"From dicing vegetables and roasting meat, to cooking building-block meals that include salads, soups, poultry, meats, fish, sides, and desserts, Bittman explains what every home cook, particularly novices, should know. More than 1,000 beautiful and instructive photographs throughout the book reveal key preparation details that make every dish inviting and accessible. With clear and straightforward directions, Bittman's practical tips and variation ideas, and visual cues that accompany each of the 171 recipes, cooking with The Basics is like having Bittman in the kitchen with you. This is the essential how-to cookbook, with more than 1,000 beautiful and helpful photos of step-by-step techniques and finished recipes. Special 'Basics' pages cover essentials like equipping a kitchen and stocking a pantry, what to look for when buying produce, how to tell when food is done, and more. Tips and variations let home cooks hone their skills and be creative"-- Provided by publisher.