Please can you recommend a cookery book for DD, 15

sharloid

For a comprehensive book to teach skills and basic recipes to more complex dishes I'd recommend this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballymaloe-Cookery-Course-Darina-Allen/dp/1856267296/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1359484646&sr=8-3

It's fantastic. I managed to get it for £10 from The Works.

aliama

I second the recommendation for Ministry of Food. Sam Stern might also be worth a look (although I must admit I haven't got any of his books). I think they're aimed at young cooks. Virgin to Veteran looks pretty good.

To be honest, when it comes to Delia I find I seldom cook her recipes as they always seem a bit too elaborate and traditional, which might not appeal. Worth having on the shelf, certainly, but not necessarily my go-to book for cooking.

heavenleigh

I have around 60 cook books, and that's being conservative! In my experience you cant have one book for everything you cook, i use Jamie for a pea pasta dish and fish pie, nigella for her chilli, Gordon's yorkshire puds etc j ust buy him one with the basics and he can go from there depending on what he likes xx

veruccasalt

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies. I'll have a look at your suggestions and get ordering-then cooking!
Delia gets lots of votes, so I might get one of her basics, them tey a studenty one too. I am very grateful for all your thoughts-I would love to enable her to turn into you guys -you sound like you all love your cooking x

SUESMITH_2

my son like sam stern as he's young and cooks things that teenagers like http://www.virgintoveteran.com/

cjez_2

I have to agree- SAM STERN! Taught me to cook and, what, about 5 years on I'm still using his books. Tons of pics. Easy and more complicated recipes but none are hard to do because it's made easy. Also, has loads of variations to try. What every cook book should be imo.

rosalie-lavender

I'm another one who votes for Delia Smith. All my three offspring have a copy of the Complete Cookery Course. My eldest accidentally left his at home when he went back to university and he said he really missed it.

Honeythief

Jamie's Ministry of Food! It taught my friends how to cook after a lifetime of ready meals, and taught me how to cook well rather than churn out something bland half the time

aliama

Heh, like Heavenleigh said, cookbooks tend to multiply.

Another thing I'd suggest is picking up a monthly food magazine, like BBC Good Food or Delicious. I've learnt a lot about what's going on in the food world, new and unusual ingredients to try, and they'll usually have a range of recipes from simple and easy to more complicated.

VJsmum

aliama wrote: »

I second the recommendation for Ministry of Food. Sam Stern might also be worth a look (although I must admit I haven't got any of his books). I think they're aimed at young cooks. Virgin to Veteran looks pretty good.

To be honest, when it comes to Delia I find I seldom cook her recipes as they always seem a bit too elaborate and traditional, which might not appeal. Worth having on the shelf, certainly, but not necessarily my go-to book for cooking.

I see a lot of votes for Sam Stern. As I was reading through I thought "Sam Stern" and then up he pops! Delia is amazing but, to appeal to the age group, I like Sam.