Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook (Betty Crocker) 
asked by gilbert on November 18, 2006 8:00 PM
First published in 1950, Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book is now reprinted in all its old-fashioned glory. Betty immerses you in a time when women were homemakers, cakes had at least two layers, and salad was iceberg lettuce. You may hesitate to recreate what your mother or grandmother probably cooked--if so, consider that back then we ate simply, in the days before the word foodie was invented. Many of the recipes suit today's harried lifestyle, as you see in Six Layer Dinner, combining eight cups of vegetables with a pound of ground meat, and Dainty Tea Brownies topped with colorful chopped pistachios.
Hundreds of black-and-white photos, animated drawings, and quaint color spreads of prepared dishes aid you in using the recipes. Beginners learn how to measure ingredients, choose the best economical cuts of meat, and cut up round and sheet cakes for serving. There is even a section on how to set the table. This loose-leaf book contains enough recipes to fill a 12-page, double-column index. Best of all, perhaps, is the "Shortcut" section, where useful tips include cleaning a grater of cheese residue by rubbing it with a piece of stale bread. These are interspersed with 15 ways to recuperate from overwork. One suggestion is to lie down on the kitchen floor on your back and relax for three to five minutes. Still a good idea, though few people have a kitchen large enough to try this. --Dana Jacobi
Reviews
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When I was first married, in 1966, I received a Betty Crocker cookbook that I wore out through so much use. I bought a newer version but didn't like it as much as my older one. I was trying to duplicate the older one when I bought this one. I think was trying to find one that was published a little later than this one. I don't really like the way the index is set up in this one but I do appreciate the good amount of basic information provided for a new cook.
reviewed by orla on November 21, 2006 11:02 PM
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Does contain very helpful information for the beginning cook left out of many "general" cookbooks. All the recipes turn out well, unlike recipes in some other cookbooks that seem like nobody ever tried before publishing them. Good for building confidence in a new cook.
I'm sure many buy this book just for the memories. Bought the 1963 "COOKY BOOK" reproduction mostly for the same reason myself. Although... there are some excellent recipes in there that aren't in the newer books...
I agree with the reviewers who said the bread, cake, pie and pastry recipes are still among the best out there. Tried and true classics that everyone should have.
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The appetizer and main dish sections are pretty dated, and thin as well. Even some very basic recipes are not in this book. Stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers, stuffed pork chops, breaded pork chops, etc... alfredo sauce as another reviewer mentioned... you will not find. Although... there are some pretty cool recipes for foods that were popular in the day and might be fun to serve...
I would say a beginning cook or anyone who wants some EXCELLENT baking recipes should have this book, but definitely another general cookbook as well. Something with more and more modern recipes. Do NOT buy this book if you're looking for a single general cookbook that covers almost everything. There are others that come MUCH closer to that (Fanny Farmer Cookbook, newer Betty Crocker, etc...).
I'm sure many buy this book just for the memories. Bought the 1963 "COOKY BOOK" reproduction mostly for the same reason myself. Although... there are some excellent recipes in there that aren't in the newer books...
I agree with the reviewers who said the bread, cake, pie and pastry recipes are still among the best out there. Tried and true classics that everyone should have.
but...
The appetizer and main dish sections are pretty dated, and thin as well. Even some very basic recipes are not in this book. Stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers, stuffed pork chops, breaded pork chops, etc... alfredo sauce as another reviewer mentioned... you will not find. Although... there are some pretty cool recipes for foods that were popular in the day and might be fun to serve...
I would say a beginning cook or anyone who wants some EXCELLENT baking recipes should have this book, but definitely another general cookbook as well. Something with more and more modern recipes. Do NOT buy this book if you're looking for a single general cookbook that covers almost everything. There are others that come MUCH closer to that (Fanny Farmer Cookbook, newer Betty Crocker, etc...).
reviewed by miceandmen on November 29, 2006 2:06 PM
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My grandmother used this cookbook religiously for years and through it, taught me to love cooking and baking. Her original book was lost over the years, so I was delighted to get this version. It's absolutely perfect and so many recipes bring back fond memories. The recipes are simple and basic enough that I can share them with my 5-year-old daughter. We love the blueberry muffins and my husband raves about the pineapple upside down cake. Still my favorite cookbook! Thanks Betty! :)
reviewed by porsche on November 29, 2006 3:47 PM
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I RECEIVED MY COOKBOOK ON MY 18TH BIRTHDAY IN 1955 FROM MY MOTHER. YEARS LATER, I GAVE THIS SAME BOOK TO MY DAUGHTER ON HER A8TH BIRTHDAY. TWO YEARS AGO, MY DAUGHTER GAVE THE BOOK TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER ON HER 18TH BIRTHDAY. MY GRANDSON, WHO IS A VERY GOOD COOK IN HIS OWN RIGHT, FELT LEFT OUT. SO I GAVE HIM THE NEWLY REPRINTED COPY OF THE ORIGINAL COOKBOOK. HE HAS PROMISED TO PASS HIS BOOK ON TO HIS SON OR DAUGHTER AS WELL.
MY SON IN-LAW IS GETTING THE 1998 RING BOUND VERSION THIS YEAR FOR FATHER'S DAY!
MY SON IN-LAW IS GETTING THE 1998 RING BOUND VERSION THIS YEAR FOR FATHER'S DAY!
reviewed by bigwinner on November 29, 2006 6:14 PM
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Service has always been very quick and pkgs arrive in very good condition
reviewed by janmueller on November 29, 2006 7:21 PM