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What are your favourite Cookery Books and why? |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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What are your favourite Cookery Books and why?
Although I'm vegetarian, I don't limit myself to buying veggie cookery books as most others offer many non-meat recipes. I also look at recipes that contain meat and twist and change them to suit my diet.
I'm a bit of a cookbook addict and, although its really hard to decide, I suppose my three current favourites are: Tender Vol 1: A Cook and his Vegetable Patch by Nigel Slater I love Nigel Slater and his simple but highly effective approach to cooking. He lets the ingredients speak for themselves and never overloads with unnecessary spices/herbs. I also love the way he writes so evocatively about food. This book is beautiful, as is Vol 2 which focuses on fruit. Food from Plenty by Diana Henry This book is brilliant as it focuses on seasonal ingredients and also offers recipes for leftover foods. She's a fantastic writer of recipes that are always faultless and straightforward. Lots of alternatives are offered for some more obscure ingredients, although most are easily available anyway. River Cottage Veg Everyday by Hugh Fearnley-Whittenstall River Cottage always deliver! This one is great as its meat-free, but put together by a committed carnivore. HFW adopted a meat-free six months existence prior to this book being published, so really had to work hard to fill the void created by his loss!! He's done a great job here, with recipes that are delicious and seasonal. Others I love are: Plenty by Yotam Ottelenghi How to Bake by Paul Hollywood Polpo: A Venetian Cookbook of Sorts by Russell Norman The Good Table by Valentine Warner 50 Great Curries of India by Camelia Panjabi So, which ones are your favourites....and why? I hope to find some new ones that I can add to my stupidly large collection
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#2 |
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 5,704
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My long-term favourite remains 'The Readers Digest Cookery Year'. It's encyclopeadic and I love how it's split by foods in season.
Ironically, in spite of the shelves of cookbooks I have, I don't own a copy, but my mother does and one day it will be mine! |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street
Posts: 40,099
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Book-Jew...0154838&sr=8-1
I love food history and Claudia Roden writes very well and is able to formulate a cookery book that covers so many different countries where Jewish people have settled. The recipes are tasty and easy to make. http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Basque-Cu...0154948&sr=8-1 Ash Mair writes well. I love the food of the Basque Country. It reminds me of holidays. It is chatty and informative. There is a good use of colour that conjures up images of heat and fire. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Reci...0155040&sr=1-1 What can I say about Nigella? This is one of my favourite cookery books. There is a warmth and generousity within. It brings attention back to food and is used more often in the winter when you feel the need to have a lot of meat and vegetables. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anjums-India...155137&sr=1-12 I love vegetarian food. Anjum writes welll. It prepares the mind and the body to become vegetarian throughout the year. I enjoy the heat and the spices the book produces images of. A delicious book. |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,408
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Nigella Christmas and Nigella Feast.
I have yet to make anything out of either that didn't work and wasn't excellent. In fact all Nigella's books I have are winners. |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Book-Jew...0154838&sr=8-1
I love food history and Claudia Roden writes very well and is able to formulate a cookery book that covers so many different countries where Jewish people have settled. The recipes are tasty and easy to make. http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Basque-Cu...0154948&sr=8-1 Ash Mair writes well. I love the food of the Basque Country. It reminds me of holidays. It is chatty and inoformative. There is a good use of colour that conjures up images of heat and fire. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Reci...0155040&sr=1-1 What can I say about Nigella? This is one of my favourite cookery books. There is a warmth and generousity within. It brings attention back to food and is used more often in the winter when you feel the need to have a lot of meat and vegetables. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anjums-India...155137&sr=1-12 I love vegetarian food. Anjum writes welll. It prepares the mind and the body to become vegetarian throughout the year. I enjoy the heat and the spices the book produces images of. A delicious book. I've just checked out Anjum and I am going to order it BTW, you might like to check out this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ywords=prashad Prashad is an Indian veggie restaurant in Bradford; Kaushy Patel is the head chef. I've eaten there and it's truly amazing. The book is superb
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 3,180
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'The really useful student cook book'. I have had it nearly 20 years, and expect it's out of print now.
