Latest News!
- Lotte Duncan has a new blog site. It looks just as pretty
as
her web site. Have a look at www.lotteduncan.blogspot.com
- Jancis Robinson will be in Germany on 25th and 26th
September for the launch of the German edition of the 6th World Atlas
of Wine. Visit www.jancisrobinson.com
for more details.
- Alan Coxon has just won
(Chefs Category) "Best Potato recipe of the world"! It was a
competition that took place in Peru organised by the Potato Council,
Unesco, the Ministry and the university. The only English chef to win,
and the only person to win two awards!
- David Rosengarten will be conducting a fabulous Gastro Tour
of Alsace from 5th to 12th October. Contact Joseph H. Conlin Travel
Management at www.jhcbh.com for
more information.
India’s Vegetarian
Cooking
How does this woman do it? Monisha Bharadwaj presents us with the most
gorgeous books, each one more sumptuous than the last. The photography
of India by Jenner Zimmermann is stunning and the food photography by
Will Heap is almost edible.
India’s Vegetarian Cooking is a regional guide to some of the most
traditional and delectable recipes from every corner of the
subcontinent. You will recognise some of them that have become popular
restaurant fare but there are many more that will be new to most of us.
There are, in fact, over 130 dishes which typify so much that is fine
about Indian vegetarian cuisine.
India’s Vegetarian Cooking isn’t just a cookbook but it is liberally
laced with Monisha’s poetic prose which will add so much to your
understanding of the religious context, historic evolution and
ayurvedic perspective of food in India. The author has been lucky in
her choice of parents who encouraged their young daughter to try new
foods and to appreciate them in their unique regional setting.
Monisha Bharadwaj writes with passion and evident pride about her love
of all things culinary: “... my love of food and cooking developed. It
was almost like a bud opening into a flower, the myriad taste
sensations gradually becoming more and more distinct as I grew up.” Not
only is this lady a fabulous cook but her writing is rich, colourful
and evocative.... I think she models herself on me!
You’ll want to know a bit more about the food and I can tell you it’s
scrumptious. Whilst not being a fully certified vegetarian, I don’t eat
much meat and seldom eat red meat. These recipes would, however, entice
even the most committed meat-eater with their flavourful ingredients
and comforting textures. Each one is easy to follow and not expensive
to produce.
I am a big fan of lentils of all types and Tangy Lentils with Crisp
Bread (Dal Pakwan) is exceptional. But one of my all time favourites is
Potato and Garlic Balls Encased in Batter (Batata Vada). It’s typical
Mumbai street food with a lovely crisp outside and a soft tasty
interior. There are so many recipes here that deserve a mention...well,
probably 130 of them!
India’s Vegetarian Cooking is a “must have” for any lover of India and
her food but also for the discerning collector of cookbooks. This is a
classy book from a classy writer.
India’s Vegetarian Cooking
Author: Monisha Bharadwaj
Published by: Kyle Cathie
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1-85626-792-2
I Was a Potato Oligarch
What was this book about? To be honest the title didn’t tell me much –
I Was a Potato Oligarch. Was it like being a Burger King? I knew what
an Oligarch was...er, well, OK, looked it up and it’s one of a small
number of individuals that run a state. So where does the humble spud
come into this?
Our author and hero is John Mole, who has the idea that money could be
made from fast food. It’s a popular trend in Russia and he was assured
that he would be able to set up a company to sell filled baked
potatoes, and would soon be reaping the benefits. Sounds simple, huh?
If it had been that easy this book would only have been a pamphlet and
not the funny story that it has turned out to be.
This writer has had extensive experience of dealing with people from
the former eastern bloc countries and I personally would not touch a
business partnership with a 10ft Volga boat pole. But John seems to be
a man who will have a go at almost anything and at least he has a great
book as reward for his adventure. And what an adventure!
We could be generous and describe the ordinary Russian as...um,
..unique. They have a particular perspective that has been born of
hardship and indoctrination. John seems to have been a gift to so many
of the more scheming sorts, and he was very naive. A kind-hearted chap,
he buys a postcard from a beautiful woman on the street. She says she
is a teacher and is looking after her invalid mother. He buys a map
from her and then she offers to spend the night with him. That’s one of
the sadder encounters, but most of the book is densely seeded with
chuckles.
“...A big-boned, middle-aged woman in an ankle-length black leather
coat and a Cossack fur hat, angular face and lidded black eyes and
purple lips and a single eyebrow from ear to ear, a villain from a
Marvel comic.” ...She was the doctor! Get the picture?
This is one of the most amusing travel books around. You don’t have to
know any ex-soviets to appreciate the hilarious corners that John
paints himself into...but if you have known any you will appreciate
that John isn’t exaggerating! A real good read!
I Was a Potato Oligarch
Author: John Mole
Published by: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-85788-509-5
Calamity and Courage
Calamity and Courage – A Heroine of the Raj is another in my collection
of fascinating books about India and all things
Indian that I love so much. It also gave me a surprise as the setting
for the aforementioned heroism is in fact the very part of India that
my father knew so well – a remote area near the border with Burma.
The author Belinda Morse is the great-granddaughter of the Victorian
artist John Hanson Walker, who exhibited the portrait of Ethel Grimwood
at the Royal Academy, and the search for that portrait is in itself an
interesting journey.
Calamity and Courage is the story of Ethel Grimwood and Manipur and
it’s a tragic tale of Government mismanagement and unnecessary loss of
life. It’s the kind of story that would make a romantic adventure film,
a cross between The Life of Florence Nightingale and The Far Pavilions.
There was a lot of family in-fighting around the court of the Maharaja
of Manipur which necessitated the resignation of one Maharaja and the
placement of another. The manipulation of events by the Indian
Government (British Government in India) seemed to have rocked lots of
boats, which led eventually to a massacre in 1891.
Ethel was marooned in the residence with a small force of armed men and
an increasing number of injured. It became evident that they would all
lose their lives if they stayed put so it was decided to start out
under fire to seek help, not only for themselves but for those officers
and men who were by that time held captive at the Maharaja’s palace.
After many days of hardship they were rescued by friendly forces and
conducted to safety. It was, however, many weeks till Ethel discovered
the fate of her husband and the other captives. The uprising against
the British was big news and Ethel was given recognition for her
service to the injured men. She was even invited to meet Queen Victoria
(who took a great interest in events in India) to be awarded the Red
Cross medal.
