Recommend a beginner cook a cookbook

meroko · 03-02-2012, 10:11

I've really started getting into cooking lately, which has come as a sideline from me learning how to bake. Currently I use The Great British Book of Baking, The Covent Garden soup books and read Eat In magazine, but I'd like to get a good cook book to start me on my cooking journey.

I'd like a book that:

* has easy to source ingredients (we live in a small rural area and only have a Sainsburys!)
* doesn't cost more than £2-£3 a head to cook
* is quite straight forward for the beginner cook
* is interesting - we eat a varied range of foods
* doesn't take longer than about 30-40 minutes to cook

What books have you found helpful?

Gaditano · 03-02-2012, 10:30

Most people are likely to recommend you a Delia Smith book, which is OK, but she's a bit boring. Leith's Simple Cookery is much better in my opinion, though some dishes take a LOT longer to cook than your ideal cooking time. But there are lots of great dishes you really can't cook in so short a time.

Leith book details:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leiths-Simpl...8264932&sr=1-2

MICH78 · 03-02-2012, 10:54

Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals. They take between 30-45 mins with prep included, but they are easy to follow and varied enough without being complicated. You can always use the recipies as a base and add your own twist to them.

stud u like · 03-02-2012, 11:03

I enjoy reading Marguerite Patten,Nadia Sawalha,Claudia Roden and Nigella Lawson

Color of Night · 03-02-2012, 13:45

Ask friends & family for simple recipes. I have 2 daughters, one is an excellent cook but the eldest never wanted to learn. Now she has hit 31 the urge to cook has kicked & I gave her a cookbook which I made myself.
Its full of all the recipes I have collected over the years that are family & friends favorites & she has started at the beginning of the book & working her way through & loves it.
The trouble with recipe books these days is you may find half adozen recipes you will try but the rest are either boring or complicated.
There a quite a few websites you could try too & it won't cost you anything & If you find a recipe you like write it down & start your own recipe book, you never know you may like to pass it on.

c4rv · 03-02-2012, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaditano

Most people are likely to recommend you a Delia Smith book, which is OK, but she's a bit boring.

Yep, I am going to recommend Delia.

Also have a look on amazon for student cookbooks. They are usually budget priced meals and one pot easy to cook recipes.

norbitonite · 04-02-2012, 09:40

Another recommendation for Delia. She explains everything in detail. Many cookery books presume a level of experience and can be offputting for the beginner. Delia's Complete Cookery Course is a great first cookbook.

Aarghawasp! · 04-02-2012, 11:31

Another vote for Delia, never mind her recipes, How to Cook is brilliant for taking it right back to basic techniques. Once you've got the hang on the basics you can turn your hand to any recipe you fancy. All the info you need is in that link.

missymorgan · 04-02-2012, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Color of Night

Ask friends & family for simple recipes. I have 2 daughters, one is an excellent cook but the eldest never wanted to learn. Now she has hit 31 the urge to cook has kicked & I gave her a cookbook which I made myself.
Its full of all the recipes I have collected over the years that are family & friends favorites & she has started at the beginning of the book & working her way through & loves it.
The trouble with recipe books these days is you may find half adozen recipes you will try but the rest are either boring or complicated.
There a quite a few websites you could try too & it won't cost you anything & If you find a recipe you like write it down & start your own recipe book, you never know you may like to pass it on.

This ^^^

I have a recipe file that has loads of web recipes in, some from my nan, a curry from my ex's friend, all sorts. I also borrow cook books from the library and make a note of recipes I like with any amendments I want to try.

At some point I'm going to put a cost per portion and calorie per portion in there, but I'm too lazy at the moment!

molliepops · 04-02-2012, 16:52

Another Delia fan here, once you learn to cook from her book, complete cookery course you can adapt her recipes very easily to your own tastes or move onto other books.

Roni_J · 05-02-2012, 12:49

I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle.

I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine.

