Family Circle

What's that? You say you want some meat? Well then, this is definitely the cookbook for you! From the fine people at the Family Circle, it is the MEAT COOKBOOK! Everything you ever wanted or needed to know about your meat is in here, from where to get it to how to butcher, prepare, cook, and eat it. MEAT! Beef, veal, lamb, pork, ham, sausage, bacon... MEAT! And it doesn't just stop there! Nothing is left to waste, as you'll also find recipes for brains, hearts, kidneys, livers, oxtails, show more sweetbreads (not what they sound like), tongues... whittle the bones into fine-dining utensils and dinnerware, and you'll have the ultimate MEAT experience! Hell, they even cover canned meats and gravies just in case you can't get your hands on a dead animal right this minute. MEAT! show less

This is a UK printing, but the ingredients and instructions seem easy to change to U.S. versions. It's a little recipe-heavy on the tofu and eggplant, but I enjoy that there are a lot of Asian recipes included. Keeps it from being boring. There are some good passages about protein, fat, and carbohydrates and their role in your body and how the vegetarian diet can get the proper nutrients. I like the "step-by-step" aspect of this book which shows 3 smaller images during the prep/cooking show more process as well as the larger image of the finished dish. This makes the recipes easy to follow along with.

I might upgrade for 4 stars or downgrade to 3 after preparing some recipes. show less

We haven't tried many of the recipes, but those we have tried have been delicious. Instructions are clear and easy to follow and recipes are simple enough for kids to attempt.

The Family Circle Good Cook’s Book contains detailed information on food storage, preparation, and more. This book is not a collection of recipes, but is an extensive reference covering many things from descriptions, and storage, for fruits, vegetables, and meats, to tips on making crystal-clear ice cubes (page 424). Need to know how to select and store artichokes (page 114)? Wonder what it means to “deglaze” (page 179)? There is so much useful, and interesting, information. I think show more this book is a welcome addition to the library of anyone who eats food. show less