Cinnamon Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I got this for Christmas, & I just thought I would let you all know how good it is. It is easily the most useful cookbook in my collection. The recipes are real family meals, & without exception the 6 or so things I have made have been really nice & enjoyed by all the family. I recommend the Salmon Fishcakes, The Spaghetti Bolognese (nicest we have ever had!),The Fish Pie,The ham & lentil soup & the Frozen Milkshakes. We are making Shortbread from the book this weekend & may even try out the Turkish delight recipe too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I got it for Christmas too and think it's a fab book. The first one of my boys to leave home can take it with them as it's the perfect introduction to cooking as it's so nicely and simply set out. All the basics plus a few more exciting things in one book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I've got it too, and it's very useful. I always work late on Wednesdays, so arrive home tired and hungry, and never, ever in the mood for cooking. But hubby is painful in the kitchen, great at the washing up I have to say, but cooking . He can just about slam a frozen pizza into the oven with a tray of oven chips, but even then he puts them in at the same time, so we end up eating either burnt pizza or uncooked chips, and generally both . And I just hate eating that kind of mass produced, low nutritional value food So, now, since the advent of the River Cottage book the children take it in turns to cook. They choose the recipe at weekend and I buy in the ingredients. Hubby's around to supervise sharp knives and hot fat, and they cook whatever takes their fancy. We've had the fishcakes too, spaghetti carbonara and vegetable fritters. We also all loved the potatoes with spinach. It was a great buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 We have just made the Frozen Strawberry Milkshake - it is wonderful A great way to get fresh fruit into the children if they are fussy (which mine are not, but thet enjoyed it anyway!) Kate - we are going to try the Potatoes with Spinach next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Not a very "bloke" thing to say but, errrr, I got it for Christmas too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Don't worry grd the 'bloke ' in our house does lots of cooking, I'd be a size 6 if he didn't Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Hugh F-W is a bloke, grd, or haven't you noticed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Very attractive quality in a man, being able to cook! And as for all that other stuff that HFW does (grows his hair/lives close to nature) - DEFINATELY does it for me Hope that makes you feel better grd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Sorry - perhaps that's too much information Have definitely been stuck in the house too long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Dont you worry my dear - you are not alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Do you mean in my liking for outdoorsy men Mel or in my needing to get out more?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 either or or both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Carl does all the cooking here as well! I can cook but I got bored after getting married at 16 and having to cook for so many years - Carl uses it as a stress buster We've got the RC book as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 LSH still has to find the cooker! No, that's a lie - he makes excellent pancakes and omlettes but I do all the rest of the cooking, ably aided by Tom who is doing cookery at school and likes to help if I'm a bit busy! Bless his cotton socks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 The Hubby only really cooks poached eggs - but he does them really well (signature dish I guess!) Before we were married he once cooked frozen beefburger curry, which consisted of beefburgers & a jar of curry sauce. Needless to say he now leaves cooking to those of us in the house who actually know what we are doing! I am all for men cooking - good for you Graham. Do you wear an Omlet apron? My littlest daughter Cleo who is nearly 11 is a fab cook & rustles up all sorts of wonderful things for her lunch.Today she had star shaped pieces of bread,drizzled with olive oil & grilled until crispy then topped with tuna mashed with mayonnaise,fresh rd pepper,sweetcorn & red onion.She had it with a big salad & it looked wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 I do most of the cooking. I must admit that my roast dinners are pretty special. I mostly use Jamie O recipes - which are marvelous - although his 'toad in the hole' really sucks!! I use Nigella for cakes and puddings - just plain, naughty, heaven. Oh and I also use Nigella for Christmas too - her Christmas recipes are fantastic. I have an Italian recipe book 'Passione' by Genaro Contaldo (I love Italian), but haven't yet tried anything from it. This is my first HFW book.... looks good, but haven't had chance to do much yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Does Nigella know about this grd? - a used woman? Carl has all HFW's books - the 'Meat' one is especially good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 Graham, do you have Jamies Italy - thats really good too Strangely The Hubby is a BIG Nigella fan. In fact hers is the only cookers show he will watch Lesley - I must look out for Hughs meat book, it sounds interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 The Italy book is the only one I don't have (yet!). I really enjoy watching Nigella too - I find her programs quite a turn on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Actually that came out wrong, I mean I turn on to watch her programs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 21, 2006 Author Share Posted January 21, 2006 Hmmmmmmmm.......I believe you Graham. NOT !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Obviously Mrs grd doesn't look over his shoulder enough when he's posting on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkin Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 Grd - do you have a good recipe for toad-in-the-hole? Mine always ends up being s"Ooops, word censored!"ed out of the dish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 22, 2006 Author Share Posted January 22, 2006 Chunkin- get a really good non stick or emamel baking tray. They are expensive, but they are worth every penny I always use packet batter mix And I add a chopped red onion about 5 mins before I put the batter mix in - it always comes out a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
