"Few cookbooks achieve the impact and reach of this 49-year-old compilation, now in its seventeenth printing. . . Over the years, the content has morphed. While originally written with little or no calorie control in mind and following Jewish dietary guidelines, later editions also featured chapters on low-cal dishes as well as microwave basics. Its nearly 700 recipes will, almost certainly, satisfy every palate and eating idiosyncrasy. There are no photographs, and recipes are crunched together, often four or more to a page. Helpfully, like dishes are grouped with like (e.g., apple pie-type offerings include crunch pie, tart, and turnovers). Expect past as well as up-to-the-minute trends to be reflected, chopped liver (five ways) and Jell-O desserts along with baked vegetables like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Each chapter is prefaced by helpful hints (Too salty? Add a potato to absorb); sample menus are provided, especially for the Jewish holidays; and even suggestions for "ill child" activities and birthday parties appear."
— Booklist about the 17th printing