Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2.fluke 9/24/84; site fluke.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!inc 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 References: <178@gitpyr.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA Lines: 34 > > 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! +