Book recommendations for hopeless sister?

GlasweJen

My older sister is hopeless in the kitchen. She recently cooked beef for 3 hours before calling my mum to see how much longer it would need. She's also famous for charring the outside of the turkey and serving it up raw inside - my mum has them for Christmas after 3 Christmases in a row where they had pizza with all the trimmings.

My oldest niece was shocked when my OH made dauphinois potatoes from scratch and didn't realise beef could be pink!

Anyway, I'm looking for a recipe book that will explain the very basics of how to cook something from start to finish that will presume no prior knowledge of anything cooking related. Can anyone recommend anything? I've looked at the Glasgow Cookery book and Delia Smith but am put off with their size - sister is easily intimidated by big books.

natbags

The Delia Complete Cooking Collection is amazing. It is big, but that's because it covers soooo much. It really will be her bible for years, as it covers a huge range of foods, without being to fussy or complicated

MallyGirl

I still go back to my Delia Complete cookery course book on a regular basis - the recipes just work

springdreams

I bought this book for my teenage son

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooking-Up-Storm-Survival-Cookbook/dp/1406352977/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

[Deleted User]

The Good Housekeeping ones are very good with lots of instructions and photos too.

rosie383

I borrowed the 1000 Classic Student Recipes book from the library and it was so brilliant that I bought copies for my sister, nephew and best friend. It tells you how to do even the simplest things like poached egg on toast, had sections such as main meals you can cook with just a microwave, or one pot for example. Easy peasy recipes and it costs a couple of pounds online. I am a pretty decent cook, my nephew couldn't cook at all, my sister was somewhere in between, but it works for all of us.
It's only about the size of a thick paperback.

Lindlou

I have a Katie Stewart cookbook which I have had since (gulp) 1985. Very definitely a bible in my world. Basics as how long to cook veg and how to make crumbles as well as more adventurous dishes. And it would tell you how long to cook beef for!

duchy

Does she want to learn or follow recipes ?

If after all the disasters she isn't that bothered then a book would probably be wasted on her. If however she does want to learn but is daunted by books - why not offer to teach her instead. Or maybe she'd be more comfortable with an app rather than a traditional cookbook ?

(I'd be quite offended if someone gave me a basic cookbook as I'd feel it was a criticism - no matter how well it was meant so be careful. Family wars have started over less !!)

meritaten

I agree with Rosies post - basically its 'Cooking for Dummies'! it explains EVERYTHING! and a handy size too!
I love the Good Housekeeping recipe book circa 1977 - BUT, I was already quite an experienced cook so didn't need basic terms or techniques explained IN the recipes!

GlasweJen

She keeps trying so I assume she would like to learn but we have very conflicting personalities and I'd kill her after 2 minutes, far too many knives in a kitchen.

She often asks my OH for ideas if she's making something like cakes or a thing for the church (they seem to do a lot of pot luck dinner things). So I suppose a book with simple recipes and easy to follow instructions would be ideal.

I know she's constantly on and off slimming world which encourages home cooking so learning the basics would be good for that.

rosie383

GlasweJen wrote: »

She keeps trying so I assume she would like to learn but we have very conflicting personalities and I'd kill her after 2 minutes, far too many knives in a kitchen.

:rotfl::rotfl: