Favourite cookbooks
Some of my favourite cookbooks are the ones produced by women's organisations, like the Country Women's Association, or Women's Institute. These are produced by practical cooks who have learnt from experience, and handed down wisdom, sometimes for generations.
A typical 'WI' cookery book from the UK
The eggs they use are usually from their own, or neighbours' hens, their milk could be from their own cows, and whatever produce they are using could be home grown. So you can't imagine that your results will be the same. The eggs you buy from the market are smaller and paler, your milk is low fat, and your produce is who knows how old!These ladies struggle to provide quantities, such as half a cup of flour, but you know very well they don't use a 'standard' cup and scrape the top flat! They just know from experience if the mixture is correct, and add more milk, or flour to get it right! So a recipe from one of these cook books is for other experienced cooks, and is a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve. They are full of hints on what to look for at what stage. Whoever is using them will adapt them to suit their own family, and what ingredients are available to them. | 
