Cook Books long

I have marked this thread 'unread' three times now. I have thousands of cookbooks. What am I waiting for? Is your taste different to mine? Am I a cookery book Philistine? Why can't I give you an answer?

If I were to be honest, I would recommend a book aimed at professionals, -'The Chef's Compendium of Professional Recipes' springs to mind (I have two versions of this book). You can then adapt these recipes according to how you feel. However, we are not all chefs. Most of us are people who simply like cooking for our friends and family. I do that in an untidy but successful manner, thanks mainly to Bas, who does bugger-all until it comes to clearing and washing-up. Then he is a genius. I will never make a professional chef, no matter how many cookery books I invest in. For years I have searched for the magic book that will make me into someone who can wave a magic wand and produce a wonderful meal. After many years of trying, I know it ain't gonna happen. Nielsen's ad for Red Rock cider springs to mind. 'It ain't red and there's no rocks in it'.... or something of the sort.

Delia Smith's books work well for most of the time. Constance Spry's book never fails to come up trumps with something or other to suit ingredients in season or something bought on impulse. Gordon Ramsay's books, until I bought his latest, which I am unsure about, come up with many things you can produce in a domestic kitchen without being part of a brigade. Carluccio comes up trumps with Italian food. I have all the River Cafe books and hate each one, including the latest, although my version of its mascarpone and blackberries is a winner. (They said 5 mins cooking but to get a decent custard, you need just under 15). Waitrose recipe cards work extremely well, and so they should. If they are selling you stuff, the least they can do is come up with a decent recipe for it!

So there you have it. As you are a long-time contributor to this ng, I suspect you are a brilliant cook. I hope this long post has helped.

Amen. -- June Hughes