Williams Sonoma Kitchen Companion : The A to Z Guide to Everyday Cooking, Equipment, and Ingredients (Paperback)

by Mary Goodbody (Author), Carolyn Miller (Author), Thy Tran (Author), Chuck Williams (Editor), Alice Harth (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Do you know the right way to soak beans? The meaning of bain-marie? The real measure of a jigger? Kitchen Companion is the home cook's guide to the mysteries of the kitchen. Part troubleshooter, part culinary encyclopedia, and always a fascinating read, it's packed with useful definitions, step-by-step instructions, and hundreds of helpful illustrations, charts, and topics.

From the Publisher
Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Companion is the home cook's guide to the mysteries of the kitchen. Part troubleshooter, part culinary encyclopedia, it's the book to reach for when a recipe asks you to do something you don't understand, when you need a little guidance on how to buy and prepare an unusual ingredient, when you're curious about the reason behind a common cooking instruction, or when you need to substitute for an ingredient or utensil that you don't have.

*Entries arranged alphabetically for easy reference

*Outlines the basics of cooking for kitchen novices; for the most experienced cook, it clarifies the hidden rule that perfect a recipe

*Ingredients, equipment, and complicated techniques are complemented with illustrations

*Charts highlight information so you can find it at a glance while you've got hot pots bubbling away on a stovetop

*Special sections for large concepts, such as baking, cookware, and spices

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Product Details

• Paperback: 479 pages
• Publisher: Time-Life Books (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737020512
• ISBN-13: 978-0737020519
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #685,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have, December 10, 2000

By	Colleen Koenig "hv2flyg" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book as a gift, and had to order another. I just couldn't put it down. It has a nice cover with tabs to keep your place and wipes clean easy. Ordered from A to Z is everything to do with cooking including tips and some history. Label terms, food, herbs, pans, preserving, and kitchen appliances - it is really amazing. Everybody on my Christmas list is getting one this year.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT A DUST COLLECTOR, October 18, 2001

By A Customer

This is not only for new cooks,but indispensable for experienced culinary masters as well! I bought this book full price at a book store and it was worth the 25.00-grab one at this price! It isn't just another boring index of the basics, but give information on how to store food, how long ingredients can be frozen for, how to clean items, equipment guidlines, etc etc. I watch TV Cooking shows, subsribe to several cooking magazines and consider myself pretty knowledgeful in the kitchen but still reach for this book a couple times a week. Easy to find what you are looking for w/alphabetical index set up. I wouldn't have expected anything less from williams Sonoma. Great book-my bible.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What your Mother Never Told You, January 20, 2002

By A Customer

I've used this book for everything from translating terms in european cookbooks to substituting ingredients in a pinch. This book answers those questions and more. It is set up to be a resource and an entertaining read with details and history. On more than one occasion I have looked up a simple "how to" and also found out WHY I needed to do that "how to". I don't often pick up a cookbook to read, this is a book to curl up with and to cook with.