Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a whiz in the kitchen, or do you feel that you need a little helping hand? I certainly put myself in the latter of these two categories, which is why I jumped at the chance to review iCookbook, an app that promises to improve your culinary prowess with the tap of a button. (Well, it’s not that easy, but still…)
Now, there are plenty of foodie apps out there that all tend to do the same thing, albeit with slightly different takes on the same old formula; what I like about iCookbook is that you can really appreciate the level of detail and effort that the team have put into the recipes and instructions.
The team of accredited food experts and nutritionists have compiled a list of everyday meals that you can whip up in your own kitchen, ranging from the quick and easy to the downright impressive. A nice touch is that the list of ingredients are limited to the necessary yet affordable; basically, this app does not alienate those cooking on a budget, while not compromising on the quality of the food.
The layout of the app has been commented on by several leading blogs, including iPad Appfinders, and they’re certainly correct in noting that the smooth design and intuitive user interface is one of iCookbook’s real plus points. The toolbar clearly shows the separate sections of the app, from ‘Recipes’ to ‘Meal Builder’ and navigating around the sections is a breeze.
The big draw for anyone planning to use this app on a regular basis is that it has Voice Command integrated into for both iPhone and iPad; this means that you can control the app without touching the your device at all. So, if you have your hands full, all you have to do is say your voice command and the app will move to the next step, start/stop a timer or view any notes that you’ve made.
My favourite feature of the app is the fact that you can personalise the recipes with your own little twists and flourishes; so, if you think that a dish needs a little ginger or an extra spoonful of cinnamon, simply use the ‘Notes’ function to add your own amendments to the saved recipe. Alternatively, you can add your own original recipes, so that you never forget the best way to make the ultimate chocolate sauce (hint: add a little fresh chilli), or the definitive spaghetti Bolognese (another hint: it’s all about the chopped bacon).
Summary
There’s a reason that iCookbook was named top app in iPad Lifestyle category in App Store Rewind 2011 in the US. with over 2,000 recipes in its repertoire, the next time that your family sit down at the table, their taste buds won’t know what hit them!
Pros
It has a very neat and easily navigable layout.
The personalisation options are a really nice touch.
Every month the iCookbook team updates your app with a selection of fun and exciting new recipes.
Room For Improvement
The in-app purchases may polarise some people, seeing as you have already paid for the app; however, I personally feel that the Mexican Fiesta bolt-on is worth a buck. (What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Na-cho cheese!)
