a useful basic cookbook

[spotit3]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a useful basic cookbook which will assume I know nothing and will explain all. Would just like to be able to make a few basic meals like chicken, steak etc but every book I have bought so far seems to think I know a lot more than I do and they end up in the back of the cupboard.

[Buenchico]

This book is 40 years old (and thus obviously pre-microwave) but I still use it as a basic reference work if, for example, I need to know how long to cook something for - or the various ways of cooking it.. (It makes absolutely no assumptions about prior knowledge):
http://www.amazon.co....sr=1-1&condition=used

Chris

[ELVIS68]

Jamie Olivers Ministry Of Food is a decent book with basic recipes

[boxtops]

Chris, I was going to suggest Marguerite Patten too, I still have her book (slightly falling to bits) from when I first bought it.

[ummmm]

Delia...how to cook.

[ethandron]

delia smiths 'complete cookery course'. she's the best for explaining things in a very clear, easy to understand way. this book is divided into sections - eggs, poultry, beef, veg, etc. - and explains everything you need to know, i've bought it as a wedding present a couple of times.

[merciasounds]

I too would recommend Delia:

http://www.deliaonline.com/how-to-cook

She really does explain! Good luck!

[Quizmonster]

I don't know if it's still in print, but my kids bought me the Good Housekeeping Cookery Encyclopedia ages ago and it has been a mainstay ever since. It cost less than a fiver from a discount bookshop then and is still brilliant now!

[beveridge111]

The one I used at school(50 years ago) The Dundee homecraft book Though Scottish, it can still be got on Amazon or ebay Very Basic

[chokkie]

Yes Definitely Delia's How to Cook. You can probably get a cheap copy on Amazon or even Ebay.