How To Boil Water: The Confidence-Building Cookbook for Beginners with Food Network Recipes Hardcover – Illustrated, August 21, 2006

I purchased this book for my 17 year old son, as he wanted to learn how to cook more than microwave popcorn and mac & cheese. There are instructions in this book that cover cooking basics and really fit the "How to Boil Water" title. However, the recipes themselves often require multiple sets and can be a bit complex for the "beginner" cook. I will say that my son has enjoyed using this cookbook, even though it takes help from mom to "coordinate" steps and/or a second person to handle one part of the recipe while he does something else to complete the 'next step'.In terms of the actual recipes - we have tried many, many and have yet to be disappointed. This is my son's 'go to', and he really enjoys 5 or 6 recipes that have become staples in our house. This book as been so utilized since Christmas, it's getting a bit ragged (remember the book is being handled by a teenager, not that the book itself has binding issues). I might need to purchase another one this Christmas.So, I think the book is a little more advanced than "How to Boil Water" but if you are willing to put in the effort the results are well worth it.

I bought this for an ex-boyfriend after he called me once to ask how to make blue box mac and cheese. I read the book before gifting it to him and loved it so much I bought a copy for myself. The first time he cooked I supervised but otherwise, he did everything himself and plated up a dish that was totally Instagram-worthy.The mustard chicken is my go-to date night chicken dish, and the crispy garlic broccoli is a regular at my house. I use this as a reference if I'm unsure of a cooking method, temperature, or whatnot. The book gives you a few basic recipes in every category - from dips to dinners you could easily serve to your mother on a Sunday. A great book for beginners and experienced cooks alike.

I received my copy last week and immediately could not put it down. Everywhere, I go in the house or if I have a quick minute, I will pick up this book, and take a few notes down. I love how they explain everything in detail, with pictures and examples. It actually made me super excited to get back into the kitchen. I used to cook before and wonder why I would hate it, this book help me understand, I do not hate cooking, I just never had the correct guidance for it... until now ^_^. I recommend this for anyone feeling skiddish in the kitchen.

You don't know how little you know about cooking until you are on your own and in college. I did not know how to boil water and as it turns out, I also do not know how to properly crack and egg. Or at least I didn't. This book more than prepared me for college so I could cook for myself and prevent myself from having to eat ramen noodles my entire college life which would have been boring and not very nutritional. The pictures, instructions, and recipes are very great and I found the meals delicious. I highly recommend this book for new cooks or people who have never cooked before.

Let's start with a disclaimer: I've never cooked and it's always been intimidating to me. However, I'm 24 now, and I decided to buy a beginner's cookbook. Well, I bought this cookbook 2 weeks ago and I have already mastered five delicious recipes: pasta, green beans, soup, fried eggs, and brownies. I served them to friends, to rave reviews! The best thing about this cookbook (besides the pictures) is how the recipe will include even the smallest, most seemingly obvious details (instead of saying "cheese," it will say "use a handful of freshly grated Parmesean and grate it with a box grater"). I never knew how much better pasta tastes with fresh herbs and freshly grated cheese, but now I do! My only complaint about this cookbook is that it's VERY meat-heavy, so if you are a vegetarian like me, you can only use about half of the recipes (sigh). Otherwise, a life-changing gift for yourself or someone else.

Ok, so I’m not the best cook In the world. I know the difference between the stove and the dishwasher. I can pour milk over cereal for breakfast and can put meat and cheese between two slices of bread for a sandwich. And I can make a mean bag of microwave popcorn. But I need help when it comes to making a real meal.First off, hard cover cook books with a dust jacket suck. They never lay flat, the jacket gets torn, pages turn on their own causing you to think you’re making spagetti only to find out you’re following the recipe for tuna salad. Please make cookbooks with spiral binding and no dust jacket.Ok - rant over... sort of...so I have some steaks... i start flipping through the book to see how to make something simple with the steaks.... I find this recipe for T-bone steak with red wine sauce. I like wine... I have steaks... let’s do this.Ingredients - 1 steak- check2 shallots.... what the hell is a shallot?4 tablespoon unsalted butter... unsalted butter? What the?? Do I have to go to the store and buy a pack of unsalted butter just for 4 tablespoons? Who does this? People who cook - that’s who. I don’t cook! I want a simple recipe to cook a good steak with normal ingredients I buy at a normal grocery store.So ok. That recipe is out. What else can I do with my steak.... guess what... apparently nothing- because there is no other recipe in this book for steak.The book is a little more complex than “how to boil water”. Might want to give it to people who actually know the difference between a skillet and a frying pan.I do like the pictures.

The perfect cookbook for my college-age boys who want to "eat-in" their apartment several times per week. The other "college cookbooks" I'd seen were too advanced, even for "clueless in the kitchen" college students. This one has VERY basic instruction on how to tell when meat's gone bad (pretty obvious from the smell alone, but again, CLUELESS) and how to hold a knife (my oldest is 21, and still holds his pencil the wrong way--and he wants to be a writer). They mainly want to cook eggs 20 different ways and have a few "go-to" dinner recipes that are simple and fool-proof. This fits the bill perfectly. Oh yeah, and the pictures will motivate them to actually do it!

I bought this for my boyfriend because as much of a good cook that I am, I am so tired of cooking. I tried to teach him but I learned that I have no patience for that.This book really grinds down to the basics and teaches you everything from how to properly store your groceries to risotto!It has all the patience I lack.It is the perfect resource for anyone learning to cook/moving out for the first time.

This was a gift for a family member who needs to learn how to cook. I read through it before giving it over to make sure it's appropriate for her skill level (what skill is that?). It has super basic introductions and really explains the basic techniques - it's an awesome book for someone who just plain doesn't know how to cook eggs. Well done.

I bought this for my husband for Christmas. He literally doesn't know how to boil water. This cook book teaches some basics, however many of the recipes are very complicated.I wouldn't buy this book for a total beginner in the kitchen but if you have an idea of what you are doing then it is wonderful and delicious !

Bought as a gag gift for Christmas for someone who can't cook and it's actually a super informative, well laid out cookbook. Starts at square one and goes over everything you could possibly need to know to get started in the kitchen.

So far I've made quite a few of the recipes out of this book and I've loved them. They are easy, use simple ingredients and have great tips. Perfect for anyone trying to teach themselves how to cook from the very beginning.