This article titled “Book of the week: Mary Berry Cooks” was written by Jessica Hopkins, for The Guardian on Saturday 22nd March 2014 07.00 UTC
In a nutshell
Mary Berry shares her favourite recipes for family and friends to accompany her new TV series.
What does it cover?
Just about everything. Baking, it turns out, is a mere sideline for Mary, who can turn her hand to anything from canapes to spectacular suppers. She runs a tight ship when it comes to home entertaining, and thankfully here she shares her wisdom so you won’t get into a flap when playing host.
Why is it good?
The focus on prep, timesaving and attention to detail is quite something. Three pages on how best to use your freezer … who knew?
Who’s it for?
People who can do all the basics but need help zhuzhing it up. And those who don’t have the time or inclination to seek out niche ingredients, but still want to serve something reasonably impressive.
Who’s it not for?
Seasoned cooks who aren’t short on inspiration.
Best recipe?
The millionaire’s cheesecake looks fairly wicked, while the rich beef and mushroom stew with a helping of mustard mash ticks all kinds of warming boxes.
Anything else?
There is a whiff of the 1970s around some recipes (cobb salad or Irish cream ice cream roll anyone?), but everything is wholesome and achievable from both a cost and difficulty perspective, as one would jolly well expect from a Mary Berry book.
We say…
Packed full of tips, we defy you not to find something useful in here. Do you know the difference between a dinner party and a casual supper party, for example? Thought not. Thankfully, Mary’s here to help.
BBC Books, Feb 2014. Find it at bit.ly/Ow4CfL. Review by Jessica Hopkins
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