Well, I talked to my Dad, and we have the Betty Crocker Cookbook at home (granted, probably an old edition), and so he's bringing it next time the parents come to visit (as well as some other cookbooks), so it looks like it's going to be The Joy of Cooking. I think I'd rather have theory anyway- I often change recipes because there are ingredients I don't want. I like recipes for giving me cooking times and temperatures, as well as a general idea of ratios and such. And for the first time making something so that I know what it should look like and such. E.g.- I made a cucumber yogurt sauce and used a recipe the first time, but I wouldn't need it to make it again.