Basic Cooking Skills.

[Beccy]

Well not Jamie's, but Delia's and yes mmmmmm . Sticky toffee pud is one of those recipes that most cookery writers have a version of isn't it?

I don't use Margurite Pattten myself, but have a friend who swears by her. I was leaving home when I was given my first Delia's by a brother who worked for the BBC and so got them with a staff discount, hence also the Ken Hom and the Madhur Jaffery. All of the books he bought in those days were BBC books. Any way said friend was given the Margurite Patten book at the same point in her life and thus our respective loyalties were born.

Personally I wouldn't recommend Elisabeth David for a beginner, I do think she's great, but I found that if you don't already know what you are doing her recipes are rather daunting.

As for cookery book addictions I don't have a problem, I could stop buying any time, I don't need them I just enjoy them...... who am I kidding?

Though I just went and counted at my kitchen stuff (as opposed to the big glossies that aren't used much) and was reminded of Lindsay Bareham and Mollie Katzen. And no I'm not going to admit how many I have, I don't have a problem, why would you want to know unless you thought I have a problem.....wanders off gibbering to herself....

[Anonymous]

Cookbooks are the most compulsive reading. From postings from other people on this site, I am sure that between us we could fill a complete library with our books.

My favourite chef is Robert Carrier. I also have books by the Roux brothers, Gary Rhodes, and many more.

With regard to beccy's advice to read the recipe. I am afraid I am guilty to not being too strict, particularly with a recipe I have done several times before, and only have the cook book open as a 'memory jogger'. It can make for interesting variations on a theme, or complete disaster!

I remember at school in a 'domestic science' lesson when we were making cheese straws. One of my classmates, having made the mixture, rolled it out and cut the straws and laid them on the baking sheet, ready to go into the oven, only to find her pile of grated cheese.

I tend to be a scanner, rather that a reader, and I'm afraid I do tend to have some mistakes, but not complete disasters.

valmarg

[The Grock in the Frock]

im a bit like you val,i'll try a recipe and then if it goes well ,the next time i'll add a bit more of what i like and leave out what i dont,always works well,but i'm like beccy....a fantastic cook

[lizzie]

You know what they say girls:

A little of what you fancy does you good

[pigletwillie]

Mmmmmm

[Beccy]

I wasn't saying you should always stick to the recipe, just that when you're a beginner you don't know what effect any changes you make will have. Once you've been cooking a while you begin to get a feel for what you can change and what you can't. Or most of us do. My mum never really did and would get most annoyed with us when we didn't like something she'd changed beyond recognition "But you like....." "yes but this isn't.....".

Mind you she did have a lot to contend with on the cooking front, on being asked what he wanted for breafast one morning brother A said "I want that kind of egg that S doesn't like."

[Tigger]

Beccy - as you like cookery books, do you just read them, as you would a novel? We have hundreds of them, need no encouragment to buy more and borrow them from the library every month too. The OH has his collection and I have mine and anyone who knows us would be able to recognise which are which.

We read them as you would fiction, as well as use them for references, especially if they're written in a graphic way, such as Gennaro Conraldo's book or Jamie's Italian cookbook.

Mind you - I do the same with gardening books too. Oh well......

[Iain]

Hi Guys,
I have to confess that I haven't followed this thread since page one. I return to find all human life is there. (I use "human" loosely in order to include Anon.). But, on the strength of page one I bought the Delia parts 1,2,and 3. Glad I did: it's the very ticket! Also bought "British Food" and "The Dairy Cookbook" both of which I'm sure many of you will know and have views upon. Thanks to all of you for great stuff.(How sweet, Lizzie!)
With you bigtime, Piglet, re. Nigella- herself a sumptuous banquet if ever I saw one.

Iain.

[Iain]

By the way, while we're on the subject, I have it on good authority that over the years many men have found Delia attractive. Anybody prepared to come out on THIS?

[pigletwillie]

erm NO

[lizzie]

Piglet, have you turned into a Glocester Old Spot?

I hope so, that's my favourite pig!!!!

[Beccy]

Oh yes Tigger, of course I read them. One of my brothers who hadn't visited for years (as they all used to live in London it was easier if we went down there and saw all of them at once) came to stay and saw all of my cook books. He said "I used to go out with this girl who would read cook books in bed" and looked at me expecting me to share in how weird that was. what could I say?

[lizzie]

Beccy, I enjoy a good cookbook myself and am often found browsing while in my pit!!!! The same with gardening books. In fact, I always leave reading my KG until Sunday morning lie in with a brew and the dog under the duvet, with the cat, hogging the duvet!!!

As for men fancying Delia, I can't comment. I used to work with a blook who liked Judith Chalmers who used to do all the travel shows. He used to say "she's got a good job, looks after herself, never at bloody home. Fantastic woman"

[Deb P]

I have to say, the only time Delia has made any impact on me was her (in)famous 'let's be having you' speech after a few jars....LOL!