I used to really like Nigel Slater's food page in the Observer when I was a student in the 90's, so I decided to pick up a book of his. I must say I was pretty disappointed - Nigel still writes with an undiminished passion about ingredients and flavours, but the recipies in here are frankly lame. If you cook everything in butter and double cream of course it's going to taste good! And thanks for the recipe for a baked potato. What really turned me off was the recipe for a rump steak sandwich in which Mr Slater admits that he "loathes brown beef". What cook in their right mind "loathes" brown beef for god's sake? Doesn't that discount half of the classic French and Italian dishes amongst others? You're a fake Nigel, go back to journalism.
>>More Details
Bought this recently and a week ago tried one of the recipes- spiced chicken pilau. Just like other Delia recipes that I have tried, this did not disappoint.
Her take on frugal eating and cooking is always timely but alas, her pronouncements on freezing are out of date (see How to Cheat at Cooking for updates on freezing and how technology has made it all possible).
>>More Details
As a Professional chef, I am pleased that I can still find books that are truly inspirational and helpful. If you need to learn basic fish teqniques then this book you should buy. Rick knows what he's talking about especially when it comes to fish.
The book is divided into 3 parts. It starts with easy step by step techniques with photos of how to prep, cut and cook a variety of fish. The second part gives you recipes to try when you have mastered the techiques and then follows the third part which is gives detailed information and diagrams of fish varieties complete with their latin names.
I truly recommend this book for anybody who wants to learn new skills whether professional or amateur. It has helped me when producing ... Read More:
>>More Details
This is a really good cookbook for those with dietary issues. I avoid gluten and dairy, and although this book was just gluten free, it is easy to substitute soy milk or other non-dairy ingredients for the recipes in the book.
I made the Christmas cake last Christmas, and will be baking it again for this Christmas. It had a lovely baked almond 'crust' and was really moist inside. I've made quite a few of their recipes and they've all turned out really well - banana bread, yorkshire puds and the like.
The recipes are really easy to follow and well laid out. Most of the ingredients are easy to get hold of too - which is always a bonus!
>>More Details
This takes the anxiety out of entertaining, knowing all the recipes are tried and true and you can relax and magically produce delicious food without apparent effort. Mary Berry is a must in every kitchen.
>>More Details
This book is fantastic, I can not fault it one bit. Hugh and Fizz create a world where it is easy and fun to cook home made produce. My friends are often asking me how I know how to make so many good things, and its all in this cook book! Home made pasta, Who else actually does that anymore? Yet its easy and simple to do, all kinds of home made breads, cakes, its just brilliant!
>>More Details
I really like this cookbook, it's the only one I own that I go back to again and again. It would make a great buy or gift for someone who wants to learn to cook but doesn't know where to start. The lack of photos makes the book seem dull but I've come to prefer it, there are no cheffy presentations to make me feel inadequate!
I've knocked it down from a 5 to a 4 because I've come across errors so obvious I have no idea how they went unnoticed. Take the Spaghetti Bolognese entry for an example. It tells you you'll need a 100g/14oz can of tomatoes. 14oz is 396g! In the same recipe there's no mention of celery in the ingredient list but the recipe says 'Add the onion and celery'.
Some great hints for choosing and preparing game. Recipes easy to follow and the results well photographed. Offputting though is the childish ultra right-wing ranting from Ms Dickson Wright which prevents me from scoring higher.
>>More Details
This, like many of Marguerite Patten's other 'Basics' other books, is simply invaluable. Particularly key, now many of us are growing our own & therefore understand the seasonal 'glut' dilemma - there are, I promise you, only so many cucumbers you can eat in a week ........
>>More Details