help needed cook book?

[sunflower]

Can anyone reccommend a really good essential cook book? For years I have used Margerite Pattern and Mrs Beeton, but it would be lovely to get another one. Suggestions gratefully welcomed.

[keepersdaughter]

I have quite a selection of cookbooks. Have you looked at Delia's or Nigella's, Good basics with some modern. I bought an old, (1950s reprint) Mrs Beeton's when I was home in May, fascinating to look at all the recipes.

[sunflower]

Thanks Keepersdaughter. I have'nt had a look at Nigella's book so will do a book shop browse very soon.

[Sarahc]

I have used Delias complete cookery course since it was given to me when i first went to university, is always my backup but I do like Nigellas books, although OH thinks they're too wordy. I'm not that keen on Jamie Oliver but his How to be a better cook is excellent with lots of illustrations and some really tasty recipes that don't require an entire deli in your pantry!

[souter girl]

Katie Stewart (Cooking Better All The Time - possibly no longer in print though), Delia, of course, Leith's Food Bible - terrific for classics and basics. Nigella for one recipe in 100 but lovely to look at and drool over! Why do I have literally dozens of cookery books and still go back to the faithful few all the time? A propos of nothing I once read the life of Mrs Beeton and she apparently pinched loads of her recipes from people like Hannah Glass - she was never a cook,but a journalist!

[keepersdaughter]

That's intersting SG, I dip into the Mrs Beetons to have a quick peek. I find it comforting in some strange way, nostalgia maybe. It's true what you say, I love browsing through cookery books and buy them often on a whim with the intention of preparing some of the more adventurous recipes. I do try new recipes every now and then, but find family tend to prefer tried and tested, familiar meals.

[Ivy]

I have a very good one from Safeways it has a lot of basic English and international cooking in it but it's about 15 years old so don't know if they still do it (does Safeways still exist or have they been bought by some other supermarket chain?) Maybe you can find a copy in a second Hand bookshiop or charity shop? Also I like the BBC cooking pages.

[closetotheriver]

Hi sunflower

I'm another who has lots of cookery books but the one I'd recommend is Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course.

I've also got Good Housekeeping's Step by Step Cook Book which is excellent, but you only have to look at my copy of Delia's Complete Cookery Course to know that it's the one I refer to most :D:D

[sunflower]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Will enjoy browsing through the cookery section in the bookshop on my next day off.

[annie fenbug]

A personal favourite is Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery Course. It's hefty, not one to hold in one hand while stirring the sauce with the other but it covers loads of basics. I think there's a new edition out now; the one I use is the older version. Good range of recipes, more good country cooking than extreme cuisine, if you see what I mean.

What I particularly like about it is she gives a basic 'Master' recipe and then shows you how to vary it, so from one basic idea you have a range of possibilities depending on preference and what you've got in stock. I've never had a failure cooking from this book, and Darina and Nigel Slater are the only cookery writers I'll risk cooking 'blind' from for a dinner party. Much as I love Nigella's writing and recipes (partic. the Forever Summer), I always try them out first now!