Judy Ridgway

I've only tried one recipe out of this book, for apricot chutney, and I really loved it. Some of the techniques are a little fussy. Lots of fancy and unusual recipes, not so many basic ones. A good additional book for home canners, but not a good primary one.

* Update * I tried the cranberry butter recipe for Christmas 2006 and it was terrific.

CMB

I really like this book for its simplicity and visuals. It has recipes for jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys, fruit flavoured alcoholic drinks, oils and vinegars. Most of the recipes I've tried have been successful (beetroot chutney, rhubarb chutney, cordials). The sweetcorn relish was a vinegary disaster and a handful of recipes sound a little too odd for me to believe they'll really work! (banana chutney? pickled mushrooms?)

Original and unusual recipes. The ones I've tried have been very good: Chile-Braised Cabbage and Jamaican Run Down, for example. Vegan recipes are indicated by a special icon, which is useful.

Most recipe books only yield a couple of recipes you use over and over. Several of the recipes in here I have been used often over the last couple of decades, particularly the good, sturdy winter soups.