Books : Rachel's Favourite Food at Home

Rating: - My favourite cookbook
I received this book as a gift and it really is lovely. It's a beautiful book full of tempting pics and stunning photography. All the recipes I have followed so far have been a great success, particuarly some of her cakes and puddings.

Also, the section near the back which is full of basics is really useful - things like mayonnaise and pesto taste so much nicer when home-made and it can be hard to find decent, easy recipes for them. Until now!

I also love watching Rachel Allen on tv - she has a way of talking about food that makes you really hungry and the book does just the same. I can't wait for her next book to come out!

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Rating: - A firm favourite!
This is an excellent cookbook!! Rachel Allen is always so wonderfully down to earth and the book is full of real food that every day people will want to eat.

Rachel's tv manner comes across well in writing - her cheery comments and straightforward instructions make the recipes easy and enjoyable and the results have been fantastic.

There is such a good variation of food types, with ideas suitable for all ages and occasions. I particularly like the Frittata on pg 63 and the garlic and mustard potatoes on p167.

I can't recommend this enough!

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Rating: - No recipe for Raita
This is a superb book, we have enjoyed some terrific food.
My two sons love making the Winter broth and the chunky mediterranean soups.
My only beef with the book is on page 135, my husband and I made the Lamb Samosas, but nowhere in the book is a recipe for the accompanying Raita.

I have even been in touch with Harper Collins the publishers, have been e-mailing them for 2 months but to no avail, cannot even get a reply, very disappointing.
Other than this the book is fab and we have watched all Rachel's cookery programmes, really quick, easy food to prepare and delicious to eat.

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Rating: - Horrible muffins that she calls adorable
I tried the peanut butter and banana muffins in this book - followed the recipe exactly and ended up with a stodgy nearly inedible batch of i-don't know-what-to-call-them's but they certainly weren't muffins. Awful. Don't waste your money like I did, instead borrow it from your local library and try a couple of recipes before you buy.

I am planning to try a few more dishes but I am not sure if it is worth the time and effort, since all her recipes are for standard dishes for which there are much better recipes by other cooks.

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Rating: - Excellent cookbook - recipes you can actually use
This was a Christmas present and I've already made about 5 recipes from it, all successfully. The risotto recipe was delicious and easy to make, as were the pasta and other recipes I tried. Some recipes are a twist on classic dishes, like the scrambled eggs with coriander and chili - really delicious! It's the first recipe book where I've used so many recipes. It is also the type of food you can cook when you get home from work or for kids, nothing overly complicated or fussy. Highly recommended.