Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course by Gordon Ramsay

Recently I’ve become more cut throat about who stays and goes on my cookbook shelf and this is definitely a keeper.  Leaving his F words and temper behind, Gordon’s headed back to the kitchen and to the basics of cooking.  His aim is “to strip away all the hard graft and complexity, and show how, from humble beginnings, anyone can produce mouth-watering recipes”.

What makes this book stand out for me are the tips and tricks he has scattered throughout.  I’m pretty handy in the kitchen but he’s taught me a way to “take my flavours to another level”.  For example, if I add chorizo to the stuffing of my roast chook, the flavour permeates the meat to give it a real kick and if I cook it with stock and water under a foil tent, it will be a plumper, moister chicken.

The broad range of recipes has something for everyone.  Not many cookbooks have chapters on cooking for one or two and I found these quite handy when the children aren’t around.  The recipes are easy to follow and most have accompanying photographs.

All I’m waiting for now is the television series to screen here.  I’m sure Gordon’s bound to have another few tips and tricks up his sleeve that I’ll learn from that.

Hachette