Couple cook book

DSmiffy

My son is moving out and into his new house next year with his girlfriend.

For Christmas I thought I'd get them a cookery / recipe book as a joint present and I'd like to get a couples cook book. A book with receipes for two, but not a newlyweds one.

I had a look online but most of them are american and I'd like a UK version as some of the american ingredients and measurements are hard to follow, and he doesn't cook that much in the first place!!

Just thought it would make a nice pressie.
Any ideas?

Northern78

Not really a couples cookbook but when I first moved out of home my mum bought be Delia Smith How to Cook. I think there's a book one and two and also a complete works or something like that.

I found it really easy to follow and I still sometimes dig it out every now and again to check things.

PasturesNew

I'd imagine that his gf will have her own collection and cookbooks ... and it'd be a bit awkward if your bf's mum bought a book as it'd probably not be the food the gf had imagined.....

Whether boys cook or not, fact is girls do like to cook for their bloke for the first few months ... until they realise he's not pulling his weight and was simply happy to enjoy the fruits of a replacement "mum".

So .... I'd stay away from any books anyway.

Or, just get the Takeaway Secret.....

fairy_lights

If he doesn't cook much then I imagine his girlfriend will be the one doing the lions share of the cooking, so a couples cookbook might not be the most useful idea. A really good beginners recipe book that he can work through on his own might be a better idea, I second Northern 78's recommendation for Delia Smith. I've got 'How to Cook' and it's excellent. A little dated maybe, but all the recipes are classics and nothing too complicated.

Mojisola

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd imagine that his gf will have her own collection and cookbooks ... and it'd be a bit awkward if your bf's mum bought a book as it'd probably not be the food the gf had imagined.....

Whether boys cook or not, fact is girls do like to cook for their bloke for the first few months ... until they realise he's not pulling his weight and was simply happy to enjoy the fruits of a replacement "mum".

Timeslip to the 1950s?

My OH and I always shared the cooking and we're 30+ years married.

laurabllue

Wow! My husband is definitely the chef in this house! It's only now that I'm at home and have a little one who is starting to eat that I'm getting into cooking. We both work full time jobs, with similar long commutes. I definitely didn't feel like I needed to impress him when we moved in together. Not in the kitchen at least...


To the OP, the Takeaway Secret might be a good choice. Especially for when money is a bit short at the end of the month. Or maybe Jamie's 30 minute meals for when they're short on time. But I'd make it a present for your son unless your girlfriend loves cooking. As I said, I don't do much cooking in the house and if my MIL gave me a cookbook I'd be thankful but secretly think it was a bit of a dig!

VestanPance

PasturesNew wrote: »

Whether boys cook or not, fact is girls do like to cook for their bloke for the first few months ... until they realise he's not pulling his weight and was simply happy to enjoy the fruits of a replacement "mum".

That's sooooooooooooooo not a FACT!

My ex probably couldn't have told you our house had a kitchen. Thankfully I love to cook, so was happy to be the one cooking. When she lived on her own she lived off takeaways or toast!

EDIT: On the cook book things I'd avoid anything aimed at "couples" as it's bound to be a book full of gimmicks and get something more practical. As mentioned Delia does some standard traditional cook books, which are useful if both are new to cooking for themselves. I have one by Mary Berry that is years old, but was perfect for learning the basics.

Other than that the likes of Jamie Olivers books tend to be full of simple recipes aimed at beginners and inexperienced cooks, which is great for getting people comfortable cooking for themselves.

tea_lover

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd imagine that his gf will have her own collection and cookbooks ... and it'd be a bit awkward if your bf's mum bought a book as it'd probably not be the food the gf had imagined.....

Whether boys cook or not, fact is girls do like to cook for their bloke for the first few months ... until they realise he's not pulling his weight and was simply happy to enjoy the fruits of a replacement "mum".

So .... I'd stay away from any books anyway.

Or, just get the Takeaway Secret.....

Well this is just hilarious! :rotfl:

Bennifred

...also, I just don't think that under 30s use cookery books so much - my three boys (in their 20s and good cooks) all use the internet on their phones for recipes.

LilElvis

Just about anything by Nigel Slater, but the most used is The 30 Minute Cook. All recipes are for 2 people, aren't too involved and not too many ingredients or ridiculous things that can only be bought in specialist shops. Thirty minutes is a bit optimistic for some recipes, but none take much longer.

VestanPance

Phones\Tablets are great for that when you know what you want to make. Books are better for inspiration and evolving your skills and tastes.