The cookbook I can't live without

By Sarah

I like to fancy myself a pretty decent cook, but if there's something I struggle with, it's knowing when my proteins are cooked to perfection. There's nothing worse than thinking your chicken is cooked through, only to find out it's still pink in the middle. (Almost as bad as over-cooking your chicken into a piece of rubber. There's no way to save that except with a good BBQ sauce.)

My favorite resource for knowing how to properly cook steak, chicken and other proteins is the Betty Crocker Cookbook. The cookbook is broken down into sections (Eggs & Cheese, Meat, Fish & Shellfish, etc.) and each section contains a timetable for properly cooking all the different types of proteins. Even more, the timetables are further broken down by how you're cooking, whether you're grilling, roasting or broiling. So, no matter how or what you're cooking, Betty's got you covered.

My favorite resource the cookbook boasts, other than the timetables, is the Emergency Substitutions list on the back cover of the cookbook. In addition to all the cooking how-tos, this cookbook also has a ton of traditional recipes like potatoes au gratin and quiche Lorraine, as well as some of the newer fad foods, like quinoa.

In a word, Ms. Crocker is an invaluable asset to my kitchen. What about you? What cookbook can you not live without?

{Photo credit: bettycrocker.com}

Comments

[Rhi]

My Grandma gave me a copy of Betty Crocker when I was about 13 and I still use it - though it's a little uh, ratty.

Right now, for me, it's Martha Stewart's Cooking School.

[Rhi]

That posted WAY too soon...it has lots of sauces, purees, etc. in there and I love it. Also, I am a member of the Church of Martha.

[Kandi]

I have a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (not sure which edition) that I use when I need a traditional recipe.

[aly]

weirdly, i cant live w/o Bride & Groom First and Forever cookbook. Their pie crust recipe! The banana bread! All divine.

[Jennie]

Must add this to my Christmas list, which is getting really long.

[Arwen]

For me, it's the Joy of Cooking. That thing is like a culinary bible. It has all the information I need, plus plenty that I'll never need, but I love it!

I have a Betty Crocker cookbook too, but I think the JoC beats it all hollow.

[natalie]

Better Homes & Gardens cookbook is the book to go to for the traditional meals.

[Carla]

Complete Canadian living is my go-to book. It has everything in it and they thoroughly test everything.

[Maura]

I suffer from cookbook schizophrenia. I can't stick with just one. I guess I need Betty Crocker, too!