Can anyone recommend a good cookbook?

Question

My wife wants a new cookbook. We have a few already. Jamie Oliver, Tana Ramsay....

Can anyone recommend a great cookbook that has normal everyday recipes that we could use when the family are around for diner?

Answer 1

Nigella's Feast is one of my favourites

Answer 2

it depends on what you're looking for. If you're after a good manual, I'd suggest you buy a book from a cooking school, where you'll be able to learn about cooking techniques and hand skills (e.g. how to bone/joint a chicken, fish etc). I have Leith's and I think it's great for that. otherwise if you're interested in recipes which you have seen on TV any of the of the celebrity chefs'. It really depends on the type of cooking you prefer - the offer is just so wide these days. I'd rather not choose a non-chef (such as Nigella).

Answer 3

I think Gary Rhodes books are great - because he actually teaches you to cook with the basic knowledge of what you are doing and then you start to understand why things go wrong. He's a bit more sciency than a lot of other chefs. He also writes about classics like shepherds pie, bolognese etc with a twist as well as some more posh recipes! I also love Nigella's books because she loves good hearty meals (and puddings) which all the family love too! Good luck!

Answer 4

I recommend an "oldie", it's been around for ages, but it's the one I constantly go back too: Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course. Another favourite or mine is:
Traditional British Cooking. The Best of British Cooking: a Definitive Collection by Hilaire Walden

Answer 5

I think Fannie Farmer by Marion Cunningham is a good, everyday, not out of a box or the pre-cut section cookbook. It's got recipes for using every food group, illustrations on basic techniques, good every day food usage and a dandy cross referencing system.

Answer 6

If you can find them, try searching for the Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks.

They test every recipe 3 times before including them in the books (most other books I have to modify the measurements on some ingredients because the book is wrong). There are topics that include 20 minutes meals, baking, salads, budget etc.

Answer 7

I would suggest a Delia Smith cookbook. I always find that her recipes are really nice and never fail! BBC good food also do some good books as they have ones for everyday family meals which are really quick, easy but tasty!

Answer 8

I just got Australian Women's Weekly - the Complete Book of Modern Classics from WH Smiths for £5 - it's a big and good looking book. I also buy cookery books from Works, the discount book shop. They have a great choice for very little money so you can buy a couple. I find that a lot of the books with the famous TV chefs' names are quite useless for normal life.

Answer 9

The "Betty Crocker's Cookbook" is great. It's the big red one. It has lots of normal everyday recipes, plus lots of extra information about things like different cuts of mean, how to fix problems with baking, and lots of pictures to illustrate how to do things.

Answer 10

Cook books are on my Christmas list too. I want Nigella express because it is great for food on the go and quick treats. Nigella bites is awesome for family meals, and sweet baby James (James Martin) is great for good family deserts. His other books are awesome for both fine dining, but mainly good home cooking.

These two chefs are great for what I like to call reality cooking. (We don't all have bottomless wallets and a kitchen full of the latest gadgets!)

Answer 11

Mary Berry's Cookery Course. An absolute essential and invaluable.