It seems that Ethel and her husband had a good relationship with the
Indian Princes who had treated them not only with polite courtesy but
with warm friendship and generosity. They seem to have been unwitting
victims of political infighting and both suffered for the prejudices of
those in authority.
Calamity and Courage is a book filled with Victorian attitudes but it
presents Ethel as a young woman with a bit of grit and loyalty to the
princes who were once so kind to her. An amazing read.
Calamity and Courage
Author: Belinda Morse
Published by: Book Guild Publishing
Price: £16.99
ISBN 978-1-84624-215-1
The Wagamama Cookbook
This is the second Hugo Arnold Wagamama book that I have come across,
the first being the gorgeous Wagamama – Ways with Noodles. I was
impressed by that book and I have an equally good impression of this
one. The photographs are almost edible and very stylish. Hugo is a
self-confessed greedy man but he has half a dozen books to his name so
he knows how to write a bit as well!
The whole Wagamama ethos is about simplicity and quality – quality not
only of ingredients but also of presentation. The Wagamama Cookbook has
a DVD attached and it leads you painlessly through the preparation of
several dishes and their cooking techniques.
Wagamama isn’t just about noodles, although they are famed for them.
The book introduces us to a whole host of dishes. There is plenty for
vegetarians as you would expect, but there’s meat and fish, salads and
side dishes, and even desserts.
A good example of a simple but punchy Wagamama recipe is Chicken Chilli
Men. It’s soba noodles with chicken, courgette, green pepper, onion,
spring onion. It’s the addition of the homemade chilli sauce that
elevates this dish into something a bit special. You don’t have to be a
master wok wielder to achieve a professional result.
Sake Amiyaki Gohan is grilled salmon with pak choi, ginger, oyster
sauce and steamed rice. A bit of grilling and a bit of woking and you
have a very smart dinner party dish. It looks very cheffy but it
couldn’t be easier. You don’t have to wait long for the food to arrive
in the Wagamama restaurants so you can assume that all the recipes here
are going to be quick meals to prepare, although you can choose to eat
them slowly!
There is a nice selection of exotic and original desserts. I figure
that it’s a good idea to have a dessert already done if you are
stir-frying for the main course. Lemongrass and Chilli Crème
Caramel with Sake and Star Anise fits the bill for me. It’s full of
subtle Asian flavour and just right to finish either a Chinese or
Japanese meal. Yummy!
The Daily Mail described The Wagamama Cookbook as “A must buy”. If you
want no-fuss healthy food then this could well become a favourite.
The Wagamama Cookbook
Author: Hugo Arnold
Published by: Kyle Cathie
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1-85626-649-9
Meeting the Medicine
Men
This site is called Mostly Food Journal and the space that isn’t food
will be filled with what I hope will interest and amuse you. Lots of
travel and social history, and items like this book that encompass
those topics and much more.
Charles Langley has written this most unique and fascinating book,
Meeting the Medicine Men – An Englishman’s Travels Among the Navajo. I
thought this might be a Victorian anthropological documentary and how
was I going to review a book like that! This is something far different.
Meeting the Medicine Men is the story of a chap from North London who,
via some ‘coincidences’, is introduced to the Navajo nation and, in
particular, to its Medicine Men. Yes, they do still exist and are very
much a part of Indian custom and culture. Although the next generation
don’t seem too interested, the more conservative Indians will naturally
seek out the help of the Medicine Men when western health treatment has
failed. They will trust that those same men will be able to recognise a
curse set by a rival family, and to destroy that curse.
New Mexico is a magical place but it’s the Navajo who are the
impressive element in this narrative. They are far from ‘The Noble
Savages’ that early historians would portray them as. They are regular
folks with a particular perspective. The Medicine Men allowed Charles
to participate in traditional religious rituals, and opened his eyes to
the possibility that there might be spiritual dimensions somewhat
different from the western concept.
Now, I can understand that you might just put that down to superstition
and to most westerners it all seems a bit far-fetched, but Charles
tells of his experiences and it’s enough to make you think! Yes, but
think what? That’s for every reader to make up his own mind but the
story is extraordinary and well worth reading.
We live in a technologically advanced world but even scientists agree
that there is so much that cannot be explained. It’s very easy to
accuse these Medicine Men of trickery but the author assures us that
events that he describes were exactly as he saw them and that sharp
practice would not have been possible. How, for example, could anybody
manage to find a small bundle of sticks and fur buried in the middle of
a desert?
It’s a riveting read and the book will raise questions in the minds of
the sceptical. On the other hand it gives confirming proof to those
that are convinced that the world is more complex and spiritual than
people imagine. I enjoyed this book very much and I suspect that you’ll
enjoy it just as much, whatever your personal conclusions might be.
Meeting the Medicine Men
Author: Charles Langley
Published by: Nicholas Brealey
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-85788-507-1
The Edible Mushroom
Book
No, dear reader, this isn’t a book you can eat but it will point you in
the direction of lots of lovely fungi which you can.
The Edible Mushroom Book – A Guide to Foraging and Cooking is a handy
yet chunky volume, just right to keep in the pocket of your Barbour
jacket. Anna Del Conte and Thomas Læssøe have produced an
attractive and useful tool for the free food gatherer.
Mushrooms can be a bit mysterious. They are often hard to find and it’s
sometimes ticklish to identify the mushrooms when you do find them.
Both France and Italy have staff at chemist’s shops who will sift
through your collection and tell you if they are all safe to eat. I
suspect that the girl behind the counter at Boots might not be quite so
helpful. (Oi, Doris, there’s a bloke ’ere askin’ if we know about ’is
mushrooms!)
Fine illustrations are always a welcome addition to cookbooks, but
these are not only lovely pictures, they might save your life. Mushroom
hunting isn’t like collecting bluebells. You are going to eat these
things and they might kill you if you don’t take precautions. It’s a
sobering thought but it’s best to be armed with all the facts before
you embark on this most serious of undertakings.
The book is divided in two, and the first part, logically, deals with
identification and collection. There must be every kind of mushroom
listed, as well as a collection of Poisonous Fungi, which I would keep
bookmarked! There are, however, far more edible specimens than there
are killer varieties, so the chances of you falling upon a real nasty
are slight.
The second section is devoted to the recipes and they look scrumptious!
Beef Steak in Mushroom Sauce is a tasty example that uses a mixture of
wild mushrooms with robust flavours. Warm Salad of Oyster Mushrooms is
tangy and light, with anchovies and vinegar. What could be nicer on a
hot day, possibly served with some crusty bread and a glass of red?
