CHECK IT OUT:Learn to cook by the book -- and DVD

Summer is the time for family barbecues, picnics, pool parties and all-around fun. Trying new recipes and new foods adds to the enjoyment. But what if reading the recipe just doesn’t work? Watching a professional cook can make a world of difference. Learn to cook your favorite new dish using a DVD that gives you step-by-step cooking instructions. The library has companion DVDs to classic cookbooks that will definitely whet your appetite.

“Paula’s Home Cooking: Vol. 2, Sure to Please” by Paula Deen on DVD: Experience the Food Network’s latest television sensation, the doyenne of Southern cooking, Paula Deen. In addition to scrumptious Savannah down-home cooking, Paula prepares barbecue and includes tips for outdoor delights. This is a three-disc collection that is sure to please every taste.

“Paula Deen: It Ain’t All About the Cookin’ ” by Paula Deen: And for those who want to know more, this chef shares stories from her private life in this book Learn about the success secrets of her restaurant and the down-home values that helped her overcome difficult life situations.

“Paula Deen Celebrates!: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life” by Paula Deen: Paula’s latest cookbook presents holiday themed menus for American celebrations spanning the entire year. She even includes a Thanksgiving turducken, which is a chicken stuffed into a duck stuffed into a turkey.

“30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray: Fun and Fast” by Rachael Ray on DVD: This is Rachel’s “take-out” collection on three discs. She offers quick and easy recipes to highlight techniques using her famous time-saving 30 minutes to complete a meal from refrigerator to table. For fast and light, this Food Network favorite cook is a lifeline for families with a busy schedule of activities.

“Classic 30-Minute Meals” by Rachael Ray: If your preference is for reading recipes and menus, this cookbook presents the perfect accompaniment to the DVD mentioned above. This is an all-occasion cookbook that concentrates on cooking with children, spur-of-the-moment parties and even date nights. Never panic at dinnertime again.

“Martha’s Favorite Family Dinners” by Martha Stewart on DVD: Martha presents a classic collection of practical and nutritious meal options for dinner on one disc. Captioned for the hearing-impaired, the disc is available with French and Spanish subtitles for a multilingual approach to cooking.

“Martha’s Favorite Cookies” by Martha Stewart on DVD: Featuring the best cookies from her program, “Martha Stewart Living,” Martha demonstrated excellent ways to make 33 kid-pleasing goodies. Make these with your children for fun in the kitchen everyone can enjoy.

And for the die-hard stalwarts who like their cookbooks classic and time-tested with never-fail recipes, the best-selling, all-around American cookbook just celebrated its 75th anniversary.

“Joy of Cooking” by Irma Rombauer: Irma left for the great kitchen in the sky in 1962, but her advice and practical instruction has served American cooks for 75 years whipping up delicious fare.

Find out why this tome has survived while others have been discontinued and out-of-print. Included are new American favorites, such as food with a south-of the-border twist and ethnic cuisine.