Color of Night · 06-02-2012, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roni_J

I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle.

I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine.

I have a few Dairy diaries as my brother in law is a dairy manager & he would give me the books for Christmas. Some lovely recipes in them & easy to make too.

fickrick · 06-02-2012, 16:49

good house keeping is great for a first one tells you all the basics the correct way. then move on to your fave tv chefs!

PhoenixRises · 06-02-2012, 16:55

For a beginner I would recommend those Good Food 101 ... books, they are really simple to follow, mainly just have 3 or 4 points in the instructions, this makes things simple. They have many different categories so that you can find something suitable for you. And they are cheap to buy, a few quid usually.

I started cooking by using these and it really helped. I am still not brilliant but I am more confident in the kitchen.

Frood · 06-02-2012, 19:22

As always avoid Delia Smith like the plague.

Cooking is not as difficult as she makes out (that's why she sells) and you shouldnt be scared of it.

As always go for Nigel Slater whose recipes produces great results which actually look, smell and taste like you would hope. He also works on the correct theory that if you like a particular ingredient you can normally add more.

Jamie Oliver is pretty good as well.

Thrasymachus · 06-02-2012, 19:39

Another vote here for Nigel Slater. His recipes never fail to impress

Color of Night · 06-02-2012, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frood

As always avoid Delia Smith like the plague.

Cooking is not as difficult as she makes out (that's why she sells) and you shouldnt be scared of it.

As always go for Nigel Slater whose recipes produces great results which actually look, smell and taste like you would hope. He also works on the correct theory that if you like a particular ingredient you can normally add more.

Jamie Oliver is pretty good as well.

I agree with you. I am not a fan of Delia but I love Nigel Slater & hate missing his programmes. He does make things seem so simple & appealing. I too also like Jamie Oliver Oh & the Hairy Bikers Mum's know best recipes.

smudges dad · 06-02-2012, 20:23

a vote for Delia, but Cathering Whitehorn's Cooking in a Bedsitter is also good to start with

whoever,hey · 07-02-2012, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Color of Night

I agree with you. I am not a fan of Delia but I love Nigel Slater & hate missing his programmes. He does make things seem so simple & appealing. I too also like Jamie Oliver Oh & the Hairy Bikers Mum's know best recipes.

Same here.

Utopian Girl · 07-02-2012, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roni_J

I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle.

I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine.

Your right, the dairy book of home cookery is great! I bought them from the milkman years ago! When my youngest son left home I gave him a copy as I had two books, fortunately. They're simple, straightforward and have great photos - better than my Delia one which is great but TDB comes first!

reginald1981 · 07-02-2012, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by fickrick

good house keeping is great for a first one tells you all the basics the correct way. then move on to your fave tv chefs!

I agree with this. The Good House Keeping and Good Food ones are great.

halfacrown · 07-02-2012, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by missymorgan

This ^^^

I have a recipe file that has loads of web recipes in, some from my nan, a curry from my ex's friend, all sorts. I also borrow cook books from the library and make a note of recipes I like with any amendments I want to try.

At some point I'm going to put a cost per portion and calorie per portion in there, but I'm too lazy at the moment!

Me too, I have a file that contain recipes from family and friends, it also contains stuff from allrecipes,com, BBC Food, This Morning among other internet sources and cutouts from Good Housekeeping, Tesco and Asda customer mags etc and a few from this forum, its been far more valuable than any cook book I've ever owned as each recipe is something I cook time and again.

03-02-2012, 10:11	#1
meroko Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Northumberland Posts: 838	Recommend a beginner cook a cookbook I've really started getting into cooking lately, which has come as a sideline from me learning how to bake. Currently I use The Great British Book of Baking, The Covent Garden soup books and read Eat In magazine, but I'd like to get a good cook book to start me on my cooking journey. I'd like a book that: * has easy to source ingredients (we live in a small rural area and only have a Sainsburys!) * doesn't cost more than £2-£3 a head to cook * is quite straight forward for the beginner cook * is interesting - we eat a varied range of foods * doesn't take longer than about 30-40 minutes to cook What books have you found helpful?

