Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics: Learning to Cook with Confidence [Spiral-bound]

Betty Crocker Editors (Author)

Book Description

Series: Betty Crocker | Publication Date: September 16, 1998

Today, many people find they don t know kitchen basics, much less know how to cook a meal. Betty Crocker comes to the rescue in Cooking Basics, covering all the information anyone needs to cook, whether they are just leaving home, or discovering a need to cook at any age. Using the 100 appealing recipes here, anyone can learn to cook a complete meal. Nothing is intimidating, and every technique, term and ingredient is clearly explained. Each recipe has its own two-page spread, complete with a photo of the finished food and how-to photos of techniques used in the recipe. It s never been simpler to create a great dish!

Betty Crocker interviewed inexperienced cooks, to get just the the right recipes for this book, the ones novice cooks really want: hamburgers three way broiled, grilled or fried; Quick Lasagna; Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry; Quick Chicken Soup; Shrimp Scampi; Quesadillas; Mashed Potatoes; Strawberry Shortcakes, and other tempting treats. Anyone can cook a dinner -- even entertain -- with these sure-fire recipes.

Did you think only gourmets tackled Thanksgiving dinner? Not with Betty Crocker. Included is a complete Thanksgiving feast, with a timetable so everything comes out just right. Whether you want to host the show, or bring a dish to help out your host, this Thanksgiving meal is perfect for everyone.

Also covered is how to set up a kitchen, how to read a recipe, a glossary of ingredients and a complete explanation of food preparation terms. Learn about fresh herbs--what they look like and how to use them -- plus complete easy-to-read listings of pasta shapes and salad greens. Sections on grilling, entertaining, table setting, and refrigerator and freezer storage guides complete the book, and make new cooks feel confident on all fronts. No longer does anyone have to be afraid of the kitchen. With Betty Crocker know-how and experience, you can cook up a great dinner!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Betty Crocker Helps You Cook with Confidence!

Your Guide to Easy and Delicious Everyday Cooking!

Do you yearn to cook something simple yet tasty for dinner, but aren't quiet sure how? Then Betty Crocker has the book for you!
We created COOKING BASICS because we heard from so many of you that you'd like extra help and guidance in the kitchen—whether you're a new cook or have some experience but would like to cook with greater confidence.
We began by asking new cooks what they'd like to know about cooking basics. You told us to include:

• The 100 recipes you must want to cook
• How-to photographs that show preparation techniques for each recipe
• Cook time with every recipe
• A complete Thanksgiving Dinner—you can do the whole thing yourself, or take a home-cooked dish to a friend's house or family gathering
• A do-ahead dinner that's perfect for stress-free casual entertaining
• All the equipment you need to set up a kitchen, including helpful photographs
• Photographs showing most basic cooking techniques
• Nutrition with every recipe
• Cooking ingredients and menu terns
• The scoop on herbs, spices, food storage—everything you need to feel at home in the kitchen

Let Betty Crocker make you a confident cook with this picture perfect book! You'll turn to make it again and again for everyday cooking that'' easy—and delicious

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 304 pages
• Publisher: Betty Crocker (September 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028624513
• ISBN-13: 978-0028624518
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since 1921, the Betty Crocker name has symbolized the General Mills continuing tradition of service to consumers. Although Betty was never a real person, her name and identity have become synonymous with helpfulness, trustworthiness and quality.

Betty Crocker has survived the decades by providing consumers with food information and food products that are contemporary without being faddish. The first hardcover cookbook, Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook was published in 1950 and quickly became a national best seller. Since then, more than 250 Betty Crocker cookbooks have been published.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Cookbook for the Bachelor, May 16, 2001

By 

BookGuy (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics: Learning to Cook with Confidence (Spiral-bound)

I'm a single guy who got tired of fast food. I tried this book, because it seemed like what I wanted; information on how to get started cooking. I have no basic cooking skills, so traditional cookbooks leave me dusted before I get past the introduction. Also, what I now have learned is a hallmark of Betty Crocker cookbooks, you will notice that the production values are very high (lots of color, lots of illustrative content). Content-wise, nothing is assumed. My advice: If you want to learn how to cook, get this book.

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I can give you an advice, December 2, 2002

By 

Maria S. (Monza, Milano Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics: Learning to Cook with Confidence (Spiral-bound)

this should be your first cookbook, or if you already have others, well, don't let the title fool you. It has great recipes, with pictures for each of them and detailed instructions. I have over 50 cookbooks and if I had to choose just one, well it would be this one.
Simple recipes, "the basics" including a a chapter where it teaches you how to make a traditional thanksgiving dinner. Let me tell you that I did it this november 28th and guess what? It turned out to be great! My family couldn't belive I've done everything by myself. And it wasn't such a big effort 'cause it teaches you how to organize every single thing.
I love this book!!

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners and the more experienced as well!, June 13, 2002

By 

"emartilini" (Galloway, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betty Crocker's Cooking Basics: Learning to Cook with Confidence (Spiral-bound)

Finally a true beginner's cookbook which deserves a permanent place in your kitchen. Betty Crocker's answer to customer requests for a beginner's cookbook is "Cooking Basics, Learning to Cook With Confidence".

This book features a nice variety of recipes including Italian Pasta Salad, Creamy Chicken and Dumplings, and Orange-Glazed Pork Chops. For entertaining there's Quick Guacamole, Tiramisu, and Strawberry Smoothies. It even shows you how to prepare an American Thanksgiving dinner from start to finish including appetizers and dessert.

Each recipe includes a full color photograph, nutritional information, and helpful tips pertaining to the dish's ingredients. Substitutions are discussed and there are suggestions to help keep the dish low fat.

What I found most impressive were the informational chapters on everything from kitchen utensils to classy centerpieces. So in addition to the fabulous recipes, the book contains handy information covering all areas of cooking and the kitchen.

This cookbook can take a college coed living on their own for the first time up and through the marriage years for it demonstrates cooking basics such as the proper way to cut an onion or how to cook an omelet, yet teaches the art of preparing Shrimp Scampi or Pesto Sauce. For all these reasons, I highly recommend this cookbook.