Question:
Hello, I just caught sight of the Trevor Mcdonald programme with Martin Lewis on, after him there were the two families who swapped diets for a month with seemingly big results so I have decided I need to move away from processed foods but I'm no good at cooking. I want a book that has the most basic of basic things in it - there are a few which tell you how to boil an egg etc.
Any ideas which are the better ones?
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Hello catz747
I'll move your thread over to the 'Old Style' board, where it should get more views and responses.
Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see ) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email .
Regards
Nile
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The Dinner Lady Cookbooks by Jeanette Orrey have some really good simple family recipes which can be made on a tight budget.
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Oh Thanks Nile
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Try Jamie Oliver's latest cookbook called 'Cook'. It aims to teach people about food basics and cooking. It's excellent.
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Delia Smiths how to cook starts off with boiling eggs if you want something very basic but comprehensive.
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why not get a few out of the library and try them out? There is a paperback by Jocassta Innes - The Paupers Cookbook, which has lots of good simple food in it. I'm not sure if its still in print though. Also student cookbooks are a good place to start. I really like Delia as her stuff always seem to work out.
Best wishes
M
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I find that any jamie oliver book is about right, he tells you like it is in normal mode rather than cook mode
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Thinking about it, if you want to be really OS, bookmark 3 websites (all for free). They will have every conceivable recipe you can imagine, for all levels AND you can search by ingredient. Very good for learning and inspiration:
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I would def agreewith Toxic Lemon and suggest trying the BBC food website- I use it when stuck for ideas as find it useful to be able to search by ingredient (am trying to be much better at using old stuff up in the cupboards/fridge!)
Lucy
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there are several good basic books-
the dairy Book of Home Cookery - usually available in cheap bookshops and areas of discounted books - mine cost 6.99
BE-Ro Baking book - available from some supermarkets and from their website
More expensive but also good are the GoodHousekeeping Cookery Book and Delia Smith Cookery Book
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First Time Cook by Sophie Grigson is pretty good too.
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The problem I find with all the big names is the books tend to be enormous.
I have millions of the stars names and get one or two recipes from each, however I purchased a BBC Good Food recipe book from the supermarket, and have used nearly every recipe in the book. Quick and easy to follow, I would highly recommend it and cheap too. There are about 10 different books in the series
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I think the bero one is cheapest direct. People on eBay getting over £3 for something which is £1.50! I have bought a basic one but decided I am going to make my own. Be-ro website has all the basics listed so can print them out. Loads in library going to copy recipes and make a file, there are loads online inc on here which I am going to print out, going to get friends to write my fave ones they make like a friends fruit loaf, might even laminate them as I overordered on laminating sheets by accident. That way I will get a cookbook filled with things I will like, not just one in 20 pages!
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Loads in library going to copy recipes and make a file, there are loads online inc on here which I am going to print out, going to get friends to write my fave ones they make like a friends fruit loaf, might even laminate them as I overordered on laminating sheets by accident. That way I will get a cookbook filled with things I will like, not just one in 20 pages!
I second this, when my DD went off to uni we made her a cookbook made up of her favourite recipes from my collection This was such a good idea that I have copied it. It is so much easier just to go to the one book (folder acutally) to find my usual recipe. These days recipes are available from so many sources that it would be impossible to reccomend just one book for it all. Yes I do still have my collection cos you "just never know " and I add new recipes to the collection as and when they have proved their worth.
BTW I have amassed my collection from charity shops - it seems that some people just buy recipe books to look at and then clear them out cos many that I have got were like new.
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I have the new Jamie Oliver cookbook and I think it is really good. It goes back to basics and teaches you abou tthe food you are cooking with and what it goes with as well as how to cook it in easy terms.
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I also agree with moneymousey ref student books.
I joined the army at 18, with no life skills and trained as a chef. I brought the military version of basic cookery (dont think its available within civie street -sorry),
But Im sure if you contact your local college and ask for info regards to the manuals they use. They might even sell them to the general public!
Im no "Jamie Oliver or Delia Smith", but I do have a life time skill now. And Im 33 (dont laugh)
What about enquiring also for a short term basic cookery cousre also. Or evening cookery class!
Try searching through the OLD STYLE threads, there are plenty of recipe ideas. Try registering with Campbell's Soup (access via internet) they email you with recipe ideas also. They are easy to follow.
Good luck!
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I have loads (and I do mean loads) of cook books that I have picked up at car boot sales / charity shops and have been given to me as presents. I pick and choose from several of them. However if you are starting out I can highly recommend Squeaky's Recipe Thread Index
These recipes have been tried and tested by the OS gang and there are plenty of us around to help with any questions you have
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i was given a really good cook book when i moved into my first house - was 9 months preg, no idea how to run a house hold or cook and there i was abotu to become a yougn mum and had to try and feed my bf and babe by myself
My dad brought me The beginners cook book by Pamela Gwyther. It tells you how to do basics - down to how to prepare and chop different fruits and veg, different ways to cook, chop meats etc and then simple basic recipes. I found it very good and really helpul (has all the conversion charts too etc)
Otherwise i find Jamie Olivers new book really good - think i have it as an ebook on the computer so if you'd liek a copy ill happily send it to you if i can find it. he doesnt use all thsi smart bummed terminology which i like - other than that watch a few cooking programmes on the TV - you soon get the gist of things!!
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Otherwise i find Jamie Olivers new book really good - think i have it as an ebook on the computer so if you'd liek a copy ill happily send it to you if i can find it. he doesnt use all thsi smart bummed terminology which i like - other than that watch a few cooking programmes on the TV - you soon get the gist of things!!
I know this is really cheeky, but if you find it would you mind sending me a copy please. I will happily cover any costs.