The Hungover Cookbook by Milton Crawford
Even though there’s only ten days left until Christmas, it’s more than likely that some of us still have a bit of last minute shopping to do, or in some cases, actually start it.
It's no doubt got to the point as well, where you’re racking your brain for gift ideas and good ones at that (‘I’ve bought them socks every year for the last decade!’ I hear you cry).
Something you could consider then is a cookbook (unless the person you’re buying for despises cooking and would most likely throw it back at you). There’s no reason why it wouldn’t go down a treat; it’s practical and permanent which makes it the perfect present.
Here's a list of our favourite cookery books to help you decide which one would be best.
The Good Food Cook Book: Over 650 triple-tested recipes for every occasion- Jane Hornby
The great thing about this is that it is packed with, as the title says, over 650 [different] recipes, meaning there’ll be something in it to suit everyone. Soups, tarts, meat dishes, oriental dishes, marmalade, bread- you name it, it’ll probably be in there. As well as recipes, it also has some handy tips and advice: things to cook with children, how to buy, store and prepare fish, ten ways in which you can use things up. Good Food definitely gives you your money’s worth.
Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals- Jamie Oliver
This cookbook is very similar to the TV programme which goes by the same name, as Jamie explains how to throw together three or four complementing dishes in one go. Each page features recipes for two sides, a main and in some cases a dessert, meaning every part of your evening meal is planned for you. There’s a whole bunch of things which you can rustle up, including meatballs, ‘silky chocolate ganache’ and ‘sweet chilli rice’. It should be noted though that unless your timing skills are up to scratch, it’s very unlikely that you can produce all three/four plates in 30 minutes.
The Hungover Cookbook- Milton Crawford
This is a quirky and rather unique take on a cookbook. The idea behind it is that you choose a recipe based on the type of hangover that you’re experiencing. You start by categorising your hangover via a short quiz which is at the beginning of the book. The outcome of this then ultimately decides what foods and drinks will be most suitable for you. If you can’t face cooking after a night out mind, The Hungover Cookbook can be used any other time. The difficulty of each dish/drink varies.
The Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days: Recipes to make every day special- Tarek Malouf
The Hummingbird Bakery recommends a range of things to bake for different occasions, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Birthdays. There’s everything from cakes and fruit loafs, to whoopie pies and biscuits. The only down side to the book is that many of its recipes ask you to use a large amount of sugar, which might make the end product far too sweet for some people. The amount could just be reduced though, depending on how you want your treats to taste.
Nosh for Students: A Fun Student Cookbook- Joy May
The name of this book suggests that it is simply for students, 
particularly those who have just started university and have never cooked anything beyond beans on toast. Surprisingly though, it’s ideal for people of all ages and with any cooking ability. You might be great in the kitchen when it comes to main courses, but do you know how to whip up a cheesecake? It’s also great for opening your eyes to new and simple things that you might never have thought of making (even if it is just because you’d usually buy it from a supermarket). Take for example spinach and feta frittatas or mousakka. Some meals might be a little too adventurous for a first-time student, especially if they're not used to the kitchen, however there are still plenty of recipes which accommodate for them, such as poached eggs and bacon and egg bake.
River Cottage Veg Every Day!- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Perfect for vegetarians and even those who are looking to be a bit healthier (maybe as part of their New Year’s resolutions). There’s a variety of recipes including those for tea loaf, bean chilli and spinach and thyme pasties. Note that some take more labour than others when it comes to making them.
Alice's Cookbook- Alice Hart
Alice’s Cookbook is very twee and has some nice photography, which not only means it’s a pleasant read, but makes you want to go and create the delicious-looking food for yourself. What's more, the book features recipes which are 'appropriate' for each season of the year, so it's a bit different to your standard food book. There are four alternative recipes for the ‘Seasonal Sunday Lunch’ for example, as well as instructions on how to put together a ‘New Years brunch’ and an ‘indoor picnic for a rainy summer’s day’.
Sophie Burluraux
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