Do you use a cookbook?

The Joy of Cooking is my bible. It has wonderful instructional entries for anything and everything- but it's American. I wonder if they have a UK edition?

Do you have an iPad/pod? I use the paprika app to capture my favourite online recipes.

I always decide on something I want to try and cook, and Google the recipe. Then, find the one I think I will cope best with. Sometimes the simplest ones taste the best. Today I am attempting goats cheese and onion tarts.

I actually love food blogs for recipes- my favourites are:

Smitten Kitchen (my killer lemon braided braid is from there, and her homemade poptarts recipe is delish, and she made a wedding cake for her friend! check out her recipe index)

Homesick Texan (because I used to live in Texas, and sometimes I get the cornbread or tamale craving)

I know some people will think this is really 'old hat' but for a beginner I would recommend Delia Smiths complete cookery course.

Loads and loads of recipes, never had one go wrong (yet!), easy to follow and loads of general cookery knowhow in it to.

I have Margarite Patterns Every Day Cook Book. It tells you how to make everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal! I love it and regularly dip into it when I'm making something from scratch.

No as I mainly make things up. However Bbc good food website is brilliant for recipes.

I like Delia Smith for the basic stuff. If I have an idea of something else I want to make I'll do a google search and find recipes on things like bbc good food.

I am a shocking cook as you all well know- my flashes of cake fails are the stuff of legend.

My sister sent a book over from NZ

It is fab- even I can make the recipies from it.

MIL also bought me a cook book- I think so that she can be sure her trained chef son wont starve with his evil wifes poor cooking skills...

a nod towards my poor budgeting skills I am sure.

Most every day things like sheperds pie, lasagne, stews, soups, chilli, marinades etc I just do off the top of my head. And they vary by what veg is in season (and in stock in the house!).

Baking is a science though. And you need to be accurate and follow a recipe for biscuits, cake and pastry. Cookbooks take up too much room and there is always half the recipes you won't use. I have a cow print folder that has recipes I have either hand written from friends, some printed off line, others torn from magazines and some supermarket recipe cards too. It's all divided into sections depending on sweet/savoury and type of meat etc.

But if your set on a cook book, then I woul recommend Delia too. I think my mum has How to Cook by Delia and it is pretty comprehensive!

If you are a real beginner then definately this, really easy to follow

Other than that it really depends on what you want to cook, as a good all rounder I like Jamies 'Cook' book too

BBC Good Food website is my go to site for recipes even though I have dozen of books!!