please recommend a cookbook with NORMAL recipes

[MEM]

The "Fix it and Forget It" crockpot cookbooks are a series and a brand new one has been published - "Fix It and Forget It, 5 Ingredients or Less". Of course I had to buy that one - they don't count water and salt& pepper but its still pretty impressive. There is also a "Lightly" version in the series which is also good, plus a "Diabetic" one and an "Entertaining" one.

 

[feedindy]

Personally, most of the recipes I cook have come from friends and family. I love bridal showers where the guests all write a recipe for the new bride. Since it's too late to start our collection that way, one idea I have had is to self-address the back of a bunch of blank recipe cards and mail them to family members on both sides asking for their favorite family dinner.

You'll get things you've probably eaten before at their house or DH's favorites he never knew to ask for. Just file the ones you get back away as you want-a recipe box, taped to the inside of a cabinet until you get it right, a sleeve-style cookbook. You can get binder cookbooks with sleeves in them for making your own.

 

[Minnie824]

Ive been trying to cook more/eat out less this year as well, and I also am picky with items. What I recommend, is go to the foodnetwork website. Look thru some of the shows, then recipes and print them. It'll save you money from buying a book, and there are some great recipes! I've printed tons of things already, and so far everything I've made has turned out great. I love Giada and Everyday Italian recipes, and Paula Deen for desserts.

 

[~Kathie]

Why not just get the basic Betty Crocker or Better Homes & Gardens cookbook? Look for the binder-style one with the red & white checked cover.

It's relatively inexpensive and has lots of pictures/information and sticks pretty much to traditional American cooking.

It was my first cookbook and was a great education!

I second the Betty Crocker cookbook. I bought one for me when I first got married 33 years ago and recently bought the updated version for my daughter when she bought her own home. Simply, easy recipes and lots of information about cooking in general.

 

[marcyinPA]

Why not just get the basic Betty Crocker or Better Homes & Gardens cookbook? Look for the binder-style one with the red & white checked cover.

It's relatively inexpensive and has lots of pictures/information and sticks pretty much to traditional American cooking.

It was my first cookbook and was a great education!

It was my first cookbook too (from my MIL, God bless her!) and I use it ALL THE TIME. It's just "normal" cooking...nothing fancy!

 

[marcyinPA]

The "Fix it and Forget It" crockpot cookbooks are a series and a brand new one has been published - "Fix It and Forget It, 5 Ingredients or Less". Of course I had to buy that one - they don't count water and salt& pepper but its still pretty impressive. There is also a "Lightly" version in the series which is also good, plus a "Diabetic" one and an "Entertaining" one.

I have three of the Fix it and Forget It cookbooks (the first one, entertaining, and lightly) but I use the first one the most. The other ones just seem to have duplicates of the first cookbook. The recipes are hit and miss....there is a bbq ribs recipe in there that I love!

 

[marcyinPA]

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!

I use www.allrecipes.com alot too. I look for the recipes with at least 4.5 stars and I've never been disappointed. My baked ziti recipe comes from there, and everyone always asks for the recipe. It's good!!

 

[jesszac610]

Why not just get the basic Betty Crocker or Better Homes & Gardens cookbook? Look for the binder-style one with the red & white checked cover.

It's relatively inexpensive and has lots of pictures/information and sticks pretty much to traditional American cooking.

It was my first cookbook and was a great education!

The Betty Crocker cookbook is excellent!!! Got mine 20 years ago at my bridal shower and I still use it all the time!!!!

 

[nuke]

I use my Betty Crocker on like a little bible. I have the paperback edition and it's great for basics like how long to cook veggies to more elaborate dinners.

Another one that I use a lot is 365 ways to cook Chicken. I picked that up about 15 years ago and still use it.

 

[bevtoy]

Why not just get the basic Betty Crocker or Better Homes & Gardens cookbook? Look for the binder-style one with the red & white checked cover.

It's relatively inexpensive and has lots of pictures/information and sticks pretty much to traditional American cooking.

It was my first cookbook and was a great education!

Ditto

 

[c&m]

Another vote for the red plaid Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I also like Rachel Ray and the recipes I find on recipezaar.com.

