The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition by Cook's Illustrated Magazine
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Book Reviews of The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition
Book Review: my new kitchen bible
Summary: 5 Stars
the cookbook is absolutely amazing. it literally is my reference for all things in the kitchen. i love the detail they provide with each recipe when they explain what works and what doesn't. that is helpful not only to know what they found was the best, but also if there is an ingredient that gave it a flavor they didn't care for, you still have the option of keeping it in there. it really does make you feel very scientific while cooking. it turns a recipe into puzzle that they have placed together for you perfectly. everything i make from this book is fabulous. for example, last night i made the perfect black bean and bacon chili, and a few weeks ago i made the perfect yellow cupcakes with rich vanilla buttercream frosting. now for me to get excited about a dessert that doesn't include chocolate is REALLY telling you something.
i can't wait to pick up a few more books from these guys. in particular i am interested in the best lite recipes. i've been a fan for a while, years back i had a subscription to their magazine and am thinking about renewing it.
Book Review: Not just a cookbook - a cooking education!
Summary: 5 Stars
Not only are the recipes very good, but each one clearly explains why certain methods/ingredients fail, why some succeed, and a systematic approach to creating the best tasting recipe. Taste may be subjective, but given such detail I've found them easily adaptable to my liking. Scattered throughout the book are reviews of cooking equipment and common ingredients, tips on prepping food, etc. Warning - the book is very heavy and difficult to handle; I make copies of my favorites and insert in my recipe binder. Also, there are no pretty photographs of food or celebrity chefs. They pack maximum info into the book, and cut out the glam. An awesome resource and great reading.
Watch these recipes on America's Test Kitchen on public TV - no nonsense cooking show, way superior to some on the Food Network that showcase model-thin "chefs" with very low-cut tops and a grin displaying too many teeth; or those prone to gushing praise for their own creations; or one whose incessant pointless chatter and frenetic pace gives me high blood pressure.
Book Review: First one I reach for
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this book a few years ago and I love it. I primarily use this for baking, but there are plenty of other good recipes too. My standouts have been the thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies and lemon cheesecake. I also recently made the pumpkin cheesecake with brown sugar bourbon cream. Fabulous. There are plenty of other recipes I could list also. It has become somewhat of a joke when I bring something into the office that gets rave reviews. They don't even need to ask anymore where the recipe comes from. :)
I almost ALWAYS get great results. I am not a beginner, but not a professional either. I just follow the directions as precisely as I can and it turns out beautifully most of the time. This cookbook is not for everyone. I actually like to read about how they came up with the recipes, I feel that it helps me to understand the recipe better. I have added to my Cooks Illustrated cookbook collection and also subscribe to the website and magazine. I love them all. Big thumbs up!
Book Review: It really is the best, mostly
Summary: 5 Stars
While I have always respected the work that Cook's Illustrated does, I have had some difficulty with their way of doing business over the years. More to do with unauthorized credit card charges, and being sent items I didn't order than anything regarding their recipes. I didn't like The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook (can you say bland?), and was a little nervous about this one. But I ordered it based on the reviews. I'm really glad I did. Almost everything I've made has been exceptional, and the instructions leave nothing to the imagination. The Greek Salad is delicious, love the Smothered Pork Chops, the Vegetable chapter is full of advice I never knew I needed, as are the Rice and Grains recipes. As a Southerner, however, I must agree with the other reviewers who note that the Southern/Creole/Cajun dishes are travesties. Onion, celery and GREEN pepper are the Holy Trinity for a reason, don't mess with that. Other than that, I have no complaints. It's a worthy investment.Book Review: The Best Recipe Book on My Shelf!
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this book is a great recipe book for both new, novice cooks and more seasoned, experienced cooks. This book does not simply contain recipes, it contains information on food storage and preparation, cooking tools (pots, pans, etc), history, nutrition and food facts, and tells the story of how the authors arrived at the best recipe(s) so that the user can avoid some of the pitfalls typically experienced in a particular recipe. This book is a fantastic learning tool, almost like a fun-to-read textbook. I purchased it to help me prepare my very first Thanksgiving dinner for my husband's family. I was so scared to cook for them! But this book helped me make a meal that turned out beautifully! The recipes in this book are both typical dishes and more fancy ones. It covers all the bases. I think this book works great for anyone wanting to know how to cook more things, get a recipe for something they've tried elsewhere and want to prepare for themselves, and it would make a wonderful gift.