Which recipe books do you use over and over again?

[MissTFied]

I have loads of celebrity recipe books, and have just picked up Nigella's 'Feast' again. I'm surprised I didn't cook more from it when I first got it.

I like practical books rather than fussy (never cooked from my Gordon Ramsey book).

What are your essential books?

Nigella's How to Eat.

Had it years, still love it.

Delia's complete cookbook for techniques. (Real custard and homemade breadsauce at Christmas, timings for meat, how to boil an egg )

Marie Claire Seasonal Kitchen for DH & I.

Jamie Oliver for family faves (Chilli etc), although I don't have a specific JO book, I use his website. Does that count?

I have a lot of cookooks. The ones I use most are:
Stephanie Alexander 'The Cook's Companion'
Good Housekeeping Cookery Book
Nigel Slater Kitchen Diaries

The Stephanie Alexander book took a bit of getting ussed to. It is laid out with a section for each ingredient, rather than the usual sections for each type of recipe. Now it's the first book I look at when I want to know 'What could I do with artichokes / radishes / duck legs / etc?' It is brilliant.
I also look at my Donna Hay books a lot for inspiration. Fab photography.

Eco Portofino on the Leith's cookery bible. It's fab for basic stuff I do not always remember.

If you are a confident cook, I also recommend Gordon Ramsey's "Just desserts" - it has got some really yummy stuff (but for special occasions only - the recipes can be quite fiddly). It's my favourite one for desserts

Good Housekeeping Vegetarian
Reader's Digest The Cookery Year

My old favourite is 365 Vegetarian Main Meals by Janet Hunt a 1987 book with no glossy photos but great ideas and she always puts ideas under each recipe what to serve it with.

I'd like to try a Jamie Oliver one and that Dinner Lady one but always have other books infront on my wishlist!

Ooh my Nan has a copy of The Cookery Year. I hope I inherit it! Great for planning seasonal recipes.