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Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics: Learning to Cook With Confidence
A user-friendly guide to cooking any meal encompasses one hundred appealing recipes, photographs and illustrations, timetables for meals so everything turns out perfectly, tips on how to set up a kitchen, and much more. 40,000 first printing.
304 pages, Spiral-bound
First published September 16, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 19, 2011
This is *the* perfect cookbook for beginners, not just in terms of recipe ease. It has extremely helpful hints for people who've never set foot in a kitchen: Essential Equipment and Tools, How To Measure Ingredients, All About Knives, Pots and Pans for Cooking, Pans for Baking, etc. It would be an awesome cookbook for a newlywed couple, a young adult living on his/her own for the first time.
Take note though, I'm referring to the 1998 edition; it appears there is an updated edition (2008 I think).
Take note though, I'm referring to the 1998 edition; it appears there is an updated edition (2008 I think).
December 2, 2018
I read this book as part of a project for a cooking column I write. I decided to review books for beginning cooks. I got the idea while browsing a website, looking at holiday gift ideas from Future Aids, a company I have bought items from before. I found three Braille books geared toward beginning cooks and the idea for my project was born.
Why did I read this book first, and why so soon after Thanksgiving? The first answer is easy: I'm reading the books in alphabetical order by title. As for the second question? I have no good answer. I did try to be objective though, especially when I got to the whole chapter on Thanksgiving dinner. (Oh, no, not more turkey!)
Betty Crocker books are classics in many American kitchens, and this one contained many classics of American dining--of about 30 years ago. Meat loaf, beef stroganoff, shrimp scampi, roast chicken, etc. These aren't recipes for health- or heart-conscious people. Still, the book contains very helpful charts with cooking times for various types of meat. The "Vegetables" section features straightforward instructions for steaming, boiling, broiling, and sautéing many items. The instructions were clear and easy to read.
The Braille edition I used only contained the text, and it omitted the index and lots of things that are part of the illustrations. I have a feeling that it's the pictures that really make this book work. For a blind reader, this presented some problems. Fortunately, I'm not a beginning cook and know how to do most of the things described. But for someone just starting out and using the Braille version, this isn't the best choice for a how-to manual.
It will become another resource on my shelf of cookbooks, though. I'm looking forward to attempting to make tiramisu soon. I was always intimidated by how the dessert is served and thought it would be very complicated to prepare. It does have lots of steps, but none of them are impossible. The recipe for tiramisu in this book contained the best instructions I've ever read for folding ingredients together to mix them.
Even though this might not have been the best book to start a cooking education, reading it has whetted my appetite. I plan to look into the "Big Book of ..." series Betty Crocker has since I think I can find several of those books in Braille.
Why did I read this book first, and why so soon after Thanksgiving? The first answer is easy: I'm reading the books in alphabetical order by title. As for the second question? I have no good answer. I did try to be objective though, especially when I got to the whole chapter on Thanksgiving dinner. (Oh, no, not more turkey!)
Betty Crocker books are classics in many American kitchens, and this one contained many classics of American dining--of about 30 years ago. Meat loaf, beef stroganoff, shrimp scampi, roast chicken, etc. These aren't recipes for health- or heart-conscious people. Still, the book contains very helpful charts with cooking times for various types of meat. The "Vegetables" section features straightforward instructions for steaming, boiling, broiling, and sautéing many items. The instructions were clear and easy to read.
The Braille edition I used only contained the text, and it omitted the index and lots of things that are part of the illustrations. I have a feeling that it's the pictures that really make this book work. For a blind reader, this presented some problems. Fortunately, I'm not a beginning cook and know how to do most of the things described. But for someone just starting out and using the Braille version, this isn't the best choice for a how-to manual.
It will become another resource on my shelf of cookbooks, though. I'm looking forward to attempting to make tiramisu soon. I was always intimidated by how the dessert is served and thought it would be very complicated to prepare. It does have lots of steps, but none of them are impossible. The recipe for tiramisu in this book contained the best instructions I've ever read for folding ingredients together to mix them.
Even though this might not have been the best book to start a cooking education, reading it has whetted my appetite. I plan to look into the "Big Book of ..." series Betty Crocker has since I think I can find several of those books in Braille.
November 5, 2017
This book helped me learn my way around the kitchen. The recipes are all classic comfort food with simple ingredients that you can improve as your confidence improves, but are also delicious as is. Many of these recipes became a staple in my kitchen over time!
And if you are brand BRAND new to cooking, this book is great. It walks you through how to cook almost all the major meats, multiple ways. It explains how to cut the foods, what the equipment is needed, how to set up said equipment, etc. It really is great for beginners and the best part is, EVERY PAGE HAS A PICTURE OF THE FINAL PRODUCT, which is something more cookbooks should follow.
