Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have had an older edition of this cookbook for over 15 years, and it never disappoints. I own other general cookbooks, Betty Crocker and Joy of Cooking, but I have found the recipes in this book to be the best. One feature of the new edition is something in every section called "Make it Mine" where the book gives a standard recipe that can have many variations and then gives you options to "make it yours". An example is the recipe for burgers in the meat section which gives examples of different seasonings you can use to make your burgers different. In the cookies section the Make it Mine section talks about different fats you can use. Each section has handy tips like how to purchase a cookie sheet and which types work best for the best turnout. I love the spiral-bound format since it lays flat on the counter. You can also add or remove pages. There is a new section called Holiday Favorites with lots of yummy-looking recipes like Red Velvet Cake, Dulce de Leche-Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie, and Homemade Checkerboard Rolls. I think a lot of these recipes may have been in the older edition, but they were not sectioned off by themselves. It basically gives every recipe you'd ever need to prepare a traditional holiday meal, complete with dessert. The nutrition information, which was also included in my older version, is always helpful. Overall this book is a fantastic guide, and I recommend it to experienced cooks and beginners alike.