"StarterCookbooks" news and stories

With thousands of cookbooks lining bookstore shelves (not to mention floating in the online stratosphere), where should a bride start? Many brides-to-be are utter novices in the kitchen.

In my case, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household with a perpetually-cooking mom always sharing her secrets to success, but for those not as lucky, where did you begin? Did you start with a straightforward Rachael Ray book and work your way up? Or did you dive right into Julia Child?

Please share your favorite starter cookbooks for basic culinary knowledge. Even better, those of you who know how to entertain like a pro without breaking a sweat (or bursting into tears), let me know what I can't live without. It seems that sometimes cooking is intimidating because nine times out of 10, we start with the wrong cookbooks.

After reading through your favorites, I'll gather up the best and showcase them on an upcoming Hungry Bride post -- which may include yours!

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