And if you are brand BRAND new to cooking, this book is great. It walks you through how to cook almost all the major meats, multiple ways. It explains how to cut the foods, what the equipment is needed, how to set up said equipment, etc. It really is great for beginners and the best part is, EVERY PAGE HAS A PICTURE OF THE FINAL PRODUCT, which is something more cookbooks should follow.
Read
June 7, 2019641.5 C938c 2008
August 17, 2022
Super simple, great for beginners
to-read-own
February 17, 2025This is one of the first cookbooks that I was gifted when I moved in to my own apartment and started cooking for myself. I still use this cookbook today!
January 10, 2015
Impressive and a must-have for beginning cooks. I picked this up in a second hand shop and even though it was published 15 yrs ago (1998), the information is universal and timeless.
My 11 yr old is branching out beyond baking (she is my Red Velvet Cake and Pie Queen). While this cookbook is not geared toward children, my daughter easily navigated the skills and techniques, tips, recommended tools, and of course we are plowing through the perfect "staple" recipes which are quite good (Betty C in the house!). Ill be teaching my teenage boys from this as well.
The sections are indexed by grilling, pasta, salads, treats, main dishes, etc...and also includes sections on metric conversion, basic equipment and gadgets, how to measure wet/dry ingredients, purchasing knives, food safety/storage, substitutions, and even a section on three "get-together" meals (e.g. Thanksgiving dinner)...just to name some highlights.
A huge plus is that I dont crack the spine to keep this open. The hardback with spiral binding makes for easy hands-free reading. Traditional book binding in any cookbook should be banned.
I highly recommend this for first time cooks, or for someone seeking more confidence in the kitchen.
My 11 yr old is branching out beyond baking (she is my Red Velvet Cake and Pie Queen). While this cookbook is not geared toward children, my daughter easily navigated the skills and techniques, tips, recommended tools, and of course we are plowing through the perfect "staple" recipes which are quite good (Betty C in the house!). Ill be teaching my teenage boys from this as well.
The sections are indexed by grilling, pasta, salads, treats, main dishes, etc...and also includes sections on metric conversion, basic equipment and gadgets, how to measure wet/dry ingredients, purchasing knives, food safety/storage, substitutions, and even a section on three "get-together" meals (e.g. Thanksgiving dinner)...just to name some highlights.
A huge plus is that I dont crack the spine to keep this open. The hardback with spiral binding makes for easy hands-free reading. Traditional book binding in any cookbook should be banned.
I highly recommend this for first time cooks, or for someone seeking more confidence in the kitchen.
June 20, 2013
This is a FANTASTIC beginner's cookbook. If you're scared to boil water, aren't sure what "broil" means, or are in any way intimidated by the kitchen and its associated tools, this book is for you. The recipes are laid out in a really accessible way with clear and thorough ingredient and equipment lists, prep time, and cooking time displayed. There are also plenty of pictures to help you match your cooking attempts with the desired result.
I particularly appreciated the glossaries of cooking terms and tools--also with helpful pictures! It also has handy guides for how to pick out fresh produce at the grocery store.
I have now graduated to other cookbooks, but I always refer back to this one when tackling something new.
I particularly appreciated the glossaries of cooking terms and tools--also with helpful pictures! It also has handy guides for how to pick out fresh produce at the grocery store.
I have now graduated to other cookbooks, but I always refer back to this one when tackling something new.
March 19, 2008
I learned to cook using this cookbook and recommend it to people I've met that are just starting to learn their way around the kitchen. This cookbook has some great recipes that I still make even though I have advanced from beginning cooking. There is a photo for every recipe and the cookbook is spiral bound so it lays flat. My favorite recipes are the Parmesan Dijon chicken and the twice baked potatoes! If you sit down and take some time to really read through the non-recipe parts of this cookbook you will learn so much! I don't think this cookbook will ever leave my shelf!
June 3, 2009
I love this cookbook. I don't make many of the recipes from it anymore, but for a while I did. I like that it has a lot of information in it especially about things that other cookbooks already expect you to know. Simple things that I didn't know like, the proportion of water to rice to cook, how long to bake chicken breasts, and how much bottled juice is equal to one lemon.
I love all the pictures. It has spoiled me on pictures to where that is one of my important factors in picking up a cookbook.
I love all the pictures. It has spoiled me on pictures to where that is one of my important factors in picking up a cookbook.
February 26, 2013
My family always cooked from scratch, so when I got married I wanted to continue the tradition. Unfortunately I was better at eating then I was cooking those first few weeks! I bought this cookbook after a few failures, and WALLA, delicious meals! Since then I have mastered homemade breads, cakes, pies, tender roasts, and many other things I thought were beyond me!
