
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Delia's How to Cook Book One Hardcover – 12 Oct. 1998
In this comprehensive book series, Delia returns to the very roots of cooking to look at the techniques and the staple ingredients which underline the best traditions of British cookery. Delia sees it as an answer to an urgent need. There are more recipes than ever on television and yet it seems that many of us have forgotten how to put together a wholesome, nutritious meal that doesn't come from the chill cabinet or ready-made in a packet. Delia is convinced from the questions she receives in her postbag that people are no longer handed down the basics. In a world where people have less time than ever, they feel intimidated by the thought of cooking.
How to Cook: Book One covers the staple ingredients which form the basis of the world's foods: rice, flour, potatoes, pasta and eggs. With her unique powers of communication, Delia removes the fear and mystique from cooking both the simplest and quickest and the more advanced dishes with these essential tools of the trade. Perfect sponge cakes, fail-safe pastry and Delia's guide to the Great British Breakfast rub shoulders with an everlasting souffle and tempura prawns. For the health conscious there are chips that you don't have to fry and Delia's amazing no-fat white sauce. And, if you can't even boil an egg, Delia will show you how to do that as well.
Delia's How to Cook is a complete guide to cookery for the 21st century.
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBBC Books
- Publication date12 Oct. 1998
- Dimensions21.59 x 2.03 x 27.94 cm
- ISBN-100563384301
- ISBN-13978-0563384304
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Product description
Amazon Review
About the Author
After a five year break concentrating on Norwich City Football Club (where she is a director) and Canary Catering, Delia returned triumphant in 2008 with a new BBC TV series and the fastest selling cookery book of all time 'Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking' - which has sold over 800,000 copies to date. Delia is married to the writer and editor Michael Wynn Jones. They live in Suffolk.
Product details
- Publisher : BBC Books; Reprint edition (12 Oct. 1998)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0563384301
- ISBN-13 : 978-0563384304
- Dimensions : 21.59 x 2.03 x 27.94 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 109,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 7,082 in Food & Drink (Books)
- 17,929 in Home & Garden (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to follow and understand. They appreciate the clear explanations of cooking basics in a simple way. The recipes are described as lovely and delicious, making it a good value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to use and suitable for beginners. It explains cooking basics clearly and concisely, using simple language. The instructions are straightforward and thorough, teaching you how to cook in depth. Many readers mention that the book teaches how to boil an egg and make gravy.
"This is Delia the best, straight forward and thorough instructions and advicr" Read more
"...teaching people how to poach an egg so I knew this would be a good book for beginners...." Read more
"...This is a great book for learning the basics. I can now finally make an omelet that slides onto a plate in one piece!..." Read more
"...Otherwise very good and well illustrated, with clear instructions...." Read more
Customers find the book a good value for money and a lovely purchase.
"Look like new, so good value" Read more
"...Not as advertised. Well packaged. Reasonable cost for quality of book" Read more
"Excellent value very useful!" Read more
"Excellent quality cook book - worth the money it costs as recipes are brilliant and clear - good measurement conversion charts" Read more
Customers find the recipes in the book lovely and easy to follow. They mention that the white sauce is lighter and tastier than any other white sauce they've tried.
"...I myself have several Delia books and her recipes never fail, so knew this book was the one I wanted for her...." Read more
"...these books are essential for any kitchen. all Delias recipes are tried and tested and she always tells you wahat to expect in the recipe, what..." Read more
"...There are also some great recipes in here for some traditional things with a difference, like the Moussaka with ricotta bechemel sauce - which is..." Read more
"...Perfect start to learning to cook,it only takes a lifetime. Lovely recipes,basics explained,ready steady cook. Look,no takeaways!" Read more
Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find it well-illustrated and easy to follow, with excellent photographs.
"...Otherwise very good and well illustrated, with clear instructions...." Read more
"It's the first time I buy something abroad, but this english book looks good!..." Read more
"A lovely set of basic cookery books....well illustrated, easy to follow, and always great results.....recommended to all...thanks" Read more
"...Very well produced with excellent photographs and written information." Read more
Reviews with images

Good cook 🍳 book 📖 for beginners
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 October 2023This is Delia the best, straight forward and thorough instructions and advicr
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2023Look like new, so good value
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2018Bought this for a mate who has recently found himself to be single...
he cant cook...
anything.
He thinks the cooker is a place for storing his one pan.
Last night he sent me a pic of a meal he had cooked from this book, to honest it looked awful, but its a start and I'm proud of him!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2024I bought this book because I can't cook (and i hate to cook) but my husband has said that I need to change my ways. Rather than have him file for divorce, I thought its best to at least to try and improve my culinary skills. I remember Delia back in the 90s being known for teaching people how to poach an egg so I knew this would be a good book for beginners. The sections cover: eggs, omelettes, bread, pastry, biscuits, sauces, potatoes, rice and pasta.
4.0 out of 5 starsI bought this book because I can't cook (and i hate to cook) but my husband has said that I need to change my ways. Rather than have him file for divorce, I thought its best to at least to try and improve my culinary skills. I remember Delia back in the 90s being known for teaching people how to poach an egg so I knew this would be a good book for beginners. The sections cover: eggs, omelettes, bread, pastry, biscuits, sauces, potatoes, rice and pasta.Good cook 🍳 book 📖 for beginners
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2024
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2013I bought Delia's book for my granddaughter(aged 13), as she had asked for a cook book. As its her first book this was ideal. I myself have several Delia books and her recipes never fail, so knew this book was the one I wanted for her. She has already made her parents stuffed jacket potatoes. The book was second hand and was in the condition as described, clean and good condition. The book did not take long to come.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 February 2011book was in excellent condition, nice that it was under rated and a pleasant surprise rather than being rated excellent and then disapointed. these books are essential for any kitchen. all Delias recipes are tried and tested and she always tells you wahat to expect in the recipe, what might go wrong and reasons and how long a task will take.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 December 2021Bought as a gift for my wife who likes the recipes
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2016Poor condition. Torn page. Pages stuck together. Bits of food stuck in front cover. Not as advertised. Well packaged. Reasonable cost for quality of book
Top reviews from other countries
- GevaReviewed in the United States on 20 June 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Racipes
- James LythgoeReviewed in Canada on 26 August 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent recipes.
I bought this book knowing what recipes were included. The recipes produce excellent meals. What else can I say?
- customerReviewed in the United States on 20 September 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!
Buy all cookbooks written by Delia Smith that you can! She is England's best cook!
- Mary BerryReviewed in the United States on 9 June 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful cookbook,
I love all the Delia Smith cooking shows and her recipes are excellent. Unfortunately I have to return the book because it was damaged in shipping. There was inadequate packageing.
- sis. ympReviewed in Japan on 23 November 2015
3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of disappointment
I was really excited finding Delia's cooking book at this secondhand bookstore since I was in the UK enjoy watching her tv programme on BBC back in '98.
But this BOOK ONE has arrived with a little disappointment because it was not in good condition although it was described so. The book cover is very yellow and every corner of the book damaged and it has a strong 'old' smell.
Since I found and purchased the book 3 at different secondhand bookstore and it arrived in really nice condition with much cheaper price, I have to say I am a bit sad with this shopping I'm afraid.