Nearly half the women polled believe this to be the case. Over a third of the men polled said that they find cookery books too daunting and off putting.

“A whole generation has missed out on being taught how to cook,” says James McIntosh, the UK’s leading home economist and MD of Whisk. “And today’s cookery books may be bright and colourful but they don’t teach you how to cook, they teach you how to follow a recipe. Often the ingredients are expensive and therefore out of the reach of many families. What’s needed is a back to basics approach - one that will really help people to pick up usable and adaptable cookery skills.”

James’s new book ‘mix.’ is a comprehensive guide to basic proportions in cookery giving the quantities needed for simple, everyday family food. Containing over 170 recipes, from how to make a white sauce to how to prepare pastry, this is an essential cookery book for young people who want to learn to cook, families interested in saving money on food bills and teachers and students of home economics/food technology.

“There is a growing consumer interest in saving money on ever-increasing food bills,” says James. “Food is very often the first expense to be cut. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By simply preparing more food at home, there are quick and easy ways to cut costs while still cooking simple, nutritious meals.”

According to Antony Worrall Thompson, ‘mix.’ is: “A fantastic concise book explaining everyday recipes and giving every cook a helping hand with the secret of successful cookery - getting the basics right first!” ‘mix.’(cover price £4.99) is the first in as series of small books by James McIntosh. Future titles include dinner. (to be published in November), and ‘cake.’ (to be published in January).

*The poll of 100 people across a range of age groups from 13-49 was conducted in August 2008. Nearly 50% of women said that ingredients in UK cookery books are too expensive, and 35% of men said they are too daunting and off putting.

Further information on James McIntosh and the series, plus lots of useful tips on how to feed a family while saving money on food and fuel visit www.jamesmcintosh.co.uk

 

FLOYD’S FJORD FIESTA



Format: 2 DVD

Running Time: 210 mins approx

Released 1st September 2008

Cert: E

£12.99

Cat No: 86282SA

Barcode: 5024952 86282 5

This culinary adventure traverses the frozen arctic wastelands of Lapland, crosses Sweden and Denmark, fords Norway’s majestic fjords, and concludes in Greenland. From herring fillets with dill and parsley to smoked loin of pork in cherry sauce, Scandinavian cuisine is brought vividly to life.

Since 1985 Floyd has presented 18 series and written 20 top-selling books.

His programmes continue to be broadcast on UK TV and he appears regularly on Sky Travel and BBC TV’s Saturday Kitchen & Something for The Week End.



Disc 1:

Programme 1: Norway

Programme 2: Norway

Programme 3: Greenland

Programme 4: Denmark

 

Disc 2:

Programme 5: Norway/Sweden

Programme 6: Sweden

Programme 7: Norway

 

Invite the virtual sous-chef homa at Christmas with Charlie Bigham’s canapés

If only we could all have a personal sous-chef to take the hard work out of Christmas, we might enjoy entertaining rather than turning into a frazzled wreck before the party has even started. Charlie Bigham has the next best thing with his Charlie Bigham''s range of Christmas canapés. Each canapé is individually hand-prepared by chefs in the Bigham''s kitchens, so all you have to do is pop them in the oven, leaving you plenty of time to slip into that little black dress, crack open the bubbly and impress your guests.

The hardest decision to make is which canapé to choose and they probably cost less than you may think with prices at £6.99 per pack of 10-12 canapés making the cost per head less than £2.50 if you allow 4 canapés per person. The range is also on 3 for 2 offer at www.ocado.com from mid-November, offering even more savings.

All the recipes in the Charlie Bigham''s Christmas Canapé range are prepared fresh daily from the finest ingredients and include:

 

10 Miso Salmon and Lime Wraps -

miso-infused smoked salmon, honey, ginger & lime wraps



12 Mini Filet de Boeuf En Croute -

individual pieces of fillet be ef, encased in light puff pastry and accompanied by a delicious duxelle



12 Drunken Devils on Horseback -

plump prunes steeped in armagnac, wrapped in bacon



10 Mini Duck Parcels -

with tamarind & sesame dipping sauce



12 Truffle and mushroom puffs -

exquisite and rich these vegetarian numbers are sure to impress



10 Scallops, Pancetta & Salmon Skewers -

the classic angel on horseback, with a Bighams twist



12 Apple, Stilton & Walnut Puffs -

butter rich puff pastry cuddling a delightful vegetarian filling



12 Mushroom, Mozarella & Truffle Arancini Cakes -

indulgent risotto cakes combined with rich truffle oil and tangy mozzarella



10 Persian Lamb Rolls -

finest lamb, black olives, roasted red peppers, pine nuts and harissa in a fresh filo pastry roll

 

Available exclusively from Booths stores and online from www.ocado.com, Charlie Bigham''s canapés do not contain preservatives, additives or excessive amounts of salt or sugar, just tasty, fresh ingredients. 

For more information on the Charlie Bigham''s range go to www.bighams.com.