# What's your kitchen Bible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2002, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373 "2002-05-29T16:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/1 "2002-05-29T16:32:34Z")
The _Joy of Cooking_ is mine. Whenever I buy a cut of meat I’ve never purchased before, I consult the _Joy of Cooking_. Whenever I want to try a homemade cake, I use it. I use its banana bread, pancakes and shortbread recipes all the time. I use its recipes for pot roast, chicken and dumplings and baked ribs, too. I have to admit I’m not thrilled with their recipe for dumplings although my hubby LOVES them. I used to have a cookbook for vegetables. It was an oversized paperback titled _The Vegetarians A-Z Guide to Vegetables_ or something close to that. That book was awesome! It had sketches for each veggie, at LEAST three ways to cook it/them, what to look for when shopping for it/them and how to store it/them. I lost it in one of the moves and really miss it. So what’s your kitchen Bible? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/2 "2002-05-29T16:42:20Z")
My collection of Cook’s Illustrated magazines. I can always trust that their recipes will work. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/3 "2002-05-29T17:00:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Athena \* > \*\*My collection of Cook’s Illustrated magazines. \*\* Also THE COOK’S BIBLE, by Christopher Kimball, the editor of Cook’s Illustrated magazine. Handier than digging through all the issues. When I’m interested in making a rice-and-bean dish, or a chowder, or baked beans, or a chili, or a BBQ thing I’ve never tried before, I’ll go to John Thorne’s SERIOUS PIG and read through the definitive essays. I go back to his OUTLAW COOK and SIMPLE COOKING for other dishes…potato or garlic soup, for example. JOY OF COOKING is an excellent reference, but one book can’t be all things to all people. I’ll never forgive it for all the years I put sugar in my cornbread. Nowadays I’d be just as likely to reach for Mark Bittman’s HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING, which would be more likely to suggest a goulash recipe that would be recognizable to a Hungarian, or a pasta dish that’d be familiar in Tuscany. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/4 "2002-05-29T17:01:30Z")
Nigel Slater’s [Real Food](http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1841151440/qid=1022691127/sr=2-4/ref=sr_2_3_4/026-0914012-7634049) and [Appetite](http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1841154709/qid=1022691127/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/026-0914012-7634049). The latter is more of a philosophy-of-food book, with few recipes but lots of cooking techniques. Can’t recommend them highly enough. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/5 "2002-05-29T17:43:26Z")
Well, I pretty much stick with the basics so I’ve found _The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Cook Book_ to be quite useful. I also dig out Justin Wilson’s _Cookin Cajun_ from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/6 "2002-05-29T17:49:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\*\ JOY OF COOKING is an excellent reference, but one book can’t be all things to all people. I’ll never forgive it for all the years I put sugar in my cornbread. \ \*\* In defense of _Joy_, my copy has two basic recipes for cornbread. The Northern recipe doesn’t call for sugar whereas the Southern one does. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/7 "2002-05-29T18:10:33Z")
For old fashioned–or well-tested–basic recipes (breads, sauces, & the like) I always reach for Fannie Farmer. Kickin’ it old school. _And God brought forth the biscuits, and they were fluffy and golden, and God saw that it was good._ The New Testament in my house consists of the Moosewood cookbooks. _Blessed are the cheesegraters, for they shall be called sons of God._ ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/8 "2002-05-29T18:56:09Z")
> [@](#): > > In defense of Joy, my copy has two basic recipes for cornbread. The Northern recipe doesn’t call for sugar whereas the Southern one does. Sacrilege! Speaking as a lifelong South Carolinian, sugar in cornbread is an abomination in my sight. Point me to someone who advocates sugar in “Southern” cornbread and he shall snuff it. Amen. Now, more on topic, I find **Fannie Farmer** and **Good Housekeeping** both useful. Also, there are some nifty web sites: > **[Epicurious – Recipes, Menu Ideas, Videos & Cooking Tips](https://www.epicurious.com)** > > Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. > **[Home](https://www.foodnetwork.com/)** > **[Allrecipes](https://www.allrecipes.com)** > > Find and share everyday cooking inspiration on Allrecipes. Discover recipes, cooks, videos, and how-tos based on the food you love. are three which come to mind. RR ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/9 "2002-05-29T19:20:13Z")
I use the _Joy of Cooking_ for the basics, too. Mostly for sauce bases, although I cheat a bit because I have a “connection” for all types of stocks (veal, duck, beef, chicken, lobster, vegetable) with about a days notice. A lot of the actual recipes are a bit old fashoined, but the basics always help. ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/10 "2002-05-29T20:37:19Z")
Grrr - I had a long rambling post about how much I loved “Joy”, but it timed out. Don’t feel like typing it again. So I love Joy of Cooking, ok? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/11 "2002-05-29T22:20:07Z")
The _Today’s English Version_ translation, also known as _The Good News Bible_. Of course, that’s also my living room Bible and my bedroom Bible, and pretty much my Bible for **any** room of the house I’m in. Why? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/12 "2002-05-29T22:25:04Z")
I like Joy of Cooking and always refer to it when I have a question about how a basic item is cooked. Lately, I usually also refer to the Cook’s Illustrated _The Best Recipe_ cookbook to see if they mention whatever it is. Their whole wheat bread recipe is fantastic; ditto their instructions for roast beef. Lately I’ve also been referring a lot to _How to Cook Everything_, which was previously mentioned, I think. Bittman does a great job of explaining cooking techniques in plain language, and offers an unbelievable variety of recipes. I especially like the quesadilla recipe. Simple and yet delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/13 "2002-05-29T23:15:36Z")
_Joy of Cooking_, of course, but Paul Prudhomme’s [_Fork in the Road_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0688121659/102-4902713-8264129) comes a close second. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/14 "2002-05-29T23:39:28Z")
Nobody has mentioned **Zenster** ’s Ultimate Recipe Thread! The index is here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=52447](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=52447) ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/15 "2002-05-29T23:40:17Z")
Another vote for _Joy_ and _How to Cook Everything_. I prefer the layout and type in the latter though. By comparing and glomming together the recipes in both, I can usually come up with something good and interesting. ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/16 "2002-05-30T19:11:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > The _Today’s English Version_ translation, also known as _The Good News Bible_. I think that might be the one my wife wants. I’m a Scofield **NIV** man, myself. (I like the notes.) Back onto the cooking thing, what is so great about **The Joy of Cooking**? Do I need to go get a copy pronto? (Sorry if this makes you regret your timeout, MachV.) RR ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/17 "2002-05-30T21:15:44Z")
**RiverRunner:** I gotta admit, the NIV translation _does_ have the distinct advantage of being in the Public Domain. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/18 "2002-05-30T21:28:19Z")
Riv, (you don’t mind if I call you Riv, do you?) the _Joy of Cooking_ has a recipe for almost everything imaginable. It’s kind of like Cooking for Dummies or Cooking 101. It’s not a specialty cookbook and it doesn’t assume you already know how to cook. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/19 "2002-05-30T21:35:28Z")
_Mastering the Art of French Cooking I_ and _II_ are the books I refer to most often. Picked 'em up at a yard sale many years ago. I also have an old food-spattered copy of a companion cookbook to a forgotten 70’s cooking show, _The Romagnolis’ Table_, which is chock-full of great simple family Italian recipes. This is the book that taught me how to make homemade pasta when Mario Batali was still in middle school. Mmmmm - homemade pasta. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373/20 "2002-05-30T21:42:33Z")
Oops, I should have remembered to note that the French cookbooks were by Julia Child and Simone Beck, all praise to them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-kitchen-bible/111373.md?page=2)