Backlist Love is an informal series on “older” books that I hope you’ll find interesting. These aren’t so much reviews as quickie recommendations, so check out your favorite book review sources if you want more info.
Betty Crocker Cookbook: Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today (New Edition 2005, 1st ed. 1969)
From foolproof, dependable recipes to reliable how-to advice, the Betty Crocker Cookbook has everything you need for the way you cook today. Whether you’re a new or experienced cook, the Betty Crocker Cookbook is the book for you.
Why I liked it
This cookbook, out of all the ones I’ve read, is probably the one I’ve actually used the most often. It just has a lot of basic, solid dishes that involve easy-to-find and cheap ingredients. Plus it includes lots of additional info, like where on an animal various cuts of meat come from, or step-by-step photos for a few basic preparation methods.
My mother gave me this cookbook ages ago; I’m pretty sure it was a gift for my high school graduation, and I think her own mother did the same for her, so this cookbook is something of a family tradition. I still use it on a regular basis.
Who I’d recommend it to
This is a great resource for beginning cooks who are ready to try out a variety of recipes. It might seem odd to recommend a corporate cookbook like this, and I will say that the only downside to it is that some recipes recommend specific branded ingredients from manufacturers under Betty Crocker’s parent company, General Mills. However, the included recipes have been developed by pros in a test kitchen and are designed specifically for home cooks with limited culinary knowledge and access to basic grocery store staples.
Betty Crocker Cookbook is especially helpful for people who enjoy typical American food like casseroles and roasts that sort of thing — although there is a pretty good choice of flavors and variations to choose from to please just about any palate.
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