03-02-2012, 10:30	#2
Gaditano Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sussex by the sea Posts: 2,068	Most people are likely to recommend you a Delia Smith book, which is OK, but she's a bit boring. Leith's Simple Cookery is much better in my opinion, though some dishes take a LOT longer to cook than your ideal cooking time. But there are lots of great dishes you really can't cook in so short a time. Leith book details: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leiths-Simpl...8264932&sr=1-2

03-02-2012, 10:54	#3
MICH78 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,051	Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals. They take between 30-45 mins with prep included, but they are easy to follow and varied enough without being complicated. You can always use the recipies as a base and add your own twist to them.

03-02-2012, 11:03	#4
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	I enjoy reading Marguerite Patten,Nadia Sawalha,Claudia Roden and Nigella Lawson

03-02-2012, 13:45	#5
Color of Night Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 2,164	Ask friends & family for simple recipes. I have 2 daughters, one is an excellent cook but the eldest never wanted to learn. Now she has hit 31 the urge to cook has kicked & I gave her a cookbook which I made myself. Its full of all the recipes I have collected over the years that are family & friends favorites & she has started at the beginning of the book & working her way through & loves it. The trouble with recipe books these days is you may find half adozen recipes you will try but the rest are either boring or complicated. There a quite a few websites you could try too & it won't cost you anything & If you find a recipe you like write it down & start your own recipe book, you never know you may like to pass it on.

03-02-2012, 16:06	#6
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by Gaditano Most people are likely to recommend you a Delia Smith book, which is OK, but she's a bit boring. Yep, I am going to recommend Delia. Also have a look on amazon for student cookbooks. They are usually budget priced meals and one pot easy to cook recipes.

04-02-2012, 09:40	#7
norbitonite Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,709	Another recommendation for Delia. She explains everything in detail. Many cookery books presume a level of experience and can be offputting for the beginner. Delia's Complete Cookery Course is a great first cookbook.

04-02-2012, 11:31	#8
Aarghawasp! Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,947	Another vote for Delia, never mind her recipes, How to Cook is brilliant for taking it right back to basic techniques. Once you've got the hang on the basics you can turn your hand to any recipe you fancy. All the info you need is in that link.

04-02-2012, 12:49	#9
missymorgan Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 490	Quote: Originally Posted by Color of Night Ask friends & family for simple recipes. I have 2 daughters, one is an excellent cook but the eldest never wanted to learn. Now she has hit 31 the urge to cook has kicked & I gave her a cookbook which I made myself. Its full of all the recipes I have collected over the years that are family & friends favorites & she has started at the beginning of the book & working her way through & loves it. The trouble with recipe books these days is you may find half adozen recipes you will try but the rest are either boring or complicated. There a quite a few websites you could try too & it won't cost you anything & If you find a recipe you like write it down & start your own recipe book, you never know you may like to pass it on. This ^^^ I have a recipe file that has loads of web recipes in, some from my nan, a curry from my ex's friend, all sorts. I also borrow cook books from the library and make a note of recipes I like with any amendments I want to try. At some point I'm going to put a cost per portion and calorie per portion in there, but I'm too lazy at the moment!

04-02-2012, 16:52	#10
molliepops Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: woking Posts: 21,678	Another Delia fan here, once you learn to cook from her book, complete cookery course you can adapt her recipes very easily to your own tastes or move onto other books.

05-02-2012, 12:49	#11
Roni_J Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 842	I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle. I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine.

06-02-2012, 14:18	#12
Color of Night Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 2,164	Quote: Originally Posted by Roni_J I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle. I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine. I have a few Dairy diaries as my brother in law is a dairy manager & he would give me the books for Christmas. Some lovely recipes in them & easy to make too.

