What's a Cook to Do?: An Illustrated Guide to 484 Essential Tips, Techniques, and Tricks

I bought this book as a gift for a grandchild who likes to cook. Some of it will be helpful but quite a lot will be just interesting factoids.

In a world where so much of the American food experience comes from a can or a box, people can miss learning about real cooking growing up, and there's a place for a book that explains a variety of topics that experienced cooks take for granted. This book contains concise descriptions of procedures and norms from how to carve a roast (and how to roast it in the first place) to where the wine glasses go, which pots to buy, and several ways of making pie crusts-- just a few examples out of 484 entries. It won't teach you how to cook, but I think it would give a beginner a good survey of techniques, tools, and terminology to get cooking quickly, or provide a quick lookup to remind yourself on a particular operation. Mr. Peterson has done a good job with this book. The only caution I'd give is that, since it is a survey and covers a large set of information, it can be brief; some topics you may want to research further even though the basics are covered here.

This is a great little reference book. In fact, it has more step by step info than I had expected. I often forget that I have it and can use it along side with my cook books, or even in some cases in place of a cook book. I found the best way to use it was to go thru each topic quickly and try to remember what info it offered so I would remember to pull it out when I faced a particular cooking situation. It's improved my cooking, not just the outcome, but the ease of actually doing it. I'm not an expert cook and perhaps the contents would be less important to someone more experiences. I think this is perfect for someone who enjoys cooking and would like to be better at it and learn some more basic techniques.

We've had a copy of this book for years, but got another copy for my son and grandson -- they eat out a lot and would eat IN if they had more options or knew how to cook more foods. The book is full of good ideas and guidance, and helps you with both simple and complicated cooking problems. A great guide!

This book has so much information, tips, and tricks for the kitchen! It's a wonderful source of information and workarounds for all that you may need.

I really like this kitchen book. There are ten sections: Tools, Techniques, and Advice; Eggs, Cheese, Pasta, and Rice; Vegetables and Fruit; Shellfish and Fish; Poultry and Meat; Broths, Soups, and Sauces; Pies and Tarts; Cakes, Batters, and Custards; Beverages; and Etiquette. There are tips on how to julienne leeks, pit an apricot, buy shrimp, roast a chicken, make any cream soup with a blender, choose a cake pan, make a simple frozen soufflé, make perfectly clear ice.... The book has a few good recipes, and it is extremely helpful for simple techniques and tricks. I gave this book five stars because of the amount of information it has. Additionally, the index is amazing! This book would make an awesome gift for someone who wants to learn how to cook, is moving into their own home, and/or for a first cookbook (it has some basic recipes).

This is a great resource for all cooks, but especially beginners. I bought it for my 12 year old who is taking an interest in cooking, but i have learned alot from it too. This book gives tips and explanations that help build a understanding of food and how it responds different methods. That makes a better more useful cook who can see beyond the recipe. It is simple and easy to reference.  What's a Cook to Do?: An Illustrated Guide to 484 Essential Tips, Techniques, and Tricks

I purchased one for my daughter when she got her first home because of the variety of information. Full of great..useful information. She has purchased 3 since getting hers to give with her wedding baskets she gives at her friends Bridal Showers. Two of them told her the book was one of their favorite gifts received.

At last a book that covers everything that you need to know in the kitchen. It covers everything from how to peel different exotic fruits to how to store different herbs. Every little question you have thought of is covered. This book would make an excellent gift for anyone who is either just starting out in cookery or even been cooking for years. I highly recommend it and can't work out how I ever was without it.

Good quality of the book, fast delivery, recommend.

Great tips in this book. I bought one for each family member for christmas. Very handy to keep in kitchen

Everyone should have a copy of this book.