This cookbook is full of recipes that reads like your mom's sticky, well-loved recipe box. I haven't found anything ground breaking, but that's not really why I purchased it. Although I am already an experienced cook, I've had so much success with BHG recipes in the past that when I saw this new updated edition I decided to add it to my cookbook collection. It's got lots of illustrations of both recipes and techniques. When I first received it I settled back in my favorite chair, snuggled up in an afghan, and browsed through the whole thing. So often I saw a recipe that I recalled eating at a party, picnic, shower, etc. I think BHG is very All-American and this cookbook reflects the foods we've come to know and love. That's not to say it is just a collection of old-fashioned foods. There were plenty of new recipe ideas I've come across, too, but there' nothing too exotic, too expensive, or too difficult for the typical busy but food loving American. A lot of the recipes are good for rushed week day dinners, but they're better than throwing a can of soup on chicken and instant rice and calling it dinner. I've only had it a few weeks but I have already made several recipes from it and they have all been straightforward and a hit with family and friends. This is probably the cookbook I will recommend for my sons, who are 20 and 22, when they move out on their own. FYI: I would recommend this ring bound edition. I first purchased the plastic comb edition but returned it in exchange for the ring bound edition. The paper in the plastic comb edition was very thin and the plastic comb was so tight that page turning was going to forever be a very delicate affair. The ring bound is only a few dollars more, but unless you are very careless there doesn't seem to be much chance of tearing.
