Didn't pay much attention in that home economics class in high school? Family didn't eat in all that often? Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cooking covers all of the kitchen basics readers missed growing up, taking them from bumbling water burner to competent cook quickly and easily. This book explains the essentials of cooking, including how-to instructions, lists of foods to keep in the pantry, and utensils to have on hand to make any meal. With more than 175 recipes, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cooking shows readers how to cook all types of dishes including appetizers, snacks, beverages, meat and fish, vegetables, potatoes and rice, plus wonderful desserts that will make friends and family ask for seconds. The book also includes sidebars on saving time while preparing food, easy substitutions that will work with any recipe, charts and cooking guides that will make planning easy, and important details readers need to know as they walk down the grocery store aisles to ensure they get the best and freshest food available.