This book is indispensible for anyone who is even considering
collecting mushrooms from the wild. It can be a fun and healthy pastime
but it’s not a game!
The Edible Mushroom Book
Authors: Anna Del Conte and Thomas Læssøe
Published by: Dorling Kindersley
Price: £12.99
ISBN 978-1-40533-213-2
Figs
Ficus carica, known to us as the common fig, probably
originated in
Asia Minor, and has been highly regarded as a major
contributor to the diets
of many countries. Figs were one of the crops that were known in China
during the Tang dynasty in the 700's BC. 
The fig tree was mentioned often in The Bible with some authorities
believing the forbidden fruit picked by Eve to be a fig and not an
apple. It seems reasonable to suppose that figs were at least in
abundance in the Garden of Eden, as the young couple used the leaves as
underwear.
The fig was such a staple food that Egyptian armies are recorded as
having cut down the fig trees of their enemies, and baskets of figs
have been discovered among the tomb offerings of dynastic kings. The
Egyptians are said to be the first to prize the laxative qualities of
figs. High in potassium, iron, fibre and plant calcium, figs are still
used in medicine as a diuretic and laxative. No, it’s not just your
granny that says they keep you “regular”! Plato documented that Greek
athletes at Olympia were fed a diet of figs to increase their running
speed… Er, well, that would make sense!
Homer wrote of figs when he described the orchard of Alcinous, visited
by Ulysses, which featured figs. The poet Alexis of Thuria in the 4th
century celebrated the foods of the average Greek, which included "that
God-given inheritance of our mother country, darling of my heart, a
dried fig." Its importance in Hellenic culture was third only to that
of the grape and the olive.
Cleopatra did away with herself with an asp brought to her in a basket
of figs, and when Cato promoted the conquest of Carthage, he used the
argument that the advantage of acquiring fruits as glorious as the
North African figs would be quite a nice idea.
Cooked figs were used as sweeteners in place of sugar in ancient times,
and this practice continues today in North Africa and the Middle East
although by choice rather than necessity.
The fig tree can live as long as 100 years and grow to 100 feet tall,
if not pruned. Most gardeners keep trees to a height of 10 to 20 feet
because the fruit is hard to collect from trees much taller than that.
The tree is deciduous with large 3-lobed leaves. The fruits are
considered strange as they bear the flowers inside the flesh and they
rely upon insects to crawl inside to pollinate them. This process is
called parthenocarpy.
There are hundreds of varieties of figs, ranging in colour from nearly
black to almost white, but only the female fruits are edible. In
harvesting the figs, it is important to pick the fruit only when it is
completely mature--usually when it changes colour. A fig should not be
picked from a tree if it is over-ripe, since it will have begun to
ferment. When a fig is harvested it should be soft to the touch; a very
firm fig will not ripen properly. The green varieties are normally
reserved for drying and it takes about three pounds of fresh figs
to produce one pound of dried figs.
Figs are harvested from June till October depending on the region,
although some new cultivars will be ready for eating in April. This
year has been disastrous for figs in the south of France. The weather
was wet in the spring and early summer, the figs are small and hard.
It’s probable that the crop will be very poor.
The shelf life for freshly picked figs is short and the fruit generally
last only about 2 days in the fridge, so if you have a glut think about
making jams. I have Thane Prince to thank for this delectable recipe
for Fig Jam. You’ll find this and lots of other equally scrumptious
recipes in Thane’s book called simply Jams and Chutneys. Have a look at
the review here.
Fig Jam
Takes 45 minutes
Makes 1.35kg
Keeps for 6 months
1.1kg (2½) Ripe figs
Freshly squeezed juice of 2 lemons
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1kg (2¼) white granulated sugar
125g (4½ oz ) liquid pectin
Cut the hard stems from the tops of the figs and peel. Cut the flesh
into 1cm (½inch) chunks.
Put the figs, lemon juice, and zest in a large preserving pan. Simmer
over a low heat for about 30 mins until the figs are very soft.
Add the sugar and continue to simmer over a low heat, stiring, until
the sugar has dissolved.
Stir in the pectin, increase the heat, and cook at a full rolling boil
for 10 minutes, then test for set.
When the jam has reached setting point, pot into hot sterilized jars,
seal, and label.
Fabulous Food
OK Magazine has described Sophie Michell as ‘The Culinary
Princess’ and
she has indeed packed a lot into her career and she is still a
youngster.
Sophie’s love of cooking started at the age of three when she would
play with her toy cooker; by ten she was baking her own cakes and by
fourteen she was a professional.
Sophie moved to London and studied at Butler’s Wharf Chef School for
her Advanced Chef Diploma. She then went to work in some of the
capital’s best restaurants, including The Greenhouse, The Lanesborough,
and The Embassy.
She competed in, and won, numerous competitions which resulted in her
being nominated, at the age of 19, for The Craft Guild of Chefs ‘Young
Chef of the Year’ Award. Not too shabby!
Fabulous Food – Sexy Recipes for Healthy Living is the full title. It’s
a pretty book with attractive typefaces and superb photographs by Chris
Alack. The dishes look wonderful and the added bonus is that they are
healthy.
Sophie has a passion for good food (perhaps we all should) and has
first-hand experience of both weight and health issues. She read a pile
of diet books that all gave a negative message that weight loss meant
unpleasant food. If you’re going to stick to a regimen you’ll need food
that you’ll look forward to eating.
This book will make you smile. Sophie has a chatty style that’s full of
humour. The chapter headings give you an idea of what’s in store:
Social Butterfly, Quick Fixes to fit into that Little Black Dress, but
the most fun is Turn up the Heat!
This doesn’t seem like diet food. It’s smart and tasty stuff and you
could easily eat it for every meal and not feel like you deserve a
medal. The Vine-leaf Wrapped Chicken with Ricotta, Pine Nut and Mint
Stuffing is a lovely example of a dish that looks spectacular, is easy
to execute and won’t break the bank.
Banana Strudel with Chocolate Sauce is bound to be a winner. Sophie
tells us that dark chocolate contains antioxidants! For that fact
alone, Sophie, I am truly indebted!
Fabulous Food – Sexy Recipes for Healthy Living is an attractive and
well written book that you’ll want to own... or give to a special
someone.
