Product Description: Part of the "Dummies" series of lifestyle guides, this book covers cooking. It includes simple step-by-step recipes, a glossary of cooking terms and ingredient descriptions and techniques. Additional topics covered are how to understand recipes and create meals out of leftovers.
Amazon.com Review: Cooking for Dummies is ideal for the novice chef as well as the apartment dweller with limited cooking space (and knowledge). Miller and Rama first discuss basic culinary tools and techniques before diving into the recipes, easy yet impressive menus simple enough to accommodate last-minute guests. Most recipes allow for variations; for example, the basic recipe for Gruyere Soufflé can--with a few minor substitutions--also make Salmon, Spinach, or Ham Soufflé. The style is simple and direct, and the humorous tone should put even the most timid kitchen neophyte at ease.
Not as basic as expected This book was not as basic as I expected, with lots of information that was pertinent to more experienced cooks. Nowhere does it tell you how to "boil an egg". Also, some of the recipes required several ingredients that the average "basic" cook would not have available. The book is informative, just not as basic as I expected.
Book Review I had originally bought this book as a 'Joke' for my daughter. After it arrived, I paged through it and found it to be very good. Ruined my joke, but I went back and bought six more for Christmas presents. Nothing what I had expected. Very, very good book.
also written by dummies If you eat like this then you will substantially increase your risk of heart disease, and you'll likely wind up overweight like most Americans. I don't care what it tastes like, you'll find yourself in the cardiac ward. The non-scientists who wrote this book do not realize that good cooking starts only with a serious study of the science of nutrition.
If you want a book about cooking for non-dummies, then you should check out the books written by Prof. Willett of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public health. In particular, try out the recipies in his books "Eat, Drink, and be Healthy: the Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating" or "Eat, drink, and weigh less." If you're really hard-core then read his medical school textbook "Nutritional Epidemiology" or some of the 1000 journal articles that Prof. Willett and his underlings have co-authored.
Great basic reference book This book is exactly what it claims to be, a basic reference book for an inexperienced cook. It begins with the basics of what all those mysterious things in the kitchen are and then proceeds to explain how to use them safely. Various food items are then discussed, with an emphasis on selection and storage. Cooking techniques are introduced moving from the very basic to more advanced. As each new concept is introduced it is thoroughly explained and then used in a recipe.
The recipes range from the very basic (rice, mashed potatoes) to the more advanced (risotto, roast leg of lamb with vegetables). Information on grilling and planning entire menus are included. There are even suggestions for entertaining, both last minute and special occasion.
Long after the cook has moved on to more advanced cookbooks this one will be in use as a reference work.
For dummies....I think not!! Though the recipies in this book sound delicious this book is far from written for dummies as it claims. Being a beginning cook I find it hard to follow what would seem to be the basic instruction for each recipe. I get lost figuring out just how to cut an onion "coursely" as I've never done it before. There is even a figure missing from chapter 5 that is supposed to show a key ingredient for Braise Endive (what the heck is endive?) This book is obviously written for someone who has basic knowledge of cooking and its very frustrating to read. The instructions are too vague for beginners and the descriptions of techniques leave me wondering what the author is talking about. Not to mention each recipe expects that you have an entire kitchen full of gadgets at your disposal to prepare these fancy dishes. I think I'm going to have to find a different book to teach me to cook before I can dive into "Cooking for Dummies" and understand whats going on. Look for a different book!!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
