Cooks Journal by Hilary Mandleberg

A delightful present for keen cooks, Cook's Journal is divided by food type into seven sections: Soups, Salads & Vegetables, Pasta & Grains, Fish & Shellfish, Meat, Poultry & Game, Puddings & Cakes. Each begins with basic know-how and invaluable information, followed by a selection of delicious recipes with mouthwatering photography, ranging from simple stocks to more adventurous dishes like Duck with Campari and Rosemary and Caramelised Orange. There are also descriptions of the different cuts of meat and tips for buying fish and a guide to choosing the right type of poultry. There is a handy pocket in each section to organise those tear-out recipes from newspapers and magazines picked up along your culinary travels. With practical advice on buying, storing and freezing, conversion charts, store-cupboard essentials, a party planning section, and a unique, easy-tear notepad for your shopping list, this classic journal is the perfect addition to anyone's kitchen shelf.

This is a great gift for cooks of all levels. The book is spiral bound, meaning the book will lay flat on worktops. The file begins with a useful section of useful hints which includes store cupboard, fridge and freezer staples and conversion tables and is then split into seven sections: Soups, Salads and Veg, Pasta and Grains, Fish and Shellfish, Meat, Poultry and Game and Puds and Cakes.

Each section is then filled with great hints, tips and advice, recipes and blank pages to make your own notes and recipes. The sections are split by sturdy dividers which include a pocket to keep safe those scraps of paper we all jot recipes down on.

There are sharp, crisp, colourful photographs throughout the book which complement the content perfectly.

There are buying tips, basic cooking methods, guides on cuts of meat and roasting guides as well as descriptions of different grains and cereals and suggested quantities. A real necessity for cooks everywhere.

I recommend this to cooks of all standards - the novice through to the cook who likes to create their own recipes. A great present - and it will look good in any kitchen!

Thanks to Quadrille Publishing for sending me this to review.