Fabulous Food
Author: Sophie Michell
Published by: Sphere (Little, Brown Book Group)
Price: £16.99
ISBN 978-1-84744-211-6
 Spain Body and Soul
This is another remarkable book from those nice people at
Haus
Publishing. This is truly quality food writing, travel writing, poetic
writing, and thoroughly absorbing and charming.
The author H M van den Brink isn’t famed for his food writing but he is
nevertheless famed for writing. He published his first book in1993 but
had huge success with On the Water in 1998 which was translated into
numerous languages and won several literary prizes including the
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.
Spain Body and Soul isn’t a cookbook but it does have some delicious
traditional recipes for dishes such as Chicken with Garlic, and
Hazelnut Cake. It’s more a book about a Dutch journalist living in
Spain and observing life and attitudes. H M van den Brink describes
himself as an eater so he pays attention to meals, eating habits and
culinary culture.
Perhaps the recipe for Bread with Tomato is the quintessential Spanish
dish. It is, in truth, hardly a dish or a recipe but a flavourful
preparation of soft and sun-drenched tomatoes crushed into a piece of
bread. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt complete this
little slice of simple gastronomic heaven.
I could fill pages with quotes from this superb volume. When writing of
something as banal as Churros (long, thin, deep-fried doughnuts) H M
van den Brink writes... “Eaten immediately, hot, they are like most
sins: no less sinful in the heat of the moment than considered in
hindsight, and in any case irresistible.” It’s enough to fill this
writer with literary self-doubts and the urge to throw away her
computer!
H M van den Brink paints marvellous landscapes with his words. Always
well chosen, they describe scenery as well as could any travelogue.
You’ll seek out the dishes he describes and thumb through a few of
these pages as you sit in a cafe drinking a very small, very black
coffee. If you are planning a trip to Spain then consider Spain Body
and Soul as your companion.
Spain Body and Soul
Author: H M van den Brink
Published by: Haus Publishing
Price: £10.39
ISBN 1-904950-79-5
Recipe Scrapbook
This has got to be a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves
cooking,
recipes and collecting. It might just be called a “Scrapbook” but this
is a sumptuous volume that might even become an heirloom!
There are sixteen wallets which are double-sided giving thirty-two
different sections covering desserts, fruit, meat, pasta and any
culinary heading you can think of. The idea is that you collect recipes
from magazines, friends and family and you use the wallets to store
them and keep them in order. There’s plenty of space so it’ll take you
a while to fill.
Caroline Brewester has given you a start to your collection by
including 80 delicious and international recipes. The Fish wallet
offers five recipes, four of which are printed in the scrapbook, the
fifth a very realistic “airmail letter” with a recipe for Grouper. The
“letter” comes from Lebanon where a friend is taking a holiday. Several
other wallets contain similar letters or pre-printed postcards with
recipes. These cards are handy as you can, if you want, send them to
friends.
The Recipe Scrapbook is made of good quality card and has sturdy
binding. It’s not a flimsy notebook and its photo album size means that
it’s not going to get lost amongst your regular cookbooks. If you take
the time to collect your own recipes you’ll soon find that you have
compiled the best cookbook in the world, unique to you and every recipe
a winner!
Recipe Scrapbook
Author: Caroline Brewester
Published by: Duncan Baird Publishers
Price: £16.99
ISBN 978-84483-694-9
Chinese Food Made Easy
Ching-He Huang is a fresh and youthful face which might be
new to those
of you who have missed her cooking demonstrations on UKTV Food. She now
enjoys a bit more well-earned exposure on BBC2 with a series called
Chinese Food Made Easy. If you love the programmes (and who wouldn’t?)
then you’ll want this sumptuous book. But who is this young lady?
Ching was born in Taiwan but moved first to South Africa and finally to
the UK. Her parents ran a business and her mum was often overseas, so
Ching took the responsibility for feeding the family. She was soon
preparing all kinds of Chinese foods incorporating Yin and Yang – the
Chinese philosophy of balance and harmony.
As a teenager, Ching’s creativity encouraged her to have a stab at
acting. But after three years of living on the breadline and
successfully completing a degree in Economics, she began thinking about
earning some money.
What better idea than to start her own food company and that was the
birth of Fuge (pronounced 'fugee', and means “well-being” in Mandarin).
Ching’s products can now be found at retailers such as the Whistlestop
chain and in foodservice outlets. She has also provided the salads at
the Chelsea Flower Show and Wimbledon, as well as supplying a number of
blue-chip companies in the City.
Fuge was followed by the launch of Tzu ( pronounced “ta-zu”), a healthy
soft drinks range, which is now stocked in prestigious outlets such as
Harrods, Selfridges, Fresh and Wild, as well as luxury hotels and
health spas.
Ching was given a cookery series on the UKTV Food Channel at the
beginning of 2005 called Ching’s Kitchen. Gareth Williams, Channel
Executive, UKTV Food, said “She’s refreshing, entertaining, beautiful
and above all makes fantastic food!" In autumn 2006, Ching launched her
first cookbook, “China Modern”, which features over 100 recipes.
OK so that’s Ching, but how about the book? Chinese Food Made Easy is
divided into eight chapters with scrumptious titles such as Dumplings,
Dim Sum and Street Food. Yumm! The photographs are by the celebrated
Kate Whitaker and they are a delight. The recipes are clear and simple
and Ching gives some extra handy tips and serving suggestions.
The food is mouth-watering and I’ll be happy to eat my way through this
book. Spiced Beef Stir-fry from the Muslim part of western China is a
bit different from the typical Chinese dishes, as it uses cumin. You’ll
probably already have all the other ingredients. Such an easy recipe
but delicious.
Ching has included a selection of side dishes and these will enable you
to compose a whole Chinese meal, and with that in mind there’s a menu
planner with ideas for a New Year Party, Romantic Dinner (ahh), a menu
for kids, and other suggestions.
There is no need to feel anxious if you are a Chinese-cooking virgin.
There is everything here that you’ll need to help you cook lovely
meals. Ching talks you through the cooking techniques, tools of the
trade and store cupboard ingredients.
Chinese Food made Easy is inspired by a tradition and culture that has
always valued the thoughtful preparation of food. These are healthy
dishes that are truly easy. Get the wok out this weekend!
