Customer Reviews

Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When my husband and I got married we realized that between the two of us we had well over fifty cookbooks, and, of course, we each had our favorites. We still have a running rivalry between "Good Housekeeping Illustrated" and "Better Homes New Cookbook" for Best Basic Cookbook. While each of these books has its strong points, my pick is "Good Housekeeping."

This cookbook is extensively illustrated with photographs and line drawings, and features basic dishes as well as more complicated recipes to challenge those who master the basics. If there is any possibility of confusion concerning a method, this book presents words and drawings to guide the user precisely through the process. I also like the fact that there is a photograph of each dish--so you know what your hard work is SUPPOSED to look like!

"Better Homes" does seem to have a slightly larger number of basic recipes, and I'm glad that we have both books in our home now, but when I have to choose just one to give at a bridal shower or to a recent graduate, I always choose "Good Housekeeping Illustrated."

I have a moderate collection of cookbooks, and this one has got to be my favorite! I like to be able to view what the final product looks like, because I believe if it doesn't look appetizing then it probably isn't! A picture is definitely worth more than words! And the recipes are fabulous!

I have had my Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook now for years. I remember first buying it back in the late 80s because I was recently married and didn't really know how to cook or what to cook. I was very impressed with all the info they give you for your kitchen and how to use this and how to use that, type of thing. The best thing bout the cookbook for me back then was that I had a visual on what the dish is suppose to look like when it was done. I found that a TREMENDOUS comfort, since I was just learning. I have had my cookbook fall apart from so much use that I would go to the bookstore again and just get another one, this is my fourth copy! Even to this day, this cookbook is A-1 for anyone. The recipes within are wonderful and my family and I have many, many favorites. If you want to have a cookbook that you can learn from and find GREAT meals from, this is the cookbook for you. Bon Appetite!

I couldn't boil eggs when I got married 13 years ago.This book has shown me how to do that plus a whole lot more.From making my own baby food to Mardi Gras parties of 30 people to Teachers appreciation lunchions.This book can take you anywhere.With pictures even.I always like to see what I'm going to make.I have collected many cookbooks over the years ,living in New Orleans the food here is the best in the US.But Not One book that I have from here can beat the Good Housekeeping Cookbook.That's all I have to say.

Great cookbook for beginners and experienced cooks alike! I've purchased others but always end up using this book because of the detailed instructions and illustrations. Great teaching tool. It has American and foreign recipes. I've given this book to many brides-to-be! Still great after 10 years.

This is a great starter cookbook. I bought it because it was illustrated, and the full color pictures have come in handy many a time. When I'm reading a recipe (from this book or not), if it references a type of knife or pan or utensil I'm not familiar with, I grab this book and look it up in the pictures in the front. The pictures explaining all the different utensils, spices, techniques are absolutely indispensable.

This has a wide variety of recipes, and with the large color photo section, you can browse on looks and then refer to the step by step instructions. Some of the recipes might be better left in the 1970's (cold salmon mousse molded in the shape of a fish, complete with peppercorns for eyes??), but even those just gave me a good laugh.

I got this book when I was in High School and I have used it since. I love this book and I like the way it is written. A great cookbook for the novice. I will be purchasing a new one and the dessert book as well.

This book has become a family treasure. I have had the book for years and could not find one that competes with it. All the recipes I made turned out just like the picture and tasted delicious, too.

All the recipes are pictured, but the pictures are separated from the recipes. All the pictures come in the beginning of the book in beautiful presentation, and then you can look up the recipe in a following page. The recipes are provided with clear instructions and step-by-step illustration. The measurements and cooking times are accurate. There is also a chapter on very useful information including nutrition guide, equivalent amounts, storage guide, eating outdoors, menu planning and entertaining, and a glossary of food and cooking terms. All provided with clear illustration and beautiful photography.

I bought this book when I was a beginner. Now, I am an experience cook, but I still amuse my family and friends with from this amazing book. The Chicken Croquette is a top request. The Cannelloni, the Tetrazzini, the Pizza, the Dinner Rolls, the Chocolate-Cinnamon Torte and more, all turned out just yummy.

I've had this cookbook for years. I don't turn to it. I don't trust it. This cookbook has no credibility. At best, the recipes are pretty bland and boring. But usually, they're fatally flawed.

This book is not for someone who wants to learn how to cook. It's got all the sections you'd hope to see... some on equipment, some on technique. But those sections are sparse. They'll show you a bunch of knives, but not tell you what knives work well in what situations, or what knives you need. The cookbook has pictures of every dish, but the pictures are low quality and have bad color so you can't really trust the pictures.

But it's the recipes that are the real downfall. It talks about bullion cubes or cooking wine without explaining that they are convenient, but not good when you have time and want flavor. It gives that standard cooking temps for food, but doesn't mention you need to pull the food off the heat early or the food will be overcooked until the very end of the book in the microwave section. Recipes will say "cook until done" without ever explaining how you should be checking how fried eggs, for example, are cooking.

With this cookbook, you won't learn the best ways to cook eggs. You won't learn what "divan" means, even though there are a bunch of recipes divan here. It'll show you what different herbs and spices look like, but won't do well at helping you learn what goes well when. If you make all the recipes, take notes, and remember what didn't work, you'll learn a lot, but you'll have alot of poor recipes in the process.

Cookwise will teach you more about the fundamentals of cooking. William's Sonoma books have better pictures and better recipes. The Cook's Bible and Cook's Illustrated will teach you more about recipe variations and how to find recipes which work reliably. Saveur will give you better traditional food from across the globe.

This book will help you prop up a chair with a short leg. Beyond that, it's not worth much.

I have been a chef for the past 19 years, and in the last three years i have been living with my father. He has found my chef books a little hard to understand, then i found out The Good housekeeping Cookbook. This has been a life saver; Dad,enjoying recipes, easy understanding of the text too.My father puts on the table enjoyable meals, competing with me of course!. Well done for a book that anyone can understand and enjoy

Darren Clarke New Zealand