Cookbook help

[Twinning1]

I’m after a cookbook. Lots of recipes that are easy to make and don’t cost the Earth in ingredients.

I’m looking to add a few more dishes to our weekly list. We eat a lot of processed, easy food from a jar or packet (fajitas, fish cakes, pasta bake etc) and for health reasons I need a change. I can’t go on eating easy junk.

I want to add a lot more vegetables and fibre to our diet. I’ve got a good stone to lose too (but I’m not after a diet cookbook just good, tasty, wholesome food)

Any recommendations?

I was quite surprised how many of Jamie Oliver's recipes were made with genuine, everyday ingredients when I borrowed his 30 minute meals book a while ago.

I would go into The Works and rummage through some though. they usually have loads. Look at the ones aimed at Students too - there are loads of good ones.

How about Mob Kitchen?

I heard about them on a podcast, and it is aimed at students in a house share taking it in turns to cook for everyone, but the premise is that all meals serve 4 with easily available ingredients that cost less than £10 for a meal, with virtually no storecupboard assumed.

Recipes on the website or the book is a fiver from Amazon if you prefer.

Jamie's 5 ingredients book. I'm not a hsmie fan, but that book means fairly quick and cheap meals. There's a whole section on veg.

Delia Smith
The Hairy Bikers

The Doctor's Kitchen is great- I made the butternut squash curry last night and it was delicious. I'm cutting down on meat for all our meals and trying to make sure we eat plenty of vegetables rather than my go-to pasta bakes. I've planned our next 3 weeks meals with 3-4 veggie meals per week. I have more than 2 stone to lose.

I'd second The Works, I'd have a look through some books aimed at students.
Currently I get the Easy Cook magazine, I've had this for a few years and tend to keep a few in the kitchen for the right season to meal plan with. They have a lot of quick balanced meals with plenty of budget options.

I like Nigel Slater's 'Real Food Fast'

And nick my DMum's copies of BBC Good Food (when she's finished with them, of course) for inspiration, plus free supermarket magazines.

The Hairy Bikers diet books are great; the recipes are easy, taste great, full of flavour and you do not feel deprived in any way. Add veg, and you are good to go.

I use Nigella and Jamie as well, and Delia too. Nigella Express has some really good recipes that I cook again and again.

One Pound Meals (Miguel Barclay) books are fab. There are 3 currently.

Another vote for the Hairy Bikers diet books. They're diet recipes due to using healthier ingredients but you'd never know from eating any of the meals. So tasty and filling.

I have all the books in the series but I personally think this particular book of theirs has the best recipes.