Reddit Reddit reviews The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make

We found 23 Reddit comments about The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

Cookbooks, Food & Wine
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Culinary Arts & Techniques
Cooking for One or Two
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook 650 Recipes for Everything You ll Ever Want to Make
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23 Reddit comments about The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make:

u/superpony123 · 74 pointsr/xxfitness

You don't hate healthy food, you just haven't found ways to eat healthy that you like. Look, I used to feel exactly the same. Then I got myself some cook books and learned how to cook beyond the "college" level (ie very rudimentary cooking skills).

It sounds old fashioned, but buy some cook books. Eating healthy does NOT have to mean (and shouldnt mean) eating boring, bland food. I have been eating quite a healthy balanced diet lately, but it doesn't suck and I enjoy everything I eat because I cooked it and it tastes really good. I am a pretty proficient cook now because I've learned enough from cook books that I can create something tasty on my own if I want to. But for the most part, I'd say I still follow recipes very frequently, mostly because a) I know it will turn out really well unless I royally screw up like forget an ingredient an b) I'm not that creative when it comes to meal planning - I'd prefer to flip through my cook books and pick out new recipes to try for dinner this week.

If you do take my advice and go the route of cook books, I will make a few suggestions below. You will notice that all of them are America's Test Kitchen. There's a reason I suggest mostly their books--they are totally idiot proof. Their recipes are thoroughly tested (it IS americas TEST kitchen after all...) They rarely have recipes that call for unusual or hard to find ingredients, and rarely call for unique appliances (like, most people probably do not have an immersion blender). Their recipes are very simple (I've come across a lot of books from other publishers that have incredibly drawn-out steps, or just countless steps, or a lot of unusual ingredients) and easy to follow, and they also include brief scientific explanations for something about every single recipe (example, why you would want to brown your butter when making chocolate chip cookies) which I have always found interesting, and theyre meant to help you build your knowledge in how to cook --ie its often concepts that can be applied elsewhere.

ATK/Cooks Illustrated The Science of Good Cooking

ATK Cooking School

ATK's The Make-Ahead Cook - great if youre into meal prepping

ATK Cooking for Two - great if you are alone or just cooking for yourself and significant other, and dont like having leftovers

ATK Comfort Food Makeovers - turns traditionally unhealthy foods into healthy meals

ATK Slow Cooker Revolution - if you have a crock pot, you NEED this book. I've made a ton of recipes out of here and every single one has come out great.

They have a ton of books out there, many of them for specific things (pressure cooker, paleo, gluten free, vegetarian, mexican recipes, etc.) but you may be saying, "Hmm, none of those books said "Health cooking/eating healthy/buzzwords about health" - they dont need to say that. Quite a lot of their recipes are generally healthy. I haven't encountered many things (outside the dessert chapters, that is) that I've said "oh, I don't think I ought to eat that, it's just not healthy" --but if youre a bit narrow minded in terms of what constitutes a healthy meal (and I find that is common with people who struggle to eat a healthy diet--this is because they think there's a very small amount of "healthy" foods out there) , then maybe these books arent for you. But if you mostly eat intuitively, and know that you should be getting a decent amount of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet, and a good amount of protein, and not an overwhelming amount of starch and net carbs, then youre golden. Get yourself a cook book and learn to cook. Once you eat food that's been properly seasoned and cooked, youll realize that eating asparagus doesn't have to be a boring, unpalatable experience. Brussels sprouts don't have to be awful. I used to hate brussel sprouts...until I had properly roasted sprouts. Holy shit, they are good!!! Peas can be tasty! Baked chicken breast doesn't have to taste bland and dry as hell if you learn about brining, seasoning, and proper cooking times.

TLDR - eating healthy doesnt have to mean eating bland food. You admit your cooking skills are rudimentary, so it's no surprise you are not enthused when you try to make something healthy. A lot of "healthy" foods (veggies, etc) are bland when you don't properly season them or pick the right cooking method. Get yourself a cook book or two and learn how to cook. You won't have a hard time eating something you previously thought unpalatable--like filling half your dinner plate with brussels sprouts and broccoli--when it's seasoned and properly cooked!

u/Nistlerooy18 · 19 pointsr/Cooking
  • Taste of Home Best Loved - A great down-to-earth cookbook with homestyle meals that mom and grandma used to make.
  • The Silver Spoon - Originally in Italian, hundreds of awesome, authentic Italian dishes using a massive array of ingredients.
  • Gourmet Magazine Cookbook - I got my copy at a brick and mortar bookstore many years ago, and it may be out of print now. But it is full of elevated dishes that are easily obtainable at home.
  • Dinner for Two - For years it was just my wife and I. This was the perfect little cookbook for us. Additionally, ATK has a similar cookbook. This isn't the one we have, but one like it. It's basically their recipes scaled down for two people.
  • Bocuse Gastronomique - It's like an awesome cooking class on paper from the master himself.
  • Bocuse - An awesome collection of recipes from Paul Bocuse.
  • ATK Cookbook. I probably cook more from here than any other. I used to buy the new version every year with the newest recipes, but now I have the online subscription.
  • The Flavor Bible that someone else linked.