I bought it when I moved out of halls in my second year. Showed me how to make Chowder, Spag Bol, Toad in the Hole, and numerous other meals. easily and cheaply. Ideal for a young man who had never cooked before. Kept it and referred to it during my bachelor years Still use it now and again. |
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 102
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Just like Misha, I have a student cookbook that I can't bear to part with. I never went to university, but I bought it for when I first moved out of home. The meals in there will never win awards for creativity, but they're basic, cheap and tasty. It's certainly my most used cookbook.
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street
Posts: 40,099
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Quote:
I've just ordered Arabesque! Can't wait to read it. I love books that convey the history of food, too, as well as a sense of the culture of the area/country. It makes making the recipes and sampling the food that bit more of an occasion...gives it far more resonance.
I've just checked out Anjum and I am going to order it BTW, you might like to check out this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ywords=prashad Prashad is an Indian veggie restaurant in Bradford; Kaushy Patel is the head chef. I've eaten there and it's truly amazing. The book is superb ![]() I've asked Kindle to send me a sample of Kaushy Patel's book. Thanks for the suggestion. |
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
I've been desiring "Arabesque" for ages. I've asked the publisher to put it on Kindle as it is easier for me in the kitchen to use my Ipad.
I've asked Kindle to send me a sample of Kaushy Patel's book. Thanks for the suggestion. ![]() I will shush now!
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,998
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Healthy South Indian Cookery by Patricia Marquardt
This is a brilliant veggie cookbook - with a couple of added meat ones at the end. Some of my very favourite recipes in here and very easy to make. I once misplaced this book and ordered another one immediately and copied all my favourites just incase it happens again!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Indi...0287346&sr=1-1 I am of pensionable age and still use the cookery book we were given as 11 year olds when we did Cookery at school ![]() Was Kaushy Patels restaurant the one that was on the Gordon Ramsey programme? I have hundreds of cookery books (due to my age) and keep saying I am not going to buy another but can't keep off Amazon. |
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,998
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Have a look at this site
http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webap...aa208c915d5450 found above mentioned books cheaper than amazon - have to pay postage but still cheaper |
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#12 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,998
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P.S.- If you spend £25 with book people the postage is free.
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#13 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
Nigella Christmas and Nigella Feast.
I have yet to make anything out of either that didn't work and wasn't excellent. In fact all Nigella's books I have are winners. So, I'm probably missing out on one or two classics in terms of her books...I feel slightly ashamed and childish
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#14 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
Healthy South Indian Cookery by Patricia Marquardt
This is a brilliant veggie cookbook - with a couple of added meat ones at the end. Some of my very favourite recipes in here and very easy to make. I once misplaced this book and ordered another one immediately and copied all my favourites just incase it happens again!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Indi...0287346&sr=1-1 I am of pensionable age and still use the cookery book we were given as 11 year olds when we did Cookery at school ![]() Was Kaushy Patels restaurant the one that was on the Gordon Ramsey programme? I have hundreds of cookery books (due to my age) and keep saying I am not going to buy another but can't keep off Amazon. ![]() Thanks for the heads up re: the Book People. I've joined and added the River Cottage box set of 10 to my basket as well. I mean, £20 for the lot?? That's a phenomenal saving of over £100!! There are loads of books I want, aaaargh ![]() Yes, Prashad is the restaurant that featured on Ramsey's TV show; they came second which I was so pleased about, especially given his usual disdain towards vegetarianism! Thanks so much for your info
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#15 |
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Guest
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,733
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Jill Dupleix - Lighten Up. Healthy but exciting food.
Delia Smith - Winter Collection. Several classic recipes. Dan Lepard - The Handmade Loaf Nigella - Express Nigella - Kitchen Those are the books I often cook from. |
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#16 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
Jill Dupleix - Lighten Up. Healthy but exciting food.
Delia Smith - Winter Collection. Several classic recipes. Dan Lepard - The Handmade Loaf Nigella - Express Nigella - Kitchen Those are the books I often cook from. ![]() The Handmade Loaf looks fab btw... |
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#17 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,998
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I have only watched Nigella once and never again and would not even open one of her books. Read the article about how bad her latest Italian book is which also puts me off.
