Cook's Illustrated Cookbook: 2,000 Recipes from 20 Years of America's Most Trusted Cooking Magazine

by Cook's Illustrated (Editor)

Every other month, Cook's Illustrated Magazine attracts more than a million readers. Now subscribers and non-subscribers alike can benefit from the expertise of these America's Test Kitchen cooking wizards. This deluxe hardcover contains more than 2,000 foolproof recipes and 150 test kitchen discoveries. Browse it; buy it; use it.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Reference, Nonfiction, Culinary, How To

890 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even I can cook when using the Cook's Illustrated recipes, which is remarkable since I can barely boil water. (It always boils over!)

[Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Cook's Illustrated magazine and their cookbooks are never anything less than incredible. Yet even I was astounded at the perfection of their new cookbook. Simply titled Cook's Illustrated Cookbook. it has 2,000 recipes all perfected in the obsessive-compulsive style of the Cook's Illustrated chefs. It is not unusual to read things like "300 pounds of beef were grilled to perfect this burger recipe" in their magazines and this cookbook shows the same dedication. Being the long time subscriber I am, it was not surprising to see some already tried-and-true recipes that I use regularly like Pan Seared Pork Tenderloins in Dried Cherry-Port Sauce and their excellent recipes for Mushroom Lasagne or Penne alla Vodka but there are plenty of recipes, literally thousands I haven't tried and can't wait to cook. I'm thinking of making the Stir Fried Spicy Sesame Chicken tomorrow. CI specializes in practical home-cooking not fancy gourmet but there are plenty of impressive dishes that would satisfy the most picky eater. I also like how, besides the usual chapters(soups, appetizers, salad, meats, etc.) they also add chapters based on cooking style like stir-fry, chilis, and grilling. They also managed to squeeze in many cooking tips in little boxes throughout the book. As much as I love my tattered New York Times Cookbook and the equally impressive Bon Appetit Cookbook, this tome will likely surpass both as my go-to book for impressive meals.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this cookbook, but I love anything from Cooks Illustrated or America's Test Kitchen. This is the encyclopedia of cooking everything and it hasn't steered me wrong yet. Anyone who follows the magazine or television show knows that the recipes generally are labor intensive and will pretty much create enough dirty dishes to keep you, or in my case, my husband :), elbow-deep in dishwater for a good long time. But if you love to cook amazing food, this is your book. Nothing frustrates me more than spending an hour in the kitchen cooking a meal that just turns out so-so. You will not have that issue with this cookbook. Each recipe has been perfected and gives a rationale on why other recipes just didn't work. It doesn't have glossy photos. It doesn't need to entice you that way. It is all good!

Okay, now the recipes. The fool-proof pie dough (with vodka in the crust? who knew?) is the only recipe I will ever use. Pecan pie was to die for. Thai basil chicken will become a new weeknight dinner in my house and the pasta alla carbonara was even good leftover.

You could cook for decades and never cook everything in this book. But if you are even a part-time serious cook or baker you need this for your collection. It has pretty much replaced the majority of my cookbooks already.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. So I haven't read this book from cover to cover but it is my current favorite cookbook. I've been reading their magazine for the last 3-4 years and have been happy with most every recipe I've tried. The failure in a cooking magazine is that you need to remember what issue your recipe was in or tear them up and start a scrapbook or something. This book is the perfect solution. They take 20 years of excellent recipes and organize them for you. The catch is that this is not an all-inclusive type of cookbook like "The Joy Of Cooking" or whatever. They have just the recipes that they tweaked and retested, possibly hundreds of times until they developed fool-proof recipes that address the shortcomings of many traditional recipes. On the plus side, with 2000 recipes there will definitely be some of your favorites and some things that will inspire you. There are also a lot of useful tips as to why their version of a recipe is an improvement and if you embrace their vision you will find it slipping into your cooking even when you are not using the book. I am an experienced cook who is not afraid to just make things up and use what I have on hand. I freely substitute items in a recipe to adjust to taste or circumstance. At the same time I appreciate Cook's Illustrated's attention to detail and obvious love of food and cooking. It's hard to imagine needing to choose just one cookbook to keep but this is the one I'd be least likely to let go of.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been receiving Cook's Illustrated Magazine for years. I also belong to all three of their websites and I like to cook. My true love in cooking is baking. All that being said, I still have a long way to go until I can call myself truly accomplished in the kitchen. Cook's Illustrated does what it states - it illustrates various methods, shows one how to do a certain procedure as well as explains why a recipe will work. All of this is very good for one who may not have confidence in a certain area of the kitchen and in cooking - one thing that I am determined to do is learn how to make a pie from scratch. With CI's illustrations, I hope to do just that. Oh, I also enjoy reading cookbooks. I am not sure why, but I do. Maybe it is the fact reading about making a chocolate soufflé is so much easier and does not have the frustration level of actually trying to make one, but I continue to try and CI Cookbook helps me to try.. Lots of great recipes in this cookbook. Happy cooking!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of recipes. I have tried a few recipes and they never disappoint! It makes me excited to learn to cook when my family approves of the results! Highly recommend it!

[Lizze Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous wedding gift. We love to read parts outloud and to see what worked and why it did better than other methods.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfected Recipes! A great dish every time!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook was a gift to me two years ago for Christmas. I have since used it and raved about it more times than I can count. In fact, if I want to try something, I'll pull out this monster and look for notes about how to do it. The notes on why the recipes are written in a certain way are fantastic (and if you geek out about the explanations behind good cooking like I do, check out The Science of Good Cooking: Master 50 Simple Concepts to Enjoy a Lifetime of Success in the Kitchen.

