When I'm tired of reading novels, I turn to my cookbooks. I've already said that cookbooks are my "porn" and, not to offend anyone, I mean it! I love their glossy pages, lovingly turned and drooled over, the photography so beautiful, the styling so elegant. I can leaf through the same book over and over again (and do) and always find something new to pique my interest. I have hundreds of cookbooks in my shelf so I consider myself truly addicted to cookbook "porn".
My 10 favourite
- Barefoot Contessa (anything by Barefoot Contessa aka Ina Garten) - counts as one choice for the purpose of this list. Ina's style is so accessible that I can forgive the prodijious use of butter and cream. Ina's clear, never fail recipes are like having her in the kitchen with you.
- Sydney Food by Bill Granger. Easy, elegant food by a really accomplished, personable chef. I'd love to be invited to lunch with Bill - he would be so fun, easy on the eye and I'd be assured of getting a good feed into the bargain!
- The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon. Charmaine is an absolute legend in Australia in the field of Asian cooking. Sri Lankan by birth, she has lived in Australia for many years and this cookbook was one of the first on the market to address the food of our near neighbours. You can simply smell the spices when you open the book and any recipe guarantees success.
- Thai Food by David Thompson. David Thompson started out running a little Thai restaurant in the back of a Pub near where I lived. He has grown to be the world expert on Thai cooking and this beautiful book shows his expertise. My copy of this wonder is actually covered in Cerise coloured Thai Silk! Wonderful recipes, wonderful photography, wonderful!
- The Barbeque Bible by Steven Raichlen. I love this little book. The Dimples Barbeque Chicken is to die for and any book that contains a recipe for Beer Can Chicken is alright with me. Delicious sauces in this book - highly recommended.
- Tales and Recipes of a Travelling Cook by Iain Hewitson. Another Australian (or New Zealand) institution. Huey has a show on TV and his casual style really appeals. His books are exactly like that. All easy recipes, all quick to make and all tasty. Try the Butterflied leg of Lamb in a Mustardy Marinade - fab and fingerlickin'.
- The Cook's Companion by Stephanie Alexander. A wonderful book defined by ingredients. If you want to know how to cook Witlof, it's there. Same with Okra, Chestnuts and Chervil. Recipes, basic information, it's all there. Stephanie truly is an institution in Australian cuisine and no better teacher exists. She has also published a book entitled "Kitchen Garden Companion" which is pretty damn fine too.
- Spice Notes by Ian Hemphill. Ian's family were trail blazers in the Australian herb production field when exotic food was considered to be Veal Cordon Bleu or Spaghetti Bolognese. He has a fabulous shop in Sydney where he sells his wonderful range of spices and accoutrement. He also conducts Spice Tours to India. His product is always fresh and you can be sure to get whatever herb or spice you want, no matter how obscure. His book is like talking to him - friendly, easy going with clear explanations of all spices, their origins and history, buying and storage. Not a particularly beautiful book but, for my money, simply the best book on the market about the wonderful subject of Herbs and Spices.
- The Spirit House Cookbook by Annette Fear & Helen Brierly. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. These recipes make your mouth sing. It's a simple as that.
- The Margaret Fulton Cookbook by Margaret Fulton. My first cookbook and the book responsible for my addiction to all things food. Margaret is an Australian Living Legend. Although I probably don't use this book too much any more (as food trends change), how could I not include this in my list? I love it and will never, never part with it, tattered and dog eared as it is.
Barefoot Contessa - Ina Garten
Bill Granger's blog
Charmaine Solomon
David Thompson info
Steven Raichlen, BBQ Bible
Iain Hewitson
Stephanie Alexander
Ian "Herbie" Hemphill
Annette Fear and Helen Brierly, Spirit House
Margaret Fulton, OAM
2 comments:
To anyone reading this blog, I can totally vouch for the Dimples chicken mentioned by Mrs B and featured in the BBQ cookbook. I have had quite a few Dimples chicken meals in my time and I can absolutely, hand on my heart say that I spent the whole meal in raptures!!!! It is just melt in your mouth divine (although unless Mrs B is cooking for you I can't promise anything). Anyway, I have, on many occasions come home and found Mrs B, sitting on the couch, drooling over the Barefoot Contessa or any of the other cookbooks mentioned in her blog so far (not to mention the 5000 others she has in her bookshelves).
My sister and I grew up watching, eating and enjoying Mrs B (mum's) food although the Wild Rice was definitely not a favourite at the age of 10 or so. Mum has given us our love of cooking and my sister's obsession with food has been fostered to the point where even Mrs B is telling her to "get a hobby". Although not as experimental as Mum I think that I will definitely get some hints and tips off this fab new blog that this clever woman has created (as well as the burning up the phone lines).
Be fearless. Write with passion, bare your soul or this will become another boring blog in the spinning sphere.
If this is a challenge blog or the year of challenges, then at least challenge those that read it to stop think and ponder. Doing lists is lazy. Anyone can slap a list together and right on the new year.
Instead Mrs B, what foods scared you or have puzzled you over the years. Make me interested to read your blog.
Good luck.
In the next few months I will return, impress me, give of yourself and see what is returned.
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