A special friend of mine gifted me this cookbook when I was about 30 years old. Up until this time, I had not needed to have any cooking expertise (I escaped it that long :). I always said I didn't enjoy cooking but I realize in hindsight that it was simply because I didn't know how. I read this book from front to back. It is most interesting (even for the experienced cook), starting with giving a list of the essential equipment & tools of any kitchen, a list of the three basic knives, etc. One particular section that I love is the vegetable pages. The book takes one vegetable per page teaching you how to buy & prepare it and ways to it cook (with times!). I'm blushing, but it was with this book that I learned to make mashed potatoes! I can say now that I've come far beyond that & love to cook!
Here's a very condensed list of recipes from the book that are now my standbys (and pretty much committed to memory):
Potato Soup (yes, you've seen that on this blog)
Broccoli Soup
Orange-Glazed Pork Chops
Fried Rice
Potato Salad
Roasted Garlic
Spanish Rice
Beef Stew
(The only recipe that I did not care for was Turkey Salad with Fruit.)
So, if you need a gift for a new bride or graduate, this is perfect! And if you want to take a peek for yourself, check it out at the library. (ISBN: 9-780028-624518)
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