Product Description

In "How to Cheat at Cooking", Delia has sourced a range of pre-prepared foods (from tins, chill cabinets, freezers and store cupboards) to help you short circuit cooking times and techniques. Readily available from supermarkets, delis, online food shops and farmers markets and of the very best quality these recipes using instant time savers will allow you to create fabulous food without the faff."How to Cheat" is for people who don't want to cook, who think they can't cook, or simply don't have the time to cook. As Delia herself says, "Cheating's come on a lot and there's much more available. The way it's going I can't think of anybody who wouldn't want it." This is Delia's first book in four years and it's been created with her characteristic attention to detail. Delia is Britain's most trusted food writer and her formidable track record of over 19 million book sold speaks for itself. Comprising over 150 easy-to-follow recipes and with a refreshing contemporary design, the book is a guaranteed bestseller, not least because 2008 will mark Delia's return to our screens with a six-part primetime BBC television series.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-15
• Released on: 2008-02-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Zoe Williams, The Guardian
"I really see Delia as a sunbeam of rational thoughts, striking through the clouds of food fashion...If any of these ingredients gives you a shudder, just ask yourself, who's more likely to be right: you or Delia? No, you lummox, it's not you"

Amanda Platell, Daily Mail
"Delia's first new book in four years is set to become one of the biggest selling publications of all time...At 66, Delia is the mistress of mumsiness. I salute the queen of ease and an unashamed advocate of instant mashed potato."

The Independent
"Like any priestess worth her salt, she has absolved us of our guilt by occasionally employing time-saving devices, from ready-made sauces to pre-grated cheese...Yet when the timer has pinger and the cake has risen, Delis is The One"

Customer Reviews

Uninspiring
After reading the very mixed reviews on this page I was eager to see what all the fuss was about with this book. I am not overly concerned about the whole argument on whether or not it is right or wrong to cheat at cooking - although I might add that I am surprised at the anger from those who sit firmly in the latter camp (if you feel so strongly about it, why on earth would you buy a book entitled 'how to cheat at cooking' in the first place?) Personally, I bought the book on the basis that it might provide me with some after-work ideas for a quick meal. Flicking through the book, I have only really come across a couple of recipes that appealed to me and most of them contained so many specific ingredients that I felt it was not worth the bother. The ones with a shorter list of ingredients seemed to be so pointless as I felt it easier and cheaper to just buy the dish in a ready made version! Sorry, Delia, I know you are trying to move with the times, and I for one appreciate that, but I couldn't get on with this book, it's definitely not one of your best or one of my favourites.

Cheese, cheese and more cheese!
Far too many of the recipes in this book contain cheese - which I hate. Looking through the book I only like the look of two recipes and one of them is a cake!

Also, I wish it would give alternatives e.g so I could substitute my mashed potatoes for the frozen ones listed.

Book was bought as a gift and is now on the shelf at the local charity shop.

WHen "young Delia" was the cooking edge
The original "How to Cheat at cooking " has had an honoured place in our kitchen for 30 years. It was full of great corner cuts based on readily available products and the cheat s worked, like all Delia stuff - This original book didn't depend on which supermarket you used- no corporate recommendations here - just great ways to produce good dishes and sauces with less effort and relatively wholesome ingredients - the new book is different , fun sure, but sooo corporate, - seek out the old one(even as a collectable item it will still be cheaper) and rekindle your faith as well as getting quick dishes people admire on the table