Yes, there are apps out there for the iPad that feature more recipes than this one (many also subject you to annoying full-page ads, even with paid versions). And there are apps that will offer recipes for weight loss, those that are quick and easy to make, or even suggestions for specific types of diets (diabetic, for example). This app won’t necessarily give you all the bells and whistles that some other apps purport to provide. What it will give you is easy and accessible recipes in a variety of cooking styles so that you (and your dinner guests) end up feeling like you can cook a bit of everything. Here are a few great reasons to download the How to Cook Everything app to your iPad.

First of all, the 2,000 recipes (plus variations) you’ll find in this app are provided courtesy of Mark Bittman, the famous New York Times columnist. Additionally, you’ll get 400 photos to ensure you’re your dishes come out looking just like they’re supposed to even if you’ve never made them before. But the real reason to download this app has to do with ease of use. Whether you’ve been making gourmet burgers à la Emeril for as long as you can remember (Blue cheese? – BAM!) or you can barely boil an egg, this app can teach you a few new cooking styles and recipes with very little hassle.

You can start by searching for specific recipes (and inputting filters by the ingredients you want to use or those you happen to have on hand), browsing a list of options, or checking out featured recipes, the most popular dishes, or even Bittman’s faves. You’ll instantly be apprised of the tools and ingredients you need to complete each recipe and you can easily create shopping lists for all the recipes you want to try (and even add in your regular supermarket purchases). You can also post recipes to your calendar to easily plan your meals for the week (or the whole month!), you can email shopping lists and send favorite recipes to friends, and you’ll no doubt enjoy extra features that allow you to switch to metric measurements and convert temperatures, as well as use built-in timers for various steps in the recipes.

Of course, the iPad version has some extra features for you to love, including enhanced photos for use with the Retina Display, photos of the featured recipe for the week, and the option to add your own notes to existing recipes. You’ll also have the ability to bookmark steps within recipes and jump between different dishes (in case you’re cooking more than one at a time), and pretty much everyone will like the feature that allows you to keep the recipe on the screen constantly (no dimming) while you cook. Plus, you’ll get tutorials that can teach all kinds of cooking lore that most recipes just expect you to know. And of course, for only $9.99, all users will get a range of culinary options, from French to Thai to Shahiya recipes. If you’re looking for an app that can offer you these features rolled into one, How to Cook Everything is just what you’ve been looking for.

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this guest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

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