Favourite Cook Book/Recipe/Food-related Site?

Seaneh · 06-12-2012 6:29pm

Bookwise I'm a big fan of Larousse Gastronomique which is basically the bible of French food and The Silver Spoon, which is basically the bible of Italian food.

If you have both of them on your shelf, you will never have a problem finding something to cook!

Website wise I like the lads at sortedfood.com, lots of recipes on the site and a ton of videos on youtube.
I also like the "Food Wishes" youtube channel.

Merkin · 22-05-2013 4:09pm

On the book side I think I would probably go with Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery Course. My Dad bought it for me last year and it has been a God-send as she has literally got everything you can think of in there!

LaRousse Gastronomique is also another great one but is very heavy for the kitchen and not something you'd want to get food over while cooking!

On the website side, I have a folder of goodies in http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/ which has an amazing selection of alternative recipes for the one dish - great to read through and then create your own version.

What is your go-to cook book and/or website and why?

syklops · 22-05-2013 4:13pm

Bookwise its Delia Smiths complete cookery course.

Website wise, its www.google.ie

foodaholic · 22-05-2013 4:16pm

my favourite website is ukfood.co.uk
Favourite cookbook depends on my mood really

hardCopy · 22-05-2013 4:25pm

BBC Good Food is my go-to. There are so many content farmed sites out there with no photos or reviews of the recipe, at least on there everything is well photographed and you can read users' opinions and suggested tweaks.

I also like the search functionality. If I'm trying to cut weight I can easily search by calories and find low cal versions of my favourite meals.

Alun · 22-05-2013 4:29pm

I rarely use my collection of cookery books these days, they're all just gathering dust on a shelf in the kitchen. Like someone said, Google and/or BBC GF is effectively my cookery book these days, and even then I rarely follow one single recipe but take an 'average' of all the different ones I find, usually because at least one has some overly complicated and largely unnecessary ingredient or step in it, or else I just don't have the ingredients to hand.

Hoop66 · 22-05-2013 4:30pm

The Silver Spoon (can be a bit unweildy) or Nigel Slater's Appetite (perfect to give you a start in cooking great tasting food) for cookbooks

BBC website

blurch · 22-05-2013 4:35pm

website www.saveur.com or bbc.
Book the silver spoon.

How Strange · 22-05-2013 4:36pm

It has to be Delia Smiths Complete Cookery Course.

mike65 · 22-05-2013 4:38pm

BBC Food and Guardian food. This has also been excellent http://www.noshanduttertosh.blogspot.ie/

The Hill Billy · 22-05-2013 4:48pm

Threads Merged.

tHB

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 24-05-2013 6:40pm

As this has been bumped I must say I got Lorraine Pascale's "Fast Fresh and Easy" book for my birthday at the back end of last year and I haven't looked at another book since. It's exactly what it says on the tin!

Uncle_moe · 25-05-2013 10:49am

Got Michael Symon's Carnivore recently and it's great for cuts of meat you'd never think of using. Interesting side dishes too.

As for websites this may have been mentioned already but www.seriouseats.com is a must read daily.

Nicker · 03-06-2013 9:15pm

The Surf Cafe Cookbook is my favorite cookbook yet, I'm incredibly choosy about what I cook with and the food in this is all Irish and they are all Irish inspired recipes. Shells Cafe in Strandhill, Sligo is where the book comes from, couldn't recommend this book enough.

Loire · 13-08-2013 4:19pm

Nicker wrote: »

The Surf Cafe Cookbook is my favorite cookbook yet, I'm incredibly choosy about what I cook with and the food in this is all Irish and they are all Irish inspired recipes. Shells Cafe in Strandhill, Sligo is where the book comes from, couldn't recommend this book enough.

Had a look at this book myself recently and it does look very good. Had the pleasure of visiting the cafe myself when I was in Sligo recently and it's a fantastic place. My most recent purchase was The Silver Spoon and it's a trove of information....really good and probably the only italian book I'll ever need..

