Cook's Book of Essential Information: A Kitchen Handbook Book

This book is exactly what the title says: essential. This has something for beginning to advanced cooks. The first chapter covers definitions. What's the difference between dice and chop? How do you braise? All covered in this book. It also covers how to plan menus and shop, what the well-stocked kitchen needs, how to store foods. It covers food additives and nutrition as well. But the most useful chapter, I think, is the one that's called "How much of What." How many egg whites or graham crackers make one cup? How large a roast do you need? It goes by weight, volume, and serving size. This book is very helpful.