Delia is delicious! (Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course - Delia Smith)

Member Name: whatanoldbag

Product:	Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course - Delia Smith
Date:	29/01/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can't fail recipes, clear instructions, comprehensive book

Disadvantages: Traditional British cooking (may be advantage to some) a bit wordy if you are an expert

his is the classic cookery book, that if you only have one book, and you're not a trained chef, get this one. This second edition isn't wildly different from the first edition - I haven't done a direct comparison so I can't comment on what has been revised, but you wouldn't want this if you already had it, so i gues that's not too important. What is impressive is that this book is such a classic it withstands reprinting for 2007.

If you are not used to cooking much or following recipes you will love this.
a) her recipes always actually work as long as you follow them carefully.
b) she never uses technical terms without explaining what she means
c) there are plenty of photos to help you see what you are aiming at
d) she does recipes you could serve the family, yourself and at a dinner party, all with ingredients you can actually buy.
This book is available in paperback and hardback. I would recommend the hardback if you can as you will use and reuse this your whole life and the paperback will surely crack the spine and fall apart eventually.

If you know basically how to cook something then you might find Delia a bit annoying because she can be long winded and that gives you the impression that something is more complicated and takes longer than it really needs to, but if you are a cook with out much confidence or skill then she is GODSEND. She goes through lists of equipment you need, things to keep in your store cupboard, and the index at the back is great if you have an ingredient and want suggestions for how to use it.
I have never made Yorkshire puddings work like my granny's til I followed Delia's recipe and she explains a hold load of useful stuff like how to clean and prepare shell fish and whether to roast, or stew particular cuts of meat. THhe book is divided into sections for each type of dish e.g. eggs, fish etc so you can browse and find what you want

In short, unless you are the sort of cook who is ready to star on Masterchef then you need this book. It will teach you much.

Summary: A must have book. you might literally starve without it!