It's time to become the new hero of the kitchen. Or at least put aside your fear of frying (not to mention sautéing, roasting, or tossing a salad). Dad's Own Cookbook shows how to do everything from handling a knife properly to juggling three dishes so that dinner comes together on schedule. Its lively charts, tips, and directions replace intimidation with pleasure and camaraderie, and its 150 great recipes will turn the most culinarily challenged dad into the family chef.
Dad's Own Cookbook: Everything Your Mother Never Taught You
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
And now, for the kitchen impaired, a cookbook guaranteed to take you from zero to frittata in less than an hour. Dad's Own Cookbook offers culinary neophytes and novice cooks the chance to finally flex a little muscle in the kitchen. For singles who don't cook but are trying to impress a new date, this could be the dating guide of the century.
Joy of Cooking, The New Basics, and Betty Crocker's New Cookbook are all excellent books, but if you think Cuisinart was a movement that followed the French impressionists, they just might be a bit over your head. Author Bob Sloan assumes nothing, and Dad's Own Cookbook covers it all, start to finish. From buying the ingredients to cooking and serving, Sloan offers concise, no-nonsense instruction that strips away intimidation and sends confidence levels soaring. The highlight of this extraordinary cookbook is the recipes. While Sloan assumes you might be inexperienced in the kitchen, he never assumes that you are inexperienced at the table. The recipes are admirable, including such delicacies as Chicken Tortellini with Prosciutto and Tomato Cream Sauce, Baked Salmon with Herb Crust, and Strawberry Mousse. Best of all, Dad's Own Cookbook provides you with the tools you need to put them on the table.
Sloan starts with shopping tips, such as how to read product labels and select fresh produce. (Quick quiz for the experienced cooks out there: how do you tell if an egg is fresh?) He moves on to how to pick knives and pans, and how to measure (under the snappy title "Real Men Do Measure"), prepare, and serve. Along the way, Sloan offers solid advice on selecting a menu, what to prepare in advance, and how to time the cooking so everything comes out just right and at the same time. About the only thing Dad's Own Cookbook leaves out are excuses--when it comes to cooking, you simply won't need them any more. --Mark O. Howerton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Space may be the final frontier for some, but for others--men, maybe?--it could instead be the kitchen. Sloan has assembled a light-hearted, very practical book aimed at fathers (or anyone) who is kitchen-shy and cuisine-ignorant. The author points out--accurately--that many cookbooks assume a level of competence that some beginners just don't have. He takes his readers in hand and literally tells them how to boil water. Also, how to shop, select good kitchen ware, organize the pantry and get a meal on the table. After mastering these basics, Sloan gets us started with breakfast recipes and goes on to homemade pizza and fare for a child's birthday party. Along the way, the designated cook can assign tasks to the kids to familiarize them with cooking. For some who might think that Dad's Own involves microwaving a prepared meal and sprinkling on a little pepper, forget it. Sloan believes in cooking from scratch. At first glance, tossing off chicken breasts with prosciutto and mozzarella or organizing a cocktail party may seem impossible for a novice. And yet, Sloan's extremely well-organized recipes and preparation and cooking tips should have even take-out devotees thumbing the pages for new recipes to try. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
All purpose toolkit for ensuring there's a real cooking kitchen at dad's house
July 4, 2007
Format:Paperback
I bought this book for my boyfriend and his young teen kids (well okay, really for me, because I collect cookbooks and was curious). Here is what is excellent about it: a TERRIFIC single page chart so the cooking-impaired can look in their fridge and freezer and tell what is "old and should be tossed immediately food," and easy to read recipes for basics that everyone universally likes to eat and can actually make, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, etc. The only thing I wished for more of: photos of finished dishes, but I realize this would have increased the price of the book...and, who but cookbook collectors really need to view a finished grilled cheese sandwich anyway? More than worth the purchase if you're trying to class up a dad's kitchen in a gentle, good humored way.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My friend Peter was going through a divorce. The first thing he bought for his new apartment was this cookbook, and seven years later, he still swears by it and his kids are well-fed. On the road to culinary perfection, this is the first quarter-mile.
This handy guide to cooking for children includes everything from "How to Pack a Lunch" (page 66) to "How to Read a Recipe" (page 37) and even "Throwing a Birthday Party for Your Child" (page 285). This book is guaranteed to demystify the kitchen!
Most of the recipes in this book are extremely kid-friendly. For example: Six Sandwiches the Kids Will Eat (page 58), Four All-American Lunches (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Quick Macaroni and Cheese, and Chef's Salad), and Dad's Official Meat Loaf.
The recipes are not strictly limited to kid-friendly fare. The author includes instructions on how to prepare for a cocktail party, with an accompanying "Cheese Primer." The Cocktail Party menu includes recipes for: Miniature Quiches (no, not the frozen kind that come out of a box!), Pate, and even Salmon Caviar!
The book is sectioned into meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Each section includes handy tips and tricks. For example, on page 80 there is a "Beef Basics" diagram which shows you where the different cuts of beef come from. These special sections include blue-tinted "Special Occasion" supplements. An example of this is on page 48, "Breakfast in Bed." This meal consists of Slow Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, and Caviar.
