Suggestions for a Good Cookbook

Updated on February 28, 2008
D.K. asks from Saint John, IN
15 answers

I'm looking for a real good cookbook. One that doesn't have real fancy recipes, but real everyday normal recipes that the whole family will like. We are a pretty easy to please Family. I just feel like I have a bunch of books with only 1 or 2 good recipes. I would love to have 1 universal book that I can't live without! Thanks so much

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So What Happened?

Thank You so much Ladies for all the great ideas! The Olive Garden Chicken Scampi is on the menu for this weekend (Sounds Fantastic)! I'm gonna sign up for the Taste of Homes Simple & Delicious Magazine because so many of you love it. I'm sure I will too. I was also happy to hear that Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious was so good to cause my oldest is not a veggie lover, but I'm gonna make those brownies and sneek them in stuff like that. Thanks for all your support, it all helped. Danielle K.

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

Kraft foods has a magazine that is free which comes out quarterly. I believe that you can subscribe from their website; kraftfoods.com. Recipes are very easy, usually less than 6 ingredients. You can also find lots of great things on the website. I usually have to add a little extra seasoning. Some of the items can be a bit bland.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.K.

answers from Peoria on

D.,
The best cookbook around is '29 Minutes to Dinner' by The Pampered Chef. Recipes are super easy and have 9 or fewer ingredients. Absolutely love it (and it's not because I'm a PC consultant!)

Here's a super quick and easy recipe for all of you to enjoy!
Beef Enchilada Casserole from the 29 MINUTES TO DINNER COOKBOOK
1 lb. Ground beef
12-6” corn tortillas
1 tbsp. Southwestern Seasoning
¼ c. snipped cilantro
1 c. shredded co-jack cheese
¼ tsp. salt1
10 oz. can enchilada sauce
¼ c. water
½ c. thick and chunky salsa

Combine beef, seasoning and salt in Skillet; cook over med/high heat until beef is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles using Mix ‘n Chop. Add enchilada sauce, water and salsa to skillet. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.As beef mixture cooks, cut tortillas into 1” pieces using Pizza Cutter. Snip cilantro using Kitchen Shears.Arrange half of the tortillas evenly over bottom of Deep Dish Baker; top with ½ of the beef mixture and half of the cheese. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. of cilantro over cheese and repeat.Microwave baker on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with remaining cilantro and serve with sour cream and lime wedges.

Live your dreams!
L. Kachinovas
###-###-####
www.pamperedchef.biz/lorrikachinovas

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

I can't live without Cook's Illustrated The New Best Recipe Cookbook. It explains the science behind using the techniques & ingredients in each recipe that have transformed my old ways of cooking.

1 mom found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Chicago on

I subscribe to the Taste of Home Magazine & LOVE it! The recipes aren't ever very complicated (they are all recipes of home cooks) and we've all loved nearly every one. Many of their recipes are available on their web site - www.tasteofhome.com - and they do publish an annual book of all recipes. But, I really like getting the magazine in the mail every 2 months because then I have a new batch of recipes to try and I know we'll all like them. It only costs $13 or so to subscribe.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.A.

answers from Chicago on

How to Cook Everything -Mark Bittman. It is my cooking bible...then I love www.epicurious.com. OHHHH and any of Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals, I used to Tivo her on food network and then bought the books as backup.
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from Chicago on

Jessica Steinfeld's Deceptively Delicious
This cookbook is awesome for the whole family. Every recipe I have made has been awesome!!! And very healthy, she sneaks vegetable purees in all of the recipes so your kids eat healthy without even knowing it. I made her brownies with spinach and carrot puree, they were absolutely delicious, you couldn't even taste the veggies.

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L.R.

answers from Chicago on

I have been a subscriber to the Taste of Homes Simple & Delicious magazine (used to be called Quick Cooking) for 9 years now and I don't know how I would live without their fast, simple and delicious recipes. You can subscribe at: www.bestsimplerecipes.com.

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

I use meals.com It's a free website with thousands of recipes. You can add recipes to multiple recipe boxes, menu plans and shopping lists. You can also review recipes and read other peoples reviews. You can enter a couple of ingredients that you have on hand and get a list of recipes that use them as well.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi D.,
I will have to 3rd the Better Homes and Gardens one . . .I have the "Healthy Family Cookbook." I use it all the time and its pretty easy and the recipes are very good.

I also like the Kraft Food and Family ones, although there is a lot of milk and cheese products in them (what would you expect from Kraft?) and one of my son's has a dairy allergy, so sometimes its not all that helpful, but we can substitute sometimes.

You can also check out the kraftfoods.com and see some really easy recipes with pictures.

Hope this helps,
B.

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M.H.

answers from Springfield on

I was going to say the better homes and gardens cookbook too! The Betty Crocker cookbook is great too! I think you can access most of thier recipes online too! I have dirtied the pages of both of these, lots of cookie dough splatters!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman is wonderful.

It isn't a 'picture' cookbook, but it will basically tell you how to make chicken 15 different ways, etc. The recipes in the book do not typically require special tools, several hours, or a vast knowledge of culinary techniques.

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

Better Homes cookbook I find is pretty good. It has some very good recipes and very basic. I also am a basic cook. I like quick and easy recipes without all the playing around and tedious ingredients. So if you get any other ideas I'll be curious to hear. I am always interested in finding basic recipes too that are healthy and easy. Good luck!

K.F.

answers from Chicago on

Hi D.-
I'm actually a consultant for Taste of Home Entertaining-- it's the product line of Taste of Home magazines & cookbooks. Our cookbooks & magazine subscriptions are INCREDIBLE!! In fact, if you ask @ many people will tell you they've been subscribing for years. Each magazine includes over 60 recipies & these are delicious, easy & ones that you will make over & over. You can check out my website & look at the online catalog to see the magazine & cookbooks we offer in there. We are a home party business, so if you're interested in getting a free cookbook or two & some beautiful serving pieces for free to go with it, contact me to book a party! They are fun, fast (@ 15 minutes of presentation) and you earn a lot of free & 1/2 price items!My link is:
http://kathiefiorillo.tohe.com
Thanks! K.

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D.D.

answers from Springfield on

I pretty much get all of my recipes from the internet. My husband recently found one for Olive Garden's chicken scampi. It turned out great!

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

You may also like checking our allrecipes.com, when I get bored with my cookbooks there is always something new on there and the recipes are free. The best is that people who have made them rate them on a scale of 1-5 so you have a good shot at picking something that you and the family will enjoy
J.

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