A fact finding mission

[spikesgirl58]

What is the name of your favorite cookbook(s)? Why do you prefer it over others? If you don't cook from one, is that a favorite in your past, one that encouraged you to try your cooking wings, as it were.

Is there cookbook that you would never prepare a recipe from, but you keep it anyhow?

Comments

[yelizaveta52]

I have such a collection of books. Ones from recent and older chefs. Older paperbacks that are more like pamphlets from the 50's. Books from churches. But my favorite is the Golden Anniversary Cookbook from Betty Crocker. It came with a gold covered hard cloth cover. It has been used well. It was my mother's and has a lot of sentimental value.

I think that I've made something from all my books. They have served me well.

[spikesgirl58]

My favorite BC is the big red cookbook of Favorite recipes that Betty Crocker released. It's my go to book for just about everything. I have my M-I-L's one as well.

They always seemed more bent upon encouraging cooking rather than impressing you with how much you don't know, i.e. Joy of Cooking.

[reapermum]

I have the Elizabeth David books but would never use them. Given when they were written I'm not sure how usable they are any more, I've not looked at them in a while.

The ones I use are Delia Smith. She doesn't do fancy recipes but ones suitable for feeding families day in day out. And she explains why things are done, such as the size of a cake tin or the need for a specific ingredient.

[spikesgirl58]

I've got some great cook books that are more for reading - The Boston Cooking School from 1912. Pretty sure I'm not going to be doing any of those recipes...

Do you have one Delia Smith you recommend over another?

[grey853]

Betty Crocker is what I took to college and have referred to over the years for basic things.

[spikesgirl58]

Same with me. I don't usually use a cookbook, but when I do, she's the first one I head to!

[bluemeanybeany]

I do not have any cookbooks, it just kind of happens. Should probably make one shouldn't I.

[spikesgirl58]

At least you should start writing things down for your kids!

[bonniejean1953]

I have an older NY Times cookbook that is my go to source, and I have a few country fair and church supper books I love. Yankee magazine's older cookbook is also a favorite. I have a cookbook from a small town café in Vermont called Loaf and Ladle full of soup and bread recipes. Now that the internet is so available, I use it more frequently than the books except when I'm doing a favorite. Oh and I have an original Moosewood cookbook.

[spikesgirl58]

An original Moosewood? Now there's a name I've not heard in a while.

[bonniejean1953]

The ex husband was a vegetarian, so I got it to cook for him.... I kept it in the divorce.
One of the really good recipes in it was millet stew.. lots of fresh veggies like carrots, peas and onions, and you toast the millet until it sort of pops before you put it in the broth. even I liked it!

[spikesgirl58]

Sounds like a recipe you should post next weekend. I would like to try it!