Cooking Essentials Author:Mary Berry & Marlena Spieler There isn't a back cover description. This book is printed especially for Cooking Club of America and has tons of wonderful information. The introduction reads.... — Being a good cook doesn't just happen. it starts with knowledge. And that knowledge must run deeper than just a recipe on a page, no matter how much or little cooking experience ... more »you have. Successful cooking stars with knowing the ingredients you work with and understanding the tools and equipment you use. Good cooking techniques bring those two factors together, and recipes offer the ideas you need to blend it all into great food. Simply enough, that's the story behind Cooking essentials. Cooking should be as easy and uncomplicated as possible. We want you to have fun with your cooking, be successful and really enjoy the results. So this book is for you if you've been cooking for a long time, for it will bring you new cooking knowledge and ideas. And this book is for you if you're just starting out cooking, or are ready to take that next step into really knowing this most delightful of endeavors. Here's how Cooking Essentials does it, keeping an eye for the fresher, light food of today. We start with a visual guide to the pantry, describing and explaining a key choice of ingredients from peppercorns, oils and vinegars, to pasta and beans, vanilla beans, and honey. A stock of good, basic ingredients will help you cook well, and for those on a budget, this section will ensure that bad buys are kept to a minimum and that correct storage will prevent waste. Next we offer advice on saving money as you set up or improve your kitchen. To help you avoid expensive mistakes, we devote a section to kitchen tools and equipment. It will allow you to identify which items are most practical and versatile and which items are worth investing in for the long term. Why buy a cheap set of bad knives when just two or three good ones will do and will last forever?What are the most useful small appliances to buy? Good quality machines are expensive, so you need to choose wisely. A portfolio of essential Techniques forms a vital reference source. You'll be surprised at all the tricks and techniques you can use to make your cooking more efficient and enjoyable. You will turn to this section again, and again. The Master Recipes are designed to be your keys to even better cooking, allowing you to utilize a wide range of essential cooking skills. You'll find secrets to making an omelet truly fluffy and a creamy soup wonderfully smooth, roasting a chicken to perfection, baking the perfect apple pie and more.All the recipes are easy to follow and will help you cook with confidence for any occasion. Last but not least, there is the Recipe Repertoire, a collection of our favorite recipes that we hope will become yours too. Here you will find some time-honored classics with a modern twist, and some new and imaginative ideas using the latest ingredients available in our supermarkets. Enjoy Cooking Essentials, your companion on the never-ending road to more cooking knowledge and better cooking.« less