Product DescriptionEverything a new cook needs—essential recipes and information adapted from Mark Bittman’s bestselling How to Cook Everything With 500,000 copies in print, Mark Bittman’s award-winning How to Cook Everything has become a kitchen classic—the ultimate all-around cookbook for today’s home cooks. Now this new book distills the most essential basic information and recipes from his cornerstone reference and tailors them to meet the needs of beginner cooks as well as rusty or reluctant ones. It is ideal for anyone who needs a simple, reliable introduction to everyday cooking. How to Cook Everything: The Basics shares more than 100 core recipes from How to Cook Everything, all carefully chosen by Bittman and expertly detailed for the novice.
From basic burgers, salads, and other simple staples to easy versions of classics such as coffee cake and special occasion dishes like roast duck, these recipes offer a thorough starter set of dishes that are simple yet full of flavor. Along the way, Bittman’s relaxed approach and accessible explanations take readers step by step through making great food. Lists, illustrations, tips, and boxes on ingredients, cooking methods, and more help readers cook with confidence. Recipe variations keep things fresh for those who are ready to expand their repertoire without too much extra effort. Destined to follow the successful path of How to Cook Everything, this book is a vital resource for anyone who wants to learn the basics from the best.
Mark Bittman (Woodbridge, CT) is a columnist for TheNew York Times and the acclaimed author of How to Cook Everything, The Minimalist Cooks at Home, The Minimalist Cooks Dinner, and other books. He has been featured in national and regional print and broadcast media, including television shows such as The Today Show and Martha Stewart Living.
What Others Say
"How to Boil Water"
A simple, straight-forward book that might be useful for the absolute beginner. But for those even slightly beyond grilled cheese or spaghetti, go for the original, full-length version instead.
Great starter cookbook!
I bought this cookbook for my son who is on his own now that he and his long-time girlfriend have split up (and yes, she did most of the cooking). He is really interested in learning to cook well and with this cookbook he is off to a great start. Lots of good, easy-to-follow, very non-intimidating recipes. But even more valuable than the recipes, there is a lot of good, practical cooking advice and know-how in How to Cook Everything: The Basics. I highly recommend this cookbook to any novice cook, or anyone who wants to brush up on the basics and just add to their collection of great recipes.
Fast food kid now cooks (a little)
I grew up in a fast food family; I never learned to cook the healthier and gourmet-ish stuff I like to eat now.
How to Cook Everything: The Basics got me up and running with simple and tasty recipes. I still prepare the same salads, fish and pastas I learned when I first picked up How to Cook Everything: The Basics a few years ago. 'The Basics' even gave me the confidence to try my own variation to a breakfast dish, a plate that has become everyday favorite.
I'm still not big on cooking. But How to Cook Everything: The Basics got me started, gave me a new skill, and helped to change my life in a small but tasty way.
Amazingly Easy
I was never good at cooking in any way, shape, or form. I set out to find a book to learn how to cook, and I found this one.
How to Cook Everything: The Basics makes cooking amazingly easy. From the very beginning, it presents the most important aspects of cooking and delineates what cooking utensils are essential and what the different forms of cooking are (broiling, steaming, grilling, etc.). The recipes provided are simple and easy to understand and follow; they also produce food that is absolutely delicious. Recipes are accompanied by suggested modifications and tips for shopping and preparing.
This is the perfect book for learning how to cook. I highly recommend it to anyone, particularly those who are like I was, knowing nothing ... Read More
Bittman speaks:
As usual this condensed book on "basics" meets the optimal needs of the "minimalist". The book is well written, comprehensive, easy to understand, and extremely pratical for "anyone" who cooks, wants to learn how to cook, or needs to improve on their cooking skills.
The supplier must be complemented as well, for providing a good price combined with excellent service.
