please recommend a cookbook with NORMAL recipes

[Juliah]

I got this book from the library recently and really like what I've tried so far--it's mostly basic stuff, like lassagna, mac & cheese, how to roast a chicken, how to make mashed potatoes:

Starting Out: The Essential Guide to Cooking on Your Own
Julie Van Rosendaal

I got several crockpot cookbooks last year, and this is my favorite:

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook
Beth Hensperger

You can look at some of the recipes from the crockpot one at:

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Mothers-...=pd_bbs_1/104-4015490-4838361?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[EthansMom]

Another vote for the traditional Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. Spring for the extra few dollars and get the three-ring binder version. That cookbook has gotten me more raves for my food than any other.

If you're looking to prepare ahead and then freeze some entrees, I prefer "Don't Panic -- Dinner's in the Freezer". The recipes use fresh ingredients as opposed to some of the freezer meals cookbooks that use a lot of canned soups. I have noticed that some of the cooking times in Don't Panic seem off, but once I've changed the cooking times, the meals have been tasty! Some of the preparation ideas alone have been well-worth the price of the cookbook -- I never would have thought to freeze uncooked pies previous to reading the cookbook, but froze 5 apple pies after we did apple picking in the fall and the holiday pie making was done!!!!

 

[luvgrumpy]

Just have to cast another vote for some of the same already mentioned. The red plaid, my copy is so old and used it is duct taped together. Quick Cooking, those are not only normal but also quick & easy. Taste of Home and the others from that line also. I just got a new copy of that Kraft Food & Family today too. It has a recipe in it for Shepherds Pie too. I haven't looked at it to see if its any thing like the one I already use. Anything from that book is usually good though. I've thought about getting Not Just Beans cookbook. It's supposed to be simple and frugal recipes. I think the website for it is notjustbeans.com.

 

[Halle]

Another vote for Paula Deen's recipes on the food network. I own her double cookbook set and subscribe to her magazine. My kids love her casseroles, all easy to make and extremely tasty....all normal food.

 

[M 'n C]

check out 5 ingredients or less. My friend just gave me a copy and it looks so simple and easy.

Also fix it and forget it for crockpots is really nice.

 

[connorsgram]

I like allrecipes.com. There's tons of recipes and ratings by people that have tried them. I also like Paula Deen's recipes on food.com. Those are good Southern recipes--and they all have a stick of butter in them!

 

[decaff38]

Check with the local churches, schools that are doing fund raisers. Some times you can check with the chamber of commerce. They will tell you of places that you can get good,cheap cookbooks that raise funds for local organizations and have allot of local area type recipes. I would also look in 2nd hand shops and used book stores for ones that people are getting rid of them. You can get a free subscription on Kraft.com for a magazine called food and family. I think you get it 4 times a year. Just got my new one.
Good luck

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I love Paula Deen's cookbooks and the Taste of Home cookbook. I also have the magazine subscription to Taste of Home and Simple and Delicious. Also to reiterate the Allrecipes.com and foodnetwork websites for recipes.

 

[samanthacatangel]

Since I sell cookbooks and I am also an avid cook/collector, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I must second some of the ones already mentioned. The Better Homes & Gardens is a fantastic basic cookbook. Cheap Fast Good and Desperation Dinners have lots of recipes that I use as a jumping off point (I swap any processed ingredients for "real" ones.)

My all-time fav cooking bible is The Best Recipe by the editor's of Cook's Illustrated. They give the reasoning behind the recipes, as they have tested each one hundreds of times. Of course, you can always skip the articles and just use the recipes. Check it out of the library - its a great read with the best chocolate chip cookie recipe anywhere!

Food network websites are great, especially if you saw the recipe on TV. Love Paula Deen and Ina Garten, although they aren't very health conscious, lol. Love Good Eats with Alton Brown, and some of Rachael Ray's recipes are good too.

My fav website is www.allrecipes.com . You can do an ingredient search, listing ingredients you have on hand as well as ones you do not want. Make sure to check out the reviews b/c some of the suggestions are better than the actual recipes.

And I purchased my newer cookbooks on ebay (I sell very old ones). Spent a fraction of what I would have spent new, although I just bought a copy of Cheap Fast Good for 4.99 on Amazon - but I just checked and it is back up to $11.

HTH!

Samantha

 

[BethID]

Desperation Dinners is the best. You are supposed to be able to use the recipes and have dinner ready from start to finish in 30 minutes. It is one I pull out again and again because the recipes are quick and easy.

 

[tink2dw]

My cookbook is yellow plaid[can't remember the name] and it has shortcuts to making the recipes really easy.

