[cofe]

got a bunch already, but would be interested in views on a single, good, do-it-all book that inspires in the kitchen.

fire away.

[robertostallioni]

Obviously,

[magpie]

Totally general?  Or are there certain types of food you like better, ones you wouldn't cook?  Dietary requirements, for example would veggie stuff be a bonus or a waste of pages?

[Jim]

delia is the best general one I've got.
I like slaters recipes, he get most things right, lots of salt, lots of butter, lots of flavour.
Got some gems from laughing boy (oliver) as well

[lagerstarfish]

Ace  

Interesting to read. Great background knowledge. Simple, well explained ideas.

[Bubba]

The River Cottage "Meat" book is amazing as well.

[dave]

get one of the nigella books (bites, express, feast) then at least if you don't cook anything you can punch the clown over the incidental photos.

[slackline]

Its a bit specific, but this is the best and only Thai cookbook you'll ever need....

[matthew]

River Cottage Cook Book. Can't fault it. Not actually cooked anything out of it, but a very interesting read if your into how your food is produced and the cuts of meat and how to grow veg etc.

[dave]

Can't fault it. Not actually cooked anything out of it

genius.

[dobbin]

River Cottage meat book is a good base - i.e. something you should read, absorb and take heed of. But for Cofe, to get him started, Jamie's ministry of food is good cooking simply put with easy but tasty recipes. I love to cook and its still one of my favourite books.

[SA Chris]

I really like the Leith's books. The Fish one is very good, especially if you want to do more than just buy frozen cod fillets.

[cofe]

all good reccs. ta.

[Bonjoy]

You don't need a book, this link has all the info you need sonny!

[Bonjoy]

Failing that try Mark Hix - British Food Book. A bit top end ingredients wise but really great food.

[Monolith]

An acclaimed minimalist British architect John Pawson has written an excellent and stylish recipe book called Living and Eating. Some very simple but tasty meals within.

Probably can obtain a copy more locally but available on Amazon US

Check it

[ducastaing]

The Casa Moro Cookbook is pretty good, lots of good recipes and inspiring pictures.  Chicken Fattee and Lamb/Pine Nut potato cakes are really tasty, as are loads of the cooked salads and paella, wet fish rice and fiduea.

[butterworthtom]

I'm a Nigel Slater junkie and I personally think Appetite and Real Cooking are his two best books. Also "Roast Chicken and Other stories" is a very good book by Simon Hopkinson which has loads of inspirational ideas and is generally slightly more challenging than Nigel Slater. I will also second Casa Moro as a good book, although some of the food in there is not really standard fair, it is very tastey, most the recipes are pretty summery as well.

[Charles]

I agree with Tom about 'Real Food' by Nigel Slater.

[ducastaing]

I'd also third Real Food.

[saltbeef]

bill granger's new book is ace.

[Norton Sharley]

Come now, Good Housekeeping is the definitive all round kitchen Bible surely?  I ain't dissing the others but this has it all.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Housekeeping-Cookery-Book-Companion/dp/1843401150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244223652&sr=8-1

[Jovial Geordie]

Try The Silver Spoon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Spoon-Various-Contributors/dp/0714844675/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244469677&sr=8-1

Loads of top quality recipes listed by ingredient.

There are also a few for lambs brains if you are particularly peckish.

[Jim]

I prefer chilled monkey brains

[dave]

that monkey doesn't look very chilled to me.