mjfrombuffalo's Full Review: Marion Cunningham et al - The Fannie Farmer Cookbo...
Other than a half-year of Home Economics, I'm self-taught when it comes to cooking. My mother had Multiple Sclerosis and wasn't able to cook, and my father... well, let's just say he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer when it came to cooking. Luckily for me, someone once gave him a copy of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook sometime in the 70's, and from there I was able to figure out some of the basics.
Fast forward 10 years and I'm living on my own. What's the first cookbook I buy? The current edition of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook. Opening the pages was like stepping back in time - the layout, instructions, style of illustrations (drawn) and even the typeface seemed to be identical. Some of the recipes have been modified, some old ones are gone, some new ones are in, but it's the basics of cooking American style (with a smattering of French techniques a la Julia Child).
The Fannie Farmer Cookbook is great for novices and experienced cooks alike. Some of the basics covered include what tools you should have in the kitchen, common cooking terms, cuts of meat (how to select them, how to cook them), and vegetables (what IS bok choy, anyway?). The recipes run the gamut from bare-boned meat-and-potatoes dinners (like Corned Beef and Cabbage) to fancy-shmancy stuff to impress your boss if he/she comes over for dinner (like Wild Duck with Peanut Stuffing). There are sauces for every occasion, sandwiches for every theme party, and desserts for every sweet tooth craving. The instructions are clear and concise, and if the terms are unfamiliar (like "braise"), the cook can look up the term in the front of the book ("Braise: to cook slowly, usually covered, in a little liquid or fat").
There are some downsides to this book. While there are many simple recipes, occasionally there's a recipe with an unusual ingredient. If you've got a very well-stocked spice rack, you may have marjoram or tarragon or mace. Personally, I find that I rarely need these and don't want to spend $4 for a bottle of something that I'll use a tablespoon of and the remainder of which I'll toss in a year because it's gone stale. Other ingredients like heavy cream, buttermilk, fresh cilantro, etc. might not be things you have on hand every day. Much of the book is a plan-before-you-go-to-the-store kind of book, not a grab-off-the-shelf-to-throw-something-together kind of book. That said, I have had success in modifying recipes based on what I have on hand. The basics of the cooking don't change, so I adjust for the spices and other ingredients for some pretty good results, if I do say so myself.
Another downside is that it focuses on American cooking, from basics to what was considered American Fine Cooking (meaning modified French cooking, like the aforementioned Julia Child). Fusion and other contemporary styles of cooking are not included, nor are foods of other countries that have firmly inserted themselves in the modern American palate. For example, if you're craving Indian food and look in the index, you'll see Indian Pudding, a dish based on cornmeal and molasses and recommended for Thanksgiving to "celebrate the Indians' gift of corn." "Curry" in The Fannie Farmer Cookbook refers to the powdered mix of spices used to "give a slight accent to sauces and eggs." There's a smattering of dishes with a Mexican, Creole, or Indian slant, but for a substantial number of these types of recipes, you'll need to buy books specializing in those kinds of cooking.
The Fannie Farmer Cookbook does cover a wide range of cooking techniques, from how to freeze fruit to cooking vegetables on the grill. The book also includes calorie charts, fat contents and menu ideas. The authors claim to be presenting "everyday cooking," and although the heft of the book and some of the recipes are a bit intimidating, if you can only have one cookbook in the kitchen, this one covers the gamut - soup to nuts.
So grab this Fannie for your kitchen or give one to a new homemaker - a new cook will be glad to get this book.
*****
SCROLL ALERT: Incredibly detailed information not needed by many
*****
For those who absolutely, positively think a book review is unacceptable without them, the stats are listed below.
No animals were harmed in the writing of this review, but I did have to slap my husband to keep him from grabbing my Fannie while I was typing.
*****
END SCROLL ALERT: Incredibly detailed information not needed by many is done
*****
This review is the eighth installment of "Around My House in 28 Days," my response to the challenge leveled by amykhar. The challenge is to post one review every day for the whole month of February. Well, at least it's a short month. I'm starting at my door and going counter-clockwise around the house, reviewing whatever's in sight (and on this site). So far it's been the bathroom, now the kitchen...
Muze: Copyright 1995 - 2008 Muze Inc. For personal non-commercial use only. All rights reserved.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.