Delia's Frugal Food - Delia Smith

Originally published in 1976, Delia's Frugal Food has never been out of print; however, a new edition has been published, thanks to the current 'credit crunch.' With a colourful new hardcover and beautiful new photographs, Frugal Food is a feast for the eyes, but what of the recipes? The recipes are divided into chapters: Luxury Soups Eggs and Us Frugal Fish Chickens' Lib Forequarter Front Offal - But I Like You! Bangers Are Beautiful Cook For Victory Go With The Grain Who Needs Meat?! Quickening Pulses Back To Baking Pauper's Puddings Initially, the recipes don't look ...  Read the complete review

It couldn't have been released at a more appropriate time. With news headlines telling of a coming depression, the fear of recession is somewhat receding. In fact, some would say that the current conditions hark back to the seventies, the birth decade of the first ever issue of Delia's Frugal Food. Cynics might claim that Delia is cashing in the current climate. After all, when everyone is trying to cut back on superfluous spending, and food being a big factor in that, what better time to release such a guaranteed winner? To the cynics, I say it looks like this was already considered, and the opening note from Delia carries a small paragraph stating that the ...  Read the complete review

In the current financial climate, making the most of our hard earned cash is top of most peoples agendas. Whilst food shopping is an area most people target as one they can cut back on, there is only so long you can survive on value noodles. This book is ideal for those situations. It has been in publication for 30+ years but the recipes are classics that are not dated. The recipes, all 160+ of them, show you how to use seasonal vegetables, cheaper cuts of meat and offal and make simple, quick and delicious meals that the whole family can enjoy. The range of recipes will also cater for most tastes. The meals include curries, chillis, soups, vegetarian, ...  Read the complete review

I agree with the other reviews that this book could not have been released at a more appropriate time. However, my opinion of the book differs greatly from this point on. I found the recipes incredibly dated and to be honest a bit "naff". They smacked very much of a 1970s dinner party (which is when the book was first released) and I felt most of the recipes were not for people short on time who would struggle to find the cheaper alternatives of fish if their local supermarket didn't stock them. While some of the recipes (and a whole chapter devoted to offal!) simply turned my stomach I did find the introduction to each chapter interesting, but more ...  Read the complete review

As a novice cook this book has some really good simple, and cheap recipes. It does what it says on the tin! Although the recipes are all from the 70s, I still think they are relevent today, and not dated. However it is not 'dinner party' food; it is food for family meals. However it also includes lots of recipes that I would never cook; for example there is a large section of dishes made with offel. It may well be cheap but I will not use it in cooking because of the yuk factor. I think though all cookbooks have these types of sections in them; sections that you would not use. My girlfriend's current favorite recipe of all time is the baked ...  Read the complete review