<p>I’ve combed the TJ thread, and sent S suggestions for sauces and prepared foods. He and roommate have a rice cooker and lots of pasta, and are trying to prepare chicken and fish (no red meat). Any ideas for a cookbook?</p>
<p>In advance, thanks for any ideas.</p>
<p>PS–Wish I had a TJ’s near me.</p>
<p>Tell him to bookmark [All</a> recipes ? complete resource for recipes and cooking tips](<a href=“http://www.allrecipes.com%5DAll”>http://www.allrecipes.com). He can put in an ingredient search or find simple recipes for his favorite dishes. </p>
<p>Also, don’t know if guys would do this, but meat + sauce + veggies + crockpot = simple meal that can be served over rice or noodles. Someone just needs to remember to dump it all in the crockpot in the morning and they all will have something hot and ready to eat when it’s dinner time!</p>
<p>I got a cookbook called “Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen!” and it’s great for inexperienced cooks. It has a list of what essentials to keep on hand, simple recipes, etc. </p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen Cookbook: 100+ Great Recipes with Foolproof Instructions (0046442527637): Kevin Mills, Nancy Mills, Richard A. Goldberg: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Help-Apartment-Has-Kitchen-Cookbook/dp/1881527638]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Help-Apartment-Has-Kitchen-Cookbook/dp/1881527638)</p>
<p>I think Mark Bittman’s book (link below) is a great one for basics. He has several others that are excellent–this one, however, is short and great for basic stuff. Another cook book (much more comprehensive) for those with limited cooking skills is the Joy of Cooking.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> How to Cook Everything: The Basics (0785555852204): Mark Bittman: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Mark-Bittman/dp/076456756X/ref=pd_sim_b_5]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Everything-Mark-Bittman/dp/076456756X/ref=pd_sim_b_5)</p>
<p>I second the Mark Bittman recommendation. He does the simplest version of tons of traditional recipes. I haven’t made anything from it that wasn’t terrific - but it’s all real food. Not recipes with cans of this and that and ramen noodles. When I was young I pretty much sauted everything and ate it with pasta or rice while experimenting with herbs and spices.</p>
<p>Just purchased this [Leaving</a> Home Cookbook](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Home-Cookbook-Survival-Guide/dp/1597690252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249309904&sr=1-1]Leaving”>http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Home-Cookbook-Survival-Guide/dp/1597690252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249309904&sr=1-1) yesterday at the Borders sale. Will be sending it onto S1 once he arrives back at school. It’s his 2nd year in a house and he survived the first (even put on a couple of pounds), but thought he could use a cookbook.</p>
<p>I also second bookmarking allrecipes.com and also [Pillsbury[/url</a>] and also [url=<a href=“The Kraft Heinz Company”>The Kraft Heinz Company]Kraft</a> Food & Family](<a href=“http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/RecipeLanding.htm]Pillsbury[/url”>http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/RecipeLanding.htm) for simple recipes.</p>
<p>I don’t have any of Bittmans cookbooks- but I like his writing ( my favorites are from Cook’s Illustrated because they explain some of the science behind why recipes do/don’t work)</p>
<p>[But look at this kitchen!](<a href=“Mark Bittman's Bad Kitchen - The New York Times”>http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/mark-bittmans-bad-kitchen/</a>)</p>
<p>A simple recipe that makes a large amount and is healthy and delicious:</p>
<p>bag of slaw (broccoli or cabbage, whichever)
boiled but cooled down shrimp
frozen or fresh corn (not canned, in other words)
1 chopped bell pepper in color of choice
chopped red onion to taste
diced jalepeno
jar of salsa verde
lime (juice squeezed into bowl)
olive oil
apple cider vinegar
cilantro
cumin
chili powder
salt
pepper</p>
<p>Instructions: Put all ingredients on counter. Then put them all in the bowl at a ratio that you think is yummy. Stir. Eat.</p>
<p>It’s one of the things I love about Bittman - is he really does understand cooking in a small kitchen.</p>
<p>I had never paid attention to Bittman until last year. He is really great – a worthy successor to the Rombauers for a new century. His Basics book is in both my kids’ kitchens.</p>
<p>Among the things that Bittman does really well are (1) simplifying and demystifying cooking techniques and recipes, and (2) showing inexperienced cooks what the backbone of a dish is, and what are discretionary variations, and how to use what you have on hand (or can get easily) to make something good.</p>
<p>You can also see Bittman’s videos on the NYT website. I suspect guys are more likely to look up something on the internet than in a book.</p>
<p>I’ve been asking S to help me cook so he can get experience. My cleaning lady took it into her head that he also needs to learn how to clean house so she has demanded his attendance as she goes around cleaning! She’s also bought him tons of cooking utensils, some of which he is not likely to use. I love her.</p>
<p>My son just received a box of printed receipe cards from his girlfriend’s mom called, “REAL SIMPLE (the magazine) Meals Made Easy”. Each card has a picture of the dish on the front and the recipe on the back. Some of the categories include one-pot meals (easy cleanup), no-shop meals (uses pantry items), no-cook meals, and shortcut meals (use premade ingredients but tastes like homemade).</p>
<p>Both my kids like the Joy of Cooking. I sent them the 1964 edition, which I bought used through [AbeBooks</a> Official Site - New & Used Books, New & Used Textbooks, Rare & Out of Print Books](<a href=“http://www.abebooks.com%5DAbeBooks”>http://www.abebooks.com) for less than $10.</p>
<p>Wow, Toledo that’s a thoughtful gf’s mom!!!</p>
<p>Did your son seem to appreciate it?</p>
<p>He appreciated it, but I don’t think she knew that he won his high school’s cooking award senior year. He loves to cook. He’ll make a fine husband some day :)</p>
<p>Wonderful ideas! Thanks to all.</p>
<p>My S will read this thread, and buy some books, maybe a crock pot.</p>
<p>I love Joy of Cooking, Julia’s books, NY Times, Better Housekeeping, ethnic cooking, but had no idea about simpler books for starters. I’ve suggested cooking classes but … I like the title on post #3.</p>
<p>My sister in law bought my nephew a book called “A Man, A Can, A Plan: Dinner!” I haven’t seen it in any bookstores. It contains recipes made from canned goods and meats, etc.</p>
<p>I highly reccomend the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (14th ed is current). The basics are there- how to hardboil eggs onwards. Pictures of meat cuts, pastas, cheeses… People need to learn the basics as well as variations on them. This book includes all sorts of things moms take for granted but kids never paid attention to.</p>