In this book, Delia Smith focuses on foundational ingredients—rice, flour, potatoes, pasta, and eggs—to teach essential cooking techniques. She provides clear, step-by-step instructions for both simple and more advanced dishes, aiming to make cooking approachable for all skill levels. Recipes include perfect sponge cakes, fail-safe pastry, tempura prawns, and a no-fat white sauce, among others. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to building confidence in the kitchen .