Dinkie · 14-08-2013 10:05am

Loire wrote: »

Had a look at this book myself recently and it does look very good. Had the pleasure of visiting the cafe myself when I was in Sligo recently and it's a fantastic place. My most recent purchase was The Silver Spoon and it's a trove of information....really good and probably the only italian book I'll ever need..

I have the silver spoon, and its great - but watch the quantites, especially for some of the cakes. I've had quite a few failures with the cakes/desserts until it occurred to me to amend the quantities.

I also like Thomasina Meiers mexican books.

I keep going back to www.taste.com.au. Its probably already mentioned. I like the way the food is photographed and there is a lot of fusion type food which is my favourite kind.

pwurple · 14-08-2013 3:45pm

The silver spoon is one of the most used items on my bookshelf too.

Another favourite is the original Cafe Paradiso cookbook. From the cork veg restaurant. This is the best of the three in my mind. Espeically the dessert section. Best lemon tart recipe in the world (imho).
http://www.cafeparadiso.ie/book1

Rick Stein's Seafood, mega reference. For filleting, types of fish, loads of sauces. Fantastic.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rick-Steins-Seafood-Stein/dp/056349347X

gillapino · 15-08-2013 6:16pm

Favourite cook books at the minute are Lorraine Pascales (the one with the red cover) and the Hairy Biker's Hairy Dieters! Love them both!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 16-08-2013 11:31pm

gillapino wrote: »

Favourite cook books at the minute are Lorraine Pascales (the one with the red cover) and the Hairy Biker's Hairy Dieters! Love them both!

Fast, Fresh and Easy? I got it for my birthday last December and by New Year I'd made nearly everything in it. Love it.

leahyl · 17-08-2013 8:52am

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Fast, Fresh and Easy? I got it for my birthday last December and by New Year I'd made nearly everything in it. Love it.

That's a good ad for it - might get it myself :-)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 17-08-2013 11:01am

leahyl wrote: »

That's a good ad for it - might get it myself :-)

The TV show of it is being repeated on Saturday mornings on BBC1 at 11:30. Gives a fairly good idea of what the book is about.

gillapino · 17-08-2013 3:25pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Fast, Fresh and Easy? I got it for my birthday last December and by New Year I'd made nearly everything in it. Love it.

I love it, The jerk chicken and coconut and kidney bean rice is amazing! As well as the chicken tikka masala and Sri Lankan chicken curry!

jrby · 17-09-2013 5:27pm

for average cook.....something like rachel khoo.....

MurdyWurdy · 17-09-2013 5:29pm

Julia Child - mastering the art of French cooking maybe? It's the only French cookbook I use.

Some of it is a bit obscure/fancy but there are quite a few things in it that are simple enough that I make regularly.

Dizzyblonde · 17-09-2013 7:23pm

Threads merged.

MurdyWurdy · 17-09-2013 7:44pm

Eh, our posts kinda make no sense now without the thread title. Jrby had asked for French cookbook suggestions just in case anyone is wondering what is going on!

Dizzyblonde · 17-09-2013 8:50pm

MurdyWurdy wrote: »

Eh, our posts kinda make no sense now without the thread title. Jrby had asked for French cookbook suggestions just in case anyone is wondering what is going on!

Jrby doesn't seem to be asking a question as much as bringing up the subject of French cookbooks, and anyway the purpose of this thread is for discussion/recommendations of Cook Books etc. Anyone clicking on the 'new posts' button beside the thread title will see all of tonight's posts so they'll make sense, especially as there's a subtitle at the top of Jrby's initial post.

MurdyWurdy · 17-09-2013 9:16pm

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Jrby doesn't seem to be asking a question as much as bringing up the subject of French cookbooks, and anyway the purpose of this thread is for discussion/recommendations of Cook Books etc. Anyone clicking on the 'new posts' button beside the thread title will see all of tonight's posts so they'll make sense, especially as there's a subtitle at the top of Jrby's initial post.

