Delia’s How to Cheat at Cooking
I have bought the book. I like the modern and irreverant writing style. She name drops products which would have been hazed out by the BBC. I am not sure why it has had such negative reviews. I actually think its quite good for cooking in a rush. I like the cheat’s ingredients if you are short of time - the idea is that you use good ingredients and then add a twist and cut a corner with something out of a jar or packet. I put some of the Waitrose Borettane Onions in a casserole this evening and it worked out very well, much more convenient than peeling shallots. I am intrigued by the idea of the chocolate cake mix containing “Aunt Bessie’s” mashed potato. It won’t stop me from cooking things from scratch most of the time, but has made me rethink some quick dishes for after work. It would be an excellent book for someone completely new to cooking too.
At the other extreme we do own a copy of The French Laundry cookbook by Thomas Keller……… first poach some quails eggs…. for when we have the time to try to learn some new techniques. One day we’ll make it to Napa Valley! You can follow a home cook working her way through the book here in the French Laundry at home blog (what a brilliant idea). Actually, we also have the Bouchon cookbook by the same chef and there are some really good recipes in it too which are relatively simple - see Epicurious for Thomas Keller’s roast chicken recipe http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/231348 to see what I mean.
And we have many cookbooks in between……
I think it goes to show that there are all sorts of ways of enjoying cooking and what is nice about Delia’s book is that we now no longer have to feel guilty for cutting a corner or two - St. Delia agrees that some times life IS just too short. When I do have the time, I enjoy cooking from scratch.
