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Original poster

If you could only have 1 cookery book what would it be?

85 replies

ghengis · 26/04/2004 13:28

Am trying to take more of an interest in cooking for my family but they aren't terribly adventurous. What one cookery book should I start with?

OP posts:
Codswallop · 26/04/2004 13:35

Nigel slater I would say " real fast food" or somehting like that

always things you have in stock
no weird fennel or stuff like that

noddy5 · 26/04/2004 13:39

nigel slater too-no contest

Original poster
ghengis · 26/04/2004 13:39

Lol at the weird fennel!! That's exactly what I mean. Nothing that starts with "Take some celeriac...!"

OP posts:
twiglett · 26/04/2004 13:40

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Welshmum · 26/04/2004 13:40

I like Nigella's How To Eat. It has different sections depending on what you want eg, kids, cooking in advance, one pot, low fat and so. I think it's pretty well written too

twiglett · 26/04/2004 13:40

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motherinferior · 26/04/2004 13:40

Nigel (God) Slater, deffo.

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 13:41

agree re good housekeeoing

they give lots of timings too. DISGAREE re Nigella there is too much waffle and think some of hte reicpes require skill and bizarre / expensive ingredients - not he best for a novice

SoupDragon · 26/04/2004 13:41

I was going to say Nigella Lawson's Domestic Goddess book but I don't think that's going to be appropriate for what you want! Delia is always a safe bet and I quite like The Claire MacDonald Cookbook (which I bought because I liked the front cover). It seems to have a good variety of things in it.

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 13:41

I hate fennel.
Jamie olivers recipes are always marreed by one bizarre ingredient
also Jill dupleix (the times cook) has a good book out.

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 13:43

heres amaxon on nige
"Nigel Slater is the god of sticky things. He loves bones you can gnaw, the crispy bits from the bottom of the roasting pan, squishy things to eat on crusty bread with juices dribbling down your chin. Unctuousness. This is the man who made greed sexy. His cooking is determinedly domestic, to be consumed alone, or as an intimate supper with a loved one (in Slater's case, it seems, often the cat), occasionally rising to the heights of an informal dinner party. Within these self-imposed bounds, he's unbeatable."

twiglett · 26/04/2004 13:44

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Beetroot · 26/04/2004 13:45

This reply has been deleted

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bossykate · 26/04/2004 13:45

if you really are a beginner, i'd also recommend delia smith's classic cookery course. she's not exciting or trendy but her recipes are very clear, easy to follow, and very well tested and therefore reliable. it's the book i always go to first if a need a reminder on the basics.

motherinferior · 26/04/2004 13:45

Real Fast Food is particularly down to earth - lots of suggestions that are in fact so obvious you wonder why you hadn't thought of them before.

I do have How To Eat, and some recipes are fab, but she can suddenly suggest something you know perfectly well will cause havoc among the trainees in your local supermarket.

officerdibble · 26/04/2004 14:05

my current fave is 'Fat Girl Slim' by Ruth Watson. Ethos is eat to well, but not overdo it. Some delicious recipes - the butternut squash and cabbage soup is fabulous. I'm a Nigel/Nigella groupie also.

Welshmum · 26/04/2004 14:09

I'm not a cook by any means codswallop but haven't had any probs with Nigella - she usually suggests substitutes if she's disappeared up her own ample bottom.

Original poster
ghengis · 26/04/2004 14:12

BK, thanks for reminding me what my library card is for! I'll see what they have in tomorrow.

Nigel Slater is highly recommended on Amazon so will have a look for that one. I usually take Good Housekeeping each month but haven't tried any of their recipes yet. Will dig a few out to see if there is anything suitable, i.e. not containing butternut squash!!!

Thanks all

OP posts:
Morgan · 26/04/2004 14:16

If yhou want just one simple bopk then it has to be Delia's cookery collection in my opinion. I love Nigella's How to Eat but it is doesn't perhaps fit the bill for you.

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 14:19

Lol welshmum
I just find other more practical for day to day cooking and isnt she all metric? maybe no good for G's rellies

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 14:20

oh and ditto delia but I wonder if her classic cookery course ( the brown one} is a bit out of date

lydialemon · 26/04/2004 14:25

The Dairy Book of Home Cookery, published by the Milk Marketing Board. I've know idea where you get it from now, but you used to be able to buy it from the Milkman. It has all the basic recipes in it - I use it far more than my Delia one, and all the others are too 'fashionable'.

BadHair · 26/04/2004 14:33

Oh, Lydialemon, I was going to say that one but I couldn't remember the name of it. I didn't think anyone but me and a handful of OAPs had one!
My grandma got hers off the milkman, and my edition says "Now Updated for the 1990s" on the cover! It's really really easy and the recipes are just everyday stuff, nothing flashy, but really easy and tasty. Not even a whiff of fennel or fenugreek, thank god.

Freddiecat · 26/04/2004 14:37

Nigel Slater definitely. Appetite is a good one as it has a basic recipe then about 6 suggestions for adaptations.

2nd would agree with many on Delia's Complete Cookery Course. It is a bit old but some of the recipes are so 70's now that when I cook something from there DP asks me what it is as if it's something new and trendy (beef goulash being a case in point). I would also argue that if you remove a bit of salt and add extra mashed carrot to most recipes it's the same as Annabel Karmels book...

Codswallop · 26/04/2004 14:37

fenugreek! theres another

or thomcat's fave banana leaves!
or anyone who really htinks you can be arsed to make puff pastry or curry paste