Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been a home cook for YEARS. I have often cooked full Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for family and friends. I bake several times a week (breads, cookies, muffins, pies) and I consider myself a pretty decent cook, baker, and at the grill as well. Love this cookbook for several reasons. They recognize that cooking for two is very common these days- as there many types of families beyond the nuclear (like it or not, it is a fact). Young couples who live without children, single parents, empty nesters, divorcees, or even those who live alone. Cutting a recipe in half isn't always as easy as it sounds. Buying in bulk isn't always the best option, especially when it leads to waste. ATK has made this book with exactly all that in mind. They included everything for small portions (see pic of index attached). I have cooked at least a dozen things from this book including main, sides, and desserts. Most have been wonderful recipes, only one did I think "I could improve that". This book would benefit both the novice and be enjoyed by a seasoned chef. How it helps the novice, includes: How to store leftovers/extra unprepared food, food/emergency substitutions, how to put leftover ingredients into other meals, essential kitchen tools, ingredient prep. Actually, I learned a lot from these sections, as well. Recipes are easy to follow and taste great. Since its just me (and I will often cook for a friend or my boyfriend), I will have leftovers for one or two meals, and that is perfect, instead of having the same leftovers for days, or having a freezer full of leftovers I forget about. This has become my absolute favorite cookbook... dare I say even more so than my Ina Garten cookbook!! 😁 I often look forward to cooking recipes from this book. The only cookbook I have ever enjoyed sitting down and reading was Ina's. And then I bought THIS. LOVE IT!!! Update Feb 2018: Still using the book, still cooking for two. That boyfriend in my initial review has since become my husband. I guess he must have liked all my cooking enough to put a ring on it ;) The reference charts in this book especially continue to be helpful.