recipe book recommendations please

tracyg

Some great ideas already left - I'll have to go and look through Amazon now! LOL

I've just got out of the library 'Good Housekeeping The Family Cookbook' and I really like it. It has a whole section of 'cook now eat later' of meals that can be batch made and frozen. Also has cooking for one, weekday meals and scetion for cooking for friends so seems nice and varied. Gives ideas for roasting a chicken and then recommends a soup that can be made from the leftovers and chicken carcess. Has really simple sauces and basic how to's in aswell. HTH

Meanymoo

I'm a big fan of the Pauper's Cookbook by Jocasta Innes. It was originally published more than thirty years ago (and I've a feeling I was pretty much reared on recipes from the original book :rotfl:). The new edition was published a few years ago and has been updated to take into account modern tastes and available ingredients. All the recipes are simple to follow and cheap to make and generally not time consuming (even those in the 'Fancy Work' section are relatively cheap and easy dinner party-style dishes). It's a paperback and very inexpensive. I think I got my copy for about £6.

thriftlady_2

Meanymoo wrote: »

I'm a big fan of the Pauper's Cookbook by Jocasta Innes. It was originally published more than thirty years ago (and I've a feeling I was pretty much reared on recipes from the original book :rotfl:). The new edition was published a few years ago and has been updated to take into account modern tastes and available ingredients. All the recipes are simple to follow and cheap to make and generally not time consuming (even those in the 'Fancy Work' section are relatively cheap and easy dinner party-style dishes). It's a paperback and very inexpensive. I think I got my copy for about £6.

I'll second that recommendation too

thriftmonster

I'll recommend another of my favourites - the St Michael Freezer Cookery book (a charity shop search) - superb basic book - and you can freeze anything. I also love "Budget Gourmet" by Geraldene Holt. The original Delia Cookery Course is also excellent.

Blairweech

It might be worth checking out some student cookbooks - I find they are cheap, healthy and often remind me of foods to make which I love but have forgotten all about.

laurajayne

I personally love my mums Mrs Beeton's. It's called Mrs Beetons guide to cookery and household managment and it's huge! It's got loads of recipies in, and is updated for a more modern kitchen, with extra sections about freezing and stuff.

I've noticed that they've been selling 'parts' of her books for a while now, but they've all come from the one book.

Sadly I can't find the same edition for less than £60 at the moment...but I'm sure a reprint is about. Either that, or I'll be booknapping mum's copy when I leave home:D

Psykicpup

I dont have a favorite but I have picked-up load of oldly world ones from carbooties over the summer & there are some excellent recipes in some of those for 10p a time!

newleaf

Another vote for 'The Pauper's Cookbook' by Jocasta Innes here. I taught myself to cook using that book and still have my original copy, given to me as a gift in 1977!

kittyscarlett

Definite Jocasta Innes fan here too Katherine Whitehorns Cooking in a Bedsitter is worth checking out too for cheapie OS cooking although even with the recent updating, some of it is a little out of date. I would also go with anything by Elisabeth Luard - not a " budget " cook but does a lot on peasant cookery which is good for stretching various meals, and very down to earth anecdotal writer . Its worth reading most of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstalls books too for his nose to tail eating, grow/catch/forage your own approach and sensible non poncey writing. I think I've also mentioned elsewhere Just Like Mother used to Make by Tom Norrington Davies. Again, a lot of good basic recipes that work and a very engaging writer. Also Marguerite Pattens wartime cookery books.

There are loads more I've forgotten ! the best thing is to keep haunting charity shops, carboot sales, garage sales, jumble sales and the library for cookbook bargains !

buxtonrabbitgreen

Maugeritte Patten is my favourite, and I happened to spot one of her books in The Works book shop the other day. I can't remember how much it cost ,but not too much. Can't say it won't make you put on weight though. Best avoid the cake and biscuit section.