Chinese Food Made Easy
Author: Ching-He Huang (www.chinghe.com)
Published by: HarperCollins
Price: £16.99
ISBN 978-0-00-726498-8
My Mercedes is Not
for Sale
You know, dear reader, that I spend lots of time looking
for books that
might inspire, amuse or educate you. My Mercedes is
Not for Sale by Jeroen van Bergeijk is one of those books that I hope
will do all of the above but will probably also have the dubious
additions of filling you with fear, irritation and a dose of shock.
Let’s make one thing clear. I am not saying that Jeroen’s book is
irritating, but his travels present him with people who I at least
would love to smack. It’s an edgy adventure so it was on the cards that
he would encounter the seedy sorts... and he did, at almost every turn.
It’s compelling reading that will keep you turning the pages. The plan
is to buy an old Mercedes in Amsterdam and resell it in a far-off
African state. To this end our hero finds a 1988 Mercedes 190 D (this
will mean something to some of you) with 220,000 km on the clock
(probably one lady owner who only used it to go to church?). His trip
takes him from the relative safety of Holland through Morocco and
across the Sahara.
If you consider travelling to the less civilised African countries then
I suggest you arm yourself with this book. You can start to read it on
the flight over and finish it on the next flight back! Second-hand cars
are big business in Africa and there is indeed money to be made but you
will have to bear in mind that you’ll be keeping company with guys that
would cut your throat for thrupence. It’s a game for the strong and
savvy. If Jeroen had been either of those he would have had a less
“exciting” trip.
This is a rollicking read and a real Boys’ Own adventure of danger,
privation and sandstorms that scour the paint off your car quicker than
you can say illegal drugs... Oh, I forgot to mention drug smuggling!
My Mercedes is Not for Sale
Author: Jeroen van Bergeijk
Published by: Nicholas Brealey
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-85788-515-6
Cooking in a Bedsitter
“The famous book – in print for over 40 years”. This must
be the
cookbook equivalent of The Mousetrap (handy in the old-fashioned
bedsit). Katherine Whitehorn
has written this little gem
which could be retitled “My First Cookbook”.
My young or foreign (from outside the UK) readers might not even know
what a bedsitter was. Yes, it was someone who sat on a bed, that being
mostly the only place to sit, but it was also the name given to the
room, a combination of bedroom and sitting-room. Large Victorian houses
were divided into single-room accommodation. There was a shared
bathroom and almost never access to a real kitchen.
Katherine produced this book to aid all those who only had a single gas
ring and no fridge. Although she has the bedsit in mind this volume
works just as well for anyone who needs to cook quick and easy meals.
You might have a full-sized range with an extractor that rises at the
back like the organ in a 1930 cinema, but it will do you no good if you
don’t know how to boil an egg!
Cooking in a Bedsitter will shepherd you through every cooking
technique and every ingredient that might cross your path. The recipes
are simple and you’ll have no problem with any of them. It’s a book
that has stood the test of time, so be trusting.
There is a classic recipe for Frying Pan Pizza. It sounds a bit odd but
it’s real comfort food. The base is almost scone-like and the kids will
love it. They will also love the Jam Fritters but probably not
after the Pizza! There is a section on meals which can be made the day
before, and a chapter on drinks and parties which has the cost of
providing booze for four people as £1 4s.6d. (£1.22).
That’s utter nostalgia, and charming.
These are not daft recipes. They all work and all of them (OK, not the
tripe) would be delicious. It’s written with Katherine’s unique wit
shining through. It’s not just for bedsit dwellers but for anyone short
of space or money. This would be a godsend on a camping trip or in
student flats. A great book, thanks Katherine.
Cooking in a Bedsitter
Author: Katherine Whitehorn
Published by: Virago Press
Price: £8.99
ISBN 978-1-84408-568-2
East Meets West
This is a celebrity charity cookbook and supports the 2004
earthquake
and tsunami victims. It has a whole host of “big names” but perhaps the
names that you might not recognise are of the two women who deserve the
most thanks and praise.
Barbara Jayson lived for many years in South East Asia and whilst
living in Indonesia started a charity called The Foundation for Mother
and Child Care. She was awarded an MBE for her work in Indonesia in
2004. Jenny de Montfort was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Nigeria
and Cameroon. Whilst living in Indonesia she and a friend compiled a
successful cookbook for charity which inspired this book.
It does your heart good to know that people will devote time to help
others when disaster strikes. Nigella Lawson was one of the first to
pitch in, but food and wine writers, photographers, PAs and publishers
all did their bit to produce a book that the public would really want
to buy. This book is the tangible proof of their success.
The list of celebrated chefs, cooks and worthies is long but you’ll see
who they all are when you buy the book so I’ll just pick a few recipes
that I know my dear reader will enjoy.
Anton Edelmann offers Baked Figs with Goats Cheese and Coriander Salad.
This is a real fusion dish and that is the theme for these recipes.
It’s the combination of East and West that produces something special.
Bill Granger has donated his scrumptious recipe for Coconut Pancakes
with Banana and Passion Fruit Syrup. You know how easy pancakes are but
Bill gives these a tropical twist.
Gennaro Contaldo is a chap I know to be generous with his time so it’s
no surprise to see him here. His contribution is a tangy Orange and
Fennel Salad. Refreshing and light.
I must include Nigella Lawson as she was kind enough to get the ball
rolling and she must have many calls on her time. Thai Crumbled Beef in
Lettuce Wraps is very Forever Summer... er, the recipe is even if the
weather isn’t!
This is a gorgeous fusion cookbook with impressive authors. You’ll buy
East Meets West because it’s a great book and you’ll have the
satisfaction of knowing that others will be getting something they need
as well.
East Meets West
Authors: Various
Published by: Accent Press
Price: £14.99
ISBN 1-905170-02-5
Japanese Pure and
Simple
It’s fair to say that Kimiko Barber is the undisputed
queen of Japanese
cooking in the UK, and this book is just another illustration of why.
Japanese Pure and Simple has over 100 health-giving recipes that are
simple and flavourful and a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The
photographs by Jan Baldwin are gorgeous, giving the large format book
an overall feel of elegance.
Kimiko presents Japanese food as nourishing, balanced and seasonal. The
fresh ingredients are tinkered with as little as possible to retain
nutrients and texture. There is evidently something to be said for that
philosophy as the Japanese have the highest life expectancy in the
world.
