Favourite Cook Books - Suggestions Appreciated.

[balliali]

Now that Christmas is over, and it's back to basics, what is/are the best or favourite cookbooks you own...or get the most value out of? What cookbook should everyone have in their collection?

[Tilly2]

'How to Cheat at Cooking' Delia Smith

[Tilly2]

^ Most value.

[Old_Geezer]

Rarely cook anything special these days, ie beyond the obvious, but back in the day I valued my two Delia volumes. Just too many celeb cookbook choices these days.

[balliali]

I myself have quite a collection from local church charity ones where locals contribute recipes, to Nevin Maguire, Donal Skehan, Nigella, The Happy Pear, and a few other "healthy" ones.... love cookery books!

[diddlydo]

No-one should be without Delia's Complete Cookery Course - full of basic recipes and they all work! Not sure about her "How to cheat at cooking" - I have a copy but it doesn't really cut the mustard in the 21st century - OK for students maybe unless they're the ones who seem to eat out all the time! Moving on from the basic, any books by Sophie Grigson and Hugh F-W are excellent. Forget Nigella unless you have a larder from Harrods and forget Jamie's 30-minutes stuff unless you have an army of slaves in the kitchen to do all the prep.

[sunny-dave]

My go-to book for all basic information and recipes - you can get a good condition, used, hardback copy for under £3 :

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

It really is the dogs bits (and probably has a recipe for them if you want) - clear, concise and comprehensive.

For more 'inspirational' stuff I tend to go to either Nigel Slater or the wonderful Silver Spoon - link in following post (AB can't do two Amazon links in one post).

[sunny-dave]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[atalanta]

"Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management"

[Cloverjo]

I love Jamie Oliver's early books for inspiration, but I always turn to Delia's Cookery Course (c. 1985) for the best way to roast meats and make Yorkshires. I've adapted the recipes over the years slightly, but if I'm not sure of anything I think 'what does Delia say?'.

[woofgang]

another vote for Delia, not the “How to Cheat” but the cookery course.

[sunny-dave]

I'm the same with Prue Leith, cloverjo - she's rarely wrong, even if occasionally a bit schoolmistressy (in a good way I think).

[tonyav]

I don't need cook books, if I need advice I speak to gness.

[anneasquith]

The book of gravy ?

[tonyav]

Ahhhhggggggg.

no need for that, anne.

[pastafreak]

Anything by Nigel Slater,particularly his 30 Minute Meals and Real Fast Food. They were my bibles when I cooked for more than one,yet all his recipes are very adaptable.

[anneasquith]

I like Nigel Slater's recipes pasta.

[Prudie]

As a hater of cooking I've found my mum's old Good Housekeeping cookery book invaluable for traditional recipes and methods.

[EcclesCake]

I too recommend Delias Complete Cookery Course, it is a book I have often given as a house warming gift or to Students going off to Uni. Another Delia book I recommend is 'One is Fun', full of recipes that are relatively quick and don't require you to heat the oven for one solitary item, they are of course easily doubled too.

Some of Jamie Oliver's books are good for inspiration, I quite liked the 30 minute meals but I ignored the washing up intensive method and concentrated on the recipe and prepared it in a way that suits me.

Nigel Slater and HFW are both good too.

[balliali]

I am loving your suggestions, and I am sure these are all very helpful to many people, students, empty nesters, newly weds, or someone who just needs to learn to cook. Strangely I found Nigel Slater's "Real Food" in my house over Christmas, bought by one of the adult children for themselves, so I'll have a wee look at that. I also have the Silver Spoon, but I will admit I never made anything out of it yet.... must get cracking with that one! Thank you all for sharing your suggestions!