What cookbook to buy? Not really MH problem!

[colyboy]

My darling wife has been bed very bad flu. I just come to conclusion that I can’t cook! (I do all the washing up and cutting the lawn etc etc) But I am ashamed that I cannot cook a proper meal.

WHAT cookery book would you recommend for a real novice with NO IDEA.? We both like very simple meals.

As Christmas is almost here what book would make a good present for me?

Colyboy

PS I bet there are few more like me out there!

 

[Madcaravanner]

Jamie's 15 minute meals really easy and tasty

 

[DBK]

It's old hat now but I still frequently turn to the Collected Works of Saint Delia, otherwise known as her complete cookery course. It really does tell you how to boil an egg or make mashed potatoes but it also has lots of recipes and a good description of how to make them.

Amazon product ASIN 0563362499
www.amazon.co.uk/Delias-Complete-Cookery-Course-Classic/dp/0563362499

 

[Debs]

It's old hat now but I still frequently turn to the Collected Works of Saint Delia, otherwise known as her complete cookery course. It really does tell you how to boil an egg or make mashed potatoes but it also has lot of recipes and a good description of how to make them.

Amazon product ASIN 0563362499
www.amazon.co.uk/Delias-Complete-Cookery-Course-Classic/dp/0563362499

I had that as a newly wed in 1983 & absolutely agree! Still got it it as well?

 

[Grianan]

Did they not republish these in last few years as Delias Learn to Cook series for exactly this scenario? Think there are YouTube videos too.
Jamie is always easy to follow and reliable ... he’s the polar opposite of Delia though. Whereas she tells you do add 23 grains of salt he is into dashes and splashes ?

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[Fenman]

Yes indeed for the complete numpty cook Delia is the one. Go to her website too, lots of videos on how to do things.
Delia's website

 

[Debs]

Welcome

Official site of British television host and cookbook writer Delia Smith. Includes recipes, how to guides, help with ingredients, videos and more.

www.deliaonline.com

Jamie Oliver | Official website for recipes, books, tv shows and restaurants

JamieOliver.com is your one stop shop for everything Jamie Oliver including delicious and healthy recipes inspired from all over the world, helpful food tube videos and much more.

www.jamieoliver.com

colyboy have a look, might give you a taste?

Hope your wife gets better soon.

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

What a lovely husband you are...….as there are already some great suggestions, I will just say that I hope MrsC feels better soon.

 

[Hollyberry]

My daughter ( far better cook than me, I have zero interest in cooking) swears by Delia, says you can’t go wrong.

 

[bigfoot]

St. Delia is too prissy for me,Mary Berrys cookbook is brilliant,the only one you need,unless you get the hairy bikers 'One Pot Wonders' great at home even better in the van if you have a slow cooker,Wonder cooker or any thing similar.

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[The Wino]

It's old hat now but I still frequently turn to the Collected Works of Saint Delia, otherwise known as her complete cookery course. It really does tell you how to boil an egg or make mashed potatoes but it also has lots of recipes and a good description of how to make them.

Amazon product ASIN 0563362499
www.amazon.co.uk/Delias-Complete-Cookery-Course-Classic/dp/0563362499

Just about worn ours out and so has almost anyone I talk to

 

[Reallyretired]

I bought Delia's book for one of my sons when starting out on his own. Really does assume absolutely no previous knowledge. My father literally did not know how to boil an egg, fortunately even my (boomer) generation realised that cooking is not solely a female mystery that men aren't allowed to know about.

 

[Wellington]

Delia’s learn to cook series is good, because it assumes no prior knowledge. Cooking isn’t hard, but there’s a lot of components, and no way of knowing what you don’t know. I’d recommend it. My mother can’t cook (well, nothing you’d want to eat) so I learnt to cook from it in my twenties. Now, I make everything from scratch, even stuff like sausages. (Although there is meed to go this far unless it pleases you)

I do think that the recipe for toast goes a bit too far. And I think she goes on and on and on about the best ingredients and home made bread and whatever. Which is great if cooking is your thing, but a bit superfluous in a recipe for boiled eggs and toast. I mean, if you just want to cook bog standard stuff, why would care about the very best ingredients.

Still a good book. It has much to teach us, and assumes nothing. If only there were a DIY equivalent.

 

[The Dudess]

I have the veggie version of this and it's wonderful especially for ideas for cooking in the van.

Amazon product ASIN 1910931519

 

[Kirsten]

bought this on amazon for a present-really simple recipes- minimal ingredients- lots of cakes if you want something a bit easy/non main meals .Cheap; and nostalgic too !

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[Langtoftlad]

If you want to start with basic simple home cooked grub... with some brilliant "cheats" then this has been a long standing favourite:

Cooking For Blokes via Amazon

tip: buy a used book for a couple of quid.

 

[two]

Jamie's 15 minutes will take at least 1/2hr. He's rough 'n ready. You won't be.
I'd suggest you just try anything. If it's bad, I'm sure she'll recover very quickly.

 

[Chris]

Jamie's 15 minutes will take at least 1/2hr. He's rough 'n ready. You won't be.
I'd suggest you just try anything. If it's bad, I'm sure she'll recover very quickly.

I tend to allow for 1.5 hours when my wife announces she is cooking one of Jamie's 30 minute meals.

And a further 1.5 hours to clear up the mess left in the kitchen afterwards

 

[rangi]

Don't know if it's available here in the UK. Teaches the basics, and then moves you up in skill rating. Tiz the biggest selling book of all time in NZ, score or so of reprints.
Certainly helped me when I was young and free,

"EDMONDS Cookery Book " (sure to rise)

We have the 1978 edition the 16th Printing, up to then they had sold 3.000.000 copies (1st printed 1955)

Got the recipe for short crust pastry from there, to make my first homemade pasty! (Bloody 'ell that was before I was married 46 years ago!) Moved on now, now make the pastry using Greek Yoghurt instead of water. Try it!

Book might be available on Amazon???

 

[two]

Perhaps there is a title in the "....... for Dummies" range?

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[Grianan]

I have the veggie version of this and it's wonderful especially for ideas for cooking in the van.

Amazon product ASIN 1910931519

We’ve not got an oven in n the van would these work in Remoska? In which case I’m sorted ?

 

[The Dudess]

We’ve not got an oven in n the van would these work in Remoska? In which case I’m sorted ?

Not sure as I have never used a remoska but I can't see any reason why not.