The recipes are divided into various categories such as Soup, Fish,
Poultry, Rice etc and they are a marvellous selection, but my favourite
dishes are the Japanese Hotpots. These take fondue to new heights of
sophistication and have the advantage of being good for you. There is
the usual process of cooking raw meats and veggies in a stock but then
you are left with a richer and more flavourful broth than you started
with. Anyone who has a little space at the end of the Hotpot can finish
that broth with the addition of rice or noodles.
Teriyaki dishes are always popular. They are easy to prepare and have
that sweet rich flavour that is irresistible. Teriyaki Pork Steak is
one of those dishes that you’ll make often as either part of a Japanese
meal or served with western vegetables or salads. The ingredients are
easy to find and not expensive, and once the sauce is made you can keep
it for a while in the fridge. It works equally well with lamb chops but
I love it with chicken breasts.
The Japanese are renowned for the exquisite presentation of food and
Kimiko has thoughtfully given us some pointers. You don’t need to
invest in new crockery although I think that a small Sake flask and
cups adds a hint of authenticity. Use your usual plates but don’t pile
on the food, rather create landscapes with plenty of space and artful
use of garnish. Very Zen!
Kimiko Barber writes books that are full of advice to enable you to
prepare truly beautiful but healthy food with surprising ease. Choose
the freshest produce and enjoy these delightful dishes.
Japanese Pure and Simple
Author: Kimiko Barber
Published by: Kyle Cathie
Price: £14.99
ISBN 1-85626-665-6
Damascus – Taste of a
City
This is a long way from your usual travel guide or
cookbook but it
encompasses elements of both. Damascus – Taste of a City is, in fact, a
phone conversation between brother and sister, he being exiled in
Germany and she walking through the streets of their beloved Damascus.
They say that when a man has lived seven years in Damascus, Damascus
lives in him. Rafik Schami lived in Damascus for twenty-five years so
his very soul yearns for the city. He was offered the chance to write a
book about a culinary walk through the streets he knew so well, but how
was he going to manage that when he couldn’t return to Damascus?
Rafik’s sister Marie Fadel came to the rescue with an audacious plan to
collect all the information via the telephone. She would interview
family and friends, collect the recipes and test them before passing
them to her brother. Rafik would do the translating and turn all those
notes into a book.
This is a true step by step guide to Damascus but through the eyes of
an insider. We meet neighbours, friends and family. There is a
favourite chicken recipe from an aunt, a lentil soup recipe from the
family around the corner, and so the tour continues, each encounter
punctuated by delicious food and generous hospitality.
One has the impression that we are eavesdropping on this conversation
but it’s fascinating. Maria reminds Rafik of school friends, of cakes
eaten, of kibbeh cooked on Sundays and of times spent together. She
describes her route in meticulous detail and points out, more for our
benefit than her brother’s, historic buildings and places of interest.
We can follow on the map and imagine ourselves walking beside Maria as
she chats on the phone.
Each alley has a story of tragedy, of courage and of fortitude. We meet
people that have had to endure so much but manage to live life with
grace and good humour. The recipes, however tasty, seem to fade in
importance when compared to the human element of this very personal
travelogue.
We are at the end of our walk. Maria returns home but she decides to
ring exiled Rafik one more time. She falls silent and holds the phone
to the city. It’s the background noise that we all take for granted but
it’s the noise of home, of memories, of family. If you keep a dry eye
through those last pages you are made of stronger stuff than I.
Damascus – Taste of a City
Authors: Marie Fadel and Rafik Schami
Published by: Haus Publishing
Price: £12.99
ISBN 1-904950-3-2
Cupboard Love
Laura Lockington has penned an autobiography that is both
hilarious and
poignant with the common denominator being food. This is brilliant and
my only complaint is that it’s too short. I was disappointed when I
reached that last page. The same sentiment one has when one reaches the
end of a well-needed holiday.
Cupboard Love is populated by eccentric but lovable characters who
offer Laura an enormous range of experiences, both emotional and
culinary. Food, like the smell of perfume or aftershave, has the power
to evoke vivid memories, and Laura’s story is a tapestry woven of meals
and misadventure. Even those less happy encounters have added colour to
her journey.
Not many books bring tears of mirth but this is one. Don’t read this in
a public space for fear of making a spectacle of yourself. The events
themselves are amusing but Laura’s choice of words is nothing less than
inspired. The chapter titled Dinner Parties from Hell will have your
sides aching but there are so many other truly funny anecdotes. Plenty
of nostalgia, not of the “those were the days” variety, but
recollections of Vesta instant meals and PVC raincoats that are bound
to raise a smile with a sizable section of the population.
Perhaps I should warn you that you will read this book twice. I started
reading the narrative and couldn’t stop. It’s compelling and you’ll
need to know what happens next. I reached the last page and had to
return to read the recipes, which all relate in some way to Laura. Each
chapter (apart from that dealing with school dinners!) has a recipe.
So how about the food? The recipe for Strawy’s Christmas Cake
sounds very tempting. It’s not the rich, heavy fruit-laden
traditional but a cake moist with Clementines and lemons which would be
ideal for anyone with wheat intolerance as it uses ground almonds
instead of flour.
This is the first of Laura Lockington’s books that I have read but it
won’t be the last. She has a unique style that I can only compare with
such notable wits as Peter Ustinov and David Niven. There are very few
truly amusing books around but this deserves to be at the head of the
list. A real chuckle but also a warm and human story.
Cupboard Love
Author: Laura Lockington
Published by: Book Guild Publishing
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-84624-280-9
Fish Indian Style
Chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar is one of the better
known Asian
faces on food TV in the UK. His restaurant, Benares, holds a Michelin
star and he has recently opened another two restaurants. I think we can
safely conclude that Atul understands food.
This is a sumptuous book with wonderful photographs by
David Loftus who
shows off Atul’s dishes to best advantage but also adds striking
close-ups of the stars of this book, the fish.
Although a fish eater, I must admit that it is, more often than not,
bland. Chefs will try and persuade you that the lack of taste should be
considered as “delicate”. But many of us prefer more robust flavours
that if well chosen can enhance fish, and Atul has chosen well.
Fish Indian Style offers over one hundred superb and unique recipes for
all kinds of fish and seafood. Most of the dishes have several
alternatives to suit the seasons. Trout might be substituted for
salmon, sea bass or sea bream. Atul has recipes for every occasion and
for every taste.
Fish isn’t cheap so it’s good to be able to be flexible. There are all
kinds of fish, from the pricey for when you feel like pushing the
(fishing) boat out, to cheaper choices like mackerel which is so often
overlooked. Lobster might be beyond you at the end of the month but you
could substitute prawns.
