Thought this book would change my life

[Dancergirl]

But no!

So I bought the River Cottage Family cookbook after reading the fab reviews. But whilst it's a lovely reference book, the recipes are v limited. Far too many desserts and not enough main courses. And as for 'make your own cream cheese'? WTF??

So can anyone recommend a good book for making simple tasty family meals that will appeal to all ages? I already have Fay Ripleys book which I use a lot but want a change.

I love Bill Granger's 'Easy' - lists recipes by main ingredient i.e. 'piece of chicken' or 'mince', he's a self taught cook so no fancy trickery, and uses ingredients that are easy to source.

Covers lots of things that are kid friendly enough to be eaten by dc's as well as interesting so that I am likely to make them. Lots of pictures too.

Both Jamie Oliver's 'Ministry of Food' and '30 Minute Meals' have been massively popular in our house. I love his simple recipes, everything's straightforward and ingredients are easy to come by, always great tasting meals and they're so quick to do.

Another one I love is Ainsley Harriot's 'Meals in Minutes' for the same reasons as above.

There's a lot of us here, 6 adults a toddler and a baby, so quick, tasty and fuss free dinners are important. We use all three books on a weekly basis.

Well, I can tell you another one NOT to buy: HFW's Vege book. I have been so, so disappointed with it.

30 Minute Meals has some nice ideas in it: I didn't bother buying it because, as a veggie, most of the recipes are no good for me.

Do they still make the '101' books? They are good for simple and generally appealing recipes.

Not HFW RC everyday either - bought it for myself for DH to give me for CHristmas as I actually really like the family one - waste of money.

I have Ainsley's book, and quite like it. Also Rachel Allen and good old "Good Housekeeping" tome often used in our house as well as Jamie ones.

Agree with Bill Grainger - wasn't sure if I would use it as I don't really like him on tv but I find that I'm using it lots. Also really like Jamie at Home and Cook with Jamie - in fact most JO books get used regularly. I subscribe to delicious magazine too and use a lot of recipes from it.

Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook is really good and has a real variety of things in it. I have never had a bad recipe from it

I want to stick up for HFW Veg Everyday, if that's the one that was mentioned above- I really like the recipes but they are not quick- they require a couple of hours of leisurely kitchen time and a special trip to the shop to buy star anise or whatever. But they are worth it.

Nigel Slater's 'Real Food Fast' - lovely for the overcrowded time between school and DC bedtime.

We use the Fay Ripley book lots too, but I'm currently also loving the My Daddy Cooks book. Had the lamb and butternut squash stew tonight. It was really good! Lots of easy, simple, everyday recipes. And he devised them in a teeny kitchen with a toddler, so they're not difficult or full of fancy stuff.