[.ca] Learning to Cook with Marion Cunningham (ISBN 0375401180)

From Amazon.com:
Marion Cunningham, renowned for her revision of the The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, turns her attention to the novice cook. Cunningham's passion for simple, home-cooked dishes, along with her extensive teaching experience, is evident on every page. In Learning to Cook, 150 recipes and 100 color photos are woven through 11 chapters with tempting titles like "Soup for Supper," "Easy Fish," "Meals Without Meat," and "Thank Goodness for Chicken." Cunningham's recipes are clearly written--free from hard-to-decipher cooking terms and elaborate preparations. Directions for preparing items such as vegetables are included in the recipes, so readers can prepare them as they cook, without perpetually referring to the ingredients list. Many of the recipes are meal-in-one suppers. In addition to recipes, the book includes lots of reference materials, such as a list of essential kitchen tools, as well as lots of tips on basic techniques--how to whip cream, cook rice, carve ham, and much more. An uncluttered, user-friendly layout empowers even the fearful cook to prepare dishes like Poached Halibut with Fennel, Old-Fashioned Beef Stew, and Simple Vegetable Soup. Cooking with this book will teach beginning cooks to read a recipe, organize a complete meal, recycle today's dinner into tomorrow's luscious lunch, gauge quantity, season to taste, and even end up with a cleaner kitchen after they've completed their meal! Learning to Cook with Marion Cunningham is a timeless cookbook useful to any novice cook. --Amy Cotler

Unsatisfactory:
First of all, I am no cook. A busy lifestlye keeps me from spending more money on takeout food, and less time in the kitchen. When attempting to make an effort to amend that, I bought this book eagerly, based on the previous reviews. Perhaps it was me screwing up the recipe (as I've said, I am no cook), but out of the 5 recipes I've tried in this book, only 1 of them was passable...barely, and 2 which were trashworthy. Additionally, the recipes weren't very healthy, relying on way too much butter and oil. I am very disappointed, as I thought that this book was geared for novices and had easy, but good instruction. Some of the material is alright. The informational charts and hints are helpful. But, I am no longer sure if I trust the recipes though. It is a waste of time and money to continue investing in something that produces an inferior product. Hopefully others will have better results

Refreshingly simple and do-able cookbook!:
Here's what I like about this book: 1. With so many cookbooks featuring exotic ingredients and techniques, this book is so refreshing and simple! I can easily make all of the recipes in this book, and the ingredients can be found in local grocery stores. 2. Ms. Cunningham explains every details that I need to know, from how to pick the ingredients, how to properly prepare them, how to tell when the dish is done, etc. etc. Nothing is too detail. I can really learn a lot from this book. What I don't like about this book: 1. The recipes are too basic, everyday type of food. This is one book I keep referring over and over and a keeper. But, I'd like to see more slightly complicated/special recipes. Thus I give it 4 stars!

Learning to Cook Great:
I have 6 children, ranging from teens to toddler, and I cook a lot. I have always appreciated Marion Cunningham's recipes because they are realistic and the way families eat. I bought this book to add to my collection and have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family has enjoyed everything I've cooked from it. With this cookbook I successfully made delicious biscuits for the first time. Even when the subject is an area I'm already comfortable with I enjoy reading it. I agree completely with her goal of helping us cook for our families and friends so that we can share a delicious, wholesome meal with the people we love. Her recipes and comments are to be treasured and passed down to future generations with wonderful memories.

Great for a true novice like me!:
I am a true novice in the kitchen. As a girl growing up I no desire to cook - so I never learned how to even boil an egg! (Hard to believe, but I had to call my mother long distance to get instructions.) I have tried almost all of these receipes and they are great and simple. I actually can cook meals for friends now. I purchased one as a gift for my cooking novice cousin and she loves it too.

For beginners who want a real home cooked meal:
I bought this book when I moved out of the dorm rooms with my husband. He didn't know how to cook at all and I could cook. I could cook marvelous cheesecakes, fabulous beef stroganoff, meals that take hours, but nothing for I've just come home from work and need dinner Now. That is what this cookbook is for. Learning everyday recipes you can do if you have a lot of time or a little. She also give suggestions on what to do with the leftovers(lamb curry is exceptional) and, occasionally, what to serve the dish with. More than improving my cooking skills this book has been invaluable in improving my meal planning skills. Of course, no book is perfect. I found her black bean soup to be rather bland. (Try the original Moosewood Cookbook's Brazilian Black bean soup) Her recipes use milk, cream, butter, and oil like your grandmother used to, so if you are nervous around any fat at all, this is not the book for you. And I recommend using corn starch for gravies rather than flour since it is simpler and comes out smooth no matter what. Finally, some recipes are time consuming and being a busy modern person I rarely get around to making chicken broth as she suggests. But it is still nice to know. Otherwise, this is a simple cookbook with clear instructions for a novice. Nothing fancy (a few dishes and all the appetizers would do well at a dinner party, but for the most part this is every day cooking), just good home cooking.