probably totally nerdy for me to add this, but seriously, this book answers any questions for the everyday cook. I sometimes just sit and read it. Way good recipes with explanations as to why they did certain things. It's full of good tips and photos and ratings for different brands of what to buy and things like that. Anyone who likes to cook should get it and read it!

After this book saved my Thanksgiving, I felt it deserved a review from me. My husband's family has commented many times on what a good cook I am...and 99.9% of the reason goes to this book! I mean, I am not one of those cooks who can throw a little of this and a little of that into a pot and it turns out marvelous. I am black and white when it comes to cooking, I follow the instructions to the letter. If the recipe calls for white pepper, I go buy WHITE pepper...black pepper isn't even considered! If it says to use parchment paper, tin foil goes out the door! I haven't made all of the recipes but every one I've tackled has turned out great and everyone has loved them! The roast turkey was a overwhelming success this Thanksgiving (my first turkey ever, by the way!), the potato salad is a favorite on the 4th of July, the chewy chocolate chip cookies are always requested, the corn chowder was wonderful and the maple scones for Christmas Breakfast are now a tradition! Now, this is not a low fat cookbook, so I really only use it for special occasion cooking. I love this book! I'm also a big fan of their PBS series, I set aside a half hour every saturday to watch it. If you want to fool everyone into thinking you are a master chef (and you can follow a recipe) then get this book..you won't regret it!

This is such a fun read. One of my favorite cookbooks. I'm not a cook at heart but this book helps me pretend to be one.

a great go-to for classic recipes. when i want to make "the best" of something, i reference this book . . . love this cookbook!!