The River Cottage Family Cookbook

Having two small children I was looking for a cook book that would be both fun and educational and help me as a parent to get their hands dirty in the kitchen with some real cooking. I like Hugh's presentation style and enthusiasm for food which comes across strongly in his TV programmes and I was curious to see whether this translated into this book. Quite simply it does. To my surprise I also found myself getting seriously back into cooking and within a few weeks have cooked quite a few of the recipes with my children with great success.

A few people have commented negatively about the simplicity of the recipes in this book, but lets not forget the intended purpose and audience.

Also if you are looking for an encyclopaedic reference cookbook of family cooking this isn't it either, there are many other books that can do that for you. This cookbook contains a well chosen selection of recipes covering a good range of food types, a great way for me as a parent to try out new things for my children to eat with solid, fun recipes that they can get involved with.

Very highly recommended.

Good cook books (2/2 people found this helpful)

Having watched Hugh's series on living in Dorset, where we live, I am already a big fan of his cooking and this book did not disapoint.
I has been a super book to dip into and choose recipes to cook both on my own and with my children. What I particularly like is that the style doesn't patronise children and spreads the recipes between sweet dishes and main courses. The recipes are good for children to follow and presume that they are going to cook proper food not just fairy cakes.
I would really recommend this book to both families and adults, it's a good read (and beautiful to look at and handle) and the recipes work well. What more could you want!

fantastic book and recipies (2/2 people found this helpful)

This book is for every budding cook from begginers to more talented experts! The recipies are fantastic and truly inspirational, they make you want to cook. I now enjoy cooking when i get home. The insite into how meat gets to your plate is interesting and the information about where to buy decent meat and how to spot a good buy is really helpful. will definatly buy another book from his collection!

Brilliant book! (2/3 people found this helpful)

I love Hugh's writing. Reading his books makes you feel like he's speaking directly to you. This book is wonderful for parents to use with their kids. I enjoy cooking and make every meal from scratch (no ready meals!), but I don't often explain the processes when the children help so it's nice to have a book which explains to the kids (and I learned a thing or two) the origins and fundamentals of food. Another recommendation would be 'How to be a domestic goddess' by Nigella Lawson. Her recipes are also simple to follow and older children would be more than able to give most a go on their own or with minimum supervision. Hugh's Meat book is also invaluable to the cook's kitchen library. If you like meat then buy this book, it explains every step of the meat process, from rearing and slaughter, to the different cuts and best ways of cooking and includes info and recipes for game and poultry as well.

Really "well done" (5/6 people found this helpful)

This is a really enjoyable cook book. Well set out, easy to follow recipes & some informative bits in between. Hugh does a mean cook book & he has (in tandem with Fizz Carr) transfered his skills from producing books for the "grown ups" , to putting together a marvellous book, aimed at getting Mam's & Dad's into the kitchen with their children & letting the kids get stuck in to cooking (& even trying to coax them into a little bit of produce growing)
Explains the basics of cookery superbly & is a great all round introduction to cooking (this would even make a great student cookbook!)
Everyone will have their favourite recipe in this book but the banana bread is different class, straight out of the oven, nice & warm with a cuppa. Ideal.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Fizz Carr

Reader Reviews:

Great family cookbook (1/1 people found this helpful)

Good cook books (2/2 people found this helpful)

fantastic book and recipies (2/2 people found this helpful)

Brilliant book! (2/3 people found this helpful)

Really "well done" (5/6 people found this helpful)

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