How to Cook Everything: The Basics
by Mark Bittman

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Book Reviews of How to Cook Everything: The Basics

Book Review: This book is not a good idea. Buy the complete volume.
Summary: 1 Stars

The author and the publisher are not trying to hide this fact, although I suspect they will not shed a tear if you buy the book with the impression that this is new material.

On the surface, I am sure they will rationalize that they are doing their readers a service by providing parts of this very good book at a lower list price than the whole book. This is pure hokum. The original book is a very good contribution to the genre of `If you own only one cookbook, this would be it' cookbook. So, why would I want to buy only part of that book? If I want a book on basics, I would do much better to buy Alton Brown's `I'm Only Here for the Food'. If I want a book on quick cooking, I suspect one of Rachael Ray's books will be better AND cheaper.

Speaking of Herr Doktor Brown, he and his Food Network colleague Ina Garten seem to have caught the same case of avarice in that they have had knockoff volumes published with artwork which is based on their best-selling volumes, but which contain cut rate material, or maybe even no material. They are selling pure hype.

I have a great amount of respect for all three of these authors. I have even met Alton Brown and find him a truly gracious gentleman who deserves all good fortune and celebrity he can garner. But I do not wish these authors to put out products that some people can easily buy under a false expectation fostered by the product's marketing.

Do not buy this book. Buy the complete `How to Cook Everything' and be done with it.

Summary of How to Cook Everything: The Basics

Anyone can cook

• Simple, satisfying recipes with easy-to-follow directions
• Tips to help you shop for, prepare, and cook the recipes
• Recipe variations and lists of ideas to adapt dishes to your taste
• Step-by-step illustrations for tricky techniques like mincing garlic

Simple. Straightforward.
Just what you need to cook well.

Quick & Easy Books

• Subjects > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Quick & Easy