BUT my favorite online recipe place is www.recipezaar.com they have everything!! Even long last recipes I remember my Mother making before she died in 1968. I didn't keep her recipes and I had just started cooking so I don't remember how to make some of her stuff.

She made a cake that we all just loved and it was very versatile, she would make it with raisins and walnuts, or just rasins for my fathers friends, and at Christmas she would add candied fruits and extra candied cherries, for me. But I just can't find that recipe.

So when you find a good recipe make sure to keep it and teach it!!

 

[Harvest02]

I'm with you on these. I save each issue together in a binder. I like that they have a microwave page, a slow cooker page, 5 ingredients or fewer, etc. A little bit of something for everyone!

I should organize my Simple and Delicious magazines in a binder also! I have been getting this magazine for over 3 years now, and I have TONS of them!!! I LOVE this magazine! I use it ALL the time! My mom always laughs at me everytime I try a recipe because it is always good and wants to know where I get the recipe. She laughs and says, "Let me guess...Quick Cooking(which is what it used to be called)". I say, "Of Course!!!". My family loves that I have a different recipe to try frequently so we are never eating the same things every night! I love all the easy recipes in this magazine, with NORMAL ingredients!!!!

 

[ducklite]

My favorite is "Cooking With the Firehouse Chef." It's filled with great recipes for a lot of really good comfort foods with a twist. Nothing fancy or exotic, but a lot of really hearty, but generally healthy foods. The author also has a lot of little stories about being a fireman, it's an interesting read even if you don't use the recipes.

For the most part the ingredients are economical, and the recipes are easy to put together. Some take a little more time than others, but there are a lot of things that can be put together a day or two in advance then cooked when you're ready.

Anne

 

[laura001]

I usually make at least 2 new recipes a week, they can range from gourmet to something quick. I have found that one of the best places to find everyday meal recipes is Chatelaine (now that I am typing this, I am not sure if you can get it in the US, Canadian Living is another, but you could use their online features with the recipes)

As far as actual cook books go....you can't beat Better Homes and Gardens.

I use online a lot also, Epicurious, and go to the food network, the lists there are endless. An easy one to look at from the food network is the 30 minute meal.

Happy Cooking!!!

 

[Shells9]

Barnes & Noble is having a huge clearance sale -- check the cookbooks. I got 5 cooksbooks for $25...all really nice ones!

 

[budbeerlady]

I buy amish cookbooks. They are easy good food meals, I dont have to ever go searching for some thing I have never heard of to make a meal!

 

[maggiew]

.

She made a cake that we all just loved and it was very versatile, she would make it with raisins and walnuts, or just rasins for my fathers friends, and at Christmas she would add candied fruits and extra candied cherries, for me. But I just can't find that recipe.

My grandmother and mother make a cake like this. They always called it "Poor man's cake" but I think I have also seen it called Depression cake. I have my mom's recipe. I will search for it.

Here it is:

* Exported from Key Home Gourmet *

Poor Man Cake

Recipe By : Gram Tonielli
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cakes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound raisins
2 cups sugar
3 cups water
4 tablespoons lard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon allspice
4 cups flour
1 cup nuts

Mix the raisins, sugar and water. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the lard and let cool. Then add remaining ingredients. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


We don't use "lard". LOL. Just butter.

Maggie

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Some additional basic books that haven't been posted but can be very useful:
-The Fannie Farmer Cookbook
-The Pillsbury Cookbook
-BH&G Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes

Additional well-used books on my shelf:
-Cooking with Mickey (the red & white and blue & white volumes with recipes from Disney restaurants)
-Best Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars

The best source of recipes these days, though, is the internet.

 

[nbodyhome]

I don't even own any cookbooks anymore. I get most of my recipes off of Recipezaar.com. They have 200K or so now of recipes, which is a LOT of cookbooks worth! I have some wonderful recipes now that I use frequently, we almost never eat out.

 

[merekc]

I posted earlier this week on the Community board and no one had an answer. Since it's obvious we have a lot of cooks here, let me ask this question.

Several years ago, I had a recipe for a chicken spinach rollup and would love to get it again. I believe it included pre-cooked chicken strips (like Louis Rich), frozen spinach, fajita seasoning, chicken broth and possibly pepper jack cheese and some type of bean (maybe). All rolled up in a tortilla. It may have been originally an appetizer recipe, but we used it for dinner and loved it.

I've tried to recreate it, but mine didn't turn out the same. Anyone have anything similar? I've tried to google it and tried Louis Rich with no luck.

Thanks for your help, and sorry to change subjects.