simple/basic cookbook

scattersong

Hi all,

Hope this is the right forum, not sure it really fits in the student one.

Basically I'm looking for a really simple/basic cookbook? Not neccessarily a student one - but ideally one that doesn't include lots of convoluted, complex recipes.

Ideally (shock horror), it would be one that doesn't require hundreds of different spices etc in your stock cupboard or even say, things such as fresh herbs, i.e stuff that has to be bought specifically. Just want a really kinda multi-purpose, basic meals one, which makes it easy to cook for one (and fairly cheaply at that).

(For example, I even avoid recipes which use flour, purely because I use it couple of times and then the rest goes to waste) Just want some simple, bare bones kind of things.

Many thanks

mashedavocado

Student ones are usually quite good because they don't rely on cupboards full of stuff. They can be a little patronising and/or unimaginative though.

There are a lot of recipes on this board too if you have a nosey - they're often quite simple, good honest food, and cheap too

rockm87

i use pinterest for alot of my recipes, you can search for 'easy' or 'quick' meals and its brilliant!

I also have a 'one pot meals' book, which is full of easy meals, and i love the variety of Jamie Oliver recipes (30 minute meals is great!).

cheerfulness4

Yes I was also going to suggest the OS cookery index. If you have access to the internet you might be better saving your money and googling simple recipes or ask here and we'll help.


What do you fancy cooking? Bet we could get you cooking it cheaply. Then you could write them out.


On the other hand, if you're looking at someone getting you one as a gift then I'd go for A Girl Called Jack style book or go to a charity shop or library and look for the Dairy Cook Books range. They are good and not full of ingredients.

Bella73

I use the Dairy Diary one, nice and basic

scattersong

Ohhh I see, there's a massive list on the grocery challenge - that's the index right?

Some look really interesting, easy and cheap to make! Will copy a few that I like the look of and get cooking

Will take a look at pinterest and these dairy books too.

Jamie's '30 minute' meals are probably beyond me haha....

Thanks all!

rosie383

The Classic 1000 Student Recipes.

Honestly the best one I have ever bought. It is so good that I also bought one for my best friend and my sister. And none of us have been students for years and two are almost 50! Cost about £3 from ebay or amazon. Comes in chapters such as 'what you can make in one pot', 'with only a microwave', 'with an oven' etc etc. It has the easiest things such as an omelette or pasta but then extra recipes for variations. Also has more complicated stuff if you want it.
It is a bit like the recipe thread, look up aubergine because you have an unloved one lurking and you will probably get 20 recipes. Oh, I also got one for my nephew at uni and he thought it was great too.

Anzac_Biscuit

The Pauper's Cookbook by Jocasta Innes is a good one too - simple, basic meals and it doesn't require fancy equipment or ingredients. It's a bit dated (written in the 70s I think) but I've had some good ideas from it. There are symbols to show which recipes are even cheaper than the other ones;) Also some good ideas about bulking meals out if necessary.

I was admiring Mum's so much a few years ago that she found me a 2nd-hand one on Amazon :j:j

I would agree with the other suggestions to check for recipes on the forum or look them up, if you have internet access - if you Google 'simple' or 'easy' recipes you should find plenty!

Tigerprint

you could try some of the kid's cookery books, they tackle the basics, or I find that some of my 'older' cookbooks of the 80's era have much easier recipes with less ingredients & faffing.

jackyann

Delia is very good & basic, and I still have my original "Pauper's Cookbook" by Jocasta Innes as well as my mum's "Dairy Cookbook".
But before buying (other than charity shop cheapies) I would second going to the library and browsing, and looking on-line: I use Delia a lot and the BBC - who have a huge range of recipes from basic to ridiculous.

But here's the one that 4 generations of my family have used, although it now costs £2.50 instead of a "large stamped addressed envelope"
http://www.be-ro.co.uk/

Ilona

I second, A Girl Called Jack. I saw it in my library and had a leaf through it, looks very simple with very few ingredients, and each meal costs very little. I didn't take it out because my diet is already cheap and simple.
Ilona