Hey I am new to this site, but it is really cool how everyone helps people with there cooking questions. As a newbie, I am also a newbie at cooking. Recently forced to fend for myself and not have the comfort of Mom's cooking I need to get up to speed on how to survive. Any recommendations on good beginning cookbooks?

Thanks in advance,

Surf Boy

[Greg]

The Jacques Pepin book, "Cooking with Claudia" has great, simple and easy to prepare recipes. The recipes are from a show he did with his daughter, Claudia. If you ever have a chance to see it (it would probably be reruns), do so; it's hilarious to see the father-daughter interaction, especially when the father is one of the best chefs around.

[m brown]

surf, I gave my brother-in-law Good Housekeeping Cook Book. It is as basic as you can get. If you're looking for a step into professional beginner cooking, Madeline Kamin has a huge book out, she is a goddess. Anne Willen of La Varinne has a great technique book as does Julia Child. the Art of French Cooking, a great one.
rad.....

[TheCook12]

Try my cookbook Let The Kids Cook! Even though it is formatted for children, the recipes are more adult oriented: chicken parmesan, paella, etc...

[luellajean]

I love all of Alton Brown's books- and I am hoping and praying for his 27 DVD set for my birthday or christmas or something soon!

[KYHeirloomer]

You still can't beat The Joy of Cooking as a basic primer.

Racheal Ray's books also would fit the bill for you.

[JaniceVeert]

Hi

I think part of the fun of learning to cook is just diving in. You have to start somewhere right?

Aside from that, Jamie Oliver's books are pretty straightforward

J

[skaiwalker]

Im also newbie here. This is awesome forum that everyone help here ASAP. Btw, any e-book i can download for free here?

[Lwilliams]

now I'm not yet a 'chef'. I've only worked as a host so far, so to date my favorite cook book has been 'Better Homes & Gardens'. I do hope that as I become more experienced I will graduate from this book to something more impressive ...

[Pete]

Welcome Surfer2. Hope you enjoy Cheftalk and the many great forums and articles. As for beginner's cookbooks, this question is asked quite frequently so if you do a search you should be able to find a couple of really good threads on this topic. The one book that is probably most recommended, here on Cheftalk, for beginners is "The Joy of Cooking." Look for either the newest edition or the blue jacketed edition from the 60's as these are better than the ones that came out in between. Best of luck and happy cooking!

[LessTalkMoreRoc]

Find a local college that offers culinary arts and see if you can pick up a used culinary text book. Other than that I strongly recommend you pick up "The Food Lovers Bible"(a culinary dictionary) you will need it when your trying to figure out what half the ingredients are you're finding in all your new cookbooks.

[cwshields]

You could also try software, just for the heck of it I got Master Cook 8 for ~$8 and have used a couple of recipes (Garlic Shrimp and Steak Fajitas) that were pretty darn good.
Software tho isn't as portable as a book as even with a laptop unless you print the recipe. Also the laptop can get pretty dirty pretty fast in the kitchen depending on what you're making.
I like "The Joy of Cooking" & Better Homes & Gardens "New Cook Book" my daughter always uses the BH&G when she wants to make breakfast or dinner.

[beetrootbrain]

I always find Delia Smith a good book for beginners because its always very clear although her recipes can be a little complicated, otherwise Nigella Lawson is quick and easy and Cook Mal which is a cook specially designed for us beginners

[damack]

the 2 books i go to at home are Joy of cooking and How to cook everything. both have good recipes that you can build on

[geese4u]

Cole's "Cooking A-Z" is one of my favorite encyclopedia type books. I also refer to a very old cookbook called "The Settlement Cookbook" for basic recipes.