Amazon.com: The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, Heavy-Duty Revised Edition (9781933615011): America's Test Kitchen, Daniel J. Van Ackere, Carl Tremblay: Books

Amazon.com Review

Over time, twin enterprises Cook's Illustrated magazine and America's Test Kitchen have published many books dedicated to providing exhaustively tested recipes--"best" versions of traditional dishes plus definitive takes on kitchen equipment and ingredients. Some series readers have complained of endlessly recycled or rejiggered recipes; others take each book at face value, finding the formulas and cooking insights good and helpful. America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, which calls itself a cookbook, cooking school, and kitchen reference in one, offers over 1,200 approachable recipes for a very wide range of dishes--from "weekday" fare like Creamy Rice Casserole, Cheesy Nachos with Spicy Beef, and Skillet Lasagna, to dressier recipes, including Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Red Wine Rosemary Sauce, Roasted Trout Stuffed with Bacon and Spinach, and Chocolate Marshmallow Mousse. There are "specialty" chapters devoted to sandwiches, drinks, and slow cooker and pressure cooker dishes; a grilling section is a tutorial in itself.

Unorthodox, "better-way" approaches abound. For example, a fried chicken formula instructs the cook to wet the bird's dry coating slightly before it's applied for an extra-crunchy crust. Predictably, side bars feature equipment and ingredient evaluations, on bottled salsa, for example; "good food/bad food" photographs show readers what to aim for when producing fare like holiday cookies; and there are tips, charts, and "Cooking 101" sidebars galore. Step-by-step photos offer more direction still.

Though the majority of recipes are sound and yield tempting results, readers poring through the book will note gaffes and curiosities. The recipe for poached eggs, for example, offers the option of extra cooking for "firm yolks" (hard-boiled poached eggs, anyone?) and hamburgers receive an indentation before cooking to avoid "puffy" domed burgers, a novel problem that could, in any case, be solved by proper shaping. The addition of sugar to some savory dishes--for example, a pan sauce for steak--is misguided. Readers should also know that the book, which comes in loose-leaf form, requires some assembly, and that the pages themselves are quite thin, making them vulnerable to spills and tearing in daily kitchen use.

These things said, the book delivers solid, family-friendly dishes with enough fully orchestrated "how- to" to make even novice cooks feel secure when tackling the basics or more ambitious fare.

What's New in the Revised Editon?
First out in 2005, America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook was praised for its recipe ease, inclusiveness, and wealth of helpful information, but was also criticized for its physical production. A loose-leaf book with its pages included separately, readers found it inconvenient to assemble and its paper impractically thin. The revised edition is printed on heavier stock, and arrives with its pages already on its rings (there are two more now, for sturdiness) with only chapter dividers to insert, a simple task.

In addition, new inside front and back covers provide information on emergency substitutions, roasting guidelines, equivalent measures, and more--and a "Light Recipes" chapter has been included. Without defining precisely what "light" means--fewer fats and carbs, or a combo?--the section offers attractive all-course recipes, such as turkey chili, veggie burgers, meat and cheese lasagna, and chocolate bundt cake. Some readers will welcome the "slimming" of familiar dishes while others will find some of the manipulations--using cornstarch to thicken the sauce in fettuccine alfredo or ricotta to add body to a reduced-fat pesto, for example--unappealing. The book, however, remains a valuable kitchen tool--and one with greater convenience and durability than before. --Arthur Boehm

Exclusive Recipe Excerpts from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook (Revised Edition)

Butternut Squash Soup

Light Chicken Parmesan
Classic Apple Pie

More from America's Test Kitchen

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Cook's Illustrated

The Best 30-Minute Recipe

Product Description

Repackaged to be easier to use and expanded to include a whole new chapter of healthy, light recipes, this revised edition of one of last fall's bestselling cookbooks remains the one and only basic cookbook you will ever need. Beautiful step-by-step photos illuminate every conceivable technique from chopping shallots and skinning salmon to cutting up a chicken and tying a roast. In fact, just about anything you want to do in the kitchen is explained in these pages in America's most popular test kitchen's approachable, no-nonsense voice.

These recipes will keep you busy (and your friends and family happy) for years to come, since we've included hundreds of easy weeknight dishes (like Skillet Lasagna and One-Pot Chicken and Rice), company-worthy dinners (like Beef Burgundy, Roast Leg of Lamb, and Fresh Fruit Trifle), equipment ratings, shoppings tips, and more.

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Product Details

Ring-bound: 726 pages
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen; 2nd,Har/Lslf R edition (September 30, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193361501X
ISBN-13: 978-1933615011
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.4 x 2.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (172 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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#3 in Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Culinary Arts & Techniques
#5 in Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions

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	89% buy the item featured on this page: The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, Heavy-Duty Revised Edition 4.6 out of 5 stars (172) $20.43
	5% buy The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book 4.9 out of 5 stars (76) $19.57
	3% buy The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 4.1 out of 5 stars (8) $26.37
	2% buy The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition 4.8 out of 5 stars (262) $23.10

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Customer Reviews

172 Reviews

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3 star:		(7)
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Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (172 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed to Please, October 13, 2006

By	K. A. Conley "Reading Junkie" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoy the PBS series "America's Test Kitchen," so when I received this book as a Christmas gift last year I was very excited. Now, almost a year later, I have cooked my way through scores of the recipes in this cookbook and there is not a dud in the bunch. This book takes basic, American fare and boil it down to it's most essential (and flavorful parts), allowing you to cook tasty favorites. My only caveat is that is you are looking for quick meals, this may not be the best choice--many of the recipes are quite time consuming. However, if you only want one cookbook in your kitchen, this is the one!

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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most used cookbook in my kitchen, November 6, 2006

By	Jean - See all my reviews

This is the first time I've been motivated to write a review. This is the most used cookbook in my kitchen - every recipe I have tried has been a winner. I appreciate the very specific instructions on preparing the dishes - small details that really make a difference and techniques I can apply to other dishes. I love the reviews on products sprinkled throughout the cookbook, as well as comments on whether short-cuts or substitutions will alter the result. Every recipe has great flavor and while can take some time to make, the time for prep is not burdensome and is clearly outlined on each recipe. If you are looking for a good workhorse cookbook this is it. (sorry to say I haven't used my betty crocker, better homes and gardens or Joy of cooking cookbooks in quite a while). I plan to get this as a present for all the women in my family this year.

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55 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Cookbook Ever!, October 5, 2006

By	Brett Hunt (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews

I've purchased a ton of cookbooks over the years I've been cooking at home. However, once I purchased this cookbook all of the other cookbooks have become covered in dust. The only exceptions would be a handful of other Cook's Illustrated recipes not covered here in the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. If you are a cooking enthusiast or a new beginner this is the cookbook for you.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best "must have" cookbooks!
After watching America's test kitchen programs on TV, I was thrilled to find this cookbook. The recipes are easy to understand with great pictures. Read more

Published 1 day ago by J. Bruining

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Unless you're into specialty menus, this cookbook, and a subscription to the Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated website, could be the only resources most cooks will ever need. Read more

Published 1 month ago by BTQ

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS ONE'S A KEEPER... GREAT STARTER COOKBOOK!
I am very particular about cookbooks that I chose for myself, and even more so particular about cookbooks I give as gifts. This one's a keeper on both accords. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Orange Tabby

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Exactly What You See On TV
I too am a big fan of America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country.

I purchase this book about a year ago because it was produced by America's Test Kitchen and because... Read more

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5.0 out of 5 stars Best cook book ever
After watching the PBS series for many years, I expected that their cook book would be good, but it exceeded my expectations in every regard. Read more

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