I should've posted this before Christmas so you could have all put it on your wish lists. It is hands-down the most important and useful cookbook on the planet. Originally published in 1931 by Irma Rombauer, this book is the source for almost anything you want to know. The newer versions have been expanded to fit modern tastes and diets, including more international and vegetarian recipes.I have close to 40 cookbooks, but this is the one I use all the time because it has everything; from pancakes to paella, clam chowder to cornbread, gumbo to gravy, beef wellington to borscht, strawberry pie to succotash, and just about everything else you can imagine. And since the book has been in a constant state of refinement for almost 80 years, you can be sure that all the recipes are pretty good.
In addition to the recipes, it has all sorts of useful information like instructions for various cooking methods, conversion tables, substitution ideas (Yes Vicki, you can use 1 cup of regular flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt instead of one cup of self-rising flour), and a section called "know your ingredients" that you can refer to anytime you come across some unknown ingredient in a recipe.
If you don't already own it, this should be your next purchase.
11 comments:
Thanks for the self-rising flour tip! I haven't run into a recipe that uses it yet, except for that cupcake one, but this is good to know. Now I can make those cupcakes!
My mom had that cookbook when I was growing up, and I think she used it quite a bit. I'll have to make it my next cookbook purchase.
I love this cookbook! I use it as a resource - so if there's a recipe I want to make (for example, the other day I knew I wanted to make a poppy seed dressing for my salad) I look it up there. But if I'm trying to decide what to make I'll browse through my other cookbooks - I love Nigella Lawson for browsing. I just love her writing style. My favorite cookbook of hers is Feast.
Ha...I agree. In fact I have two copies...both from my mom. I think she must love it to because she gave it to me twice...but both times wrote really nice things inside so I have to keep them both.
Best cook book for the "advanced, super powered, overachieving chef." For some reason that book scares me. Tan and Meliss gave it to me for Christmas and it is like the science book for cooking...pretty rad. But like I said, I'm not quite there yet :)
Oh, good news in my kitchen: I just made my very own bread the other day. Half wheat/half white. It turned out pretty darn good, I think too!
Thanks! I love cookbooks. I'll have to tell my mom since she has a collection of 93 cookbooks. (Seriously, is that normal? Do you and Anne own that many?)
I just bought myself the 75th anniversary edition to replace the old one I've had for 30 plus years. We've already used it several times, interestingly, once was to look up how bread flour differs from cake flour and if we could substitute. We were not let down. :)
amen brother. I keep extras in my cupboard to give as wedding gifts!
You may be surprised to know I use mine all the time, even if I am a plain cook. It was printed in 1964!
Thanks! Thats good to know, I need a good cookbook. Maybe I will go to B&N and get it today.
Speaking of cookbooks, when are you going to make a cookbook? You totally should!
I am ready for a new recipe! :) Love you, Tay.
the lady i nanny for reads your blog, tay. and she just ordered this cook book -- thought you might get a kick out of that. you're nationally acclaimed :)
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