The starter cook A beginner home cook's guide to basic kitchen skills and techniques

The kitchen beginner can be all too easily intimidated and quickly frustrated by unfamiliar equipment, strange-sounding vocabulary, and mysterious ingredients. This introduction to cooking guides the tyro through a plethora of information. Larsen begins by inventorying the basic utensils that make cooking possible: knives, pans, and appliances large and small. She then turns to techniques and surveys the rules of cooking, how to deal with problems, and how to ensure that people don't fall ill from food-safety missteps. Only then does she turn to food itself, describing various meats and plant products that make up a meal. If you're looking for recipes, you won't find any here. This is a general introduction to cooking, furnishing background information and basic definitions of fundamental cooking terms. Boxes scattered throughout the text offer pithy advice and comments on nutrition, technique, and cost control. Color photographs supplement the text.--Knoblauch, Mark Copyright 2010 Booklist

Wondering what a mandolin is? Larsen (The Everything Potluck Cookbook) explains its uses (cuts julienne style) and includes a photo. Aptly titled, this culinary reference covers myriad basic cooking topics such as how to stock a kitchen, necessary supplies, and safety. Larsen defines a wide range of food categories, including meat, fish, vegetables, and dairy, and explores their qualities. She even offers "disaster fixes" in case you encounter a problem like lumpy mashed potatoes. Scattered throughout are tips on budget, health, and more. Freezing strategies, cooking rules, and organizing methods are presented. Verdict Packed with information, this guide includes a glossary, conversion chart, and handy lists on the life span of foods. Ideal for the novice cook, it provides a solid background as you learn your way around a kitchen.-Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.