Indian food is a great love of mine and these recipes don’t disappoint.
The food of the subcontinent isn’t always fiery hot but is often
aromatic and subtle. Atul’s ingredients marry well to produce delicious
dishes that are both exotic and simple. The spices are not expensive
and you’ll probably already have them to hand.
There are quite a few recipes here that I would consider outstanding.
Chilli-fried potted shrimps, which is a rework of a British classic,
and Crayfish Samosas, which is a new take on an Indian classic. They
are both simple recipes but produce lovely results for starters or even
an Anglo-Indian brunch or supper buffet. Konkani Fish Curry in a Spicy
Coconut Sauce is perhaps one of my (many) favourites. Its combinations
of spices and coconut typify the flavours of Indian cuisine, and this
is a traditional recipe.
Fish Indian Style will be well received by those of us who want to do
more with fish. It’s an exceptional book with inspiring ideas that will
encourage you to experiment...and probably to eat more fish!
Fish Indian Style
Author: Atul Kochhar
Published by: Absolute Press
Price: £20.00
ISBN 9781904573838
The City of London
Cookbook
This is one of those charity books with various
contributors that I
love so much. The charity in question was the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2006:
The Treloar Centenary Appeal for disabled children. The
contributions
from this book will still be added to the fund.
Peter Gladwin has a scrumptious collection of his own
recipes and those
of other chefs and even the odd Royal... er, sorry Sir, not at all odd,
and... um, thank you for the recipe! They are a lovely selection of
dishes that encompass the cheffy and the traditional, but all of them
could be made at home with no need to rent the Mansion House kitchens
for the evening.
The City of London Cookbook is also a history illustrated with witty
anecdotes and it’s worth buying the book for those alone. Sophia Loren
was gracious enough to admit “Everything you see I owe to spaghetti”.
We also get the insider’s view of international figures: it seems like
American politicians have a limited dining culture. They don’t eat
seafood in shells, fish with bones or chicken attached to carcasses. If
you can’t eat the meal with just a fork then it goes back!
If you love London and especially the City then you will appreciate the
tales of ancient tradition, some of which have lasted 700 years. The
first one we come across is the Sheriff’s Breakfast. Sounds a bit like
a pre-hanging scene from an old western but it’s the breakfast that the
Sheriff is obliged to offer the Aldermen of the City. It’s held on
Michaelmas Eve at 8am and Samuel Pepys wrote of it in 1660. The menu in
those days was a bit different, comprising such “tempting” dishes as
mutton pottage and collar of brawn, to be washed down with ale and
chocolate!
Rick Stein was asked by Alderman David Brewer to create a recipe for
his Lord Mayor’s Banquet. Crab Florentine was Rick’s culinary response
and Peter had the task of preparing 800 to be served simultaneously.
OK, so you do need a big kitchen for that!
This is a fascinating and fun book and thoroughly enjoyable. It would
make a wonderful gift for a foodie, tourist or Londoner - and it’s in a
good cause.
The City of London Cookbook
Author: Peter Gladwin
Published by: Accent Press
Price: £12.99
ISBN 978-1905170388
Persia in Peckham
Just the title was enough to get me turning the pages. Has
it got
something to do with Continental Drift? No, this is simply one of the
best reads around, and it’s not even been penned by a famous food
celeb, columnist or chef.
Sally Butcher has a husband who is Iranian and they own Persepolis in
Peckham, South London (a shop that sells all manner of exotica, and
which I fully intend to visit). When you find a husband you get the
in-laws as well, and Sally is lucky that hers are truly a bonus. This
book draws upon cultural heritage and culinary savvy to create a
smile-inducing mix of recipes and stories.
This is a chunky volume illustrated with sketches and Arabic script.
The recipes are for the most part simple, and different from the
typical Middle Eastern ones that I am familiar with. Sally provides
each one with some background information and often a funny comment.
This is heart-warming stuff even if you can’t cook a whisk’s worth.
Persia in Peckham is full of recipes that I intend to steal! Not all of
those included in this book are Iranian because Sally has thoughtfully
added some dishes from her customers who hail from Somalia,
Afghanistan, Greece and the West Indies. Perhaps that’s what London is
all about.
I love the chapter on Pickles and Preserves, which offers such delights
as Quince Jam with Cardamom, and Persepolis Special Torshi, which is a
sour pickle. The Casseroles section has a host of delicious dishes but
one of my favourites is Chicken and Aubergine Boats, full of warming
spices and tangy pickle.
The recipe that I will not only steal but pass off as my own is
Persimmons Filled with Spiced Cheese. This would be an exotic end to
Iranian or Indian meals, being sweet with a hint of spice and lemon.
The cheese in question isn’t a lump of cheddar or Danish Blue but
creamy fromage frais. You’ll need to buy the book for the full recipe
and you won’t have wasted your money.
I very much hope that Persia in Peckham is nominated for some award or
other. It has already been selected as Cookbook of the Year 2007 by the
Sunday Times. Sally deserves some recognition as a funny and uplifting
writer. Well done, that girl!
Persia in Peckham
Author: Sally Butcher
Published by: Prospect Books
Price: £17.99
ISBN 978-1903018514
Montreal
I lived in Montreal, on and off, for 3 years and I loved
it. It’s a
city that doesn’t often get a mention and that’s a shame: it’s an
inspiring ethnic mix and the climate is....interesting! Today, 3rd
August, it’s 73 degrees.
Canada is famous for maple syrup and the Wintertime is when it’s in
full production and very often you find stalls selling it. The syrup is
poured onto long trays of snow and it takes on a toffee-like texture.
It’s not exactly frozen but it’s stiff enough to twirl around a lolly
stick and it’s delicious.
Schwartz’s is a famous Montreal deli with smoked meats as its main menu
item. This is a surprisingly small shop to have such a big reputation
in the city. Although I am a carnivore, the sight of big slabs of
smoked meat pressed up against the shop window always put me off. Seems
like I was the only one, though. Saturdays would find the line of
customers a block long! Their speciality is pastrami sandwiches. You
know the kind – a heap of meat and just enough bread to keep the grease
off your fingers.
There are a lot of classy restaurants in the old part of Montreal, down
by the Saint Laurence River. This port area is the historic part, and
stone-built. There are cafes which in summer have their tables and chairs
on the pavement, lending a very French and romantic
atmosphere. There is always plenty of street entertainment and
it’s the heart of Montreal’s tourist area. For better value restaurants
try Boulevard St. Denis where you will find more locals
than trippers,
and better prices as well.
