Delia's Complete How To Cook

by Delia Smith

She is the most trusted name in British cooking and in How to Cook Delia Smith goes back to basics: Over 700 pages, 350 recipes and step-by-step photography, covering every technique you will ever need from how to boil an egg to Risotto Carbonara.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference

704 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2001

About the author

Delia Smith CBE is an English cook and television presenter, known for teaching basic cookery skills in a no-nonsense style. She is the UK's best-selling cookery author, with more than 21 million copies sold.

Smith is also famous for her role as joint majority shareholder at Norwich City F.C. Her partner in the shareholding is her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones. Her role at the club has attracted varying media attention, from positive when she "saved" the club from bankruptcy, to negative, when making a controversial on-pitch announcement in 2005.

Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours, "in recognition of ... [her] contribution to television cookery and recipe writing".

Reviews

[Mintwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked "How to Cook" out from our local library last fall, probably around Thanksgiving. I kept checking it out, over and over and over again, until my spouse gave it to me for Christmas. "Give the library back their book," she said, and I did.

The recipes are wonderful, because they *work*. I don't have to tinker with them at all to get great results. Enchiladas, wheat bread, the leek and chevre tart... every recipe I've tried has turned out delicious and as beautiful as the photos promise. That is a rare and wonderful thing in a cookbook.

It's worth noting: "How to Cook" is not a recipe book, it is a *cookbook*. While "How to Cook" contains many wonderful recipes, the central premise of this book is the craft of cooking. To that end, most of the text is about ingredients and techniques; what to do, when, why, and how. As such, it is absolutely indispensible.

I also highly recommend Delia Smith's "Soup", which is a recipe book. A great recipe book, even, if one likes soup. Not every recipe has been to my taste, but, as in "How to Cook", every recipe works. I would suggest trying soups that don't necessarily seem appealing: I tried the Brussels' sprout soup, simply because the picture was so gorgeous and the text so effusive, despite a life-long distaste for the vegetable, and was pleasantly (very pleasantly) rewarded. It was delicious!

"How to Cook" should be on the shelf of anyone who loves to eat and/or to cook. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Artemis Eclectica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know some dude who hasn't a clue on how to cook buy it for them as a present. If you are that person, ask your Mum to buy it for Christmas. It has great recipes for people who already know how to cook too. It is very much down to basics but does have something interesting for all cooks. Most cook books assume that you have a huge family to feed, whereas this has included some recipes for two. It's a huge tome and expensive, so heirloom material.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was somewhat insulted when I was given this book.... but it's actually quite smart in a "back-to-basics" sort of way...

Pity about the fat content though Delia!

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as usual except that we looked in this one recently and Curt wants to make a few of the things. So, it gets an extra star for inspiring him...

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was originally a 3-book series was my grounding in finding my passion for cooking. Recipes are pretty much full-proof (which was and still is a God send). The book(s) is no idiots guide to cooking but it allows you to build up experience with a confidence to tackle some of the more complicated dishes. Early stages of learning how to cook can either make or break a student, whatever the age. Although dated now, this book will always be a good bet to boost confidence unlike any other I have come across.
Inherited from my mother, her educator was Elizabeth David and I adopted her as well. My library has since grown to well over 100 cook books from famous chefs to talented cooks from all over the world covering a huge diversity of styles and tastes. I've been a chef and am now a simple home creative cook, stealing ideas and modifying recipes as the mood takes me, but I have to admit that I owe everything to the start that Delia Smith gave me.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookery books come in a variety of styles. The ghost written efforts of some celebratories, the spin off from a TV programme, specialized offerings from a given country, the list is endless. Just what is a Food Stylist ?? And following these recipes one ends up with a cupboard full of spices and concoctions of which only a tablespoon full was ever used.
This offering from Delia ( and her extensive team ) starts from the very basics and provides techniques and suggested recipes that anyone can follow and, if you OBEY the instructions, the end product just turns out fine.

I have put this book down as READ, but in truth it is one which you turn to time after time and never read it from cover to cover.

If I was forced to possess only ONE cookery book, then this would be it.

[Kristen Persen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah the fragrant Delia allows the kitchen novice to cling to her apron strings and be transported on a culinary journey from basic through to extravaganza!

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delia, my go to personal cooking advisor. Oh and I do appreciate guidance on how to boil an egg