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From: inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Everyone should have _Joy_of_Cooking_
Message-ID: <558@tpvax.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Mar-85 21:57:50 EST
Article-I.D.: tpvax.558
Posted: Fri Mar  1 21:57:50 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Mar-85 05:12:45 EST
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Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
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> 
>   There is a recipe in "The Joy of Cooking" for Johnny Cakes.
> If you don't have the book (everyone should) then go buy it.
> -- 
> Mark Wutka

I disagree most heartily with this often-stated opinion that everyone should
own "Joy of Cooking". After having heard that from most of the people I ever
discussed cookbooks with, I finally went out and sprung for it.

Just so that the other side of the "which-cookbook-should-I-buy" question
gets aired, I want to say I think it stinks. There are too many arcane
little symbols, WAY too much cross-referencing, and the attempts at
"cuteness" seem always slightly off the mark. There is also this built-in
piece of snobbishness: recipes that are found particularly delightful
as prepared at the family home are given the "ala whatever" treatment. I
forget the name of the family home, but come on, who cares?

I agree that it is probably the most extensive book of American cooking
available, and I also agree that I can find a recipe for just about anything
I want to cook. I admit I cannot think of one that would serve better as an
all-around cookbook, but you're going to wind up with a collection anyway if
you like to cook, so eventually you're going to go to be going to one
cookbook for cajun dishes, another for Lebanese, and like that.

I never recommend Joy, but if someone asks, I tell them to start collecting.
And when I hear someone recommend it, I always take exception for the exact
reasons stated hear. I sometimes feel like the voice in teh wilderness, but
hey, it just goes to show that not *everyone* should own it. I shouldn't.

-- 
Gary Benson   {allegra microsoft ssc-vax telematic uw-beaver wavetek} fluke!inc
John Fluke Mfg Co  MS 232-E  PO Box C 9090 Everett WA USA 98206  (206) 356-5367
+ This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! +