[.ca] Le Cordon Bleu's Complete Cooking Techniques: The ... (ISBN 0688152066)

Perfect for Beginners:
I love this book. As the others say, it is more for techniques and there are not very many recipes, but for beginners the recipes are perfect: broth, sauces, pancakes (from scratch!), etc. that are so basic that they are the basis for tons of other recipes. The illustrated techniques are great and everytime I do a new recipe I bring out the Cordon Bleu book to figure out what the recipe says!.

Comprehensive guide:
There certainly isn't a lack of illustrations in this book. It serves as a practical guide of cooking techniques and covers all aspects and indgredients of cooking, which includes sauces, vegetables, poultry, meat, seafood, herbs and spices, soups, desserts, bakery, dairy, fruits, and literally anything one can think of. However, do not expect to find many recipes, because as the title suggests, the book will be helpful if it used for cooking techniques. If you are eager to learn some basics, this is the book for you.

Kind of fluffy.:
I was hoping for detailed knifework photos and more advanced tips and tricks. I don't really need pretty photos of ingredients and finished dishes. Also, not as comprehensive as it could have been... maybe choosing a single cuisine would help, instead of the broad multiculturalism shown here. More of a coffee table book than a highly practical guide to culinary techniques.

Indispensable? Absolutely:
I absolutely love this book. Rather than giving a list of recipes, it tells you hundreds of techniques with which to create for yourself. Perfect for the budding chef or gourmand. It also has hundreds of illustrations of everything from food identification to hand motion. A great addition to any collection.

Cookbook Library Acquisition:
Cooks and chefs developing a serious library of refernce books...buy this one. Historic and contemporary applications of methods and techniques are included. Photos capture specific issues very well.