What is (in your opinion) the best cook book or cook books?

Basically, I've decided to buy a cook book to learn brand new recipes. So, I was wondering if any of you yahoo users own or know of any cook books that are really good and provide tasty recipes. Thank you so much!

What is (in your opinion) the best cook book or cook books?
The best general use cookbook I own is the Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book (it's the red and white plaid one). It has recipes from simple to complex and lots of stuff easy enough that we've incorporated them into daily meal making. Also lots of variety.





My other favourite is the "Complete Canadian Living Cookbook" - excellent recipes, we've loved everything I've tried.





Both cookbooks have clear, step by step directions - although neither have oodles of photos if that is what you're looking for.





For pure "fun" cookbooks - ie. a pleasure to read as well as cook with - Jamie Oliver or Nigella Larson are wonderful.





Happy cooking!
Reply:I'll recommend 3 that will keep you cooking a long time. Betty Crocker, Kraft foods, %26amp; BHG (Better Homes %26amp; Gardens). Go to their web sites, they're happy to email you recipes for free. You can have your own recipe box at each, too. You can get entrees, sides, breads, desserts, snacks, party foods, drinks.
Reply:rahel ray
Reply:'The Silver Palate' cookbook is my favourite. It has a wide variety of elegant recipes (many of which are very simple), and it has extremely helpful information in the margins--hints, how to pick the right produce, variations on recipes, suggested menus, etc. They just released a 25th anniversary edition.





I also second the Better Homes %26amp; Gardens cookbook--I have the breast cancer awareness edition (pink %26amp; white plaid cover). Not only is it very good for the basics, but there's an additional chapter on foods high in anti-oxidants. Some excellent recipes there.





If you're vegetarian/vegan, check out the 'Moosewood' cookbook. Also, 'Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World' is one of the best dessert cookbooks I've ever used ('The Last Course' would be a distant second).





My guilty secret cookbook is 'The Can-Opener Gourmet.' It has surprisingly good recipes, and it's tailored for people who have limited time in the kitchen (for the days when you don't have time to clean, boil, puree and strain vegetables).





Finally, I am addicted to Food %26amp; Wine magazine. I have issues dating back to 1994 that I can't bear to throw away.
Reply:An awesome cookbook is "The Joy of Cooking" because it has a lot of various recipies, and also explains techniques. It's quite helpful.





I have a lot of good luck with recipes from "Cooking Light" magazine. They have a website with recipes if you don't want to buy a subscription to the magazine. (cookinglight.com)
Reply:Taste of Home or anything by Sandra Lee off of Food Network --- SHE IS AWESOME!!
Reply:a couple of good basic ones are: joy of cooking also the betty crocker cook book. they are basic, have a lot of varied recipies and good standbye favorites. with a lot of reference parts in it.
Reply:I don't really cook, but there is this one book on how to make soups. a few for every season. i forget what it's called though.
Reply:Fabulous Fondues: Appetizers, Main Courses %26amp; Desserts





Cooking for the Week : Leisurely Weekend Cooking for Easy WeekDAY Meals





365 Great Barbecue and Grilling Recipes (365 Ways)
Reply:Any of Rachael Ray's 30 minute meal cookbooks.


She uses regular, easy to find ingredients, and you can make a great tasting meal in about 30 minutes.!!
Reply:I agree with a previous answer - one of the best cookbooks I have ever seen (and I have at least 30) is the Joy of Cooking. It has SO much information about many things not just recipes. It will even tell you the proper way to set a table! A really good cookbook and one we go to most of the time when we have any cooking questions or looking for a basic recipe. Another good one is How to Cook Everything by Mark Bitterman. It's also a solid, well written cookbook with recipes that are well described and ones that do not require alot of "speciality" items that no one ever has.
Reply:Bells Best there are sveral different ones. My favorite is the pale yellow one - i think it is the second edition one. lots of good recipes in it.
Reply:i have 1000`s of cookbooks and the one i use most of the time is Betty Crockers Best of Baking..... it is the best..
Reply:I bought Eat, Shrink and Be Merry by Janet %26amp; Greta Podleski. It is funny with anecdotes, cute recipe titles and the recipes are very tasty, easy to make and good for your health and waistline. They self-published and then word of (salivating) mouth spread it onto the best seller's list. When I cook for my husband or for guests, I never go wrong with their book. They also wrote two more cookbooks, I think, but I love mine. So many post-it notes and dog-ears. Liz Roy
Reply:I like the ones sold to raise money for fire departments, churchs and things like that, they are favorite recipes of local people and seems to be always really good.
Reply:I love the red hat society cookbook. It's one of the few cookbooks I have found that I would actually make most of the recipe's. I also love Mable Hoffmans crockery cookery and Firehouse Food.
Reply:The Best Recipe