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| The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition | 
 enlarge | Author: Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Creators: John Burgoyne, Carl Tremblay, Daniel J. Van Ackere
Publisher: Americas Test Kitchen
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $21.99
You Save: $13.01 (37%)
New (29) Used (12) from $19.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  210 reviews
Sales Rank: 350
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 2nd
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 1000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.3
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 8.7 x 2.4
ISBN: 0936184744
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.5
EAN: 9780936184746
ASIN: 0936184744
Publication Date: October 15, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great Tasting Food January 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had to have this book after eating a fabulous Boston Cream Pie my sister-in-law made, following a recipe from this book. I immediately bought it and made the pie myself. The instructions are very specific and detailed, which is a little frustrating, but I have to say it made for a fabulous Boston Cream Pie! There aren't a whole lot of pictures and there's a lot of writing, but it explains how and why some recipes don't work and others do-which I found interesting. Overall, I am very happy with the book and highly recommend it.
The New Best Cookbook January 25, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I started watching the "America's Test Kitchen" TV program (ATK) about a year ago. I joined the (parent) Cook's Illustrated (CI) website shortly after and began printing off various recipes that featured ingredients I happened to have on hand ... all met with rave reviews from my own "test kitchen."
The next step was to stock ingredients that frequently occurred in ATK recipes. And then came a trip to the library and home with a copy of this book.
At dinnertime (or before) I only need to mention that "this is an ATK recipe" to get lip-smacking anticipatory reactions ... and I've never been disappointed, nor has any of my diners. "Please make this again," is the customary refrain, along with, "Is there any more?!" And now the great majority (nearly 100%) of the dishes I prepare come from CI/ATK.
So I've returned to Amazon to buy a copy of my own. Sure, all the recipes are at my beck and call from the CI/ATK website(s), but I want to sit down in my comfy chair and find a delectable nugget of a recipe on my own.
If you only have one cookbook, this should be the one. Compared to "The Joy of Cooking" this is head and shoulders better. Compared to Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" this is better, but only because you know that each and every recipe has been beaten to death and tested exhaustively. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to prepare and serve any recipe in this book (untried) for family and guests on any occasion. It's just a non-fail, get-'r-done formula for success.
Buy your copy without hesitation, and enjoy the fabulous meals you're about to prepare.
One of the best cookbooks, ever! January 18, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After purchasing many cookbooks over the years, my girlfriend told me something interesting. She told me that she found it difficult to learn to cook from a book, since she learned to cook by watching her mother. At first, this remark seemed insignificant, but later, the truth of what she said began to sink in. Although I have watched many of the PBS and Food Network cooking show, and have bought some of the author's books, none were offered in a format where the books were sold with the matching DVDs from the show.
Though I always liked watching America's Test Kitchen, I had never purchased any of their books. As Christmas 2006 rolled closer, I went to the ATK website, and found they had a great deal offering a book and accompanying covering all of the shows they aired in 2006, and for only $29.95 plus S/H. I bought a set for her and one for me, and since then, have been completely hooked on the ATK approach to cooking.
Sure, the DVDs help. Although I am experienced at cooking from many cookbooks, after watching an episode on DVD then reading the recipe, I go into the kitchen with a much clearer sense of purpose. However, the beauty of the ATK books is that they also provide a valuable narrative of the recipes they tried and how they failed, before giving you their solution.
Since then, I have purchased the ATK 2007 season book and DVD, and this Best Recipe book as well. Although the Best Recipe book does not include a DVD, it offers the same, in depth description of how recipes were developed, along with valuable recommendations on the best cooking equipment, and taste ratings of supermarket ingredients.
The best thing that I can say about ATK is that, after many years of buying books and cooking, I have finally found a line of books that teach you how to cook! I honestly feel as though I am receiving a culinary education from ATK. Rather that asking you to follow recipes blindly, they guide you to why cooking techniques work and don't work. Ultimately building knowledge and repertoire, I am not only becoming a more confident cook, but a more creative one as well.
Though large, this is the best single volume cookbook I have ever come across. In contrast to some of the other reviews, I find no difficulty whatsoever with the indexing. The book is simply separated into sections such as Poultry, or Vegetables. Within Vegetables, recipes are listed alphabetically (ie Asparagus is near the front, and Zucchini is near the rear). I never have any trouble finding anything, though I don't start in the back, but simply turn to the right section and go from there.
Some of the best food I have EVER made has been from these ATK books. My Beef Carbonnade, Boston Baked Beans, and Butternut Squash soup were mouth watering show stoppers. Many other recipes, including Meatloaf, high-roast chicken, Chicken Francese, and Huevos Rancheros, were very, very good.
I purchased this book for Christmas for my sister as well, and she loves it.
Most used reference in our kitchen January 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have the older version of this book. I use it almost exclusively. I purchased two copies of this updated version to give as gifts and after reviewing it I was tempted to keep one for myself. I would definitely recommend this cookbook and it's on my list of things to buy to give as a gift to anyone who appreciates and loves cooking.
Christmas present January 7, 2008
This was a present for my wife who absolutely loved it and has spent days poring over it page by page. Obviously recommended.
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