• September Cookbook of the Month Review

  Filed under Cookbook of the Month
  Oct 2
  Yes, I was a slacker this month and only made 3 recipes from this month’s Cookbook of the Month – The Joy of Cooking. But it’s not because there is a lack of recipes in this book!! Actually, it is almost overwhelming because it is full of so much information!!

  I have mixed feelings about this book:

  Pros:

  • SO many recipes. Even if you just need a head start or an idea to get something going, you will most likely find some helpful information in this book.
  • Simple recipes. You won’t find a recipe that goes on for pages.

  Cons:

  • SO many recipes. It is a bit daunting. And a lot of the recipes are ones that I would never make. Like the ones for stewed pigs’ feet or calf head. Ewww.
  • Simple instructions. I honestly believe that you might have a hard time with this cookbook if you are a beginner cook. There is not a lot of instruction or guidance – mostly just an outline.

  So basically, the pros are also cons, and the cons are also pros! But really, I think it’s a great book to have on hand for reference. I don’t imagine it will become my favorite cookbook, but I know I will get lots of use out of it.

  Butterscotch Bars – 4.8 out of 5 stars

  Cream of Tomato Soup – 3.8 out of 5 stars

  Banana Cream Pie – 3 out of 5 stars

  
  

  Overall rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars

  
  The cookbook of the month is another one that is coming straight from my shelf – Family Circle’s All-Time Favorite Recipes. Sometimes at night when we are sitting around watching tv, I’ll grab a cookbook off the shelf to flip through. This one caught my eye, and before I knew it, I had tons of recipes bookmarked. So I figured it would be a great time to make it the Cookbook of the Month!

  

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  5 Comments

5 Responses to “September Cookbook of the Month Review”

1. 

   kat said on October 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm

   Joy is my go to book. I use it as a good jumping point for recipes. Usually I say, ok I want to make blank & look how Joy does it then change it up.

   [Reply]

2. 

   Tia said on October 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm

   I've been wavering back and forth on this… to buy or not to buy. I know I should probably own a classic like "joy", even just to say that I own it. Lol.

   Do you have an opinion on how it compares to Bittmann's "how to cook everything"?

   [Reply]

3. 

   Ingrid said on October 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm

   Thanks for the heads up on this one! Still need to try those butterscotch bars!
   ~ingrid

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4. 

   jen said on October 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm

   I totally agree with you on the pros & cons to Joy of cooking, I love the entertaining tips and ideas in it though.
   Love the recipes you made from them, those butterscotch bars look so yummy

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5. 

   Anonymous said on October 5th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

   And on top of all the confusion, you have to remember there is more than one edition of Joy, and they are much more than reprints. The 1975 is more down-to-earth and less trendy than the 1997 (which edition raised a lot of hackles amongst the older Joy fans. I have four copies; you never know when you're going to need help with eviscerating and plucking a pheasant (I believe that was the 1953 edition).

   Sandra

   [Reply]

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