This is an outstanding all-around cookbook. Whether you're just getting started in your own apartment, or settling down with a loved one who longs to share the kitchen with you, this is a great start.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
my culinary ambition often far outpaces my knowledge and ability in the kitchen. but dad's own cookbook is always there to sort me out. whether i need a bit of help making hard boiled eggs or homemade ravioli stuffed with goose liver paté, i can think of very few cooking expeditions i've undertaken in the last few years that haven't involved at least a cursory glance at bob sloane's tremendous book.
thanks to jim harrison for recommending it to me (not personally, alas, but that is a man whose opinion i trust) and thanks to bob sloane for saving me from my own rivers of frustration in the kitchen.
if you cook and you're not a pro, buy this book.
thanks to jim harrison for recommending it to me (not personally, alas, but that is a man whose opinion i trust) and thanks to bob sloane for saving me from my own rivers of frustration in the kitchen.
if you cook and you're not a pro, buy this book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A sometime bachelor friend told us about this cookbook, which is his mainstay. My wife and I bought it and were very impressed - so much so that it will become a gift for some other members of our family.
It seems to have everything in one place - good recipes, basic instruction about foods, shopping, equipment and techniques - plus a breezy style and attractive graphic layout.
The title is unfortunate - it's actually a good, solid, basic cookbook that's useful for cooks of all genders. Only the haute cuisine chef will find it beneath him or her.
It seems to have everything in one place - good recipes, basic instruction about foods, shopping, equipment and techniques - plus a breezy style and attractive graphic layout.
The title is unfortunate - it's actually a good, solid, basic cookbook that's useful for cooks of all genders. Only the haute cuisine chef will find it beneath him or her.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
when i got divorced and my two sons came to live with me, it wasn't long before i realized we couldn't eat out every night. But then, i was the proverbial helpless male...i had never made rice before much less cook dinner regularly, or irregularly. this book is so helpful, so elementary, i couldn't recommend it more for someone who knows absolutely nothing about cooking food. you will not regret owning this book. my boys are now at college but i still find myself referring to it often.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. Tam
Format:Paperback
This book is an absolute staple in our kitchen -- and it's not just for dads! My mom is a great cook but she's always taught me in terms of a "pinch of this" and a "little of that", but when I'm cooking on my own I always turn to this book first for basic kitchen how-to. It has lots of useful everyday tips, and it's an easier read than the Joy of Cooking. Our favorite recipe is the meatloaf - we always make a double serving and freeze the extra!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great cookbook - it literally taught me to cook and gave me the confidence I needed to learn more on my own. Love it!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
When people talk about their food memories at home, or their family recipes, it is almost always from the mother or female part of the family. It is true, however, that many of the greatest worldwide chefs are men. It still amazed me however, that after all this time a that a cookbook would come out in hopes of gaining 'male' ground. The title alone does that in Bob Sloan's cookbook Dad's Own Cook Book - Everything your mother never taught you.
There is nothing in the recipes, in my opinion, however, that stands out as majorily different from thousands of other books on the market today. There are recipes like: Perfect Roast Chicken; London Broil; Dirty Rice; Breaded Pork Chops; Pan-Fried Flounder; Kasha; Stuffed Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese; Corn Pudding; Chicken Salad; Ceasar Salad; and Chocolate Pudding to name just a few. The book is crammed with a large selection of recipes with a good variety of information of foods.
...it is worth any Dad or Mom (or any single person) to get a book that they can call and easy reference on their shelf. Most of the recipes are easy to prepare and require little if any specialty ingredients.
Overall Review 3 pots out of 5
There is nothing in the recipes, in my opinion, however, that stands out as majorily different from thousands of other books on the market today. There are recipes like: Perfect Roast Chicken; London Broil; Dirty Rice; Breaded Pork Chops; Pan-Fried Flounder; Kasha; Stuffed Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese; Corn Pudding; Chicken Salad; Ceasar Salad; and Chocolate Pudding to name just a few. The book is crammed with a large selection of recipes with a good variety of information of foods.
...it is worth any Dad or Mom (or any single person) to get a book that they can call and easy reference on their shelf. Most of the recipes are easy to prepare and require little if any specialty ingredients.
Overall Review 3 pots out of 5
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
This book is the perfect gift for the man who needs to learn how to cook. Hubby is enjoying it.
Published 2 days ago by Carrie
5.0 out of 5 stars
My essential cookbook since 1998
I bought this book the week I graduated college, knowing not one iota about cooking...for over a decade now, it's been my invaluable kitchen helper, and especially fun now that I... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Robert M. Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book, unbelievable price, quick shipping!
Dad's Own is a great book for a novice like myself.
It is simple to read and understand. The author lays out all the easy to follow steps with equipment and necessary... Read more
It is simple to read and understand. The author lays out all the easy to follow steps with equipment and necessary... Read more
Published 15 months ago by a cooking dad
5.0 out of 5 stars
The only cookbook my husband picked-up...and read some...
This is the only cook book that my husband actually picked-up, read some, and felt like he could go into the kitchen. Read more
Published 21 months ago by scoutyspice
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
I bought this book for my new son-in-law. He does very little cooking. I thought the book looked great.
Published on June 20, 2011 by grandma
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very satisfied
This is the third copy of this book I have bought. I love the book, and it was in perfect condition.
Published on February 16, 2011 by D. Rabesa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tried and True
First, I absolutely agree with the 1-star rater who hated the meatloaf recipe. We hated it too, and it has become a joke for us. It was truly, truly awful. Vile meatloaf. Read more
Published on December 2, 2009 by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just for Dad's or beginning cooks
This cookbook has some great recipes and there are several we use for the holidays every year. My sons (ages 21-31) care more about the "Dad's Own Apple Sausage Stuffing" than the... Read more
Published on November 28, 2009 by Gretchen L. Keith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple and Tasty Recipes
This is the absolute best cookbook for someone who's kitchen-shy but wants to give the take-out menus a rest and stop eating out as much. Read more
Published on August 5, 2008 by Frank Y.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Just For Dads....
This has to be one of the best beginning cookbooks I've seen! I'm not a beginning cook by any means, but I definitely learned a lot! Read more
Published on May 16, 2008 by kado
