Good Cook Books - Any recommendations

[Chris100682]

All,

I've developed a interest in cooking the past few months and have decided to invest in some decent cook books. Can anyone recommend any ones out there? Obviously they have to be easy to follow but not too simple (i.e how to cook toast). I've heard Delia Smith's are good but want your opinion please!! So any one..... Give me your good advice on cook books.

Many Thanks

[maxi29]

Blimey, where to start?
It obviously depends on what type of food you like cooking but some general interest books must include Elizabeth David's French Country Cooking and Mediterranean Food. While Simon Hopkinson's Roast Chicken and other stories is the best recent cookboook I've seen. Other writers that I like include Claudia Roden and Madhur Jafrey.

You mention Delia. Her recipes are always clear, simple to follow (sometimes a bit too simple) and near-foolproof but I must say that I find her recipes rather dull.

[rd14962]

I have over 100 cook books, my fav author/chef is Gary Rhodes. His New British Classics is wonderful and so simple to use.

Rupert

[ursula62]

Good Housekeeping is a good place to start - they do some excellent recipe books for beginner cooks. Delia is good as well - but she teaches good plain cooking rather than fancy stuff. If you want fancy and simple, try Jamie Oliver. The Australian Women's Weekly range of books are very good as well - and they have a glossary to explain terms.

I'd suggest rather than buy expensive books, why not borrow a few from the library or friends and see which style you prefer before spending too much on books you may not use.

[woofgang]

Delia's how to cook or complete cookbooks are basic. if you want fancier stuff try her summer, winter or christmas collections...fancier food, same excellent no fail instructions.

[woofgang]

PS, try also Delia's website and the bbc's food website

[hannahjo]

Some people knock him as a chef but I have to say that my favourite cook book is Ainsley Harriotts Friends & Family Cookbook. It�s clear and nicely laid out with a photo showing every dish. Its split into sections for breakfasts, lunches & dinners, with the dinners splitting into further sections such as quick and easy recipes to do after work and more fancy stuff to impress guests. Plus as an added bonus it lists the calorie content and other nutritional information for every dish.

[littlemissx]

hey, i have jamie olivers cook book on a word document if you eoulfd like me to emial it to you?? send me an email to  and i will then forward it to you x

[woofgang]

Littlemissx do you relise that that is piracy??

I am not going to make judgements on whether you should do it, but probably best not to advertise that you do it!!

[WendyS]

I'm not a vegetarian but sometimes fancy a meal that is not meat based. if you like vegetables and pulses, two excellent books are:

Roz Denny - The Ultimate Vegetarian Cookbook (ISBN 1 85967 709 9)

Rose Elliott - Vegetarian Kitchen

Happy cooking !

[sunflower68]

Chris I think you will love Mary Berry's complete cookbook. It's full of unusual home-cooking recipes that are easy-to-follow with lovely pics. It has your faves in there too, and also sections them into how long they take to make. I was a chef for years, though not a high-brow one and I still turn to this . Enjoy!

[Levi_Roots]

Hi everyone i have some great caribbean recipe's in my cook books on my site http://www.leviroots.com