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Can anyone recommend a good cookery book?


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Old 31-07-2008, 09:45
Brian Fantana
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I've just got to grips with learning the basics in cooking, last night i cooked my first spaghetti bolognese from scratch, (not just throwing dolmio over the mince), and with the help of my friend, who's a chef, i've previously cooked a pretty mild curry. I can also cook steaks and stuff, so im getting a bit better. Im looking for something with some nice, easy recipes, possibly something like Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver or something, with recipes that are easy to follow. Any recommendations?
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Old 31-07-2008, 09:51
indianwells
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Nigel Slater-Appetite, not only an excellent read but easy, delicious recipes.
Delia's Complete Cookery Course-My kitchen bible, when all fails Delia usually has the answer.
Roast Chicken & Other Stories-Simon Hopkinson, a book I wouldn't be without.
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Old 31-07-2008, 10:05
SHAFT
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Rachel Allen's books are pretty good with great but simple recipes.

You can get some of her recipes for free here: http://uktv.co.uk/food/item/aid/530905
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Old 31-07-2008, 10:22
geordiegump
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Try a copy of BBC's 'Good Food' magazine. I bought a subscription for my daughter and she's trying loads of the recipes - you get a great variety, with lots of quick and easy stuff plus lots of extras in each issue. This month iits a handy recipe book full of chicken dishes, last month's was pasta.

If you try it and like it they often have special deals on subscriptions. When I signed up you got a free James Martin cookbook worth £20! At the moment they're offering a set of really good kitchen knives.

I liked it so much, I bought a subscription for myself and several friends for birthdays etc.!
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Old 31-07-2008, 10:38
dadioflex
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Delia's Complete Cookery Course-My kitchen bible,
Amen to that.
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Old 31-07-2008, 10:58
dollylovesshoes
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Nigel Slater-Appetite, not only an excellent read but easy, delicious recipes.
Delia's Complete Cookery Course-My kitchen bible, when all fails Delia usually has the answer.
Roast Chicken & Other Stories-Simon Hopkinson, a book I wouldn't be without.
Totally agree.
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Old 31-07-2008, 11:35
analogueagent
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Now THIS is a kitchen bible. It's a kitchen encyclopedia!
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Old 31-07-2008, 11:54
indianwells
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Now THIS is a kitchen bible. It's a kitchen encyclopedia!
It is, however the OP is a beginner, he wouldn't get any use from that for quite a while yet!
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Old 31-07-2008, 13:39
Rhino Horn
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Try a copy of BBC's 'Good Food' magazine. I bought a subscription for my daughter and she's trying loads of the recipes - you get a great variety, with lots of quick and easy stuff plus lots of extras in each issue. This month iits a handy recipe book full of chicken dishes, last month's was pasta.

If you try it and like it they often have special deals on subscriptions. When I signed up you got a free James Martin cookbook worth £20! At the moment they're offering a set of really good kitchen knives.

I liked it so much, I bought a subscription for myself and several friends for birthdays etc.!
just to let you know, you can get all of the recipes featured in the magazine, for free, on their website
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Old 31-07-2008, 14:10
PamelaL
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Try the Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks. You can buy them in WHSmith. They're easy to follow and there are photos with each recipe of preparation and then finished product.

http://www.australian-womens-weekly..../ACP_Books.asp
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Old 31-07-2008, 14:21
whoever,hey
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I think the best cook book is called the internet. Infinite number of recipes, and styles. Just type an "ingredient recipe" into google, and see what comes up. Or read the what people are having for dinner thread. Loads of ideas on there.
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Old 31-07-2008, 17:12
Victoria Sponge
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This Mary Berry book is fantastic. It has pretty much everything you can think of, and has loads of pictures and a very easy step-by-step guide:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...ctiveda3401-21
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Old 31-07-2008, 17:25
vidalia
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The books I have used the most (because the recipes are easy to do, very tasty and they work!) are Delia and Nigella books but the one that is the most food splattered is Entertaining with Katie Stewart - indispensible since I got it in the 80s. It is probably well out of print but if you see it on eBay or in a charity shop.

