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Could anyone recommend a good English countryside cookbook?

I am trying to stay away from : Masterchef and pop star cooking, and books from celebrities. Otherwise I don't mind if it's juste a general book, a chef book or a restaurant book, I don't like books that are too easy and I am a little posh (just... :)

While searching I found "The British Larder" "Cracking yolks and pig tales" .... Maybe the Roast cookbook? In the EYB website I found a cookbook called "A year in a Wales farmhouse" or something like that.

Have you seen Darina Allen's 'Forgotten Skills of Cooking'? Although Irish, rather than English, it's very traditional and a rather lovely book. 

Deb

Does it matter to you whether it is a recent book or more of a classic? Of the classics Margaret Costa's Four Seasons Cookbook and English Food by Jane Grigson are both excellent cookbooks as well as a good read. Modern British Food by Sybil Kapoor is slightly more up to date, though still almost 20 years old.

Most of the recent big English cookbooks are from well known names like Jamie Oliver, Tom Kerridge and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Hugh in particular is big on the English countryside so I wouldn't dismiss him just because he is a celebrity. Tom is big on English pub food.

The National Trust has produced quite a few cookbooks that may appeal - they will mainly be traditional British recipes. When searching on EYB you will get better results searching by British rather than English as many books cover all the British Isles rather than just England.

I have checked them all! I like the Forgotten Skill of Cooking, English Food and Modern British Food, and a few of the National Trust ones.

It will be difficult to choose! (and why choose anyway :)

The big chef names one, I have checked, and they turned me off. More specifically, in my view, the interest of the book is overshadowed in my view by the "me me me" feel to it.

Four Seasons I like, but there are a lot of French recipes on it, and I try to stay clear of that (French recipes in English books)

I don't know if she counts as a celebrity - she won Masterchef 20 years ago - and she mostly does Scottish not English, but Sue Lawrence's books are definitely worth a look.

What about Marguerite Patten? Or the WI?

I bought my mum Phil Vickery's Britain, The Cookbook, and she didn't rate it much!

I like Sue Lawrence too but I feel she is more Scottish or British than English countryside. Her baking books in particular are very good and of course Scottish baking is among the best in world (I speak from the authority of having Scottish parents!).

Just checked Sue Lawrence out - I like her and she definitely does not seem to be in the "me me me" category! Will definitely try to order one of her Scottish books (my boss on the London end is Scottish too so might earn some points bringing some in the office :)

Marguerite Patten I am undecided, might be a bit old fashioned for me/plays the nostalgia angle a tad too much - also tend to like more sophisticated recipes. Really I think I need to browse some of her books to decide.

The WI sounds great too...

Thanks to all who mentioned Sue Lawrence. I ordered two of her cookbooks, A Cook's Tour of Scotland and Entertaining at Home in Scotland, after returning from a trip to Scotland a few years ago. I saw them during my travels, but didn't have any spare room in my suitcase to pick them up on the trip! I've been meaning ever since to explore them more thoroughly, but have yet to get around to it. My interest has now officially been renewed. I remember the baking recipes in particular really standing out to me, so I see what Jane is saying!

Ah ah that is defintiely good for my office plans :) :) I think i will buy the book now :)

I love both of Sue Lawrence's baking books ('Book of Baking' and 'On Baking') and use them a LOT. I've bought the Book of Baking as presents too because it is so reliable. I also love her Scottish Kitchen book which is structured around events in a Scottish year - afternoon tea, soup on the hills, picnics by a loch, the beach bonfire (well, sunbathing is out of the question!). And then of course Hogmanay, New Year's day and Burn's Night. As an occasionally homesick Scot this one has travelled with me everywhere. My Dutch husband has always been amused by the recipe for Dishwasher Salmon contained in this one. (Think of it as the DIY approach to a fish kettle). I completely agree with the recommendations. 

DeborahG it was Scottish Kitchen that first turned me on to the heaven of lobster, chips and mayonnaise. The perfect date meal (... for an established relationship, probably not a first date!).

:-)  LOL

Marguerite Patten I am undecided, might be a bit old fashioned for me/plays the nostalgia angle a tad too much - also tend to like more sophisticated recipes. Really I think I need to browse some of her books to decide.

I think accusing someone born in 1915 of 'playing' the nostalgia angle is a bit strong. 

The British Larder is excellent and somewhat difficult which should suit you.

Have you looked at Mark Hix's books? He's a big name chef with a very British, local sensibility. Matt Tebbutt Cooks Country is exactly what it says and Simon Hopkinson is one of the best food writers alive. All these chefs are writing about British food today but probably with one foot in French cuisine, most decent chefs have. 

I could go on ...

My apologies - I had no intentions of accusing anybody of anything, and may peace be with Ms Patten - just meant that this kind of book was not really talking to me, and I would prefer a more modern take :)

Anyway, I checked out Mark Hix. I like I think him! And his recipes and books are not too much about himself, and more about the food. Which is what I am looking for. Also I like both his and Simon Hopkinson's seasonal British recipes, because my concept of season is pretty much linked to French seasons and local fruits and vegetables, which can be (slightly) different, especially because of Provence and the South West.
I want to try the British Larder now!

OK will let you know what I finally pick up :) My goal being to pick just one or two and not to buy them all! If I can..

Ok, one more while I'm here ...

Kettle Broth to Gooseberry Fool by Jenny Baker. Doesn't get more British than that.

Just checked it and since it sells on Amazon... for ... one penny => easy sell :)

Anything by Nigel Slater and also Lucas Hollweg "Good Things To Eat" is the book I have.

Anybody tried or owns the Roast cookbook from Marcus Verberne?

I haven't got the book but I've been to the restaurant and it was really good.

Yes me too, I was there recently with my parents for Sunday Roast ! I had been there a couple of times over the past 4 or 5 years and always was happy with the food! This is why I was wondering :)