What to Cook & How to Cook It
Starred Review. UK food writer Hornby's voluminous compendium of culinary classics deserves to make the short list for novice cooks interested in learning how to make the basics from scratch. Over the course of the book's 400-plus pages, Hornby guides readers through everyday favorites like Huevos Rancheros, Lasagna, Paella, chicken wings and blue cheese dip, and apple pie. Though there are the occasional minor variations on classic recipes (a bay leaf is added to milk simmering for mac and cheese), Hornby's by-the-book approach to everyday eating is a terrific resource for those with a taste for tradition. Each dish is accompanied by step-by-step photos, ensuring those cooking along with the author will be able to pull off Cinnamon Rolls, a Chocolate Truffle Cake, or Shrimp Pad Thai  with confidence. While thoughtful, this approach can veer into the extreme (assembling an antipasti plate or making a BLT?), but it's a vital component of creating more complicated fare like Eggs Benedict or Roast Beef & Yorkshire Puddings (she is British, after all). More experienced cooks are likely to find the dishes rather elementary, but those curious about how to prepare a Margherita pizza or beef stew will find this a terrific guide.