How to Boil Water teaches culinary skills

As a busy, broke college student, I know first-hand the difficulties of coming by a nutritious meal. Last night, as I was sitting at my desk munching on pizza for the seventh day in a row, I realized that it was time to actually cook something. Thankfully, I recently received a copy of the Food Network's newest cookbook, How to Boil Water: Life Beyond Takeout.

The book is chock-full of information for even the most amateur cook. There are tons of tasty recipes ranging from the simplest of sandwiches to impressive entrees like "Sesame Tofu Stirfry" and "Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash" The recipes are great because they don't assume that the reader has ever stepped within a 10 foot radius of a kitchen. Basic cooking techniques are clearly explained, and colorful photographs and diagrams add to the mix. The result is a book full of delicious recipes, both traditional and more eclectic, that do not feel the least bit intimidating.

Despite being the fifth book from the Food Network, How to Boil Water is the first in the collection that is specifically aimed at the beginning chef according to Katherine Alford, Test Kitchen Director for the Food Network. "We always have to a range from easy to more aspirations. This is really how to boil water, how to hold your knife. When we talked about working on the book it was intended for the starting cook-- somebody who wanted to get in the kitchen. Mostly that is younger people" said Alford.

With helpful tips added to the bottoms of pages, and colorful charts and diagrams explaining everything from how a corkscrew works to how to cook vegetables, the book is able to cover all of the basics necessary for success in the kitchen. The knowledge of 16 chefs, including Bob Hoebee and Sarah Copeland were used to create this book. "This book really came from the chefs getting together and talking about what a friend or a younger brother or viewers of the Food Network have requested when they're starting to really work in the kitchen for the first time," said Alford.

The book also is mindful of the fact that many students do not have easy access to a full kitchen. "That's really why we tried to use the microwave throughout the book. But things like salsa, breakfast foods, and soup are all really easy for college students," said Alford.

If you're like me, and the idea of cooking for someone else sounds too much like a lawsuit waiting to happen, then you should definitely check out this book. And with the holidays quickly approaching, I feel that this is a must-have for any student wishing to entertain.

For more information, check out the book's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/how2boilwater. The site provides a glimpse at the book's quirky, laid-back feeling.

And apparently she's a 21 year old female. Who knew books could be gendered?