Cookbook reviews

HOW TO BAKE - THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF - LINDA COLLISTER WITH MARY BERRY AND PAUL HOLLYWOOD

10/10

I was given this book for Christmas and I love it! Have taken up bread making again and the recipes in here work perfectly. The rustic loaf is made using a method I've never come across before but it gives really tasty loaf, a little bit similar to sourdough but without days and days of faffing around.

All these lovely cake recipes make keeping the weight down even more of a challenge.

Will definitely be buying this for others. (from MrsJamJam)

This is an excellent book, the recipes are easy to follow and the results have been good upto now! I loved watching the tv programme Mary Berry always gave good tips. (from ctrevor)

If you are as addicted to the programme as I am then you won't be disappointed with this beautiful book.

It's really well laid out and everything is very clear with lots of tips and gorgeous (mouth-watering) photography. Some of the recipes are simply recipes, some offer a step-by-step guide.

The things I have made so far (all chocolate based!) have been delicious and fairly simple. I own loads of baking books - but this has already become a favourite and I'm sure I'll be buying it as a gift on a regular basis. (from CariGransnet)

BRITISH BAKING BY PEYTON AND BYRNE

10/10

I received this book as a complimentary gift for subscribing to Olive Magazine and I just love it.

The recipes are classic and everything I've make has come out exactly as the pictures show, which is somewhat of a miracle.

A personal triumph has to be the Black Forest Gateux it was incredible (probably due to the amount of Kirsch in it!)

Highly reccomended! (from twinsmum100)

FISHY FISHY COOKBOOK - JAMES GINZLER, PAUL SHOVLIN AND LOZ TALENT

10/10

This is a different,but very useful book, which is based on recipes from the Fishy Fishy restaurants in Brighton and Poole. Fishy Fishy's ethos is fresh, local, seasonal fish and shellfish caught in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The majority of the book is fish recipes, some familiar, but many with a twist, which has inspired me, and meant more fish on the menu in our house! There is a small section on sauces and side dishes, though only four desserts. But what absolutely yummy desserts, any of which would complement the delicious fish recipes! If you haven't yet seen this book, make it something you do soon! A fabulous and very worthwhile addition to my cookery books! (from singinggran)

GORDON RAMSAY'S GREAT ESCAPE

10/10

These books are based on his TV Series and are particularly good if you like spicy food as a lot of the recipies are from India.

The Quick Lunches section is particularly good and you don't need to buy a whole cupboard of ingredients for each and every recipe as a lot of the ingredients are repeated in other dishes.

Really enjoying trying all of the new flavours! (from lisajordan18)

JAM, JELLY AND RELISH - GHILLIE JAMES

10/10

This is a lovely book to read even if you don't want to use the recipes. To quote the book.....'simple preserves, pickles and chutneys and creative ways to cook with them'. I originally bought this book for a friend and was so delighted with it I went out and bought another for myself. (from lucid)

LEON: NATURALLY FAST FOOD - HENRY DIMBLEBY AND JOHN VINCENT

10/10

Great and easy-to-produce recipes. Unusual and interesting tips and advice. But the best bit is that each recipe clearly identifies if it is dairy/gluten or wheat free. Also, whether it is a veggie, healthy or 'good' carbs dish. A must for every kitchen. (from glam)

MARY BERRY'S BAKING BIBLE

10/10

Although I am a baker of over 40 years I found this book had some great tips - some I knew and had forgotten and some were completely new. Great recipes too.

Oops - that last from Woody

PERFECT - FELICITY CLARKE

10/10

Picked this up as an 'impulse' buy and have been finding it really useful.

She has researched lots of recipes for various staple dishes, and then having tried them all out gives the best one, so lots of advice about what works and why. (from Mrs JamJam)

HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY CAKE DAYS - TAREK MALOUF

10/10

Beautifully set out book, easy to read recipes with some new cakes to try including cupcakes and American muffins. (from susiecb)

THE SILVER SPOON - EMILIA TERRAGNI

10/10

Fantastic cookbook. So many recipes to choose from. The baking section is wonderful too. Recipes great even for the nervous cook (as I am!). (from chubby)

CAKE ANGELS - JULIA THOMAS

9/10

Brilliant recipes even if you do not have to avoid dairy, wheat or gluten. We have a coeliac in the family and yet we all enjoy the cakes from this book. The cherry and almond cupcakes, peanut butter cupcakes, carrot cake and brownies are superb.

It's a most attractively produced book and I even have it downloaded on my Kindle.

Julia Thomas deserves a medal for helping to do away with the sense of deprivation that food intolerance can cause. (from lupin)

Also - This book is wonderful if you ever want to bake cakes for people who have gluten or dairy allergies. The recipes are simple to follow and geuinely foolproof. (from grayjill)

HOME COOKING MADE EASY - LORRAINE PASCALE

9/10

A delightful relaxed method of cooking, making everything simple & easy. A lovely change from exotic cooking
(from wallers5)

BAKING COLLECTION - SAINSBURY'S

9/10

If you want simple but delicious recipes then buying this will be the best £5 you've spent. Surprisingly the book also includes some very tasty savoury recipes so there's something for all the family. (from grayjill)

FANTASTICO! MODERN ITALIAN FOOD - GINO D'ACAMPO

9/10

This is my favourite Gino cookbook I have many of his pasta cookbooks but this one does have a nice twist to it. Try the Italian Shepherd's Pie - nice and simple for a mid week change and also Baked Tenderloin with Rosemary flavoured Yorkshire Pudding - a nice change from the usual Sunday roast. All the recipes are as Gino says - minimum effort but maximum satisfaction. (from galmmanana)

NIGELLA EXPRESS

8.4/10

I must agree about Nigella's use of expensive ingredients - however not all recipes include them. I have made a number of dishes from this and found them all to be highly successful. (from goose1964)

Loved it! Am so often short of time and to have a whole book of recipes that are quick, easy and yet still different/delicious is a real plus.

Particular favourites are the Instant Pancake Mix (brilliant for a super fast weekend brunch), Glazed Salmon and the Glitzy Chocolate Puddings which have been tried and tested on a number of occasions and never fail to impress.

I'm a big fan of all Nigella's books - but this is definitely the one I use the most. (from CariGransnet)

WINTER ON THE FARM - MATTHEW EVANS

8/10

The subtitle of this book is "Heartwarming food for the cold months" and it is a wonderful collection of recipes, under chapter headings of "Sleep-in food", "Substantial soups", "Rib-sticking meals", "Puddings and things to eat while drinking tea" as well as "Sturdy dishes" and "Winter vegetables".

The recipes are easy to follow, though occasionally the fact that Matthew Evans is from Tasmania, means that there are some things that we are not perhaps familiar with. I have not found this an obstacle in producing some very satisfying and tasty meals! The photography, particularly of winter countryside, is very effective, and makes this a most enjoyable book to leaf through, as well as a useful addition to my cookbook collection. (from singinggran)

I shall certainly try the Cake Angels one.

And me jane!

I've already bought it!

I spent all yesterday experimenting and tweaking cake recipes for a big village afternoon tea party this Friday and there are several coeliacs among us. The standard offering is meringue, which is lovely but oh to be able to sink your teeth into a light fluffy carrot cake or coffee and walnut...

Can you let me know how you get on Jane, please.

Cake Angels would be useful for my DD. She loves home baking, but trawling through the internet for gluten free recipes is a chore.

I'll try to remember, kitty. Give me a nudge if I forget.

Yes Hildaj It is a real pain.