As a cook she really offends me. |
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#18 |
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Guest
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,733
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Quote:
You're the third person to recommend Nigella! I really must get over my aversion
![]() The Handmade Loaf looks fab btw... Her books also have a good mixture of classic recipes and combinations that I'd never have thought of before. I'm a definite fan! The Handmade Loaf is excellent, though it's not a book that you'd just pick up one day, turn to a page and make the recipe. It's more of a whole philosophy of baking, there's a lot about technique and there's plenty of science too. If, like me, you're really keen on learning to bake bread and have some time to dedicate to doing so it's definitely the best book for the job. It's a bit of a revelation
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#19 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,042
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Quote:
Have a look at this site
http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webap...aa208c915d5450 found above mentioned books cheaper than amazon - have to pay postage but still cheaper I have made over 200 orders from Amazon and I have never had an issue with them which is why I choose to use them. As for some of my favourite books... Salma Hage - The Lebanese Kitchen http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o02_s00_i09 Peter Gordon - Everyday http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ls_o06_s00_i01 Lili Vanilli - Sweet Tooth http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o02_s00_i00 Nigel Slater - The Kitchen Diaries II http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o06_s00_i00 Anna Bergenstrom & Fanny Bergenstrom - Under The Walnut Tree http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ls_o01_s00_i00 Yvette Van Boven - Home Made http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ls_o02_s00_i01 Dan Lepard - Short & Sweet http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o05_s02_i02 Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi - Jerusalem http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o05_s04_i00 Denis Cotter - For The Love of Food: Vegetarian Recipes from the Heart http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o02_s00_i01 Tamasin Day-Lewis - Food You Can't Say No To http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...ls_o02_s01_i03 Lucas Hollweg - Good Things To Eat http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o04_s00_i04 |
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#20 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Not far from that there London
Posts: 8,233
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Nigel is my favourite! I love her!
I think I have every book she's done. ![]() (plus too many other cookbooks to count)
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#21 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: woking
Posts: 21,660
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Delia Smith cookery course a good starting place for anyone
Mary Berry Sunday lunches, also her baking bible And my old hand written book handed down from eldest daughter to eldest daughter, started in 1848 by my great great grandmother Edith. A book that I couldn't do with out. |
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#22 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Not far from that there London
Posts: 8,233
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I meant to put NIGELLA above, obviously..
![]() Also Mary Berry goes without saying.
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#23 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street
Posts: 40,099
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Quote:
At the risk of seeming to be force-feeding you, you might also want to have a look at Veggiestan: A Vegetable Lovers Tour of the Middle East by Sally Butcher. She runs a renowned Persian food shop, Persepolis, in London. Veggiestan is a stunner
![]() I will shush now! ![]() Thank you! |
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#24 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 200
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Quote:
Honestly, I can well understand why some people aren't a fan of Nigella based on her TV programmes, but I think her books are fantastic. Every recipe I've made from them actually turned out exactly as expected and like the pictures. I also like the fact that she makes things as uncomplicated as possible, whilst still being
Her books also have a good mixture of classic recipes and combinations that I'd never have thought of before. I'm a definite fan! The Handmade Loaf is excellent, though it's not a book that you'd just pick up one day, turn to a page and make the recipe. It's more of a whole philosophy of baking, there's a lot about technique and there's plenty of science too. If, like me, you're really keen on learning to bake bread and have some time to dedicate to doing so it's definitely the best book for the job. It's a bit of a revelation ![]() ![]() As I've really enjoyed it, I think I'll give 'Handmade' a go. I'm scared, but in a good way ![]() Quote:
I have only watched Nigella once and never again and would not even open one of her books. Read the article about how bad her latest Italian book is which also puts me off.
As a cook she really offends me. ![]() I read about her Italian job. The chocolate pizza made me feel angry. Never muck about with Italian food and try and come up with some freaky fusion type stuff. Stay true to it or be damned ![]() Quote:
Mary Berry Sunday lunches, also her baking bible
And my old hand written book handed down from eldest daughter to eldest daughter, started in 1848 by my great great grandmother Edith. A book that I couldn't do with out. ![]() Your very own family book sounds wonderful. What an amazing family keepsake and so useful, too. I think every family should do this....but it must be hand written. |
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#25 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,576
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Quote:
Nigella Christmas and Nigella Feast.
I have yet to make anything out of either that didn't work and wasn't excellent. In fact all Nigella's books I have are winners. mary berry is a firm favourite of mine and my mum's!!
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BTW, you might like to check out this one:
