The Most Useful Cookery Books Ever?

nabowla

My latest 'find' is Leith's Fish Bible. Actually, it was a Christmas present but I love it so much I think of it as 'my' find! The recipes are straightforward, the sort that you can actually imagine yourself making. Many of the recipes suggest suitable alternative fish if you can't get hold of the main ingredient and all of them tell you which wine (eg white burgundy) is best for that particular dish. There's heaps of info on choosing and storing fish, preparing it, utensils, even catering quantities so that you know exactly how much to buy for every type of fish under the sun. Oh, and it also has a chapter on basic marinades and sauces that can be used every day. I wouldn't be without it.

emg

I like Nigella's 'How to Cook' (her others are good too but this is most useful, all the basics are in there), I also recommend Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food for quick simple recipes.

Growing up I only ever referred to a really battered copy of the good housekeeping guide. I bought the new version recently and was quite disappointed, lots of recipes but not the same amount of 'housekeeping' info. The old one had chapters on catering for parties, cooking for people who are poorly, menu planning and all sorts, a really interesting read.

Nikki

Another vote for Janette Orrey's the Dinner Lady. It was the 1st cookbook I bought and my most used.

grimelda

Well, my vote for indispensible cookbooks goes to:

'How to Eat' by Nigella Lawson. This book covers almost everything from the basics to quite elaborate dishes. This is ALWAYS my first point of reference. I love the way she describes the process of cooking each dish. It's the next best thing to having her there explaining it to you. And I like her passion for food. I just don't understand how she keeps that figure!

'How to be a Domestic Goddess' by Nigella Lawson. Yes, I am a fan. This book covers baking; everything from bread to muffins to cakes to biscuits. I love this book.

That said, I wouldn't buy 'Forever Summer' or her other books (except maybe 'Feast', just because it's great to read) because these two are so thorough.

Others worth mentioning:

'Day to Day Cookery'. I have no idea who wrote it. It was our high school Home Economics text book, and whenever I need just a basic, no frills recipe for something it is sure to be in there.

I also refer to Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course from time to time.

That's all. I love reading cook books but I hardly ever make anything out of them other than the ones I've just mentioned.

stellagypsy

Delia wins every time for me. I bought her complete cookery course years ago when I first got my own flat and could barely boil an egg. I refer to it almost all the time. DS has started wanting to cook his own "special" meals for his GF and he uses this book as a reference.

I also like the Diary book of cookery and Good Housekeeping book. I also have a book called Mean Beans by Cas Clarke which is mostly aimed at students but when we were broke, it kept us all well fed for pennies - highly recommended for all OS-ers. She does one called Peckish but Poor which is more of the same.

Stella

gijsanne

If you can only buy one cookery book, it has to be The Good Housekeeping Cookery Book! It contains everything you need to know from cooking times to basic methods. Great.

moggins

I have one by Cas Clarke too, it's called Grub on A Grant. Great book with some brilliant ideas for those totally skint days.

ladygrey_2

is it still possible to buy 'The Dairy book of Home Cookery'

squeaky

Is this the one?


Dairy Book of home cookery

Curry_Queen

If you mean the Dairy Diary books like the milkman used to sell then they have some for sale here