[.ca] Dad's Own Cookbook: Everything Your Mother Never Taught You (ISBN 0894807668)

From Amazon.com:
And now, for the kitchen impaired, a cookbook guaranteed to take you from zero to frittata in less than an hour. Dad's Own Cookbook offers culinary neophytes and novice cooks the chance to finally flex a little muscle in the kitchen. For singles who don't cook but are trying to impress a new date, this could be the dating guide of the century. Joy of Cooking, The New Basics, and Betty Crocker's New Cookbook are all excellent books, but if you think Cuisinart was a movement that followed the French impressionists, they just might be a bit over your head. Author Bob Sloan assumes nothing, and Dad's Own Cookbook covers it all, start to finish. From buying the ingredients to cooking and serving, Sloan offers concise, no-nonsense instruction that strips away intimidation and sends confidence levels soaring. The highlight of this extraordinary cookbook is the recipes. While Sloan assumes you might be inexperienced in the kitchen, he never assumes that you are inexperienced at the table. The recipes are admirable, including such delicacies as Chicken Tortellini with Prosciutto and Tomato Cream Sauce, Baked Salmon with Herb Crust, and Strawberry Mousse. Best of all, Dad's Own Cookbook provides you with the tools you need to put them on the table. Sloan starts with shopping tips, such as how to read product labels and select fresh produce. (Quick quiz for the experienced cooks out there: how do you tell if an egg is fresh?) He moves on to how to pick knives and pans, and how to measure (under the snappy title "Real Men Do Measure"), prepare, and serve. Along the way, Sloan offers solid advice on selecting a menu, what to prepare in advance, and how to time the cooking so everything comes out just right and at the same time. About the only thing Dad's Own Cookbook leaves out are excuses--when it comes to cooking, you simply won't need them any more. --Mark O. Howerton

not just for dads!:
This cookbook has tons of solid cooking basics plus fun recipes that everyone (not just dads!) will find helpful. This is the first place I look for classic things like roast chicken, lasagna, and birthday cake. Great advice on how long to cook various cuts of meat and the 'simple' steps that other cookbooks often assume you already know. I got this cookbook when I went to college, and it was a great way to build a solid base to my cooking repertoir.

indispensible:
when i got divorced and my two sons came to live with me, it wasn't long before i realized we couldn't eat out every night. But then, i was the proverbial helpless male...i had never made rice before much less cook dinner regularly, or irregularly. this book is so helpful, so elementary, i couldn't recommend it more for someone who knows absolutely nothing about cooking food. you will not regret owning this book. my boys are now at college but i still find myself referring to it often.

Outstanding (and easy to make) recipes for all occasions!:
Compiled by professional New York-based caterer Bob Sloan, Dad's Own Cook Book is a "guy friendly" kitchen cookbook covering all the basics with charts, tips, and directions ideal for even the most novice newcomer to meal time preparations. Beginning with how to shop for groceries, and then moving on to food processors and microwaves, saute pans and clean up, Dad's Own Cook Book is a complete course of instruction on what to do and how to do it. Ranging from the basic egg (boiled, scrambled, fried, poached, and the omelet) to soups, salads, pastas, stews, and desserts, every element and aspect of the meal is covered with a wealth of delicious recipes. There are even invaluable sections devoted to making pizza with the kids, cooking in the great outdoors, cooking for a crowd, holding a cocktail party, and birthday parties for the children! Whether for the suddenly single father, or the helpful hubby wanting to give the wife a break, Dad's Own Cook Book is the perfect instructional reference combined with a cornucopia of outstanding (and easy to make) recipes for all occasions!

Cooking Basics for the Kitchen-Challenged:
My friend Peter was going through a divorce. The first thing he bought for his new apartment was this cookbook, and seven years later, he still swears by it and his kids are well-fed. On the road to culinary perfection, this is the first quarter-mile. This handy guide to cooking for children includes everything from "How to Pack a Lunch" (page 66) to "How to Read a Recipe" (page 37) and even "Throwing a Birthday Party for Your Child" (page 285). This book is guaranteed to demystify the kitchen! Most of the recipes in this book are extremely kid-friendly. For example: Six Sandwiches the Kids Will Eat (page 58), Four All-American Lunches (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Quick Macaroni and Cheese, and Chef's Salad), and Dad's Official Meat Loaf. The recipes are not strictly limited to kid-friendly fare. The author includes instructions on how to prepare for a cocktail party, with an accompanying "Cheese Primer." The Cocktail Party menu includes recipes for: Miniature Quiches (no, not the frozen kind that come out of a box!), Pate, and even Salmon Caviar! The book is sectioned into meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Each section includes handy tips and tricks. For example, on page 80 there is a "Beef Basics" diagram which shows you where the different cuts of beef come from. These special sections include blue-tinted "Special Occasion" supplements. An example of this is on page 48, "Breakfast in Bed." This meal consists of Slow Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, and Caviar. This is an outstanding all-around cookbook. Whether you're just getting started in your own apartment, or settling down with a loved one who longs to share the kitchen with you, this is a great start.

Absolutely the Best:
This was one of the first cookbooks I bought 8 years ago and I have used it religiously ever since. When I can't find a recipe or information on something related to cooking, I can always find it here. The recipes are simple, yet ALWAYS good. I have not found one recipe in this book that wasn't great! In addition to recipes the book offers meal plans, cooking tips, info on tools and timing - everything you need! This makes a terrific gift - even for the most advanced gourmet.