Pros
Efficient and adventurous cooking for two.
Wide variety of recipes including steaks, seafood, desserts, and vegetable sides.
Excellent for those looking to reduce food waste.
Includes nutritional info and light recipes.
Most dishes can be on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Useful for both experienced cooks and beginners.
Scaled down recipes prevent excessive leftovers.
High-quality, restaurant-grade recipes.
Good for teaching and gaining cooking confidence.
Includes handy cooking tips and equipment recommendations.
Cons
Some recipes lack enough salt, requiring additional seasoning.
Cooking times and equipment adjustments can be tricky.
Directions sometimes lack clarity, leading to potential errors.
Main Product Advantages
9 Recipe Variety
The cookbook includes 650 recipes covering a wide range of dishes including soups, salads, main courses, sides, and desserts. It includes quick meals, slow cooking, and grilling options.
8 Portion Control
Designed specifically for two people, the recipes help in reducing waste and avoiding excessive leftovers. This is particularly useful for managing portion sizes and maintaining a balanced diet.
8 Quality of Recipes
The recipes are well-tested and yield consistent, delicious results, which are often described as restaurant-quality. There is good feedback about the taste and reliability of the recipes.
8 Healthiness
Includes over 100 light recipes with nutritional information, making it easier to prepare healthier meals. The portion sizes and calorie counts are conducive to weight management.
8 Value for Money
The book offers great value through high-quality recipes and comprehensive cooking guides. Users note significant savings on grocery spending and reduced food waste.
7 Cooking Techniques
The cookbook offers not just recipes but also detailed cooking techniques, helping users to become more confident cooks. It includes basic instructions and advanced cooking tips.
7 Ingredient Availability
Although the cookbook provides a useful index, finding recipes based on available ingredients can be challenging compared to online resources. Users occasionally find it difficult to make use of leftover ingredients.
7 Supplementary Content
The cookbook includes over 500 color photos, cooking tips, a 25-page manual on cooking basics, and chapters on various cooking styles. However, some users wish for more detailed scaling instructions for grilling.
6 Ease of Use
While the instructions are clear, the layout can sometimes be wordy and complex. Some users found it challenging to follow detailed steps, which might contribute to recipe errors.
5 User Interaction
Lacks the interactive, community-based features found in online platforms. Recipes do not include user reviews or suggestions, which can be a downside for some users.
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook, Gift Edition: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make
A New York Times Bestseller--more than 400,000 copies sold. This cookbook is the perfect choice for newlyweds, college graduates, and empty nesters looking to master small-scale cooking.
Recipes and Variety
The experts at America's Test Kitchen have ingeniously scaled down 650 of their best recipes to serve just two, covering a wide array of dishes. From soups and stews to stir-fries and meatloaf, even cakes and pies, this cookbook ensures versatility and satisfaction in every meal.
Precision and Accuracy
One of the standout features of this cookbook is the meticulous attention to detail. The math has been rigorously done to eliminate the guesswork, ensuring that every recipe—from lasagna to fudgy brownies—comes out perfectly every time.
Instruction and Guidance
The extensive introduction is a treasure trove of information. It includes clever shopping strategies to reduce waste, smart storage tricks to extend ingredient freshness, and recommendations for essential kitchen equipment tailored for a two-person household.
Conclusion
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook, Gift Edition is a groundbreaking resource that excels in making small-scale cooking accessible and enjoyable. With 650 meticulously tested recipes, comprehensive guidance, and practical tips, it is a must-have for any two-person household looking to cook delicious and perfectly portioned meals.
