What to Cook and How to Cook It by Jane Hornby is the second cookbook you should have in your library (next to The Joy of Cooking).
This is a cookbook for beginners, in the best sense of the word. Big, beautiful, and best of all, every step has a photo. Yep. Every one. Which means each recipe runs multiple pages, but hey, the photography is so pretty, and the recipes so simple, that it doesn't matter. It covers the basics (omelets, risotto, pizza) as well as slightly more advanced options (pad thai, coq au vin, eggplant parm). It also includes a photo of all the ingredients you'll need, which is especially neat--you can see exactly what you need before you ever get started (also helps in identifying new ingredients, like chard or chorizo, so you don't look like a complete idiot in the grocery store). There's even a section on menu planning. It claims to be "fool-proof"; it's the first cookbook I've seen that might actually be. If you're an advanced home chef, it probably won't tell you anything you don't already know; but it's still really pretty.
And this marks my 350th post! As a celebration, I'm giving away this cookbook! Leave a comment about your favorite recipe/post from my blog thus far (by midnight EST), and I'll randomly select a winner, to be announced tomorrow!
My favorite recipe was the breakfast quinoa. I had never even considered eating quinoa for breakfast or as a sweet meal!!! It was a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI just made your BBQ sauce the other day, and it was mmm mmm good! Thanks for all the great recipes and inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI just made your BBQ sauce the other day and it was delicious! Thanks for all of the great recipes and inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 350th post! My favorite recipe was Pâté: I did not know I could do it at home, it was a great success! Thanks for all the great recipes!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the BBQ Chicken Pizza and dough you posted. Even though my execution of rolling out the dough needs a bit more work I love how delicious and easy it was to make my own pizza. Thanks so much for posting and congratulations on your 350th post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the post on making homemade pizza (starting with making the dough). I'd not had any success with making pizza before, this recipe worked! I also liked the suggestion of having a Manhattan while the dough was rising, though I naturally substituted a G&T. Quite good - the cocktail and pizza !
ReplyDeleteThe roasted beet pizza. Haven't tried that exactly yet, but its inspired me to 1)experiment more on homemade pizza, and 2) join a CSA.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog! My favorite recipe I have made (though I have many saved) is the roasted beet, caramelized onion, and goat cheese pizza. I also made 2 extra doughs so I can make more pizzas easily!
ReplyDeleteSpicy rice & beans!
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