Can anyone recommend a really good family cook book?

[AbbyLou]

As it says really. We want ot invest in a book which will have some traditional and some new, more interesting recipes suitable for all the family. At the mo we have a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn but obviously they will grow. Any ideas?

mavis beeton

Jamie's Dinners?

The avoca cafe cookbook is excellent

I was quite impressed with Tana Ramsay's book.

Prawn Cocktail Yrs - sounds poncey but isn't. Lush Shepherds Pie - my kids actually ask for it!!!!

Is it The Dinner Lady - the one J Oliver was involved with - good too.

nigella's "How to Eat"
It's not specifically a family cookbook but is fab - chapters on w/e lunches/cooking for babies/quick food etc etc.
It's my bible.

I.ve heard alot of mums rave about Tana Ramsay's book.

Have a look at the BBC Good Food website, too.

This one's good. My mum had the 1969 edition when she first got married, and I've just given her this one too.

Tana Ramsey's book has a great macaroni cheese recipe and it's all easy enough for me to cook, so that means children of 10 could cook it

Dinner Lady Cookbook, I make tons from this, quite basic meals

Dinner Lady good too.

Does it just have to be one book?

All of Nigella's are fab! IMO.

Boring as it might sound, I wouldn't be without Delia Smith's comlete cookery course. Probably hasn't got the trendy new things you're looking for, but I've got 2 shelves of recent cookery books, but still find recipes to make out of this one.

Second Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course.

Another one that I use all the time is In the Kitchen with Ainsley . The meals are easy and delicious.

Mrs Beeton has got masses in it and is totally reliable ,every recipe works. It's particularly good if you love cakes and puds.

Delia Smiths Complete Cookery is also very reliable but has less in it. My copy has been so well used over the years that the hardback cover has completely disintegrated .

Wow, thanks everyone, there's some really good ideas here. I'll see if I can research any of them on the internet and then have a good leaf through in the book shop before we buy. We're going into town tomorrow and have some Waterstone's vouchers to use so maybe they'll stretch to more than one.

Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food is great when you don't have much time. Very well thumbed in our house.