1. My manual that seems to have the answer to every cooking questions: You wanna know how to stuff a heart or make deckled cucumber? It's all here...
2. For favourite family recipes. It was lent to me some 20 years ago and I *forgot* to give it back...
3. Food to impress. Well it was in 1976 when it was published. I have all four in the series and still use some of the recipes, which are helpfully marked as 'simple' or 'sophisticated'.
4. Curry recipes that work, don't require three days of preparation and you've probably heard of all the ingredients - most of them will actually be available in your local Tesco.
5. The children's favourite cookbook: no explanation required.
Now head over to Kate Takes 5 to find out what the younger generation are recommending...
Sometimes the oldies are the best but often times they are quite old fashioned and it's interesting to see how our tastes have changed since even the 1970s. I like you selection.
ReplyDeleteThat was fun! This ol' Texan has ne'er seen any of those before. We have about 100 cookbooks in our home but about half are small pamphlet-like. The notable ones are 2 we each brought to the marriage. Better Homes & Gardens and Betty Crocker - the latter formerly owned by my Mom. Stll refer to both but Hubs likes to look online now for recipes.
ReplyDeleteInteresting selection from over the ages, I like the curry one - we're big curry fans in this house, not seen that book before though! :-)
ReplyDelete@Midlife Singlemum - Yes I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing what other people suggest.
ReplyDelete@Barbara - Glad you spotted that I am being a little tongue-in-cheek! I use on-line recipes too, but I find that their quality is variable.
@ In Dream World - you might find it in an antique shop lol
Oh dear! Someone get that girl out of the 70s please!
ReplyDelete@Kate - I fully intend to update my cookery book collection based on the excellent recommendations of your readers :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will get some inspiration from the lists this week then! Although I do agree with midlife single mum that the oldies can still stand the test of time.
ReplyDelete@Claire - I agree about the oldies, that Reader's Digest book really is a cook's bible :)
ReplyDeleteOhh some good ones, I've never seen before there. Especially the curry recipe one. Great cover too :)
ReplyDelete@gidders1 Perhaps I could kick-start sales of my curry recipe book. Just check out what it says on Amazon:
ReplyDelete'DOnt even bother looking for another curry book - this is the best ever. 20 years old now? No matter - it still gives you authentic recipes, loads of good tips and a tremendous understanding of the sub-continents cuisine.
Pat Chapman is a master of his art. I have used this book again and again - the pages are almost edible with the amount of spices that have been spilled on them!
Buy it. Buy 2 - one for the kitchen, one to ponder over in bed , planing your next curry party.
Best recipe book I ever purchased'
I have the Hamlyn all colour cookbook too! It was a birthday present when I was 11, from my Mum's lovely friend. Still has a dedication written in the front :)
ReplyDeleteI have the Hamlyn one as well! And what's more, I still use it from time to time!
ReplyDeleteThis is one list I couldn't possibly do. I've no good cookbooks really. That's how bad a cook I am!
ReplyDeleteI do quite like the look of that Indian cookbook though....that would go down well here!
xx Jazzy
I think my mother had the Hamlyn one. I love indian food, but haven't ever cooked anything other than ready made dishes (I'm so lazy).
ReplyDeleteI think my mother had the Hamlyn one. I love indian food, but haven't ever cooked anything other than ready made dishes (I'm so lazy).
ReplyDeleteOh gawd we had that Hamlyn one in our house!
ReplyDeleteI only cook to avoid death by starvation. When I win the lottery the first thing I'm going to do is employ a live-in chef. And a cleaner.
And Will Smith (just to rest my eyes on...sigh)
XXX
I don't have any of those but really want the quick and easy chocolate one. Gawd, some of those look good!!!
ReplyDeleteLike the look of the Indian Restaurant Cook Book. Will have to try to find a copy of that 'cos I need to broaden my curry repertoire.
ReplyDeleteI've still got one of the old school Delia Smith Complete Cookery Course books and I swear it knocks the socks off new books any day xx
ReplyDeleteHa ha, they're hilarious! Real cheesy 1970s cook books. Stuffed heart? What more could you want for dinner? *bleurgh*
ReplyDelete@Actually Mummy - that sounds like something to keep :)
ReplyDelete@Tania Tirraoro - you and me both :)
@jazzygal - the food has always been lovely any time I've visited your house xx
@21st Century Mummy - sometimes I'd love to do that too
@Jean - with you there 100% on the cook and cleaner (I'll even share if you like) xxx
@Lizbeth - yes the chocolate one is VERY well used :)
@Keith - you should
@SAHMlovingIt - I know plenty of people who swear by Delia
@LittleMamma - It's called recession dining lol
No4 The Curry Club - now that looks like the type of book I'd treasure - love the cover, it even has an elephant in it.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, these are ace...I really want to know how to 'deckle' a cucumber...off to google it now!
ReplyDeleteI would love that curry book I suspect as I love curry but hate all the prep! I suspect some of those books are older than me!
ReplyDelete@Idiosyncratic Dad - I love elephants too :)
ReplyDelete@Carolyn - Glad you found it funny :)
@ClaireTet - They probably are!
Old cookbooks are great, I love their covers. And I've got that red Hamlyn cookbook and the green vegetarian one too. Have had them for years!
ReplyDelete@Deb - yes the Hamlyn one certainly seems to be in lot of kitchens :)
ReplyDeleteOh I like this list, it's really different :)
ReplyDelete@Emily - yeah it's different cos I haven't bought any cook books in years :) Glad you like it
ReplyDelete