Cook Simple

Diana Henry's Cook Simple is subtitled Effortless Cooking Every Day, and for some of us, the latter concept may be a little hopeful (if, that is, cooking is not one of our natural abilities). But it has to be said that Diana Henry has the ability to lead us by the hand through basic -- and more advanced -- cookery to produce results that might even be as satisfying as the recipes displayed here. The secret is transforming everyday ingredients into something more special -- with a minimum of effort. Often, when such claims are made, a little stretching of the truth is necessary -- but that's definitely not the case here. Diana Henry begins with just the basic things you'll find in most cupboards -- from tuna steak, to vegetables and sausages -- and make of them something surprisingly ambitious. If this weren't enough, we are even promised free time to do other things during the cooking process -- who could ask for more? There are over 150 recipes here (gleaned by the author on her world travels), and if you're tempted by Hot and Sweet Roast Mediterranean Vegetables with Tahini Dressing -- or Baked Lime and Passion Fruit Pudding -- the wherewithal to prepare them with a minimum of fuss can be found in these pages. The photography (by Jonathan Lovekin) matches the appeal of the food, and if you can look at the latter's shot of Penne with Roasted Onions, Gorgonzola and Walnuts without instantly wanting to (a) cook it, and (b) consume it, then you're made of stern stuff. There are also useful side notes for preparing other items similar to those presented in the main menus. --Barry Forshaw

View other editions of Cook Simple.
View books by Diana Henry.

does what it says on the tin (except you don't need tins any more!) - Rated
Yum, yum, yum. Diana Henry was the name that always appeared at the bottom of the recipes that I just had to cut out and try in the Telegraph. I was never tempted by any of their other writers, but her delicious sounding recipes always hit the mark instantly with enticing dishes that said This Woman Understands Yum.

What's more, she understands what it is to be a busy person who loves food but hasn't got time to spend hours in the kitchen and who is most likely to get home tired from work and quickly have to cobble something together from what they can find in the fridge or store cupboard.

Well, if you've got a pack of sausages in the fridge and some grapes in the fruitbowl you can cook the unctuous 'vine growers' sausages'. Bit of blue cheese left? Why not try penne with roasted onions, gorgonzola and walnuts? This woman's recipes have such a high hit rate! You want to try all of them - and probably will because they are definitely good enough to serve to friends at the weekend but also easy enough to cook midweek for the family.

Diana Henry deserves a much, much higher profile, although if she did you'd probably end up eating nothing else as all your friends would serve you Diana Henry all the time too.

Must Have - Rated
If you only buy one cookbook this year make sure it's this one. I have a huge collection of cookery books (I am addicted!), but I have cooked at least a dozen from this already. Perfect for everyday, but some recipes are great for dinner with friends too. Almost all are child friendly too, with perhaps a bit of tweeking depending upon the child. Quick, easy and no fuss - my favourite book for quite some time.

First class book brimming with workable tasty recipes.... - Rated
I am addicted to cookery books and recently have been culling those that I have not used recently, not used at all or have used and the recipes have not worked at all. I have also made a decision not to buy any more until I have been through all the books I have got to make sure that I have not missed any really good everyday recipes - I have loads of time consuming and worthy dinner party recipes but to find a recipe for every day that is tasty, easy and practical is not so easy. However Diana Henry's book ticks all the boxes and this book now is a prime example of a well used & well loved "scratch and sniff" cookery book. All the recipes work, they are not complicated and can easily be made after a day's work. Please try the drunken potatoes they are worth the price of the book on their own! Well done for putting such a great book together -
highly recommended. Thank you!

More like this please - Rated
If ever proof was actually needed that Britain remains a country where it's not what you know, but who you know that makes you successful, Diana Henry is a case in point. She should be as well known as Jamie, Nigella, Gordon, Rick etc. etc., in fact more so since her recipes are several orders of magnitude better than any of these undeserving "celebrity" chefs.

Having bought her previous three books I was waiting with excitement for the publication of her fourth volume, and I was not disappointed. Her books are by far the most regularly used of all my cookbooks, and I have a lot of cookbooks. I hope she continues to publish for a long time to come.

Failsafe everyday inspiration - Rated
I have hundreds of cook books and recipes from all sorts of places but this is the first book that I am literally working my way through from start to finish and am nearly there! It is perfect for those days when you can't decide what to cook or look at the contents of your fridge and need some inspiration. Every recipe I have tried has worked and is delicious. I have sent copies and recommended it to several friends who all enjoy cooking and all agree that this is an excellent addition to their collections. Great work. Looking forward to the next one!