Betty Crocker Cookbook: 1500 Recipes for the Way You Cook Today [Ring-bound]

Received the cookbook today and spent the afternoon reading the newest version of the Betty Crocker cookbook. I was very pleased with this newest version of the "Big Red" cookbook as some of the old stand-by recipes were found along with plenty of updated or modern recipes including Chicken Korma or Chicken Tagine. You will also find some familiar comfort foods such as Chicken Pot Pie (with a lighter version recipe included) or Chicken and Dumplings. Beef recipes include Caramelized Beef Pot Roast, Meatballs or Meat Loaf.

There are specific chapters dealing with Grilling, Breakfast and Brunch, Slow Cooker, Vegetarian and a chapter offering recipes that can be prepared within 20 minutes or less.

With each chapter there are detailed photos showing select food products comparing what the food item was supposed to look like and with a photo of a food product prepared wrong. Even after cooking for over 40 years I found this feature very helpful as it never hurts to see how your cooking compares with the cookbook's photos.

Within each chapter there are graphics or photos included offering tips on how to prepare the ingredient in question. For example in the meat section graphics of cow, pig and lamb are used to show where specific cuts of meat are located. Following this information is how to prepare the cuts of meat.

There is a chapter called Do-It-Yourself that gives information on how to can, freeze or prepare food mixes.

Cookbook owners can also access a Betty Crocker web page with more recipes, cooking tips and ideas. Link access information is given in the cookbook.

The book is lavishly illustrated with dozens of color photos showing how the recipes should look once prepared

My only wish for the cookbook was the inclusion of the familiar portrait of Betty Crocker who used to be featured in every full-fledged Betty Crocker cookbook. This cookbook lacks her familiar face. I also wish they would return the familiar and cozy Prize Coffee Cake recipe found in the 1956 version of this cookbook. I also wish the Betty Crocker cookbook would return to the "Key" or "Master" recipe format where a master recipe is given with variations. The really beauty of this format is the ability to including a wide variety of recipes while also teaching the basic techniques of cooking instead of following a recipe.

I highly recommend this cookbook as it does include a wide variety of new and old recipes; lavish photos illustrating the recipes along with numerous cooking tips.

You know the old saying..

If it aint broke.. don't fix it..

Well, that's how I always feel when I see UPDATED versions of tried and true cookbooks that I love.

The Betty Crocker Cookbook being one of said books.

I'm always a little nervous to open up the first couple pages.. have they gone all wacky with it? Have they changed it so much that I won't like it? Will there still be good, tried and true recipes in there mixed with new ones?

Well, let me put your mind and mine to ease..

The new Betty Crocker Cookbook 11th Edition is still packed with all the great Betty Crocker wisdom & recipes as before, but it's also packed beautiful pictures, yummy new recipes, and so much more!

They say it's the most significant update in over 60 years and I could tell.

They have new editions like:

New chapters - "Do it yourself", "Entertaining", and "Breakfast & Brunch"
An "Heirloom Recipe & New Twist" feature that pairs over 20 beloved classics with fresh spins, such as the traditional Chicken Pot Pie made with homemade crust and individual Chicken Pot Pies using puff pastry tops.
A "Learn to Make" feather with easy to follow guidance- including step by step photos AND ONLINE VIDEOS!!!
BEAUTIFUL photographs

AND!!

And accompanying e-book, optimized for all e-reader devices that includes fully hyperlinked content for easy navigation; all the photography presented in full color; and bonus indexes that allow readers to browse recipes that are fast and lower calorie and easily access the book's many reference charts and features.

This cookbook ROCKS the old and the new in a beautiful, creative way.

I've been a huge Betty Crocker fan my whole life. The Betty Crocker Cookbook was the the one cookbook in my home growing up and I loved to look through it and learn about all the delicious possibilities. As I grew older I started collecting vintage Betty Crocker cookbooks and I still refer back to them and their clear and accessible recipes for the home cook.

So, I was very interested to see the new 11th edition of the Betty Crocker Cookbook: 1500 Recipes for the Way You Cook Today, with all the classic recipes mixed with new ones. This new Betty Crocker Cookbook edition has many extras that are a big help in perfecting your cooking and baking techniques. I loved the "Learn to Make" additions, which give detailed explanations for popular recipes and compare in photos more or less successful versions of a recipe, while teaching how to achieve the perfect result. Now I know why my chocolate chip cookies are always flat -- the butter was too soft and the cookie sheet too hot. Many of the recipes have been updated from the originals and are now labeled as Lower Calorie, Fast, New Twist, etc., for convenience.

I was excited to see current recipes like No-Knead Artisan Bread, which has several variations. An interesting new chapter was "Do It Yourself" where they give information on eating local, canning, making your own spice mixes and more. I'm definitely making some Chai Mix (an Indian tea with milk and spices), to have on hand. I was glad to see sections on Slow Cooker Suppers and 20 Minutes or Less meals included in Betty Crocker Cookbook. There is also lots of variety from the old stand-bys, like the eleven types of deviled eggs or eight sweet and savory spreads for bread offer.

One aspect of the Betty Crocker Cookbook that stood out to me was the frequent addition of recipes from cultures all around the world. I really appreciated having easy access to many of our family's ethnic favorites, while giving us the opportunity to try out new ones, like Cajun Chicken or Moroccan Chickpeas. There is even a full section on Vegetarian Cooking with beautiful photos and excellent information and recipes to assist in incorporating vegetarianism into your lifestyle (even if just occasionally).

Betty Crocker sure is keeping up with the times! And it's not just a cookbook, but it's more like an excellent course on gaining greater cooking skills.