How to Cook

by D.K. Publishing

A beautifully designed and practical introduction to creative cooking! How to Cook gives teens the know-how and confidence to cook their own meals, whether for themselves or to impress friends and family. The 100 easy-to-follow recipes offer plenty of ideas to get them started. From ginger-chicken stir-fry to scrumptious mini cheesecakes, there's a great balance of healthy meals and treats from different countries around the world. Fascinating information on ingredients, origins, seasonality, healthy eating, and insights into food culture are spread throughout the text so young adults are kept informed about what they're eating. With this great selection of adaptable recipes, food facts, and fail-safe techniques, How to Cook will get teens creative in the kitchen, and enthusiastic about food for life.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference

496 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2001

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Mintwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked "How to Cook" out from our local library last fall, probably around Thanksgiving. I kept checking it out, over and over and over again, until my spouse gave it to me for Christmas. "Give the library back their book," she said, and I did.

The recipes are wonderful, because they *work*. I don't have to tinker with them at all to get great results. Enchiladas, wheat bread, the leek and chevre tart... every recipe I've tried has turned out delicious and as beautiful as the photos promise. That is a rare and wonderful thing in a cookbook.

It's worth noting: "How to Cook" is not a recipe book, it is a *cookbook*. While "How to Cook" contains many wonderful recipes, the central premise of this book is the craft of cooking. To that end, most of the text is about ingredients and techniques; what to do, when, why, and how. As such, it is absolutely indispensible.

I also highly recommend Delia Smith's "Soup", which is a recipe book. A great recipe book, even, if one likes soup. Not every recipe has been to my taste, but, as in "How to Cook", every recipe works. I would suggest trying soups that don't necessarily seem appealing: I tried the Brussels' sprout soup, simply because the picture was so gorgeous and the text so effusive, despite a life-long distaste for the vegetable, and was pleasantly (very pleasantly) rewarded. It was delicious!

"How to Cook" should be on the shelf of anyone who loves to eat and/or to cook. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Artemis Eclectica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know some dude who hasn't a clue on how to cook buy it for them as a present. If you are that person, ask your Mum to buy it for Christmas. It has great recipes for people who already know how to cook too. It is very much down to basics but does have something interesting for all cooks. Most cook books assume that you have a huge family to feed, whereas this has included some recipes for two. It's a huge tome and expensive, so heirloom material.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was somewhat insulted when I was given this book.... but it's actually quite smart in a "back-to-basics" sort of way...

Pity about the fat content though Delia!

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as usual except that we looked in this one recently and Curt wants to make a few of the things. So, it gets an extra star for inspiring him...

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was originally a 3-book series was my grounding in finding my passion for cooking. Recipes are pretty much full-proof (which was and still is a God send). The book(s) is no idiots guide to cooking but it allows you to build up experience with a confidence to tackle some of the more complicated dishes. Early stages of learning how to cook can either make or break a student, whatever the age. Although dated now, this book will always be a good bet to boost confidence unlike any other I have come across.
Inherited from my mother, her educator was Elizabeth David and I adopted her as well. My library has since grown to well over 100 cook books from famous chefs to talented cooks from all over the world covering a huge diversity of styles and tastes. I've been a chef and am now a simple home creative cook, stealing ideas and modifying recipes as the mood takes me, but I have to admit that I owe everything to the start that Delia Smith gave me.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookery books come in a variety of styles. The ghost written efforts of some celebratories, the spin off from a TV programme, specialized offerings from a given country, the list is endless. Just what is a Food Stylist ?? And following these recipes one ends up with a cupboard full of spices and concoctions of which only a tablespoon full was ever used.
This offering from Delia ( and her extensive team ) starts from the very basics and provides techniques and suggested recipes that anyone can follow and, if you OBEY the instructions, the end product just turns out fine.

I have put this book down as READ, but in truth it is one which you turn to time after time and never read it from cover to cover.

If I was forced to possess only ONE cookery book, then this would be it.

[Kristen Persen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah the fragrant Delia allows the kitchen novice to cling to her apron strings and be transported on a culinary journey from basic through to extravaganza!