I have just looked on Amazon and there are lots on sale there for £2.89 - snap it up!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Entertaining...521411&sr=8-22
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Old 31-07-2008, 17:45
stud u like
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Video jug is good for the beginner. I often watch the recipes on there. They show you how to make practicly anything. I had a good laugh at the toast making one! Who does not know how to make toast?

http://www.videojug.com/tag/food-and-drink
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Old 31-07-2008, 18:39
dollylovesshoes
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Try the Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks. You can buy them in WHSmith. They're easy to follow and there are photos with each recipe of preparation and then finished product.

http://www.australian-womens-weekly..../ACP_Books.asp
Wonderful Pam! Their Thai recipes are fab!
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Old 31-07-2008, 19:08
dan1979
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River Cottage family cook book is very good. It explains a lot about ingredients like the different types of sugars, flours etc. as well as giving loads of recipes.

Don't get too hung up on celebrity chef books, there are loads of cheap books by companies like Dorling Kindersley that are excellent and cheap.
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Old 01-08-2008, 02:09
sheddy99
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the silver spoon
http://www.google.com/search?client=...utf-8&oe=utf-8
how to cook the perfect by marcus wareing (MW trained gordon ramsey)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Cook-Per.../dp/1405317582
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Old 01-08-2008, 02:40
GrimmGhost
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Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Betty-Crocke...7554726&sr=8-7
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Old 01-08-2008, 07:30
serendipitea
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As a diehard cookery book reader with many of the books suggested by other posters on my shelves, my most inspiring book has been the first Marie Claire cookbook with recipes by Nigel Slater.

It's probably an eBay or charity shop jobbie by now, but it was the first cookery book that really made me WANT to cook.

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Old 01-08-2008, 08:22
TheHistoryGirl
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I'm another Nigel Slater fan. The first cookbook I ever owned myself (rather than borrowing off my mother) was Real Fast Food, still a much-loved stand-by for every occasion. It is really good for beginners as the directions are clear, it encourages experimentation through the discussion of variations and the recipes are very quick (30 min including prep) and pretty fail-safe. It is great for building confidence and expanding one's repetoire.
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Old 01-08-2008, 13:19
Frood
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Nigel Slater for me as well.

A few reasons:

1. He knows and appreciates that cooking with the eyes and nose are just as important as following a recipe precisely – often more so.

2. He understands that you might like, or dislike some ingredients (garlic/herbs/spices etc). If you like, add more, if you don’t reduce or even leave out.

3. Following from 2, he of gives variations, so even if you like a recipe you can change it round so you don’t get bored.

4. He tells you the (very few) occasions when you need to be precise. Otherwise a handful, a dollop or as much as you want are amongst the guidance criteria. That’s how cooking should be, whenever possible.

5. He’s and obvious foodie. I think he cooks, and develops recipes, for his own enjoyment, not just to sell books.

6. He understands you can’t always get that precise type of sea salt. It doesn’t matter, just get the best you can.

7. His recipes end up looking, smelling and tasting like you hope they would.

Essentially, for me, this is the antithesis of Delia Smith. I find her recipes over fussy and the results tend towards the bland. That certainly can’t be said about Nigel Slater’s Slow Cooked Moroccan Lamb Shanks with Aubergines.
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Old 01-08-2008, 14:20
Rhino Horn
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Tamasin's kitchen bible book is really comprehensive, and has really good recipes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamasins-Kit...7596632&sr=1-6
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Old 01-08-2008, 17:22
HollyC
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Try the Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks. You can buy them in WHSmith. They're easy to follow and there are photos with each recipe of preparation and then finished product.

http://www.australian-womens-weekly..../ACP_Books.asp
I came in this thread specifically to recommend these, but you beat me to it!
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Old 01-08-2008, 17:31
Ruby Red Shoes
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I've found the The Dairy Book of Home Cookery really useful for basic stuff. It has great sections on different cuts of meat and how to store and cook them. It has loads of recipes for basic sauces and how to cook eggs in different ways too.
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