Another vote for the Bittman books. Also do a search for his NY Times columns called The Minimalist. Then when you gain a little skill, try Cook's Illustrated aka America's Test Kitchen.

You should get some of the America's Test Kitchen cookbooks and/or DVD's of the show. They show not only how to do something, but why you do something. I've found that once I know why a technique is used that it is easier to remember and also easier to apply those techniques at other times in other cooking because I know why you do that. E.g. why do you add cream of tartar to whipped egg whites (the acid keeps the whipped egg whites from separating and collapsing), or why when mixing dry and wet ingrediants into a stand mixer you add part wet, then part dry, then part wet, then part dry (it mixes the elements together without "pockets" or dry ingredients in little bubbles). I especially love the shows, but the cookbooks are helpful too.

Only one: the Joy of Cooking
it is fantastic. All of the basics about everything. I am a seasoned cook, but it is my go to for something I have never cooked before.

Mark Bittman -- Cook Everything

Anonymous wrote:Cook's Illustrated.

Also, the tv show America's Test Kitchen on PBS.

I have not failed when I've followed their precise instructions! Lots of good tips too.

These are my go to. I've learned so much from these books and shows. The recipes are foolproof. It is embarassing to say how many different cookbooks I have from them. Many of them are the magazine type you can buy at the checkout counter, but still.

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

Cook's Illustrated.

Also, the tv show America's Test Kitchen on PBS.

I have not failed when I've followed their precise instructions! Lots of good tips too.

How to Cook without a Book (yes, it's a book)
Fannie Farmer
Great Food without Fuss (out of print, but I'm a big fan of used cookbooks -- they're just going to get stained anyway)

You should read "Think Like a Chef." It teaches techniques, followed by recipes that use those techniques. Learning basic skills like when oil is hot enough to saute (when it slides easily across the pan) will help you a lot. Read this book first and then look for recipes. Simply Recipes is a good website by the way.

I love Martha's Stewart's Great Food Fast. Almost all the recipes turn out great and they are easy to prepare on the weeknights.

OP, I would check some cook books out of the library b/f you buy to try them out.

That said here is a basic one:
http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Kitchen-Healthy-Family-Cookbook/dp/1933615567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332728127&sr=1-1

I think this is a good one too, but the recipe flavors might be a little sophisticated for kids:
http://www.amazon.com/Monday---Friday-Cookbook-Michele-Urvater/dp/1563057484/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332728310&sr=1-2

I also like PBS Everyday Food cookbooks as well as the show.

Joy of Cooking is a great reference as well as this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Timing-Is-Everything-Complete-Cooking/dp/0609802070/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332728449&sr=1-1

Cute and practical! I received this as a wedding gift from my aunt, I've used it quite a bit. It was on display in my kitchen, before I had kids.

http://www.amazon.com/Bitch-way-Babe-Total-Control-Herself/dp/0970150202

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

Believe it or not, this basic but comprehensive Fannie Farmer Cookbook really helped me a lot. I've had it forever; I think it was one of my first cookbooks. Now I have a ton of cookbooks, but this is the one I turn to again and again:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Fannie-Farmer-Cookbook-Anniversary/dp/0679450815/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332722176&sr=1-1

My husband has always done ALL of our cooking, but he's starting a job with longer hours and now the ball's in my court. Yikes. I haven't cooked since college (think rice-a-roni and frozen pizza) and now I'm taking the place of someone who is an awesome cook. His approach is pretty scientific (he loves those cooks illustrated cookbooks that give you the science behind everything), but that is not me. I want things that are fast to cook (no more than an hour) but healthy and interesting to eat.

Any suggestions for cookbooks or websites where I could get some ideas? I'm overwhelmed by the amount of recipes on the web and don't even know where to start.