There aren't a lot of pictures, but the illustrations are tremendously helpful and show step-by-step how to cut or prep particular things. All the side bars are tremendously interesting as well. Want to know the difference between sweet potatoes and yams? Need to know why to brine chicken? It's in there.

Recently, Cook's helped me make the perfect roast chicken with crispy skin and crispy roast potatoes. They were amazing. Everything I make from this cookbook turns out amazing.

[A Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A home cook's definite must-have, this hefty book filled with tried and true tested recipes with wonderful easy to follow directions, tips, hints and tricks. Although on its own it is already an awesome resource, it still allows for the cook's creativity and expression. This compendium remains as one of my go-to for celebrations and day to day cooking with Quick Brioche and The Ultimate Banana Bread always in high demand from my kitchen. Perhaps, you will find it an priceless piece in your kitchen arsenal or as a thoughtful gift to an aspiring chef.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just discovered this book after reading about Christopher Kimball in the NY Times magazine article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/mag...

Got it from the library and just loved it - so ordered it online for a great price! Considering just dumping all of my other cookbooks since this one is so complete. The recipes were created thoughtfully as to get exactly what you want. e.g. simply from making a cup of coffee and the best hard-boiled egg and baking bacon to croissants and many many chicken dishes.

[Jaylia3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

With 2,000 recipes this huge, heavy tome is my new “go-to” cookbook. Every recipe has been tested and retested, and my favorite aspect of the book is the “Why This Recipe Works” explanations at the top of each entry that explain how traditional recipes can go wrong and what remedies they’ve discovered that will improve the outcome. Even for a vegetarian there are hundreds of recipes, including a section on how to make grilled vegetables have better flavor and texture.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this on my Amazon wish list for a while. I wondered why the price never dropped, I missed that there are 2000 recipes. This book is the size of a science text book. And I'm loving every recipe. Yes, I'm reading this thing like a book. It deserves such reading. It's full of awesome tips, easy and yummy recipes (I tried the oven fries recipe already and it actually improved what I thought were pretty perfect fries). Definitely keeping this one on the wish list, I must own it one day.

[Erin Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, so many recipes.... so little TIME! I get the magazine publication and it's great! This cookbook is a compilation of the best - You CANNOT go wrong! I am happy that they kept in the "Why it works" which is something I like about the magazine. You become a more knowledgeable cook, instead of just learning how to make one delicious thing, and it helps when you are developing your own version of recipes (which I end up doing most of the time...) :)

[Gloria]

This is a really huge book that covers about all areas of cooking including much international cooking. Did not make anything yet, but as an experienced cook, you can tell the recipes are good. Some recipes require really special ingredients, but most are just good solid recipes with loads of explanation accompanying the entries. Will come back to this one.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cook's Illustrated magazine, and this cookbook is fabulous! Anyone can follow a recipe, but it was Cook's Illustrated that really taught me how to cook. They do a great job not just with recipes, but with teaching one cooking techniques and bits about the science that makes a dish work. I have quite a few cookbooks, but this is my new favorite!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive, interesting guide to cooking that is full of amazing recipes. I own what feels like a bazillion cookbooks but I cheerfully made room for this one, because the cover is beautiful. Because the recipes are interesting. Because the writing is so good. And because I just plain wanted it.

[Liz De Coster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cook's Illustrated is my go-to source for so many recipes, especially when I want to try to tackle a classic dish for the first time. I took my time with this book, stopping to try recipes along the way. Wish I had space in my kitchen to keep it with me all the time!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been disappointed with anything I have made out of this book. Everything is amazing. However, I knocked off a star because sometimes chicken and dumplings just don't need to be as complicated as they make 'em and they will still taste great.

[Peggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a giant book - almost unwieldy. I can't remember why I wanted to see this book but there were so many recipes, unless you had something specific in mind, you aren't going to find anything useful.

It might be a good reference, but most of this is online.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooks Illustrated tests their recipes approximately four million times before they publish them, to make sure they're perfect. An added bonus is the description before each and every recipe of how all the other versions ever made are awful in comparison.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love to cook, this should be on your shelf. Basic recipes, but just done really well. No shortcuts, and some of the recipes aren't ideal for a busy Wednesday night, but nothing too difficult for anyone who has a basic knowledge of cooking. I will be using this cookbook often.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my go to reference books in the kitchen. Solid recipes that cover a very wide spectrum. Contains some trendy recipes, but I usually look here for the basics. Need a caramel sauce for a pie? Don't use the one that came from the food blogger...use the CI version.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource book and if you are not a good cook, this book will change that! The directions and illustrations guarantee great results!! So many great recipes to choose from! This has become my favorite cookbook!

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cooking Bible. I even look up little things I always knew how to do-- boiling eggs for instance-- to find their tried and true recommendations. I use this cookbook all the time. But most recipes take at least 2 hours to cook! Love the "why it works" section on each page.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific cookbook. Filled with great recipes and information. I moved it from my borrowed library books to the top of my Christmas wish list.

If you like foodie stuff, cooking, I recommend this super book.

[Laura Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

We call this the magic cookbook!! It has never let us down but be careful you must read the recipe first for timing or you'll realize something was supposed to marinate for three hours, that's why it's so delicious!

[Rütteger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best cookbook ever. I will always be reading this book.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the only cookbook I will EVER need. It has millions of recipes and explains why they work- from America's test kitchen. Love it!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite cookbook. Everything I've ever made from it turns out perfectly.