Table for Four or More

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Need a great gift for someone getting married or just starting out on their own? Let me recommend a cookbook that has been a staple in my meal planning for almost 20 years. Betty Crocker’s Cooking Basics Learning to Cook with Confidence was given to me as a bridal shower gift and it has been my go-to on many occasions.

The wonderful staff where I once taught school threw me a surprise bridal shower. Each member of the staff wrote up their favorite recipe and included it in with their gift. The gifts were purchased with their recipe in mind so that I had every pot, dish, glass, utensil, bowl and small appliance needed to make the recipe. In an earlier post, I shared a recipe for a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Casserole where I used one of the covered casserole dishes I received at that party. Talk about getting your money’s worth!

One of my favorite gifts, however, was Betty Crocker’s Cooking Basics Learning to Cook with Confidence. The staff member who gave me the book wrote inside the cover that she had been given a Betty Crocker cookbook over 30 years ago when she was first married. Between the two of us, Betty Crocker’s cookbooks have been around over 65 years helping people to share good food and conversation around the dinner table.

What I Love

What I love most about this cookbook is that all the recipes are made using simple ingredients. You won’t find yourself on Google looking up ingredients you’ve never heard of before. Also, the recipes are broken down into easy-to-follow steps so no experience in the kitchen is necessary. The book is divided up into the following seven chapters:

1. The Basics of Getting Started
2. Beef and Pork Main Dishes
3. Poultry and Seafood Main Dishes
4. Pasta and Meatless Main Dishes
5. On the side
6. Snacks and Desserts
7. Beyond the Basics

Throughout the book you will also find ideas on how to prepare vegetables and pasta, common substitutions for food items, the basics of learning how to cook, information on herbs and spices, common preparation techniques, and Thanksgiving Dinner ideas. It truly is a reference guide for both novice and experienced cooks.

Let’s Talk about Thanksgiving

I have hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for the past 18 years (wowza, that went fast!) and every year I still use this cookbook to plan my meal. It tells you everything you need to know about making an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, including how long to cook the turkey, how to make traditional side dishes, and even how to set the table properly.

My table for four quickly becomes a table for twenty or more. I have to plan ahead to make sure there’s enough food for everyone and that it’s ready on time. I couldn’t do without Betty Crocker’s Cooking Basics to keep me on track. I use my grocery list to make sure I have all the items I need before the preparations begin. You can download the grocery list for free here.

I determine the meal plan the week before and write down important information I need to remember. Things like what time I put in the turkey, what time I should check on the turkey, when to start the side dishes, and what items to take out of the refrigerator before dinner is served. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked in the refrigerator AFTER dinner only to realize I forgot to take out something made earlier in the day.

One of my favorite recipes to make for Thanksgiving from the cookbook is the cranberry sauce. Super simple because it only requires 3 ingredients and you can make it the day before. In addition, you’ll find recipes for bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, brown sugar-glazed carrots, and turkey gravy.

In Chapter 6, Snacks and Desserts, you’ll find something sweet to please everyone’s palette. Apple crisp, strawberry shortcake, creamy lemon dessert, frozen chocolate mousse, and of course…pumpkin pie.

I guarantee no one will walk away from your holiday meal hungry or disappointed. And be careful, they may all end up coming back every year for more!

Need help organizing your Thanksgiving Day? Use this Thanksgiving Day Planning Guide to prepare your house, finalize your guest list, keep track of what you’re cooking, and more! Purchase all 6 pages here.

Favorite Recipes

You know when you open a cookbook and it automatically opens-up to one of your favorite recipes because the pages are a bit rumpled and dirty? Well, my Betty Crocker cookbook is no exception. Below I have listed just a few of my favorites to give you a sampling of what’s inside . And if you don’t know what I’m talking about with the rumpled pages, you will after using this cookbook!

• Meat Loaf
• Chili
• Parmesan-Dijon Chicken
• Pork Chops and Apples
• Quesadillas
• Baked Potato Wedges
• Roasted Vegetables
• Creamy Lemon Dessert

Final Thoughts

Sitting around the table and enjoying a meal among family and friends is one of the pleasures in life. Good food, good conversations, and good friends are what helps to keep me in balance when life gets busy.

Do you have a favorite cookbook or recipe that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you!