The meatloaf recipe in this book is to die for! My family requests it often! I highly recommend this book for people who have a desire to cook but don't know where to start!
The meatloaf recipe in this book is to die for! My family requests it often! I highly recommend this book for people who have a desire to cook but don't know where to start!
July 30, 2017
My mom used Betty Crocker points to buy me a set of dishes and this book as a wedding gift, over 15 years ago. I wasn't a complete beginner, but this book was a huge help! I still have it, although it's missing the cover and several pages, and I use recipes from it frequently.
Ignore the 1 star review that says this uses lots of prepackaged ingredients. A few recipes do, but most recipes call for standard pantry spices, fresh ingredients, and some frozen fruits / veggies (usually with instructions on how to use fresh as well).
Ignore the 1 star review that says this uses lots of prepackaged ingredients. A few recipes do, but most recipes call for standard pantry spices, fresh ingredients, and some frozen fruits / veggies (usually with instructions on how to use fresh as well).
February 4, 2010
This book has plenty of information for the new cook (and even veteran ones who forget the info) such as Measuring Guide, prep techniques, suggestions for kitchen gadget essentials, extensive glossaries of ingredients and cooking terms, and information on food storing, temperatures and storage. Of course this book also contains good basic recipes - but nothing too fancy. Recommended for new cooks, doesn't have anything too exciting however, for the advanced cook.
June 5, 2011
This book has some great tips in it and I love the different recipes!!! Can anyone say CHOCOLATEPALOOZA!!! well yeah, probably everyone ages4 and up but can you say it 10 times fast? LOL maybe a molten lava cake cupcake for a certain graduation party I've been hearing about? These recipes are so simple and easy but with great reminders to tell people what not to do and how to make your recipes edible!!!
March 7, 2013
A good beginning cookbook. Not a how-to manual, but a cookbook with simple, everyday recipes, with lots of pictures and very helpful tips placed in their appropriate context. For instance, a recipe for Cheese enchiladas has tips (with photos) on how to soften tortillas and how to fill them, things an experienced cook would already know but a beginner might need explained.
The last chapter is filled with helpful lists, charts,and pictures about techniques, terminology, substitutions, etc.
The last chapter is filled with helpful lists, charts,and pictures about techniques, terminology, substitutions, etc.
May 28, 2015
I received this as a wedding gift from a family friend who clearly knew my cooking skills were lacking. It definitely saved me from many potential dinner disasters, especially in those newlywed years. Best gift ever! Even though I am a much more experienced cook now, I still use this cookbook for those times I need a solid and foolproof recipe.
August 7, 2015
Boosk like this irk me. When you see "easy" "fast" and "cheap" they think that it has to be laden with the kid of overly processed lab created ingredients that are slowly killing us off. Beginner's need to learn to cook with real fresh foods too. Books like this prey on those who don't have a lot of money, are busy parents and don't have much food and cooking knowledge. It makes me so mad!
December 3, 2015
I totally adore this book. It is my go-to book on my recipe shelf for answering any questions I have about cooking. Last night I brought it out for the umpteenth time for a chicken dinner. There are no stupid questions when it comes to cooking basics and this book is all about answering the big and small questions about everything from grilling to broiling. Thanks Betty Crocker.
March 19, 2013
This was my first Cookbook that I ever purchased. It was ok at first for basic cooking. After time I learned to expand on the recipes.
If your looking for a great basic cookbook I would get Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything: The Basics".
If your looking for a great basic cookbook I would get Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything: The Basics".
September 9, 2007
This is the BEST starter cookbook EVER! Actually, I refer to it quite a bit, great tips on pretty much everything.
October 4, 2007
I bought this book for my son when he had one of his first apartments. It is very basic, very explanatory.
December 9, 2007
This was a great book for learning how to cook.
February 20, 2010
This is one of my favorite cookbooks. I love the meat loaf!
April 19, 2010
- its diffrent from foodxs dat i ussally eat !
July 30, 2011
First came across this sometime in 2005/2006. Finally tracked down an older library copy recently to refresh my memory of the recipes I recall enjoying.
December 13, 2011
Sadly not as illustrative as I like cook books to be.
May 2, 2012
I received this as a wedding present 12 years ago and I'm still using it! It is truly basic, easy to use, and the recipes are good, and a good point to start from if you want to customize a recipe.
July 20, 2013
Purchased this in the inexpensive (CHEAP) book section at Borders or Barnes and Noble some years ago. It's sort of an "old reliable." Good basic recipes with clear instructions.
July 30, 2014
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This book covers all the basics in a way that even the most inept in the kitchen person can understand. I know because I am one!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews