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Delia's How to Cook Book One Hardcover – 12 Oct. 1998

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

Delia's How to Cook is a simple-to-follow cookery course for people of all ages and abilities.

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.

Product description

Amazon Review

Delia's How to Cook Book One is aimed at beginners: people whose staple diet comprises heat-and- serve or take-away meals. Television cook and bestselling author Delia Smith's aim is to equip her readers with the basic techniques of cooking which, after some practice, will help them discover the pleasures of home-made food. With the aid of very detailed instructions that accompany her recipes, readers are taught how to work with the staples: eggs, flour, rice, bread and pasta. But the book goes beyond boiled eggs and baked potatoes. There are recipes and photographs which will inspire: moussaka with roasted aubergines and ricotta, wild mushroom tartlets with poached quails' egg and apricot galettes with amaretto. Many of the recipes have several extra photographs which show the dish at various stages of preparation--these are useful if the recipe includes a gravy which needs to be "thickened" or if potatoes need to be cut into "chunks". Healthy options, like fat-free white sauces and chips you don't have to fry, are also included.

About the Author

Delia Smith is Britain's bestselling cookery writer, whose books have sold over 21 million copies worldwide. Delia's first job as a cookery writer was for the Daily Mirror in 1969 - numerous phenomenal best sellers and television series followed including Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course in 1978 and Delia's Christmas, Summer and Winter Collections in the 1990s. Towards the end of the decade Delia commenced work on a new major project - Delia's How to Cook, publishing three separate volumes and the accompanying TV series. The Vegetarian Collection and The Delia Collection followed.

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
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

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Delia Smith
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
227 global ratings

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Customers 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

21 customers mention ‘Ease of use’21 positive0 negative

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

10 customers mention ‘Value for money’10 positive0 negative

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

7 customers mention ‘Recipes quality’7 positive0 negative

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

4 customers mention ‘Visual quality’4 positive0 negative

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

Good cook 🍳 book 📖  for beginners
4 out of 5 stars
Good cook 🍳 book 📖 for beginners
I 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.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 October 2023
    This is Delia the best, straight forward and thorough instructions and advicr
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2023
    Look like new, so good value
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2018
    Bought 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!
    16 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2024
    I 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.
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Good cook 🍳 book 📖 for beginners

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2024
    I 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.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2013
    I 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 2011
    book 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 2021
    Bought as a gift for my wife who likes the recipes
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2016
    Poor 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

  • Geva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 June 2024
    Racipes
  • James Lythgoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent recipes.
    Reviewed in Canada on 26 August 2019
    I bought this book knowing what recipes were included. The recipes produce excellent meals. What else can I say?
  • customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 September 2017
    Buy all cookbooks written by Delia Smith that you can! She is England's best cook!
  • Mary Berry
    3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful cookbook,
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 June 2024
    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. ymp
    3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of disappointment
    Reviewed in Japan on 23 November 2015
    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.