Which cookery book have you used most over the years?

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I collected Marguerite Patten's Perfect Cooking as separate chapters in the early 70's; I think they were given away with petrol at that time. I sent away for the binder and later I borrowed the book from the public library and my future FIL kindly typed out the index for me, as it didn't have one.
It was my cookery 'bible' throughout university and early years of marriage.
In 1977 I bought the Dairy cookbook from the milkman and that has been my standby since then. I also have Mum's Bero recipe book that I keep, mainly for the Melting Moments recipe.

Marguerite Patten was first one I bought. Got lost in a move. Next purchase was Delia Smith’s Cookery Course. I still use it, 40 years later. Watch Jamie on TV and do some of his. Also love Nigella. But Delia is the patron saint. 😍

Lovely post - remembering all the cookbooks. The one I go back to is the Dairy Cookbook given to me by my late mum nearly 60 years ago.

My mum never let me in the kitchen so, as a student in the late 70s, I learnt from Margaritte Patten's Step by Step cookbook. I got married in 1981 and graduated to the Dairy cookbooks and Robert Carrier, all 3 of which I still use today. I do tend to just Google recipes these days, despite having a plethora of cookbooks and recipes cut from magazines

I've just looked back and seen mention of The Pauper's Cookbook. That was a favourite at uni and I bought a hardback to replace my original worn out original paperback. The potato, bacon and cheese hotpot is still a household favourite nearly 50 years later.

Madhur J,
Be-Ro
Good housekeeping.
All colour Hamlyn Cookbook.
Sometimes I Google for recipes nowadays.

A Mary Berry book we were given as an engagement present in 1978 and the Bero book.

HillyN

I collected Marguerite Patten's Perfect Cooking as separate chapters in the early 70's; I think they were given away with petrol at that time. I sent away for the binder and later I borrowed the book from the public library and my future FIL kindly typed out the index for me, as it didn't have one.
It was my cookery 'bible' throughout university and early years of marriage.
In 1977 I bought the Dairy cookbook from the milkman and that has been my standby since then. I also have Mum's Bero recipe book that I keep, mainly for the Melting Moments recipe.

Oh yes, those melting moments!

I think that there are a couple of good recipes in most books but the one I really can't bear is Nigella.

Like many of you, the Bero book is probably used most throughout the year. I've had many versions and the older ones were better in my mind. I always use Delia's Christmas recipes, so her book gets a workout from October onwards.

kittylester

Apart from the things like Delia, I have dozens on cookery books who I only use for a couple of recipes. Anyone else?

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Yes, I go to different books for different recipes; the versions that suit me best are sprinkled throughout my kitchen library.

For basics and for ideas, though, my main source is Good Housekeeping, but nowadays I tend to look online first, which also has the advantage that you can often adjust the quantities automatically to suit and you can create a shopping list.

I do love leafing through cookery books though, especially if they have lots of gorgeous photos.

GrammaH

I've just looked back and seen mention of The Pauper's Cookbook. That was a favourite at uni and I bought a hardback to replace my original worn out original paperback. The potato, bacon and cheese hotpot is still a household favourite nearly 50 years later.

Yes one of my originals from bedsit cooking. The recipe you quote is potato, bacon and onion which has been a long term favourite but never thought of adding cheese. A revelation! Will share with OH!

Frugal Food, Delia Smith. Still in use. Predated the Delia Smith Complete cooking course. On our second copy, first fell to bits.

We’ve a dozen or so cookery books that lie idle most of the time these days. But Delia’s have been the favourites by far over the years.

DH is my chef since he retired and tends just to try out the weekend supplement recipes.

On the other hand, I get back in the kitchen when we’re entertaining and I also do any baking that’s needed. I get most of my recipes now by browsing online - the BBC Good Food site’s a favourite, and I’ve found some great cake recipes on an American one called Add a Pinch. I find it helpful to see the reviews and comments for new recipes. The much-splattered and tatty Delia’s Christmas book We’ve a dozen or so cookery books - Delia’s have been the favourites by far over the years.

Though DH is my chef these days and likes trying out the weekend supplement recipes. Gino and Ottelenghi are particular favourites. He doesn’t do online.

On the other hand, I get back in the kitchen when we’re entertaining and I also do any baking that’s needed. I get most of my recipes these days by browsing online - the BBC Good Food site’s a favourite. I find it helpful to see the reviews and comments for new recipes. The much-splattered and tatty Delia’s Christmas book still comes out every single year though.

Whoops, sorry for all the duplication there - I’m not sure what happened! I previewed it as well!

Judy54

Margaret Pattern Cookery in colour circa 1968. Still use it today . Luckily it is a hardback which has kept it in relatively good but well used condition. Always useful for many recipes.

Do you mean Marguerite Patten?

Womans Own Complrte Cokkery aka 1975 version

And use a lot of Mary Berry and Jamie Oliver but off internet these days

Oh Arlme, I'm so used to putting cheese in that I forgot the original recipe doesn't have it! I just add a layer of cheese along with the bacon, onions & potatoes . It's one of our absolute favourite dishes, along with a cold meat, onions, potato & gravy recipe from Robert Carrier - delicious!

Definitely Delia / I can actually produce a decent meal following her recipes . All the others just clutter as far as I am concerned !

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Good Housekeeping Cookery book which I started with in 1971. Also used the OXO Book of Meat Cookery and the Readers Digest cookery through the year. Then Delia came on the TV, so brought her Complete Cookery Course, in 3 parts. Latterly, loads of Mary Berry’s book. All my cakes are from Mary now! Over the years, I’ve “inherited” Stork cookery books, the Marguerite Patten book, Cranks, wartime recipe books and so many others. I remember in the early days sending for lots of little recipe books advertised on food wrappers, giving cheese, diary, various vegetables or Marmite recipes etc. Really should clear the cupboard out but somehow haven’t the heart to! Mainly search online for recipes now.