband but I gained the majority of the responsibility for making dinner in a foreign country with foreign food & products. I had avoided 'making dinner' as a single person. I mostly used cheese, crackers and salad as my main ingredients for 'dinner'. Although I already knew how to cook I didn't know how to cook without using 10 bowls and at least 20 spoons. This book has been a hu
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Apr 04, 2011
Sarah
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I can definitely see how knowing how to cook intuitively would save a ton of time. I just need to buy this book so that I can use the techniques often enough for them to stick.
Jan 01, 2011
Becky
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Great ideas for weeknight dinners that involve easy to remember methods rather than set-in-stone recipes.
Jan 21, 2010
Beverly
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Lots of good tips. I'll probably never use a vegetable steamer again. Her way is much better.
Mar 07, 2011
Kaylee
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I found some tips to try out--like boiling firm veggies for pasta sauce with the pasta. And I figured out why that one sauted chicken recipe that I make all the time is so awesome. But it kinda failed to get me excited about cooking. And while I now want to know how to butterfly a chicken, I'm gonna hafta look it up, in a different book.
Dec 25, 2011
Jordan
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I enjoy cooking and do it most nights, often with memorized recipes and eyeing measurements. I'm not afraid of experimenting in the kitchen, and every chapter of this book (okay, except the sections on foods I don't like) made me excited to cook. I'm definitely going to try to learn several of these methods. I love the idea of cooking without a book even more now than when I first heard of this book two years ago!
Sep 24, 2008
Kerri
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This book was helpful to me. It basically lets you make up your own recipes as you go along. I was already doing that, so it didn't change my life, but I got a lot of really great ideas!
The best part of the book, I thought, was the recipe for stir fry and sauces. I make stir fry about once a week, and it is never boring because it comes out different every time.
The best part of the book, I thought, was the recipe for stir fry and sauces. I make stir fry about once a week, and it is never boring because it comes out different every time.
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Apr 06, 2008
Shanade
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Excellent book! This book really does make it simple to just throw dinner together with whatever you have in the kitchen. I love the simple concept. Since I read this book I've been really looking at what I have in the fridge and pantry and getting creative at dinnertime.
Jan 19, 2008
Karen
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This is easily my favorite cookbook! I use it all the time - it's by far my messiest one. From little things (this amazing vinigarette to jazz up avocado & asparagus) to grander scale projects (I love the lo mein) it's a very well rounded cookbook.
Oct 01, 2008
Jaime
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Great housewarming or wedding gift for people just starting out, but it's also good for filling the gaps in any "seasoned" cook's repertoire (sorry for the pun). As an example, my sauces have improved tremendously since I got this book!
Apr 20, 2010
Jane
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I think this is the best cookbook I've ever had. I am reading it cover to cover. I wish I had this 30 yrs ago. It would be a great book for newlyweds. I actually went on Amazon.com and bought three more of her books.
Feb 02, 2008
Ragan
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This is a great Cookbook. The author breaks down basic types of foods (like soup, pasta, meat, etc) and shows you how you to make your own recipes. This book is even great for experienced cooks.
Jan 10, 2008
Lisa
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Wonderful book that emphasizes techniques over strict adherence to recipes. It could be a little intimidating to a novice cook, but worthwhile to the majority of home cooks.