    I could keep going but I should stop. So many great ones out there.
u/drladybug · 18 pointsr/LifeProTips

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Cooking-Two-Cookbook/dp/1936493837/

My husband and I have a lot of cookbooks, but this one is probably our go-to. Along with great recipes (America's Test Kitchen recipes are virtually foolproof), it's got a great section about shopping for two and storage solutions.

u/GraphicNovelty · 9 pointsr/malefashionadvice

Cooking is a real learn by doing hobby. I'd pick up a basics cookbook that focuses on technique and methods but within a culinary context--one of the things that bothers me about the /r/cooking circlejerk about Kenji/Alton/McGee etc. is the over-reliance on science as an explanation for cooking but i really think that it should be focus on culinary outcomes rather than process. Science as the sole basis for authority is like, one of reddit's biggest blindspots (DAE le STEM etc.) and a science-focused approach will teach you "how" to do something but it'll lose the over the over-arching "why" by getting bogged down in the molecules and shit. Plus the circlejerk about Good Eats and Serious eats is insufferable.

I like america's test kitchen because they use science as a basis for why they do what they do but they don't belabor it. I haven't cooked from it much but i imagine the cooking for two book will give you a good set of recipes without having an excessive amount of leftovers. Keeping things small when you're starting out is actually pretty important, and while I know that it's tempting to double recipes to get the most out of the ingredients you buy and use your time efficiently (after all, throwing out half of your can of tomato paste feels so wasteful when you only need a tablespoon or two) but it's better to keep yourself focused on the recipe as written. Most of the stuff can be re-used if you store it correctly (that tomato paste can be scooped into tablespoons and frozen, e.g.), and oftentimes doubling or tripling a recipe will end up backfiring and you'll be eating shitty leftovers for a week or even worse throwing it all out because you fucked it up and it sucked (speaking from personal experience here). You might end up with half an onion or something or half a bag of carrots left but that's ok. Cook what you like to eat or what recipes look good. A lot of the time people will say focus on techniques but if you keep things varied and stay curious you'll expose yourself to most of the important ones. As just one addendum, try and eat more vegetables than meat, because it's easy to zero in on making umpteenth variations of the same set of meat-based dishes (they provide more immediate reward) but i've actually found much more pleasure in coaxing awesome flavors out of produce (again speaking from experience).

I think taking an authoritative-sciencey approach as your core base of understanding and comfort in the kitchen is fine, but expanding from there towards an understanding of different, regional/international cuisines either classically (examples being Julia Child, Marcella Hazan) or more contemporarily (Rick Bayless, Fuscia Dunlop, Martin Tan, Zuni cafe, Mario Batali, Keller's Ad-Hoc, Maangchi), checking out more chef-driven methods that express a particularly unique perspective or have a distinct voice (April Bloomfield, Yotam Ottolenghi, Lucky Peach, Fergus Henderson); the fun of this is that by taking a perspective based approach, it allows you to draw inspiration from wherever without judgement, even someone like Guy Fieri might be able to contribute interesting ideas with regards to American comfort food. You can also expand by exploring different cooking techniques (smoking, sous vide, baking, fermenting, offal cooking) or even expand your knowledge on beverages like exploring craft beer/wine/cocktails. Also maybe challenging yourself with a more cheffy restaurant-book like the Bar Tartine books, or Sean brock's Heritage or Andy Richter's Pok Pok or the new Del Posto book. Keeping up with developments in the food world, either with magazines (Lucky Peach, Cook's Illustrated, Bon Appetite) or websites (Food52, Serious Eats that isn't just the food lab) is also a good way to inject fresh perspectives into your cooking.

Also under-recommended is to taste more of what other people are cooking. Order a dish at a restaurant that you've never tried because it looks interesting. Actively analyze what you eat when you go out and try and pick up on flavor combinations that are interesting or exciting. Maybe spend money on a fancy tasting menu place to see what professional kitchens are doing.

u/furious25 · 8 pointsr/Cooking

My wife and I were gifted this cookbook. It is pretty good and it helps you not cook for four and have too many left overs.

u/vano4349 · 6 pointsr/weddingplanning

Can you preemptively send out a call for recipes from your guests via email? Then format them how you wish. Anyone who doesn't send one can add on to the white space. You know, make this into a way bigger project than it needs to be?