In recipezaar.com, all the recipes are tried, tested, and rated. I have found all my crockpot recipes there. Use their really good search function to find anything. I have used their recipes to make everything, from really economical, yet yummy, meals to some really fancy dinner party meals.

For healthier cooking, I always substitute recipes that call for butter and cream for canola/olive oil and organic broth.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I'm basically repeating what everyone else has said. Love allrecipes.com and rachael ray. I got her 365 no repeats awhile back and am still working through it. I also like the Taste of Home collections. The library is a wonderful place to check out cookbooks and write down the ones you like. You get some duds sometimes, but that's when you can be glad you borrowed it and didn't shell out any $$. Kraftfoods.com has a magazine you can sign up to receive for free, as well as emails too.

 

[cdrn1]

I LOVE Square Meals by Jane and Michael Stern. Great recipes, and great tongue-in-cheek humor.

 

[Plantlady]

I also vote for the red plaid betty crocker cook book. I have two, the three ring binder kind, and the paperback kind. Both are wonderful, still used. My mom is on her second one, because the first one fell apart after being used so much. It is the book I learned to cook out of.

I also like "Vegetarian Times". if you're looking for vegetarian cookbooks. We dont' really like "weird" vegetarian dishes, and this is filled with lots and lots of wonderful options.

But, if I just had to pick one of my cookbooks, I'd go with the betty crocker.

 

[magiroux]

Another allrecipe.com, FoodTV, Epicurious fan here.

Also, someone mentioned "5 Ingredients or Less". One week at DD's soccer game several women were raving about this book that they had picked up at the grocery store check out line. They were especially excited about some salsa/chicken crock pot recipe that was quite tasty AND Weight Watcher's friendly.

 

[crjack]

Personally, most of the recipes I cook have come from friends and family. I love bridal showers where the guests all write a recipe for the new bride. Since it's too late to start our collection that way, one idea I have had is to self-address the back of a bunch of blank recipe cards and mail them to family members on both sides asking for their favorite family dinner.

You'll get things you've probably eaten before at their house or DH's favorites he never knew to ask for. Just file the ones you get back away as you want-a recipe box, taped to the inside of a cabinet until you get it right, a sleeve-style cookbook. You can get binder cookbooks with sleeves in them for making your own.

We just started including recipes in our Christmas cards with family members. We have a large family and most of my sil's, etc. liked the idea of including a recipe when we mail them out. It's fun trying them out after the holidays are over.

You can try it with friends, family, etc. You'll get some great ideas that have already worked for someone else!

 

[Ava31]

I can't believe no one has recommended the Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham! It's totally comprehensive and assumes you know nothing (which is exactly what I need). There are over 1000 pages of recipes and instruction (mostly recipes, though). I have the paperback, but the hardcover would probably be worth the extra money because you'll find yourself using it over and over. The first few years of my marriage, I referred to it for everything from boiling eggs to baking potatoes (yes, I was that much of a novice!) Here's a link to it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Fannie-Farmer...dp/0553568817/ref=ed_oe_p/102-4498581-2316126

 

[funnygarcia]

Betty Crocker -- of course!
Joy of Cooking
How to Cook Everything (good for vegetables, pick up fresh vegies at farmer's market without a plan for it.. check book for ideas)
Dad's Own Cookbook.. very basic recipes, time tables, basic how to's, nutrition. My DH picked it out years ago and we use it frequently.

My newest find:
Saving Dinner .. they have a website too.
http://www.savingdinner.com/
Haven't dedicated myself to it yet, but it sounds workable for most families.

For vegetarian meals I use:
The Meatless Gourmet, Favorite Recipes from Around the World
Easy to follow, not too weird of ingredients. Very believable meals and have dishes that meat eaters would like too.

If you find old cookbooks at thrift stores and garage sales.. scoop em up! I have some great hardcover books on making bread, cookies, and a really old version of Betty Crockerwith nice frugal meal ideas and how to's on baking techniques.

And yes.. some of these collect dust due to recipe web sites.
I stopped buying cookbooks.

 

[LoriNSC]

I have subscriptions to 'Taste of Home' & 'Simple & Delicious' magazines. They also sell cookbooks. There's always good & simple recipes in them. My kids love picking out new things to try. Yes-I do have to pay for my yearly subscriptions, but eating at home more is worth it.