Best recipe book for someone who doesn't cook but wants to?

[Crispsheets]

Looking for a good healthy recipe book to encourage them.
Was thinking about Joe Wicks?
Not Jamie Oliver.

[Sgtmajormummy]

Hairy Bikers?
Their food seems hearty and traditional but they've also written some healthy eating cookbooks.
I bought this for a (male, if it makes any difference) friend.

[AllTheShoes]

I like the ones by Jack Monroe (or just look at the recipes on her blog, here: cookingonabootstrap.com/category/recipes-food/ ) because they aren't fiddly, have easy-to-get ingredients and generally taste good (I've had the odd miss, but they're mostly hits).

[OhTheRoses]

Delia, the original cookery course parts 1,2,3.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Delia Smith complete cookery course. Taught myself using it, it's well thumbed!

[WordGetsAround]

River Cottage Everyday. Hugh F-W. Is brilliant!

[ninnypoo]

I like Mary Berry's Foolproof Cooking- the recipes in it are mostly ones you would actually cook day to day.

[defineme]

Nigel slater real fast food taught my dh to cook

[Crispsheets]

I'm veering towards Nigel Slater....I think my partner will like his style.

[Allalonenow]

Although I'm a huge fan of Nige, I'd say Saint Delia's How to Cook was the best for someone with only limited cooking skills.

[Cookingongas]

I adore Nigel slater- though real fast food is not my favourite. His kitchen diaries and eat are better imo

I don't rate Jamie's 30 min/15 min meals for a beginner. The format is a nightmare!

[EsmeCordelia]

Everyone I know started with Delias complete cookery course and have either replaced their original book or its in tatters from use. It's got all the basics plus in it and if you follow the recipes they aretrust worthy. I cook a lot and have a lot of cookery books. This Delia Smith book is the one I would give to beginner cooks.

[mommybunny]

Sorry, I was going to come on here and say Jamie's Ministry of Food. I think it's absolutely brilliant for beginners. 30 Minute and 15 Minute Meals are definitely too complicated for that level.

But if Jamie is a complete non-starter, and you think the recipient will like Nigel Slater (and I do myself!), you can't go wrong with Appetite. Every recipe has multiple variations that give you tons of ideas for tweaking dishes to make them your own. Have a look!

[dreamingofsun]

i would get them one of the student cook books

[lastqueenofscotland]

Any delia

[ppeatfruit]

Agree about Saint Deels for the basics but if you want healthier and more up to date recipes (also very easy) Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's River Cottage Veg Every Day and River Cottage Light and Easy are brilliant.

[abeandhalo]

It's a shame no Jamie Oliver as his recipes IMO are the easiest and more straightfoward!

River Cottage Veg is a good one and the Hairy Bikers are pretty simple, too.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I think Jamie Oliver is great but only once you've grasped the basics.