Sunday, September 2, 2012

Cookbook of the Month: September 2012


Today, we are starting a new feature here at the Inspiration Cafe': Cookbook of the Month. Each month we will feature a cookbook that we have enjoyed and would like to recommend to you. Our first featured cookbook is "Anyone Can Cook". This is a wonderful cookbook for beginner cooks and would be a great gift for college students or young newlyweds who are just getting started on their own.


Review from Publishers Weekly
"This all-purpose, accessible book provides great information in a visual, easy-to-find-in-an-instant format. More than 550 recipes—appetizers through desserts—are illustrated by 1,000 helpful photographs that effectively demonstrate techniques in addition to showing finished dishes. The opening section covers everything from where to find ingredients in a grocery store to the method for cutting up a pineapple or to chop nuts. Recipes are all labeled with a skill level range from absolute basic to more inventive (but still simple); there's a straightforward Guacamole a couple of pages away from Avocado-Feta Salsa; and basic French Toast right before Stuffed Croissant French Toast. The editors anticipate questions and either answer them on the page with the recipe (with the Herbed Leek Gratin, for example, is an explanation of What's a gratin?) or direct them to the location in the book where a technique or ingredient is described, via an Ask Mom box on the bottom of each page. (A box on the Herbed Leek Gratin page points to answers for What is a leek? How do I prepare leeks? How do I snip fresh herbs?) It's a great resource for beginner cooks." (Oct.)
(Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)





Product Description
No other book looks or cooks like this one! Whether you're a novice or seasoned cook, this book is for you.
Intro to Cooking: An 84-page visual guide answers any question you might have about ingredients, tools, and techniques.
Skill Level: A skill level icon lets you know if a recipe is easy, easier, or easiest to make.
Ask Mom: At the bottom of every recipe you'll find questions you might have about that recipe and a cross-reference to the page with the answer. It's that easy!
550+ Recipes: There's everything from the comfort foods you crave (mashed potatoes and mini meat loaves) to the world flavors (Indian curries and Thai-style wraps) you enjoy in restaurants.
900+ Color Photos: 600 step-by-step photos show you everything you need to know; 300 finished recipe photos entice you to cook.
700+ Tips: Learn from the experts with helpful advice, tips, tricks, and more.


Helpful Hint #1

Today, we would like to share some Cooking Measurement Equivalents that are sure to come in handy at some point...

Cooking Measurement Equivalents

1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)
1/16 cup = 1 tablespoon
1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons
1/6 cup = 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
3/8 cup = 6 tablespoons
1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons

1 cup = 48 teaspoons
1 cup = 16 tablespoons
8 fluid ounces (fl oz) = 1 cup
1 pint (pt) = 2 cups
1 quart (qt) = 2 pints
4 cups = 1 quart
1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts
16 ounces (oz) = 1 pound (lb)

a Hint = tiny amount (1/2 drop)
a Drop = 1/64 teaspoon (1/2 smidgen)
a Smidgen = 1/32 teaspoon (1/2 pinch)
a Pinch = 1/16 teaspoon (1/2 dash)
a Dash = 1/8 teaspoon (1/2 tad)
a Tad = 1/4 teaspoon
1/4 stick butter = 2 tablespoons
1 stick butter = 1/2 cup
juice of a lemon = 3 tablespoons
juice of an orange = 1/2 cup