What is your favorite cookbook?

Just curious as to what everyone's favorites are.

I want to start cooking more and Im just not sure where to start

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

my first cookbook was 'Clueless in the Kitchen" it has some great and easy recipes

my favorite website for recipes is
All Recipes

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

I have a range... it depends upon whether it's something ethnic and ususual (indian, persian, arabic, jamaican) or if it's more traditional european fare.... but I'm pretty advanced in my cooking techniques and ambitious in the kitchen...

For your purposes, I'd recommend a cooks illustrated cookbook. If you follow the recipes exactly, you'll get excellent results every time... and they have a nice array of european and american favorites.... they even have cookbooks dedicated towards midweek (quicker) meals and lighter cooking....

I think one of the quick meal cookbooks may be ideal for you!
just go onto www.cooksillustrated.com


my favorite recipe website is epicurious.com

Message edited 3/15/2009 5:20:15 PM.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

I have a ton of cookbooks and I use them mostly for inspiration instead of using them as the letter of the law.

My favorites are:

The Steak Lover's Cookbook
Once Upon A Tart
Rosie's Bakery All-Butter, Fresh Cream, Sugar-Packed, No-Holds-Barred Baking Book

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Cookbook in my head.

I refer to books but after I make it once I will just make it my own.

I don't have a fav..although I love Paula Dean's book.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Better Homes and Gardens - the classic red and white checkered one.

South Beach Diet Taste of Summer

Rachel Ray 30 minute meals

I always buy cookbooks when I go away (Taste of Newport, etc) it's a hobby/collection of mine. I have a lot of paperback/regional ones and they are great for one-of-a kind recipes.

For websites: allrecipes.com - they let you adjust the amount of servings and the ratings are helpful.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

I need all the help I can get

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

I love Taste of Home's cookbooks.

Very simple, basic recipes where you don't need a lot of fancy ingredients. The recipes come from their readers - it's mostly midwestern families that live on farms so most everything is hearty and flavorful.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

I think the best single cookbook anyone can own is the Joy of Cooking.

it is extremely informative and teaches you about food, not just cooking.

I have a few others...Everyday Italian (Giada), a book of meditteranean cooking, one of Tapas, the Naked Chef by Jaime Oliver, and one that I use but I can't remember the name (it's a special edition breast cancer awareness my aunt bought me...I think it could be Better Homes and Gardens but not sure)


you really just need to go to the bookstore, pick some up, and find one that speaks to you in a way you can easily process from your eyes to your hands.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

I actually prefer magazines for recipes.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Better homes and gardens cookbook (red and white checkerboard - it is my go to book)
The elegant but easy cookbook
the internet

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Cook's Illustrated -- but I think they can be intimidating to a beginner

Alton Brown -- his cookbooks are great fun to read, especially if you have any interest in the WHYs and HOWs of cooking

Mark Bittman -- really simple, classic recipes with lots of flexibility to modify things to your taste and cooking ability

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

DH is the cook... I like to bake.

DH loves anything by Mario Batali, his hero. He also has a great one by Jamie Oliver.

Re: What is your favorite cookbook?

Yay!! I posted a similar thread! thanks for the link