This cookbook is designed to help the beginning cook learn the basics of cooking. It includes complete recipes for everyday family meals and basic measurement conversions. But it doesn't end there. It provides the steppingstones or foundation for anyone to build on and make it their own. For instance, suppose a recipe calls for mozzarella cheese, but maybe you want to use Parmesan. Do it, make it your own. Or what if prefer pasta shells to spaghetti noodles. Why not try it? First of all, since this is designed for the inexperienced or beginning cook, it features many inexpensive ingredients such as processed or canned foods. For example, if a recipe calls for a box of macaroni and cheese, but you have your favorite killer recipe for mac and cheese, use it. And this cookbook covers all meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, sandwiches, snacks and even some basic desserts. With different meats (chicken, ground beef, pork, ham, fish and steak), and vegetables you have a plethora of options to choose from. I have a family of picky eaters, and I've used these recipes to even satisfy their appetites. In the end, it all comes down to a simple conversation I've had with my kids: Kids: What's for supper? Me: Food. Kids: What kind of food? Me: Good food.