Cool book for 75yo dad, living alone, new to cooking

[Chaotic45]

My dad was divorced just prior to lockdown. He's enjoying learning to cook- working from a base of knowing nothing. He had never even cooked a potato.

I'd like to get him a cook book that might help. He loves food, so probably something a bit more advanced than student 'beans on toast' type fodder.

He's struggled with being alone, so I'd like to avoid family type books that reinforce the fact that many of us are lucky enough to be cooking for a family....

Any ideas gratefully received.

Argh that should say COOK book

Nigel Slater might be good. Real Fast Food is a good one but there might be later ones that would also work.

So think people will figure out the title😀

It is a large book but Mary Berry has a very good cook book. It has lots of recipes of different levels but also has explanations such as different cuts of meat. There is also a page or two in each section with photos and the time it takes for a good reference.
I can think what it is called but will put it on later. I bought this as an engagement present from the group for a girl on my course. She later told me after ten years of marriage she ditched the man but made sure she kept the book.😂

The Jamie Oliver Ministry of food one is quite good for beginner cooks - it goes through things like how to make a basic stew or mince based sauce, then what you can add to it to make different meals. It sort of assumes no prior knowledge of shopping and cooking.

I bought my Dad the pink Mary Berry cookbook to try out some recipes.

Mary Berry Complete cookbook. It has changed it's cover over the years but it's very well laid out with lots of photos, instructions and a great selection of recipes.

Jamie Oliver ministry of food definitely

Another vote for Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food

Another vote for the wonderful Nige!
What I like about his books are that they are written in a very "chatty" style, so can be read for interest rather than only to look up a recipe.

"Real Fast Food" is packed with ideas, Nigel offers lots of alternatives for ingredients, and suggestions for different things to try.

Importantly, the recipes are simple to prepare, with no complicated cooking techniques or specialised equipment needed.

I really like the Roasting tin series . I started with the veggie one ( lovely blue cheese/ broccoli /walnut quiche which is ridiculously easy) then got the meat one as well. Really simple in that you mostly bung everything into a tin in the oven, but lots of thought about texture and flavour.

Love Roasting Tin, love Ministry of Food and you can’t go wrong with Mary Berry. Imo all the suggestions on this thread are fab.

Op what style of food does he like and will he need to budget for ingredients? Ministry of Food is probably the most traditional (if he likes mince it can’t be beaten) but it is good if you’re on a budget. Roasting Tin has a big range of sometimes quite pricey ingredients - it tends more to the exotic. One nice thing about Roasting Tin is that you can make a perfect present of it by buying him a nice tin or oven dish to go with it.

Got my Dad a book from the Nosh range (very popular with students but now do more grown up books too). Still has info on cooking basics as well as more complex dishes. Quick and Easy would be a good one - noshbooks.com/nosh-quick-easy-cookbook/

Delia’s complete cookery course or how to cook - because of his age the recipes she suggests will suit him, I’d suggest.

Not got anything against Saint Delia- I’m 34 and love her original Christmas programme! But it may be a practical option.

I second Delia’s How to Cook. We regularly use it despite having plenty of others.

What type of food does he like?

Nigella's books are good - lovely to read as well as to scoff.

Cooking for Blokes!

Assumes you know nothing, and tells you how to do stuff that others assume you know. Real mix of dishes in it.

What about the new James May cook book, Oh Cook!: 60 easy recipes that any idiot can make

Don't have it myself but seems to have good reviews on Amazon

Op I've just looked on Amazon Cooking for Blokes have 1 left but it would be worth even getting second hand one.

It includes everything even simple everyday stuff that people assume others know like omelettes and potatoes in various forms.

My 75 year old dad lives alone but has been made redundant and doesn't have many interests so I've just bought him a basic stir-fry book and wok. Ken Holmes I think and looks fairly simple. I'm going to add some of the spices in too.

Ken Hom 'My Kitchen 100 Quick Stirfries'.

Another vote for nigel slater, Jamie Oliver's ministry of food is simple too

Jack monroe all very achievable, my 8yo can cook most of them without help

I came on to say jamie Oliver ministry of food too! A definite basic cookbook but some lovely things in there!

Solo by Signe Johansen is- a lovely celebration of cooking for one and the recipes are straightforward but interesting.

Delia Smith's One is Fun if it's still in print. Recipes for one person with fail proof instructions as are all her books.