In this unrivaled practical guide, one of America's most widely respected cookbook authors distills his vast knowledge and experience into the 100 ...
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reviews
Mar 12, 2010
Gwen
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James Peterson cookbooks are something every cook should read. The basic idea is simple step-by-step photographs paired with simple, step-by-step directions for many recipes. In this particular book, Essentials of Cooking, Peterson provides simplified steps for many cooking, baking, filleting, carving, etc. techniques. I love watching cooking shows and reading cook books. Essentials of Cooking provided me a convient way of learning the how-to of the kitchen. I highly recommend reading this book
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May 29, 2008
Rhonda
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Peterson gives excellent guidance on improving your techniques in the kitchen. The photographs are beautiful and the step-by-step instructions quickly increase your confidence in the kitchen. The wide variety of skills covered include basics such as making chicken broth or egg pasta dough; steaming vegetables; making a vegetable flan; steaming shellfish; boiling dinners; and working from scratch and catch (fresh whole fish and rabbit). This is not necessarily a cookbook with recipes but a refere
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Jul 31, 2011
Catherine
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James Peterson is a master at deconstructing a recipe, and if you are the obsessive kind of cook, or need alot of instruction on the way, he is the man for you--beautiful cookbook
Apr 07, 2008
Autumn
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This is one of my most useful cook books. It's easy to go out and find a recipe on the internet, but it's a little trickier to figure out how to do those "fancy things" right. While this book offers little in terms of measurements and even less for recipes, the basic knowledge made available is fantastic! Well photographed and beautifully presented, various methods for making the French Mother Sauces, butchering your own meat, chopping vegetables are all provided in a surprisingly us
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Mar 16, 2008
Anne
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Ever needed to know how to turn an artichoke, carve a turkey, make basic sauces, or blanch vegetables but were afraid to ask? This book is a great essential resource for those tasks in the kitchen that it seems like you should know, but don't. It also has awesome, basic recipes and step by step pictures along with all the tips. This book can help any cooking novice become more accomplished in the kitchen. I break it out again and again when I need to answer a question. A great reference book!
Jul 03, 2008
Tyler
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As with most cookbooks, I haven't necessarily read it from cover to cover, but I have used it PLENTY. You won't find many inspiring recipes in this book. Instead, you will find a ton of high quality photos that illustrate how to do things. Learn how to dice carrots, butcher a chicken, poach fish, make a vinaigrette, make pasta, etc. This book is a great personal primer for serious home cooks as well as a valuable reference guide.
Apr 04, 2008
Joanna
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This is an awesome cookbook because it has color photos and step-by-step directions about how to wash, skin, slice, and cook lots of different foods. The recipes are very basic, but he teaches you how to improvise and be creative with the basics. The title doesn't lie; he covers the essentials.
Jun 03, 2007
Kara
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It's a really good book to learn the basic techniques in the kitchen, there are no recipes or measurements in this book. It's just about learning how to do a certain sauce, how to french ribs, or what goes into a bouquet garni, etc. correctly
Jul 30, 2008
Will
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I thought there were only two essential for cooking: Food and fire...well, and someone to feed. This book is great for two types of cooks: Good cooks and bad cooks.
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