Gransnet forums

Food

Cookbooks, how many, and do you use them?

(11 Posts)
CanadianGran Mon 24-Apr-23 23:54:25

I guess I could have posted in either food or books, or even chat for this.

Curious as to how many cookbooks you have, and do you actually use them?
Do you buy them for yourself, or get them as gifts?

I have a small stack of about 6 cookbooks, mostly Canadian. I use little post-it sticky tabs to mark pages for favourite recipes, or put stars in the index.
Most are general recipe books published by magazines, and one was privately published by the Lutheran church (DH's aunt has a recipe in the book).
One is a specialty for cakes, one is for soups, the others are general.

I find myself using pinterest more often now, but still go back to the books on occasion.

nanna8 Tue 25-Apr-23 00:55:37

I have dozens but I am beginning to cull them because I usually look things up on my iPad these days. I still have Mum’s old Bero recipe book and looked at it the other day - think I will resurrect a few of those recipes! Can’t beat the old PMWU one either ( Presbyterian Women) and the Nursing Mothers Association one is good,too.

nanna8 Tue 25-Apr-23 00:56:45

Should read PWMU!

Kim19 Tue 25-Apr-23 02:56:22

Have one little notebook which is self composed from various family members, friends and commercial books. Seldom use it now but has sentimental value.

grandMattie Tue 25-Apr-23 05:48:46

I had dozens, culled them 10 years ago when I downsized. I’m now in the process of moving to an even smaller flat, so have disposed of most of the,
I have a data base on my pc for recipes, print them out, and keep them in plastic pockets in a file. That way I can keep them clean. Works for me if I need something else, I often look online and compare recipes.

LRavenscroft Tue 25-Apr-23 08:15:34

I tend to use the BBC Good Food recipes and also have 2 Mary Berry Books. I still have my mother's Good Housekeeping cookery book from 1950s.

Susie42 Tue 25-Apr-23 08:18:05

I seem to remember reading another thread on this subject,

Blondiescot Tue 25-Apr-23 08:21:46

Yes, there was a thread about this not long ago.

Marmin Tue 25-Apr-23 08:26:13

After realising I had accrued a small library I took the decision to do two things. Firstly, get rid of all of them. Srcondly, write my own version. I bought a fairly nice notebook and wrote my own favourite recipes out, most taken from the books before they were shown the door. I now have a well used, stained and ripped in places volume that is in constant use. I am going tommake a neat version - with illustrations. The joys of retirement.

Norah Tue 25-Apr-23 10:38:32

A favourite and 50+ others. We use all, it's down to how often.

Oldbat1 Tue 25-Apr-23 10:41:47

Definitely far too many! I don’t even enjoy cooking so I don’t know why I have so many. Many are pristine. My Delia Smith ones however have been well used over the years and suffer from numerous stains so would definitely end up in recycling bin.