Delia Smith's Complete Illustrated Cookery Course: A New Edition for the 1990s [Hardcover]

Delia Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

An illustrated version of Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course, this book offers instructions that are clear, comprehensive, and pretty near infallible. The text is accompanied by a wide range of illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A friendly, encouraging tone and kitchen expressions from across the pond mark this comprehensive revision of British authority Smith's Complete Cookery Course , first seen 20 years ago. Predictable variations on American norms, such as measuring ingredients by weight rather than volume, and a full chapter devoted to ``offal'' seem to go hand in hand with vocabulary differences (a ``liquidiser'' is a blender; ``pulses'' are beans, peas and lentils) and unexpected organizational approaches, as in the chapter ``Pasta and Pancakes.'' A generally looser sense of categorization is represented in the chapter ``Cheese,'' which includes a reference page describing traditional English Derbyshire, Stilton and Cheshire; recipes for Greek salad; pizza; ``fillets'' of sole gratinee; and gnocchi, along with souffles and cheese tarts. American cooks may miss balsamic vinegar, tropical fruits and exotic vegetables and question the emphasis on heavy cream, butter and lard. But Smith's streamlined lists of ingredients and her chatty instructions lend an appealing air to basic, unexceptional recipes. Photos.

Copyright 1991 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Delia Smith is Britain's bestselling cookery writer, whose books have sold over 21 million copies worldwide. Delia's first job as a cookery writer was for the Daily Mirror in 1969 - numerous phenomenal best sellers and television series followed including Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course in 1978 and Delia's Christmas, Summer & Winter Collections in the 1990s. Towards the end of the decade Delia commenced work on a new major project - Delia's How to Cook, publishing three separate volumes and the accompanying TV series. The Vegetarian Collection and The Delia Collection followed. After a five year break concentrating on Norwich City Football Club (where she is a director) and Canary Catering, Delia returned triumphant in 2008 with a new BBC TV series and the fastest selling cookery book of all time 'Delia's How to Cheat at Cooking' - which has sold over 800,000 copies. Delia is married to the writer and editor, Michael Wynn Jones. They live in Suffolk.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: BBC Books (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563214546
• ISBN-13: 978-0563214540
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > European > English, Scottish & Welsh

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive cook book for the late starter, June 5, 1998

By 

CRAMSDAL (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delia Smith's Complete Illustrated Cookery Course: A New Edition for the 1990s (Hardcover)

I was a 40 year old bachelor who had never cooked in his life. Then I encountered this book. When I picked it up and it fell open on a cross-sectional diagram of an egg, I knew that this was the book for me.

Too many cook books assume that the reader has some basic knowledge of the art. Not this one. If you want to know the best way to joint a chicken, quickly peel a tomato or a garlic clove, or de-seed a bell pepper, it's all in this highly entertaining book.

But don't think for a moment that the recipes are dull and simplistic. This book covers the whole gamut of cookery with recipes originating from the world's finest cuisines. The abundance of mouth watering illustations mean that you too can present meals that are a delight to the eye, as well as the tongue.

Thanks to Delia, cooking has become my hobby and I really look forward to those occasions when I can prepare a four course meal for 10 or more people. Fortunately, so do they!

Thank you Delia, thank you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, October 27, 2001

By 

Elizabeth Hare "mom of five" (Aliso Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Delia Smith's Complete Illustrated Cookery Course: A New Edition for the 1990s (Hardcover)

Being a Brit, I have been familiar with Delia Smith for a long time and she never fails. I have shelves of cookbooks and Delia is always the first author I reach for. Her recipes ALWAYS work as they should and taste as they ought. You will not be disappointed with any of her books, but the Complete Illustrated Cookery Course is a must as a kitchen staple.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully easy to follow recipes ., November 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Delia Smith's Complete Illustrated Cookery Course: A New Edition for the 1990s (Hardcover)

Delia Smith has taught me all I know about cooking. She guided me gently through roast beef and yorkshire pudding, meat pies, casseroles, stews and shepherds pie. For those critics of english food, pick any of Delias recipes, follow the easy, thorough instructions and then sit back and eat.....for desert you can eat your words.