My favorite cook book is this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1936493837/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_yvHmDbE1PS7GE
The pages are semi-glossy but could be written on in normal ballpoint pen. Everything has been good, but the weeknight baked chicken changed my chicken cooking life. The worst part is that they aren't kidding about "cooking for two" you wont have leftovers if it's good (which it will be).

u/SomewhatSadRobot · 5 pointsr/Cooking

America's Test Kitchen has some awesome books too. Got the Cooking For Two one from my Reddit Secret Santa last year and it's been fantastic.

I don't have it but I imagine the Cooking School Cookbook from them would be pretty much exactly what the OP needs.

u/tell_tale_knocking · 5 pointsr/Cooking

The first cookbook I ever owned was this one: America's Test Kitchen Cookbook. (I have the 2016, version, though.) It has a great many recipes from different cuisines and will teach you technique while it's guiding you through it. I didn't find it intimidating and pretty much everything I've made from there was delicious.

The only caveat I'd make is that not all the meals are the same size. And sometimes you don't want to cook 6 servings. In which case I'd recommend The ATK Cookbook for Two. I gave it to my father last Christmas. He has a lot of cooking experience and he picked it up and immediately learned new things and enjoyed the results.

u/hardly_werking · 5 pointsr/Cooking

[The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1936493837/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_23U1CbE5CPG6W) has easy recipes, less waste since you know exactly how much to buy, plus I've found that it keeps me from gaining weight because I'm not cooking a meal for 4 people and eating most of it myself.

u/Bacon_Snatch · 3 pointsr/EatCheapAndHealthy

That seems like a lot of money for food, so I'm writing down the following on the assumption that a lot of it gets thrown out because it goes bad before she can eat it. Maybe she's stocked up on a lot and she forgets it's even there. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

A couple of tips I'd like to add are creating something like a meal plan of recipes she likes and maybe blanching/freezing some of her fruits and vegetables. That way, she'll know how much to buy and what portion of that to prepare and freeze. Then I write down how much is in each bag/container and then the date I froze it.

What I do personally for a meal plan is somewhat loose. It's less of a "plan" and more of an on-hand "menu," where I cross out items I've made/ran out of ingredients for and can keep track of what I still am able to make with what I still have while still being able to decide what I'm in the mood for. It feels less constraining this way.

Also, maybe she should try altering recipes to reduce the amount of servings. If her issue is making meals meant for a lot of people but only having herself/two people to feed and not being able to get through her all her leftovers before they go bad (or just getting sick of them), then that might be helpful, too. I bought a cookbook for two for this very reason.

u/enkafan · 3 pointsr/Cooking

to add to this, for a college kid "The Complete Cooking for Two" would serve him well as I doubt he cooks for more than just the two of you all frequently - http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Cooking-For-Cookbook/dp/1936493837

Plus it's only $20

u/hipsterstripes · 2 pointsr/EatCheapAndHealthy

So because no one else mentioned any resources for recipes yet I will suggest this book. Its "Cooking for Two" but it is extremely helpful for food budgeting and saving, as well as recipes. I think you could easily make one of the recipes and have leftovers to eat the next day or for lunch or something. It has helped me SO much and I've only had it for about 2 weeks or so. I was overbuying and overcooking and wasting so much food. The recipes are simple enough that a novice cook would be able to follow easily and a more experienced wouldn't find to boring.

Another thing I would suggest would be planning meals out. I make a schedule and do my best to stick to it. Obviously life happens but knowing how much food you have and what you need to cook helps immensely with stopping food waste. Which will be important for a food budget.

u/96dpi · 2 pointsr/Cooking

America's Test Kitchen Cooking for Two is a great book. The recipes are great and make two good sized portions. There is also a ton of other useful info within the book, like how to use leftover ingredients, how to best store things, recommendations, etc.

Blue Apron is surprisingly good source for recipes with only two portions. They are smaller portions that most Americans are used to. If I were really hungry, I could probably eat both portions. Some of their recipes call for one or two hard to find ingredients, which can usually be substituted.

