I agree with the Junior League comment. You can get them cheap on eBay. Usually they're tried and tested. You can't live in my town without a copy of "Cotton Country Cooking," published by the Decatur Junior Service League, now known as the Junior League of Morgan County.
Of course, if you're a snob who looks down on using canned soup in a recipe...well, bless your heart, you're gonna miss some fine dishes.
One of the ladies who was instrumental in "Cotton Country Cooking" has developed her own series under the Scrumptious Inc. banner. I have never tried a recipe of hers that wasn't fabulous. Except for the seafood...I hate seafood.
Depending on your taste, any "Southern Living" annual cookbook or theme cookbook, the older the better (also cheap on eBay), would be good. Prior to 1995 would be best.
I was given a basic Betty Crocker cookbook as a teenager. It was dependable - instructions from how to boil an egg to how to slice a turkey to how to set a table and plan a party, as well as explanations on terms.
I can't believe I wrote this much because I really hate to cook. My dream is to live in a sorority house as an old lady. Somebody else plans the meals, cooks 'em, serves 'em, cleans up and worries about plumbing and roof leaks.
