'Joy of Cooking' must-trys
I recently got a copy of "Joy of Cooking" - I believe it is the 75th anniversary edition. I flipped through it, and basically want to make everything. Right now. All at once.
But before I do that, I thought I would see if anyone had any must-trys from the book.
And any tips in general would be great - are there any recipes that just never come out well, or multiple recipes that go particularly well together?
Thanks!
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18 Comments:
I've only tried a few simple recipes. The brownie recipe, guacamole, and 5 minute polenta are easy and delicious. I'm looking forward to see what other Serious Eaters have to say.
sarag22 at 9:50AM on 02/03/09
Not sure what version of the book you're using. That would be helpful.
I have the older version - not the latest release. From my edition - Peach Cake Cockaigne. OMG. You can do it with any firm fruit like pears or apples. It's simple and delicious.
For years, Joy's Irish Stew was my default stew recipe.
therealchiffonade at 10:50AM on 02/03/09
I just made the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp recipe out of mine - it was divine.
lo82070 at 12:20PM on 02/03/09
Their sugar/butter cookie recipe is very good, mexican wedding cake recipe is great, as is their chocolate cake recipe. I made the peanut satay dipping sauce on Sunday with great success. I use the book more as a reference than as a source for inspiration, but their recipes are really solid and dependable starting points for me.
laurelie at 12:31PM on 02/03/09
Spanokopita, moussaka, hummus, also the suger cookies.
pjracz10 at 12:50PM on 02/03/09
The basic flapjacks (pancakes) recipe is my favorite plain pancake recipe. Comes out so nice and fluffy and very easy/quick.
mrsbao at 1:53PM on 02/03/09
oh and they have a biscuit recipe in there that is very good if I remember correctly. So very light and flaky.
laurelie at 2:22PM on 02/03/09
Joy of Cooking is my go-to book if all the recipes in other books or online look too frilly...
from what I remember I made one of the Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes in there and everyone loved them. I'll check my notes in the book next time i'm home.
veggieout at 2:34PM on 02/03/09
There is a braised lamb shank recipe with butternut squash that I make several times in the winter, I love it.
faycat at 3:08PM on 02/03/09
My favorites are: (a 1970's version)
Hoppin' John
Sugar cookies
Pound cake
Lemon squares
Split Pea Soup
butterscotchsq at 3:55PM on 02/03/09
Ditto on the pancakes recipe, also the crepes (called French Pancakes in my old version) are very good. The chocolate cake that they refer to as the "Rombauer Special" is great.
Embackus at 3:58PM on 02/03/09
All the quick breads
The stuffed cabbage
bread puddings
custards
all the muffins, cupcakes and frostings
then go to your favorites and make the JOC versions.
JerzeeTomato at 1:33AM on 02/04/09
The Scottish shortbread is fantastic and I cannot recommend the creamy cheesecake recipe highly enough! I do it with crushed vanilla wafers (or Scottish shortbread crumbs are even better,) used like flour to grease and flour the springform pan. Make sure to use really good vanilla and really mince the lemon zest as finely as you possibly can. You don't want a gritty texture.
Calichef at 2:09AM on 02/04/09
Also, I don't know if this interests you, but their 'light' or 'low-fat' recipes (in the second newest version I think), are actually good! Their low-fat muffin recipe made absolutely delicious, succulent blueberry muffins and it's a heck of a lot better for you than those chemical laden diet muffins you get from a store. And easy. The 'light' chocolate chip cookie recipe is decent too, as diet cookies go.
laurelie at 5:16PM on 02/04/09
I really like the coleslaw recipe!
rockymountainmarta at 7:33PM on 02/04/09
Lemon bars!
PeanutButter at 8:12PM on 02/04/09
The whole-egg blender mayonnaise recipe. My almost-forty-year-old copy of Joy falls open to that gloriously stained page.
Womandingo at 11:20PM on 02/04/09
The vegetarian manicotti is wonderful.
bleuberry at 9:35AM on 02/05/09