Beginner cook book for a single mom?

Have you discussed this with her, or are you just assuming she has the desire to learn? If she isn't interested in learning how to cook, no book is going to change her.

Assuming the motivation is there, for learning techniques I recommend Cooking At Home, first volume in the CIAs series for at-home cooks. Frankly, the recipes leave something to be desired, but the how-to-do-it stuff ranks among the best.

You can see my review here: http://www.cheftalk.com/products/cooking-at-home-with-the-culinary-institute-of-america/reviews#3722.

Frankly, I wouldn't pay publishers list for the book, because of its faults. But it's readily available, both new and used, at considerably lower prices. Last time I looked, for instance, Amazon had it for about 15 bucks.

There are numerous cookbooks oriented to the beginner, such as Joy of Cooking. But they tend to take the traditional approach of being recipe oriented more than techniques oriented. And that is often frustrating for somebody who lacks the basic gestalt.

 

Just a thought, which may or may not apply since I know nothing of the actual situation.  Would it be possible for you to cook for her in her kitchen, say, once a month or so?  She could see first hand how to make simple yet tasty meals.

mjb.

 

Hi Brian,

While not exactly answering the question you asked, if she has time to watch a couple of videos here and there, rather than a cookbook, you may want to consider a subscription to http://rouxbe.com/cooking-school - very detailed and helpful for beginners and not too focused on recipes, a bit more focused on techniques.

But you've got to figure out if the video format is going to suit her lifestyle obviously.

 

I'm not sure if it is still available but years ago I was given a copy of "Easy Cooking for Today" by Pol Martin and I used that book almost exclusively for a while when I was learning to cook.  I liked it so much that I went and got a copy for a friend who was getting married and I put together a kitchen package for her shower.  If you can get ahold of that book, or anything written by him it would be helpful.  Many of the recipes are accompanied by step by step photographs and she will be able to see what things are supposed to look like.

Hope this helps

 

Okay- I'll give you a really retro suggestion-

Tell her to find a copy of Adelle Davis' long-out-of-print book Let's Cook It Right,   published by Harcourt, Brace in 1947. She was probably the first to bring together excellent recipes, nutrition information, techniques, and real insight into the value of good food. It's subtitled "Good Health Comes Fron Good Cooking". /img/vbsmilies/smilies/thumb.gif

My wife raised three healthy kids using this as her cooking bible. It is still a go-to in our now very extensive cookbook collection.  It's tattered and torn (as is our copy of James Beard's American Cookery, another  extremely useful reference.) but we still use it frequently.

If she's lucky, Amazon may provide a lead to this and Davis' other excellent books.

Mike

 

Mark Bittman's books helped me a TON a couple years ago when I was learning to cook - How to Cook Everything/HTCE: Vegetarian both have lots of great recipes, that are easy to follow, with ingredients that you can actually find. Mostly. And he has lots of basic tips on how to grill/saute/etc mixed in too. I much prefer bittman to Joy of Cooking - I have it, but I can't think of anything I've actually cooked out of it, and keep contemplating giving it to the goodwill... 

That said, my most recent cookbook purchase is Bon Appetit's Fast Easy Fresh cookbook, and thus far its GREAT! As the title suggests, the recipes are designed to be cooked quickly, are pretty darn easy, and, once again, have findable ingredients!! I've only had it for a week or so, but everything I've made so far has turned out great!! It uses some prepared sauces (maranara sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc), but you could easily make your own and sub them out, though to be honest, if she's just starting out requring that everything be made 100% from scratch would probably be super daunting!! So, that just might be a good thing!!