Help.....I'm looking for an EASY cookbook!!!

[MiniMadTez]

I am 24, and CANT cook at all!!! I can do a couple of simple recipes...honey chicken, lasagne, errrmmm toast!.....all of which is from copying people! I cant even scramble an egg!
I am wanting to be able to cook proper meals for me and my other half and have been looking for a cookbook with SIMPLE recipes....nothing fancy, just traditional type things, with easy to get ingredients!
Can anyone recommend any? all the ones I find are too 'posh' and the meals are too fancy....hope that makes sense !
(I probably shouldnt mention the embarrassing fact that my uncle is Italian and is the head chef in his own Italian restaurant!!!) I certainly have none of his cooking skills!

[pastafreak]

Hi MiniMad.......most people would recommend delia smith....she has an early cookbook geared towards beginners/novice cooks. I personally find her a bit boring. You could seek out Jamie Olivers most recent.....it is tied in with his last TV series where his aim was to teach people to cook. Otherwise-and I have suggested this on here before-get yourself a cookbook aimed at students....the recipes will have to be both basic and budget - concious. Good luck!

[MiniMadTez]

Brilliant, thanks for your help!!!

[balliali]

There are some lovely cookbooks available as Home Economics books for secondary school. One that springs to mind is Smart Cooking 1 and Smart Cooking 2. Lovely pictures, ring bound so easy to use in kitchen, and very nice recipes to get you started.

Smart Cooking 1
Product Details:
Publisher: C.J. Fallon
ISBN-13: 9780714416151
ISBN-10: 0714416150
Product Code: BJ205



Smart Cooking 2
By:Mc Geady; Cribben
Publisher:Fallons Publishers
ISBN 071441543X

[pastafreak]

Have a look at this......you may not need to buy the book!!
http://www.jamiesministryoffood.com/content/jo /recipes.html
There are some good basics there.

[terambulan]

Y bother with expense of cook book (one author) when you have google with vid demonstrations for all dishes.....and us here, ofcourse!

Some microwaves include recipes with the products.

[MiniMadTez]

Those are very good points! I will see what I can find online.

Thanks so much to everyone for all the suggestions! :)

[Ethel]

Don't forget there are lots of cookbooks in your library

[MiniMadTez]

Library? What's that? I haven't been there in so long! haha. Another great idea ! Thanks

[pastafreak]

Teram is right...the internet is a great source-tho nothing beats a well-loved cookbook covered in food stains-lol!
Just google 'recipes'......or find a cookery writer you like...and check out their website.

[terambulan]

Charity shops & book fairs are full of cookery books.....if you want to 'clutter' your home? Save your money for some good cooking pots & utensils.

[pastafreak]

Txk,tsk...teram-I have over 100 cookbooks-lol
And I could never think of books as 'clutter' ;-)

[Jugglering]

Hiya there MiniMadTez (brilliant nickname by the way !)

If you have a peek at this brilliant site, it not only gives you easy, simple recipes but also shows you HOW to cook them!

Video Jug - http://www.videojug.com/tag/food-and-drink

[mrrobbo15]

buy cookbooks for children.....

sounds daft but will get you on the 'cooking train'

good luck and dont be scared to experiment

[MiniMadTez]

Thanks jugglering! It is because I love minis....own 2, and not because I'm small. haha

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! Some good websites there too. I have NO excuse now for not cooking something decent for the other half!! :)

[DaisyMae]

In defence of 'boring Delia' she has published a couple of how to cook books which teach you from the basics. She even has a chapter on how to boil an egg. Sometimes it is easier to pick up a book and follow the recipe than to bother with t'internet - not everyone has a computer in the kitchen. I recommend Delia's how to cook series 1 and 2.

[zzxxee]

do you know what i would buy a junior cook book for simple recipies even kids can follow like spag/bol and chilli con carne the instructions are so simple, you cant go wrong

[MiniMadTez]

Thanks no.knowledge.....I'm sure my other half would love a croissant dragon :) hehe. Kids recipes might not be such a bad idea though!!

[ethandron]

i agree that websites are great but i still think you need a cook book too as a ready reference and to browse through. pastafreak is half right in that delia can be a bit boring, but i don't think you can beat her 'complete cookery course', which is the name of the book pasta mentions. it really does give you the absolute basics and is divided into sections - veg, eggs, poultry, lamb, etc., etc. i've had mine for years and still refer to it from time to time. if you were my daughter, i'd buy it for you!!

[MiniMadTez]

Aww thanks :)
I am thinking about the library idea.....I like the idea of having a book...although I have found some good recipes online that I'll try out too :)