06-02-2012, 16:49	#13
fickrick Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,106	good house keeping is great for a first one tells you all the basics the correct way. then move on to your fave tv chefs!

06-02-2012, 16:55	#14
PhoenixRises Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,563	For a beginner I would recommend those Good Food 101 ... books, they are really simple to follow, mainly just have 3 or 4 points in the instructions, this makes things simple. They have many different categories so that you can find something suitable for you. And they are cheap to buy, a few quid usually. I started cooking by using these and it really helped. I am still not brilliant but I am more confident in the kitchen.

06-02-2012, 19:22	#15
Frood Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,882	As always avoid Delia Smith like the plague. Cooking is not as difficult as she makes out (that's why she sells) and you shouldnt be scared of it. As always go for Nigel Slater whose recipes produces great results which actually look, smell and taste like you would hope. He also works on the correct theory that if you like a particular ingredient you can normally add more. Jamie Oliver is pretty good as well.

06-02-2012, 19:39	#16
Thrasymachus Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,043	Another vote here for Nigel Slater. His recipes never fail to impress

06-02-2012, 19:49	#17
Color of Night Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 2,164	Quote: Originally Posted by Frood As always avoid Delia Smith like the plague. Cooking is not as difficult as she makes out (that's why she sells) and you shouldnt be scared of it. As always go for Nigel Slater whose recipes produces great results which actually look, smell and taste like you would hope. He also works on the correct theory that if you like a particular ingredient you can normally add more. Jamie Oliver is pretty good as well. I agree with you. I am not a fan of Delia but I love Nigel Slater & hate missing his programmes. He does make things seem so simple & appealing. I too also like Jamie Oliver Oh & the Hairy Bikers Mum's know best recipes.

06-02-2012, 20:23	#18
smudges dad Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort William Posts: 22,292	a vote for Delia, but Cathering Whitehorn's Cooking in a Bedsitter is also good to start with

07-02-2012, 08:22	#19
whoever,hey Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 30,072	Quote: Originally Posted by Color of Night I agree with you. I am not a fan of Delia but I love Nigel Slater & hate missing his programmes. He does make things seem so simple & appealing. I too also like Jamie Oliver Oh & the Hairy Bikers Mum's know best recipes. Same here.

07-02-2012, 09:49	#20
Utopian Girl Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7,610	Quote: Originally Posted by Roni_J I'd recommend The Dairy Book of Home Cookery covers most things from basics like boiling an egg to the more advanced souffle. I've got shelves of cook books including Delia, Jamie, Nigella they all look brand new, My Home Cookery falls apart when you pick it up. It's a newer edition now but my mums even early edition was very similar to mine. Your right, the dairy book of home cookery is great! I bought them from the milkman years ago! When my youngest son left home I gave him a copy as I had two books, fortunately. They're simple, straightforward and have great photos - better than my Delia one which is great but TDB comes first!

07-02-2012, 13:42	#21
reginald1981 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 4,492	Quote: Originally Posted by fickrick good house keeping is great for a first one tells you all the basics the correct way. then move on to your fave tv chefs! I agree with this. The Good House Keeping and Good Food ones are great.

DS Forums

Recommend a beginner cook a cookbook

07-02-2012, 14:26	#22
halfacrown Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Belfast, OWC Posts: 502	Quote: Originally Posted by missymorgan This ^^^ I have a recipe file that has loads of web recipes in, some from my nan, a curry from my ex's friend, all sorts. I also borrow cook books from the library and make a note of recipes I like with any amendments I want to try. At some point I'm going to put a cost per portion and calorie per portion in there, but I'm too lazy at the moment! Me too, I have a file that contain recipes from family and friends, it also contains stuff from allrecipes,com, BBC Food, This Morning among other internet sources and cutouts from Good Housekeeping, Tesco and Asda customer mags etc and a few from this forum, its been far more valuable than any cook book I've ever owned as each recipe is something I cook time and again.