Recipe Books

[sunny-dave]

I'm having a bit of a cull - the shelf was groaning under the strain.

The first one into my lifeboat would be Prue Leith's "Cookery Bible", followed closely by Nigel Slater's "Real Fast Food".

Then it would probably be one of the early Nigellas - sneer if you want, but her recipes do work.

Which made me think - what are your 'indispensable' cook books?

[gness]

You are joking?.....☺☺☺

[sunny-dave]

Well yes - the "takeaway menu cookbook" by Prick 'n' Pingh is next on my list ...

[tonyav]

LOL.

[gness]

I'll let you have one of my spare copies, Dave...indispensable....☺

[sunny-dave]

Does it have chips&gravy in it?

[tonyav]

AHHHHGGGGG.

[tonyav]

Mind ya I give them a try if it was Nigella serving them up.

[woofgang]

Delia's How to Cook, the original version. Nigella's Domestic Goddess. Third would be the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream recipe book.

[sunny-dave]

Melon Balls for starters, tony?

[sunny-dave]

I never really got one with St Delia, woofy - a bit patronising I feel (speaking as a mere male).

[Psybbo]

Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets and a few others including Nigel Slater's don't worry, Gness, bought by me for OH to experiment

[wolf63]

"Ready Meals" by Tesco is my standard instruction guide.

If any of the books are in good condition but not suitable for your needs remember your local Oxfam Book and Music shop. Sign up for Gift Aid and we/they can claim the tax back too.

[tonyav]

sunny-dave
Question Author
Melon Balls for starters, tony?


Definately Dave, I can be posh when I have to be ya know.

[sunny-dave]

Some are positively virginal, wolfie - I was intimidated by Heston Bloominweird before I even started.

[gness]

Ooooo...I like experimental OHs, Psyb...not with flipping cookery books though.....x

[EDDIE51]

Cookery in Colour Marguerite Patten.. 1960
Handed down from my Mum , every thing you ever need to know.

[Buenchico]

Most of my cookery is based upon a 'try it and see' approach, so I don't need any cookery books. (Indeed, I could probably write one myself if I could accurately remember all of the results of my experiments!).

However, if I need reminding about some of the basics (such as how to cook certain vegetables) I always fall back on my standard reference work, which has been in my kitchen cupboard for about 40 years:
http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mqCrYR2Zkyrth2O7ggei7Jg.jpg

I would probably also be using Mr Beeton's Book of Household Management, inherited from my mother (who referred to it for nearly all of her cooking) if I'd not made the mistake of lending it to a friend who treated loans in the same way that she treated all of her birthday and Christmas presents. (i.e. as something to be offered for sale at the first available car boot sale!)

[jno]

Mr Beeton wrote one as well, Buenchico? I suppose Page 1 said "First catch a good wife"?

[sunny-dave]

I think I had that too, Chris - measurements in oz and fl oz (which was good), but temperatues in Fahrenheit which was ... tricky when 'cooking whilst drinking'.

[gness]

I can prick, ping and drink with no problem...☺