cook books that helped you learn to cook?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of Mark Bittman's book "How to Cook Everything." Easy, comprehensive, and stuff always turns out well.

+1

Ditto. Bought this for DH when he wanted to learn how to cook. Great for teaching basic techniques, and he gives lots of alternatives for most recipes, so if you don't have X you and substitute Y. Much easier than Cooks Illustrated or ATK (which I also like but aren't as flexible or easy for a beginning cook).

[Anonymous]

All of mine are already posted here: Bittman, Cooks Illustrated, and Joy of Cooking.

I also like the recipes from Everyday Food (Martha Stewart). They are less about how to's and technique, but they have simple, quick staple recipes.

[Anonymous]

Martha Stewart Living Cookbook
Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, all of them-quick, easy, great tasting and always come out right.
The Joy of Cooking