Reddit mentions of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1

You know, there happens to be a book where they've edited out most of the memoir parts for you ;)

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.

Mastering The Art Of French Cooking by Julia Child.

You can't go wrong with the standard bearer.

It's OK to start using cookbooks. You'll learn a lot and the pros still use them, too. The cookbook I recommend is Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.

But isn't French cooking super complicated and difficult for a newcomer?

Well, it can be. But French cooking actually starts with very simple building blocks anyone can make. Julia Child teaches you the easy stuff at the beginning and holds your hand into the more complicated recipes. This book will turn you into an excellent chef.

Further, French cooking isn't too different from American food. The names change, but you will find plenty of familiar food and everyone will love eating it.

In a nutshell, what you need to learn is how to prepare a few high quality ingredients with the correct technique. I'd recommend starting with a roux, or a white sauce. Use the white sauce to make homemade macaroni and cheese. It's nothing like what comes in Kraft's cardboard box. The only problem will be your family complaining that you should have made more.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child

Interested in mastering french cooking? Get yourself the bible.

I personally use cookbooks that were passed down from family members and I assume long out of print, but as far as contemporary books go, I like Ina Garten. She cooks like a mix of rustic French and Italian and her recipes are simple and elegant.

Lastly, while I am a huge advocate for cookbooks, the internet is also a great resource for answering all your technical questions (how-to vids have personally saved my life on how to properly carve, fillet, braise, etc).

Hope this helps!

Larousse Gastronomique

Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Julia Child

Paul Bocuse:The Complete Recipies

You can buy the Kindle version from Amazon for about $15. If you've got time to wait for a physical book to arrive, don't order this version: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-French-Cooking-Set/dp/0307593525/ref=la_B000AQ0XXS_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417219641&sr=1-1

because the book and the print are small and it is impossible to keep the book open.

I suggest this version:http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-French-Cooking-Anniversary/dp/0375413405/ref=la_B000AQ0XXS_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417219641&sr=1-2

which is much larger and easier to read. In fact, the 'look inside this book' feature at Amazon lets you see most of the cassoulet recipe.
Just click 'look inside' then search for cassoulet.

My quick response was going to be this, but then I remembered that this is the internet.

Although I don't recommend buying dvd's that won't play on your dvd player, this guy taught me how to cook.

Julia Child's Cookbook!!! NOMMSSSS

There's some great recommendations, to be sure, in this thread.

However, one must remember that most modern cooking is still based on French technique, so a couple of books on basic French technique would serve you well.

Jacques Pepin has published many fine books, including La Technique and La Methode, which were combined together into a single volume, Complete Techniques. This book is probably my #1 recommendation for the enthusiastic kitchen n00b.

And, of course, there's always the old standby, Julia Child and her two famous volumes, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1, and Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2.

If you want to get serious about it then I'd recommend a basic crash course with Julia's time tested Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

I found three things that were one my wishlist that I thought you'd probably like.

The first one is the book Howl's Moving Castle - I saw that you had a few Totoro things on your wishlist so I assumed you probably like other Studio Ghibli titles. This is the book that the movie was based off of.

The second item I want to suggest to you is Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking I saw quite a few food and kitchen related items and this is a classic, must have for every kitchen where food is made.

Last, but not least Recipe Cards. If you're anything like me your favorite recipes are recipes passed down from family and friends. The recipes we give away at potlucks and dinner parties. What better way to store and share your recipes than adorable recipe cards?

Thanks for the contest. I hope you find something super fantastic to get yourself with your giftcard.

This is one of my favorites:

https://amazon.com/Mastering-Art-French-Cooking-Vol/dp/0375413405/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1517955765&sr=8-2&keywords=julia+child+mastering+the+art+of+french+cooking

Check out Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and you'll find several uses for it, especially in cooking chicken.

Hill's book and Child's book are two of the most influential cookbooks on my approach.

Let's face it, there is no ramen "like a boss". Pick up Mastering the Art of French Cooking and/or The Joy of Cooking.

Leave the ramen for the peons.