Cookbook Recommendations?

I have a couple of more specialized cookbooks, but I'm looking for a basic cookbook since I don't have one and I'm not sure what to get, something along the lines of The Joy of Cooking, or The Betty Crocker Cookbook. I like Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meal ones, but I want something that has some dishes that take longer too.

I just don't know which would be best for someone who is just starting to cook on a daily basis and wants a variety of everyday recipes in one book.

I recommend the Betty Crocker cookbook.  I have the binder type and I use it all the time, even just to get a base recipe that I can add to. The recipes are easy to follow.

I second the Betty Crocker cookbook.  I think no cookbook library should be without The Joy of Cookng and The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.  Another one I like is the Good Housekeeping Cookbook.  All of those books explain techniques and are very easy to understand.

June

The Naked Chef gets my vote.  GREAT recipes using storecupboard basics, easy and tasty, but he's also got some more challenging ones in there.  Ditto Return of the Naked Chef.  Both our copies get used a lot.  I also like The Dinner Lady.

If economy is on your mind, BBC Good Food 'Cheap Suppers'.

For some reason my DH thought I was an Ainsley Harriot fan and bought me his Friends & Family cookbook but it's actually turned out to be very useful. It has all the basics in one section and then recipes split into categories like family suppers and barbecues.

Delia Smith and Marguerite Patten are also very good for the basics.

Liz, do you juggle food and flip omelettes around like Ainsley?

Liz, do you juggle food and flip omelettes around like Ainsley?

Um, no I leave the food throwing to my toddler. 

Ditto for Joy of Cooking.  It's really useful for daily cooking, PLUS those American specialities that make my SO drool!!

My current favorite basic-plus cookbook is Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. Obviously it won't help with meat , but it's a great reference for vegetables, legumes and grains, soups and salads, and basic dishes like pasta, pizza, quiches and souffles, crepes, etc. There are a lot of variations on basic themes as well as more complicated dishes--it's a monstrous tome! It is expensive, but well worth the price IF it fits with your style of cooking. I'd recommend flipping through it at a bookstore or, better yet, checking it out from a library first.

Thanks!

I wouldn't have thought of The Naked Chef ones as being an all around basic cookbook. I figured that would be a more specialized one like Tyler Florence. I'm a good cook, I can do the more advanced recipes well, but those books don't have all those basic recipes that are "must haves."

I'm not a vegetarian, but I do like to have some meals without meat sometimes, so I may check that out sometime.

I guess I'll try to find some good prices and see where I can get the best deals and go from there.

How much of a difference is there between the basics cookbooks in the US vs. the UK. Would it be good for me to get a UK cookbook as well for some of DB's favs or are many of those recipes also in American cookbooks. I'm assuming there are some differences besides just measurements?

i second the jaime oliver suggestion-  i have 2 of his books and they're very approachable, colorful, chatty.  i have the school meals one and the italian one.  they're a recipie for stuffed porkchops that's amazing.  in fact we may make that tonight (just cut a slit- put in butter & sage & garlic.  the boy loves them. 

if you're looking for an all rounder- i like joy of cooking.  i also LOVE Best Recipie from Cooks illustrated. a bit more sciencey based though.

I'm assuming there are some differences besides just measurements?

Some ingredients are not as readily available here, particularly if you are outside London, or costlier in large quantities.

The measurements, yes.  I have two sets of US measuring cups and spoons for use with my American books. 

Finally caved and bought a digital scale for the UK books.

I use my Southern Living cookbook a lot.

Also my 'own' cookbook - my collection of recipes from over the years.

The Naked Chef gets my vote.

The Naked Chef gets my vote with or without the recipes. 

I have 'Modern Classics' volumes 1 and 2 by Donna Hay (Australian cook), and they are great for the basics. Volume 1 is cooking, and 2 is baking/desserts.

It's a great place to start building a cooking repertoire, from basic sauces and soups to different international dishes, or just to learn some basics techniques that you might not know. The recipes are great, and easy to follow.

From my experience, and the reviews on amazon, I think it sounds like what you are looking for:



My books came from the US, and have both metric and Imperial measurements, which is very useful. Not sure what the UK edition has.

I'll have to keep these in mind. I bought the Betty Crocker one today and was able to find The Joy of Cooking and The Better Homes and Garden ones on eBay for about $5 each. I think I'll start out with those for now.

I noticed the Betty Crocker cookbook had a roast in their with Yorkshire Pudding. I'll have to try it out and see what DB thinks!