Budget Bytes is a good source for recipes that use similar ingredients. For example, if you buy a big jar of Kalamata olives for one recipe, there are many others that will use them as well. With that said, a lot of her recipes start to taste very similar after a while.

u/Aireekah · 2 pointsr/Gifts
u/gellyberry · 2 pointsr/cookingforbeginners

I have the same problem. Someone suggested to get this cookbook which is good for two people. I’ve only tried one recipe so far. I made chicken Marsala last night and it tasted delicious! It’s not the simplest recipes, but it helps me decide what to make, and learn a few cooking techniques as well.

u/LouBrown · 2 pointsr/Cooking

America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. I have the older edition, but I assume the new one is good as well. It has both basic recipes (such as different ways to cook eggs or the best way to make a baked potato) as well as typical classics (lasagna, roast turkey, steak with pan sauce, pizza, etc.).

Basically if you're looking for one cookbook that covers all common American fare, this is a great option. Also has equipment and ingredient brand recommendations. It's spiral-bound, which is great for a cookbook since you can lay it flat on the table.

America's Test Kitchen Cooking For Two. Many of the same recipes as above sized for two people. Plenty of different ones as well. A lot of focus on easier weeknight meals.

u/melanie13241 · 2 pointsr/Advice

First of all, your mother was wrong for doing that and it's really common in raisedbynarcissists homes, though I'm not sure that she is a narc...because this is only one small example and could be applicable to non-narcs. That being said, it's never too late to learn how to cook. I was in the same boat as you were and was really frustrated by youtube videos because they taught things from a perspective of already knowing cooking basics and I didn't even know that much.

I'd strongly recommend this cookbook because it teaches you the basics to the basics. It actually shows you how to cut veggies properly and what brands to buy based on testing and gives it's reasoning and logic as to why. The recipes are easy to follow with lots of pictures and clear instructions and always come out as restaurant quality (for the record, I got this book in December 2018 and 2019 was the first time I ever cooked in my life) and have been able to make quite a few showstopping recipes (I started out by setting aside one day to try a new recipe, for example, I would decide ahead of time what I was making each Sunday which was when I would cook from this book as I have a full-time job and a child). So it depends on you how much time you have but honestly, one recipe a week has taught me so much about cooking in general.

I can't express how good the food is. My fully British bf loves Indian food (has all his life, of course) and we made a Chicken Tikki Masala from this book..he told me he's had this made gourmet at his favorite restaurants and that there was no way it would turn out as well for us (we were cooking together and he was trying to convince me to deviate from the actual instructions) unless he added stuff. I stood firm and told him that he had to try it their way first and to just try it before trying to change it...it ended up being so good that both of us now have a new favorite Chicken Tikki Masala recipe lol.

I'd also recommend a small scale if you don't already have one because it makes it much easier to cook meats if you actually cut them down to the right size. For example, if it say's 6-8 ounce chicken breasts, I buy chicken breasts and cut off all of the fat until it's close to 6-8 (usually closer to 8.5 but close enough). Because then when the recipe says cook 4 minutes on each side, you can literally follow that exactly and it should come out perfectly every time. Hope that helps but please let me know if you have more questions/anything else that I can help with! I linked the one we use but it's up to you, of course.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Cooking-Two-Cookbook-Everything/dp/1936493837/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=cooking+for+2&qid=1563201487&s=gateway&sr=8-3



https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=small+scale&qid=1563201838&s=gateway&sr=8-7

u/HannahEBanna · 2 pointsr/CFBOffTopic

Yes!

We got it as a wedding present.

u/[deleted] · 1 pointr/Cooking

Your mistake was not 'helping' the gal cook, and by that I mean getting her to teach you, without her knowing it. Opportunity missed. Learn from that mistake, don't repeat it. As for cooking, you learn by doing....meal after meal, day after day.

https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Crockers-Cooking-Basics-Confidence/dp/0028624513

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Cooking-Two-Cookbook-Everything/dp/1936493837

https://www.amazon.com/Dessert-Two-Small-Cookies-Brownies/dp/1581572840

https://www.amazon.com/Baking-Two-Small-Batch-Cookbook-Savory/dp/1623157927/

Learn from both successes and disasters (figure out how to repeat the former and avoid repeating the latter). If you keep at it, in ten years you will not need recipes, but until then, the books above will get you there.

u/PenPenGuin · 1 pointr/Cooking

I really like the America's Test Kitchen guys, but instead of their generic cookbook, I'd suggest the one they make for two. All of the recipes are portioned out for just two people. If you find you end up using this book, then pick up one of the larger volumes and modify as you need.

u/caeloequos · 1 pointr/oldpeoplefacebook

Surprisingly it's called "the complete cooking for two cookbook". By america's test kitchen. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Cooking-Two-Cookbook/dp/1936493837 :)