Advise them to call you more frequently to discuss how to cook. This is how DS improves his cooking skill over the years. (and we are happy to receive the calls more frequently. A win-win situation!)
I’ll say “no” to that!!! ^^^^ We talk plenty and sometimes it is about cooking but they need to tackle some of the learning on their own - that’s part of the fun/learning of it!
@mathmom, it is you who I think of when I thought of Mark Bittman as I know you have recommended his recipes countless times on CC!!!
You people rock. I just bought MB’s, “HTCE - The Basics” off Amazon AND used the HOLIDAY30 code and it worked! Snagged it for UNDER $15!!!
Thank you so much!!!
“Ruhlman’s Twenty: 20 techniques 100 Recipes”. I sent this to my SIL to be. He is a beginner cook and he REALLY loves this book. I love this cookbook as well. It’s all about this basics and technique.
I love cookbooks but barely use them anymore. I just type in " chichen enchiladas" for example and a zillion recipes come up. Then I look for ones I have all the ingrediants for. I also liked a few sites on FB and get recipes Every day. If I like something I save the recipe.
I’ve made Pioneer Woman’s smash potatoes. I think on her web site she has every recipe. With pictures.
I have a ton of cookbooks. By far, the one that gets the most use is my Betty Crocker. Good enough pics, and all the basics.
My kids both have Joy of Cooking. No pics but a classic.
The Mark Bittman books are great too.
@emilybee LOVE smash potatoes!! 
I know you’re looking for a book, but double check to make sure they would use it. My daughter only uses the web. I think a cookbook would sit on her shelf unopened.
^ Yup.
Sometimes I just use the video. I prop up iPad on counter and follow along.
A few things I like about actual physical-book cookbooks: they don’t contain unlimited possibilities (the dreaded “too many choices!”); and, depending on the publisher, the recipes are more likely to have been tested.
Sounds like abasket is taken care of. If anyone is still looking for their own kids, America’s Test Kitchen puts out an annual Cooking for Two cookbook, with scaled down versions of their recipes. They also have a section for cooking the perfect (for example) big pork roast and then three or four subsequent meals to use the leftovers. My DS and his girlfriend gave one to us empty-nesters last year.
I also am someone who uses the web for recipes. But I do believe for a beginning cook - who might not understand some of the terms in an online recipe - it’s good to have a cookbook or two to browse through. My S is a book learner - he is a teacher (!) and I can truly see him sitting down and reading through pages of a cookbook and then attempt something. He also isn’t going keep track of a recipe that he likes online to repeat the success!
I have to make a stop at Barnes and Noble for work tomorrow - I just might caruse the cooking section to check out some of these mentioned just for fun.
My favorite cookbook with the best recipes is Southern Living.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned the Good Housekeeping Illustrated. I’ve used mine so much my original is duck-taped together and I had to pick up a second copy at a book sale. Pictures, instructions, and time estimates that are actually reasonable.
I usually like having a printed recipe from magazine or cookbook. My kids prefer to google for what they need, and sometimes I use that method too.
Consider a “Cooking Light” magazine subscription. There is always a variety of recipes plus some kind of educational article on food prep or reciped category (such as Roasts).
If you want a magazine…Eating Well is another good magazine.
I still swear by a very old edition of the NY Times cookbook that I bought used when I was in college long ago in a galaxy far far away. I’ve been roasting the turkey for Thanksgiving for over 30 years now and haven’t given anyonr food poisoning yet.
Definitely the Better Homes and Gardens red plaid cookbook! Pictures of various cuts of meats, pastas and other foods. How to boil an egg, corn on the cob. Charts on how long to cook various vegetables. Plus a wide variety of easy to harder recipes with variations. A must have comprehensive reference.
Learned the most about cooking from the America’s Test Kitchen Family cookbook.
The Complete Step-by-Step Cookbook is just about all pictures.
Everyday Food is a great little magazine. I think it’s from Martha Stewart. Subscription is cheap and it’s fun to get a new issue every month and try out the recipes. Great pictures!
I still use Joy of Cooking but visuals are few and far between.
Epicurious is a great website for recipes and the reader comments are helpful.