FTM wants to learn to cook

[BexusSugarush]

For a first time mum to a 6 week old girl I find myself with a surprising amount of free time and nothing to do (she sleeps really well at night), so I would like to learn to make food. Now, I have never made more than a sandwich in my life as I don't eat many foods, but I want to learn how to make snacks, meals and desserts, both healthy and not, for my partner and for once my little one is older.

Can anyone recommend any really helpful books that I can purchase for this task? Again, please bear in mind that I can just about work an oven, so I don't really want to learn to make fancy foods. Even just something that has suggestions about simple salads and brownies. ANYTHING to get me started!

[fieldfare]

Delia's "How to cook" is a great book to start with.
Then try and find simple recipes for whatever it is you like to eat the most.

[BackforGood]

I too was going to say Delia Smith - she understands that some people really are starting from the beginning.

[VikingLady]

I second Delia. She talks you through how you do things and why, so you can use your new skills on other meals.

[Padget]

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food. Taught me to cook when all I could manage was oven chips! That was several years ago and I still use it now.

[BisherBasherBosher]

Ha, ha, you sound like me I've started making some quick and easy meals for my little one (7 months). Try the River Cottage Baby & Toddler Cookbook and the Baby-led Weaning Cookbook. Both contain recipes that are tasty for the adults as well as the kids P.s. I'm jealous that you have so much free time with a six week old!

[daisydalrymple]

Another vote for delia.

I also love Mary Berrys cookery course book. And Jamie's dinners is a great family cookbook too. Annabels family cookbook

[BisherBasherBosher]

If you're using a cookbook aimed at adults, just bear in mind that babies need less fibre, more fat and no more than 1g of salt a day (there's about this much salt in two slices of bread).

[daisydalrymple]

Sorry just seen half of my earlier post was cut off, I was going to say annabels family cookbook has some good straightforward recipes, but she seems to have honey in every other recipe, which is a pain, as not to be given under 12 months. Also lots of soy!

[MargaretCabbage]

I think Family Kitchen Cookbook would suit you. It talks you through all the basics of food preparation in the beginning, has sections on weaning and has about 700 recipes with lots of nice simple ones without too many ingredients.

[scrivette]

Also check your local Sure Start Centre and local Council's website as they sometimes run free courses.

[strawberrybubblegum]

Just wanted to say good for you!

Learning to cook is a hugely positive thing. It isn't hard once you get into it, and it will bring you and your family enormous enjoyment and so many benefits: health, family time, the pleasure of nice food, financial.

Good luck and enjoy!

[BexusSugarush]

Thank you everyone for the excellent suggestions and support!

[originalmavis]

You tube - sometimes it's easier to watch a demo!

[BentleyBelly]

I did a Cook and Eat course at my local children's centre. I lost my confidence in the kitchen after my daughter refused to give at anything I cooked from scratch and this course was brilliant. They had nursery nurses to look after the babies/children while you did the cooking lessons.

[BentleyBelly]

• eat not give at. Not sure what happened there!