This series is based on respect for ingredients and the sad fact that many people have never been taught how to deal with them. Delia starts at the very beginning, explaining in detail the staple ingredients of all cooking, and in her typically friendly and accessible approach, guides beginners through many of the basic techniques that will serve them for a lifetime of cooking...For those who have mastered the techniques, and for those who are already accomplished cooks, there are a sparkling collection of recipes incorporating new ideas for better results...