One of the most common names in household cookbooks is Betty Crocker. While the name may be a common symbol in cooking the cookbooks definitely provide a variety that is not common. These are wonderful cookbooks and they offer many types of cookbooks. The two that I want to share with you are the "Betty Crocker's best Christmas Cookbook" and "Betty Crocker's Quick & Easy Cookbook" both published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York, NY.
Betty Crocker's best Christmas Cookbook is a beautifully bound hard cover, 352 page, book divided into eight chapters. The chapters are: Simple Sippers and Savory Nibbles, Merry Main Dishes, Sensational Salads and Sides, Fabulous Finales, Holiday Breads, Sweet Shop Favorites, Festive Family Fun and Holiday Gifts and Decorations.

Among the sections provided you will find recipes such as "Wild Rice Cranberry Bake", Variations of stuffing, "Steamed Christmas Pudding", "Minted Leg of Lamb", "Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce" and many more traditional and alternative holiday recipes. There are many recipes to delight the candy maker, bread baker and creative cook in your kitchen.

The Festive Family Fun section is one that I really enjoy with creative cookies and snacks, edible treats and even a recipe for PB & "Jay" Bird Feeder Treat that you can have fun with. I love the whole cookbook but the Section on Holiday Gifts and Decorations is one I believe will be treasured in my home as gifts from the heart mean so much to me and I hope to many others. Among the recipes in this section are "Herb vinegar" (with variations), "Gingerbread Village", "Salt Dough Decorations" and a "Cranberry Kissing Ball" to name a few of the wonderful delights you will find.

This cookbook is filled with beautiful pictures of the foods and decorations and Holiday Hints grace the pages for extra help during the holidays. There is also some pages on Helpful Nutrition and Cooking Information, Metric Conversion Guide and an index to help you find what you are looking for. There are also a few menu's provided as suggestions. This book is a must have for anyone who enjoys the holidays, cooking and decorating!

Betty Crocker's Quick & Easy Cookbook is also beautifully done with a hard cover but on a 5-ring binder for easy page turning. This 431 page book concentrates on recipes that take 30 minutes or less to make. This is a huge plus with today's busy cooks! It will get you out of the kitchen and off your feet quicker.

This cookbook is divided into 11 sections: Appetizers and Super-Easy Snacks, Speedy Soups, Salads and Sandwiches, Pressed for Time Pasta and Pizza, Breakfast for Dinner, Quick Delicious Chicken and Turkey, Marvelous Meats in Minutes, Fast Flavorful Fish and Seafood, Vegetarian Main Dishes, Great Grilling, Speedy Sides, Vegetables and Breads and Easy Dreamy Desserts.

They also offer sections such as Pantry Planner, Quick & Easy Dinner Solutions, Helpful Nutrition and Cooking Information, a Metric Conversion Chart and also the Index.

Some of the quick and easy recipes offered are Shrimp Quesadillas, Ranchero Beef Pizza, Stove-top Lasagna, Indian Peas with Cauliflower and Caesar Vegetable Medley to name a few.

This book comes with tabbed index pages for separating the sections. There is a "Just Zap It! Microwave Rescues" page for getting things done quickly and some 1-Step Recipes on the inside of the front cover for really fast ideas.

This book is a must have for any cook who simply doesn't have the time (or maybe the energy) to linger in the kitchen any more than necessary.

Check out these two great cookbooks. You will not be disappointed in these wonderful cookbooks!