Ah, I see. I was on mobile site earlier and there's no subtitle then, it looks like it came out of nowhere - thought I'd just clarify

jrby · 18-09-2013 11:35am

Hi Guys,

I was actually looking for suggestions for some books....

Thanks for the help.

James

Calina · 19-09-2013 3:37pm

jrby wrote: »

for average cook.....something like rachel khoo.....

Joanne Harris has a couple of reasonably accessible ones; the one I have is French Market. Not sure how easy it will be to get at the moment though, haven't seen it in a book shop for a while.

jackd1 · 08-11-2013 9:30am

Did anyone see a recent recipe on tv for a fish fillet wrapped in spinach cooked in filo pastry? I thought it was Tom Kerridge but I can't find it anywhere on the web pages of his series. Thanks!

Mimojo · 25-03-2014 1:42pm

Hi all

Would be very interested to hear from anyone who has bought this book by Susan Jane White and used this book please, very few reviews available online so if anyone has it your thoughts would be much appreciated!

Seems to be interesting, and have heard her on the radio a few times & her no gluten/sugar approach is of interest to me, just wondering if this book is worth the whopping €27 price tag!! (Although its available on G&M for €22.50 ish at the moment)

Thanks!

Idol · 27-03-2014 5:37pm

Hey,
Got this book a few weeks ago and have to say it's well worth the €20 I paid for it. I recently went wheat/dairy/egg free and was at a loss as to what I could eat but I've now tried a few of the bread recipes from this book, as well as quinoa and muffin recipes and have to say I don't think I'd go back to wheat, etc. Very tasty and turned out really well. Moving on to the main courses next, easy to follow recipes so defo buy it

Mimojo · 28-03-2014 10:34am

Thanks for the reply! The book has literally just landed in the post from Gill & Macmillan, they have 20% off and free postage so decided Id treat myself! Looks really good, will sit down this evening and go through it in great detail!! I too am really interested in gluten and dairy free in particular and looking for inspiration, especially for making my own breads etc. Hoping this will do the trick!! Oh and sorry just realised I spelt her name wrong in the title of the post, duno how I managed that!!

elaine.rodger · 13-11-2014 7:31pm

My sister is getting me two Mary Berry cookbooks for Christmas. I know I definitely want the Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook as it was recommended to me. I was then thinking of getting Mary Berry's Cookery Course but I see now she has a new one out called Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect.

I'm not to sure which one to get along with the other one. Would Mary Berry's Cookery Course or Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect be better. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

Faith · 13-11-2014 7:48pm

I don't have any of her cookbooks, but I'd be inclined to go with the older, pre-GBBO books if you'd prefer classic, reliable recipes. From flicking through them, the newer books can be a bit gimmicky.

Also, mod action: merged with cookbooks mega thread.

0lddog · 13-11-2014 8:55pm

My local public library has a great selection of cook/recipe books.

Anything from Silver Spoon to special diets ( e.g. diabetic ) via Delia, Jamie 'n such

Before you go buying get browsing in your local library !

Olddog

challengemaster · 13-11-2014 11:23pm

Jamie Oliver's Food Tube (youtube channel) and SORTED Food (.com/youtube channel)

Bassfish · 14-11-2014 10:43am

elaine.rodger wrote: »

My sister is getting me two Mary Berry cookbooks for Christmas. I know I definitely want the Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook as it was recommended to me. I was then thinking of getting Mary Berry's Cookery Course but I see now she has a new one out called Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect.

I'm not to sure which one to get along with the other one. Would Mary Berry's Cookery Course or Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect be better. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

If it's any use to you, Lily Higgins bakery book is very good, good for beginners and more experienced bakers ☺

Gloomtastic! · 14-11-2014 11:01am

elaine.rodger wrote: »

My sister is getting me two Mary Berry cookbooks for Christmas. I know I definitely want the Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook as it was recommended to me. I was then thinking of getting Mary Berry's Cookery Course but I see now she has a new one out called Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect.

