Natasha Oakley has written about the joys of cookbooks on thePink Heart Society today.I will cheerfully admit to having too many cookbooks. However, I also find it very fun to get new cookbooks. I like to have cookbooks from places I have visited (or want to visit).Cookbooks from restaurants I have been to (or sometimes want to go to). Cookbooks from certain television chefs. Cookbooks that celebrate certain types of cooking -- we have a lot of Mexican/New Mexican books as Middle Eastern and Italian cookbooks. Because my husband has gone through a curry making craze, we also have a load of Indian cookbooks.
I also tend to cook with the cookbooks. My husband uses the books for inspiration purposes but I tend to follow recipes. I also like reading about the history of recipes or an area.
My latest acquisition Francesco's Kitchen details a lot of Venetian cookery plus has a lot of interesting info on Venice. We are going to Venice in March, so I am interested in learning about the city. I have also been reading John Julius Norwich's History of Venice (but that doesn't have any recipes) and am about to start A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi which apparently does. However, as that book has been lent by a friend, I shall have to be careful. It is one of her comfort reads.
I do not tend to get general cookbooks or how to cook cookbooks.And therefore do not have any Nigella or Jamie Oliver. A good cookbook is one where I can two or three new recipes...
Anyway, I believe my husband has decided that we do have too many cookbooks...that is until I happen to find the next one...
6 comments:
I see that bookshelf, and I think: UTTER BLISS.
My favourite lunchtime read is Nigel Slater (followed closely by Giorgio Locatelli). I also used to enjoy Ruth Watson's pieces in the Sainsbury magazine. I do have two of Nigella's (Feast and Express) and quite enjoy her style. But Nigel... Nobody can beat Nigel, for me.
There is no such thing as too many cook books. My personal library contains over 123 books, and as a chef l am always on the look out for more. My favourite is Wayne Gisslen, Professional Cooking, there is a little bit of everything there.
You will adore Venice. I really enjoyed 'One thousand days' it does have one or two interesting recipes
Hiya,
If you love collecting cookbooks, here's a bunch of One page cookbooks .
/Cheers
YOu would enjoy A Thousand Days, Kate.
Avi -- I have not counted my cookbooks. But you have an excuse...I have no excuse except liking to cook.
Carol -- I am looking forward to Venice and having started A Thousand Days, yes it does have some interesting recipes. It is a bit different than Dear Francesca as there are fewer recipes, but it is wonderfully evocative.
Ramki -- your cookbooks look interesting.
Ah... cook.. books.
Wonderful.
I am with Kate - Nigel Slater is a great read. But I have to say that I have actually used the recipes in Gordon Ramsey's cookbooks in preference to any other writer.
Perfect cold weather reading..
I have a feeling that all of my romances are going to include a scene where someone is cooking..and my first book is set in a bakery! LOL
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