Looking For Good UK Cookbook

Honestly, I have no problem with my US cookbooks - a cup's a cup!! I think between Delia (get the illustrated one) and Leith's you'll have everything you need. I also like the Avoca cookbooks from Ireland. I would suggest that you get an iPad if you don't have one - I just prop it up in the kitchen and use it for everything. For conversions, those sites are great, or I have them on my site too http://www.americanpantryuk.com/?page_id=18.

I have several UK cookbooks, some from TV shows (my latest is Rick Stein's India). A couple are older and comprehensive, a few newer bought on a whim or for some specific recipes. I actually got a couple when the local library was selling used books. Very cheap!

 If there's a library near you, they likely have some of the older classics. Look through a few to see what "does it" for you.

I have several UK cookbooks, some from TV shows (my latest is Rick Stein's India).

I have his Far Eastern Cookery book and done a few out of there, also some great recipes in his Spain book - the lamb stuffed aubergine is to die for, and so easy to make.

We pick up a lot of ideas from TV shows such as Saturday Kitchen, get the recipe online. So we are building quite a folder in the kitchen of fave recipes. Or I'll have a few ingredients and do a web search.

So we are building quite a folder in the kitchen of fave recipes.

We have a binder of recipes like that! 

I vote for the Delia Smith.  I had the old paperback version (multi-volume) -- ought to get a newer copy.

I looked up all that was mentioned and have added the Constance Spry one to my Christmas list.  I liked the idea of the Delia Smith one.  I have a few of her recipes I copied down and have used (like rabbit pie).  When I looked at the pages you could view on Amazon, I found that she described cooking hard boiled eggs as being half cooked and creamy.  Frankly any egg not completely cooked would make me gag.  I couldn't imagine making deviled eggs or egg salad sandwiches with eggs that were runny.  So that really turned me off from the book. 

I think for me I would like the collection of traditional English meals that I might not know about.  And I really need things like meat cooking times and temps and the like.  Who can really remember how long to cook a roast for and at what temp?

I would never take an electronics device into my kitchen because if water got on it and ruined it I would be devastated.  I have recipes cards and all sorts of other recipe books, but there really is no room for a lot of variety in my ultra small flat.  So just one that does it all and a few favorite recipes on cards is all I really want.

What I did end up doing was buying new index cards and a tiny little index card binder and I have written all the commonly used US recipes on them with UK conversions where I need.  I still use cups and tbsp where I can, but you can't really do that with butter.  Need to have the stupid grams written. 

I was going to write out a big chart with all sorts of conversions for temps, food weights, etc and hang it up on the airing cupboard door, but then I thought it might look a bit tacky and there is just too much tacky already. 

Thanks all for your ideas and suggestions.

SealPoint

Honestly, I have no problem with my US cookbooks

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I have numerous copies of the Better Homes and Gardens cook books.  Yes, there may be some recipes that I can replicate exactly but you will find that there is  a substitution available.   If you didn't bring your measuring cup(s) over with you I'm sure I've seen them to purchase here.

Most meats that you buy  from a supermarket prepackaged will have roasting times on them for you.  If you buy from a butcher I bet they would be more than happy to discuss the best way to prepare it.

Like others I have a folder of recipes  I've found online that I've printed and placed in a folder.  

As I get older I use recipes as more of a 'guideline' -changing various quantities, adding a new ingredient, or removing something.  

I was going to write out a big chart with all sorts of conversions for temps, food weights, etc and hang it up on the airing cupboard door, but then I thought it might look a bit tacky and there is just too much tacky already. 

Lakeland used to do a fridge magnet with all the conversions on it. Not sure if they still do.

The one I'd recommend (and buy as a housewarming/wedding present) is the basic Goodhousekeeping Cook Book.  They do specialist ones too but their general basic cookbook is great.  Other than that I'd recommend Delia - but not all the recipes have pictures and I like to know what it's meant to look like!!

If you have an Aldi near you, they have 3 Mary Berry cookbooks for £3.99 each; they were part of some weekly special, but my local still has multiple copies.

I have Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook and I love it for an all purpose book.