August 2003
The majority of cookbooks are written for the home cook -
but some "cross over" to influence the world of professional
cooking. With this in mind I checked out four titles from
renowned authors to see if their books are worth stealing
from my mother's bookshelf...
Nigella
Bites: From Family Meals to Elegant Dinners - Easy, Delectable
Recipes for Any Occasion
I love Nigella, a classy woman, beautiful food and
sexy cookbooks (she can change the word order if she wishes).
I cannot imagine that she has any other market in mind than
the consumer when she writes her books, but Nigella Bites
contains beautiful, simple, stylish dishes - three of which
I cooked from the book. Easy Sticky Toffee Desert, Ginger
Jam Bread and Butter Pudding and Stove Top Pudding for Emergencies.
Here's the result…
Nigella has come under fire as some of her recipes seem not
to work as they should however the Easy Sticky Toffee Desert
(which was actually really easy and really tasty) worked well
as the Ginger Jam Bread and Butter (recipe from Granny and
very delish'). However the Stove Top Pudding for Emergencies
was not so good. Don't use this sweet risotto styled dish
in an emergency, it takes 45 minutes to make and the recipe
calls for three times more sugar than is needed. The idea
is good - but needs modification.
Final Thought
Buy this one for yourself. Just tell your friends that you
have got a crush on her or you think she's a genius - once
they have tasted a couple of dishes they won't argue.
Buy It On Line! (Price: $24.50)
Modern
Classics Book 1, Vol. 1
Aussie writer Donna Hay's Modern Classics is a dazzler. With
a bundle of culinary ideas that are totally stealable for
the professional kitchen and executable for the home, Australia's
bestselling food writer has produced a winner. The salad section
has some great new ideas and some fabulous twists on old ones.
Modern Classics is packed with super-large, beautifully shot
pictures and the cooking instructions seem to assume that
the user has some common sense (which is quite refreshing).
On the negative side during the Americanization of the book
- changing the ingredients list from European measurements
to US there is some confusion - so read the recipes carefully
before you start.
Final Thought
Jamie Oliver meets Martha Stewart - minus the fraudulent stock
trades. Buy
It On Line! (Price $17.47)
Speaking
of the man...
Happy Days with the Naked Chef
by Jamie Oliver
Some might accuse me of liking Jamie's cookbooks just because
we went to the same catering college (cooking school). But
truth-be-known, I am more than just a teeny bit jealous of
his youthful golden touch - I want to do what he's doing!
With my envy pushed to one side I opened his latest (U.S.)
title, Happy Days with the Naked Chef. After thumbing through
its pages it looks like more energy, thought and creativity
went in to this book than his previous two. Happy Days is
well laid out, colorful and beautifully photographed. The
recipes are lovely - with the exception of a few wacky ideas
like "Chicken Baked in Milk". But otherwise Jamie is serving
up new ideas from his stylish repertoire of simple dishes.
I had a dabble and put together the "Sicilian Roasted Brill"
- very cheeky! And when figs are in season I will have a bash
at Jamie's "Easiest Sexiest Salad in the World" - Figs, Parma
Ham, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil and Honey Lemon Dressing. The
book is further embellished by the inclusion of a "kids in
the kitchen" section, always handy even if you don't have
or cook for kids - you never know when small monsters might
invade your kitchen.
Final Thought
Nice one mate - Jamie you've scored again.
Buy It On Line! (Price: $24.47)
Sarah
Moulton Cooks At Home
Sarah Moulton's opening line in the book is "read the recipes
carefully and follow them exactly." Which tells you right
off the bat that this book is not destined for defection.
It is light on photographs, but heavy on tips and home friendly
recipes.
Final Thought
This one will stay on Mother's bookshelf - but will probably
get put to good use!
Buy It On Line! (Price:$20.97)