Need a cookbook

[andyjevs]

But not one with recipes in.

I need a book that will teach me what ingredients to use with what, methods of cooking different foods and why, what works with what, what parts certain foods, herbs, spices etc play etc etc.

I want to create my own stuff rather than follow a recipe for something like stewed swordfish in fennell and marmite sauce !!!

Any suggestions please

[nickmo]

'A Cook's Dictionary - International Food And Cooking Terms From A to Z' by Charles Sinclair might do it. Or 'The Cook's Encyclopaedia: Ingredients and Processes' by Tom Stobart. There are a few others around. Search on line for a 'dictionary of cooking ingredients' or similar phrase and that should do. Read any reviews for info.

Both the above should be in the online bookstores as well.

And enjoy inflicting your recipes on people!!

[copippin]

Andy,It's me again,Good Housekeeping tome is quite helpful if you don't have any joy elsewhere;you sound as though you are in training Hells Kitchen or something,I hope your wife appreciates your enthusiasm! My husband like to cook and a good job he makes of it too,I greatly appreciate having a meal cooked for me occasionally.Good luck with the cullinery endeavours!

[Artemis]

'Le Repertoire de la Cuisine' is the professional cooks bible.

[JamesEverton]

Andy, Nigel Slater's books contain a recipes but he also discusses the ingredients, teechniques and equipment. I also find that his style of writing is so evocative of the flavours and smells of cooking that they always make me hungry.

In his book 'Appetite' he runs through loads of different recipes but lists suggestions of variations on the basic theme. The main thing is that you have the confidence to experiment on your own but knowing that you're not going to be too wide of the mark.

[maxi29]

You could also try "On food and cooking" by Harold McGee. It describes the scientific processes that go while food is being cooked, why certain foods react to different flavours and the chemical composition of key ingredients. It's a fascinating read.

[chinois]

What sort of food do you want to cook? ie country / continent