I'm not to sure which one to get along with the other one. Would Mary Berry's Cookery Course or Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect be better. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

Definitely recommend the Complete Cookbook. However, the last time I saw the new edition in the bookshop it was a design mess - all over the place. If you can get an older version with simple layout (white pages) then grab it!

The Hill Billy · 14-11-2014 1:19pm

I came across Food52.com last week. Some great recipes there. Especially for offal.

leahyl · 14-11-2014 1:21pm

elaine.rodger wrote: »

My sister is getting me two Mary Berry cookbooks for Christmas. I know I definitely want the Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook as it was recommended to me. I was then thinking of getting Mary Berry's Cookery Course but I see now she has a new one out called Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect.

I'm not to sure which one to get along with the other one. Would Mary Berry's Cookery Course or Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect be better. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

If you want an exclusive baking book then I would go for Mary Berry's baking bible - great book - anything I have made from it has worked out perfectly

This Fat Girl Runs · 21-11-2014 5:33pm

I just got Persiana by Sabrina Ghayour and Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. I'm so excited to try out these recipes! Has anyone else got these? What recipes do you recommend? What should I try first? I'm like a kid in a candy shop here!

Mrs Fox · 21-11-2014 8:51pm

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Definitely recommend the Complete Cookbook. However, the last time I saw the new edition in the bookshop it was a design mess - all over the place. If you can get an older version with simple layout (white pages) then grab it!

I saw the old version at the window display if a local charity shop and wanted to get it but I had no cash on me as I was just dropping my kid off to school. When I went back 3 hours later it was gone

Minder · 28-11-2014 12:42am

Question. Are there any chefs/restaurants out there where you wish they would do a cookbook, but they haven't (yet)?

I never tired of watching Nic Watt cook. Sometimes on Saturday Kitchen, sometimes on the Food Channel. Always brilliant, always different. No book out yet, and since he left Roka to go back to New Zealand, I'm not sure that there will be one anytime soon.

The other chef I was always intrigued by is Wylie Dufrense at Wd-50 in New York. I read recently that he has a book out in late 2015, published by Anthony Bourdain's Ecco press.

Faith · 01-12-2014 1:28am

Any recommendations for a fish/seafood cookbook? I have Martin Shanahan's Fishy Fishy one, but I left it at home when I moved so I'm looking for an alternative.

the beer revolu · 01-12-2014 9:06am

Faith wrote: »

Any recommendations for a fish/seafood cookbook? I have Martin Shanahan's Fishy Fishy one, but I left it at home when I moved so I'm looking for an alternative.

I've heard great things about The River Cottage Fish Book. I've not read it but I have and love his Meat Book-it's as much a reference book as a recipe book.

Maybe look at Rick Stein too.

Mrs Fox · 01-12-2014 10:46am

the beer revolu wrote: »

Maybe look at Rick Stein too.

+1 for Rick Stein's Fish. I prefer his than River Cottage's.

Mrs Fox · 01-12-2014 6:06pm

Minder wrote: »

I never tired of watching Nic Watt cook.

Me neither. *dreamy* *drool*

Anybody got Tom Kerridge's Best Ever Dishes? Any good?

Minder · 01-12-2014 7:12pm

Yep, picked up the big man's book a few weeks ago after browsing through it in a bookshop. Good recipes that aren't reinvented just for the sake of adding a twist. The starters are good; there's a section on soups and salads, I skimmed past the soups but the salads are interesting. Fish section - pointless unless you have a trawlerman in the family or are married to a fishmonger. Best part of the book is the meat mains, and it's the biggest section in the book too. Some corkers in there and the photography is gorgeous. Lots of things I want to try. As always, worth a flick through before buying.

Favourite Cook Book/Recipe/Food-related Site?

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