For a real taste of Quebec you have to try Poutine. This is a plate
(more often than not a paper tray) of chips (French fries) covered with
a sauce made from curd cheese as well as “secret” ingredients that vary
from vendor to vendor. It might not sound appetising but if you stay in
Montreal long enough you are bound to find Poutine that is seasoned to
your taste. The fries are not the skinny little crispy efforts that are
popular in famous “Macwendykings” but larger, softer chips with a
homemade quality which is the real secret to the success of this dish.
The food shopping is the best! Fresh produce to cater for the needs of
its ethnic  communities
meant that I had the chance to try and to
experiment with all kinds of ingredients that we could only find in
smart speciality shops at home. What a treat! The fruit and vegetables
from Jean Tallon market were outstanding and presented in a most
attractive way in deep round baskets that gave the impression that they
had just been unloaded from a horse-drawn wagon, rather than a
station-wagon.
Coffee shops the likes of Starbucks are popular all over the world but
Canada has a couple of its own. My favourite was Tim Horton’s. It has a
nice range of doughnuts and has real meals like a creamy chicken soup
in the winter. When it’s cold with a wind chill of -38 degrees (yes, it
did get that cold) it’s nice to find a warm spot with foggy windows to
relax a bit.
Well, OK, there is just one other thing that I am not keen on and
that’s Fiddle-head Ferns. Yes, they are real ferns and look just like
the ones you find under trees all over the world. I don’t know if
Fiddle-heads are special or if any old fern would do. They get the name
from the shape.You’ve guessed it - just like the pointy bit of a
violin. They are boiled or steamed and they taste very...er,
vegetabley! It’s the food of last resort, if you ask me. If I and my
fellow hikers were lost in the woods, I would sooner consider my
companions as necessary meal ingredients, rather than those greens!
Have you come across Montreal Steak Seasoning? There are a variety of
mixes available all over North America but I have found that those sold
in the USA tend to have those sweet apple-pie flavours that the local
Montreal-packed versions don’t have. Here is a favourite recipe that is
somewhere near to my memories of delicious well-seasoned steak on a hot
summer night in Montreal. It’s easy to fall in love with this city.
Montreal Steak seasoning.....version 726!!
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons crushed black pepper
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon dry garlic
1 tablespoon dry onion
1 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
A Little Maple
Syrup Cookbook
This
is just one in the series from Appletree Press in Belfast and these
Little Cookbooks are little gems. They are a handy size and would
make the most lovely of gifts for any budding cook. You’ll have to look
at the Appletree Press site for a full list of their titles but you’ll
find that there are lots of them and many published in not only English
but French and several other languages.
This book is just so charming with illustrations by Susan David that
complement the recipes so well. And those recipes are mouth-watering.
If you have never tasted Maple Syrup then you are missing a treat. It’s
like brown sugar but with a richer, more distinct flavour. The real
stuff isn’t cheap but you’ll find it’s worth the price.
Easy Baked Cinnamon Toast is...well, easy! Imagine a cinnamon bread and
butter pudding but without the butter. This would be a stunner as part
of a breakfast for a crowd and you don’t have to watch the grill or
keep loading the toaster!
This is without a doubt my favourite Maple Syrup recipe: French
Canadian Maple Syrup Pie is sweet and delicious and you only need as
small serving (it says here). It’s another simple recipe but memorable
and if you try it you will make it often.
These might be Little Cookbooks but they are impressive. I am tempted
to collect the whole list!
A Little Maple Syrup Cookbook
Authors: Cynthia Cousins and Karen King
Published by: Appletree Press www.appletree.ie
Price: £4.99
ISBN 0-86281-623-8
Istanbul –
Globetrotter Travel Guide
This is just one from a whole series of travel packs
published by New
Holland. They have one of the best reputations for producing
guides for city breaks, being both well-researched and easy to use,
with a book and a large-scale fold-out map. 
You want to get the best out of any holiday but most city breaks last
only a couple of days so you’ll need a good guide book, and my advice
is to read it before you even leave home. Pick out the places of
interest and plan a route. A bit of work beforehand will ensure that
you have a full and memorable visit.
The Globetrotter guides have a plastic cover to withstand all that
in-and-out-of-bag routine that is the downfall of flimsy books. There
is an introduction that gives something of an overview of the country,
and also a handy listing of where to stay, where to eat, useful
contacts and travel tips.
The Topkapi Palace is a “must see” for any tourist and there are ten
pages devoted to just that. There are maps and historic notes. The main
highlights are listed so if you are a bit short of time you can still
see much of what’s interesting.
The guide book shepherds us through courts to The Harem (a popular
attraction for men with lively imaginations), the Sultan’s bath, the
Room with Fountains, the Museum of Holy Relics, to the fourth Court
where you will find the beautifully tiled Circumcision room (gloating
queues of recently divorced or jilted women), and on to the restaurant.
There are another seven areas of the city that are covered in the same
detail – everything from the Blue Mosque to the Bosphorus, and the
Grand Bazaar to Gallipoli and its moving and poignant cemetery.
The Globetrotter Travel Guides are good quality and accurate. The
author of the Istanbul edition, Sue Bryant, is a writer and broadcaster
who has penned several other Globetrotter Guides, as well as numerous
travel-related articles for both newspapers and magazines. Great value
for money.
Istanbul – Globetrotter Travel Guide
Author: Sue Bryant
Published by: New Holland
Price: £8.99
ISBN 978-1-84537-846-2
The People’s Cookbook
UKTV Food was on to a winner with The People’s Cookbook.
It wasn’t just
a cookbook (the one you see before you) but a TV series of the same
name. The judges for the competition, for competition it was, were
Antony Worrall Thompson and Paul Rankin, but the authors of this book
are the Great British Public.
The People’s Cookbook represents what good food is all about. It’s good
ingredients, family and friends, and recipes that people love. These
recipes are not just a list of instructions but more documents of
history and heritage, and a catalyst for stories of joy, tragedy,
courage and fun. You’ll know that these recipes are going to be good
because they have stood the test of time. If grandma’s bread pudding
had the texture of a brick then it’s unlikely that the next generation
would have bothered to preserve the recipe.
I could happily tuck into any of these dishes and I can understand why
people are proud of them. They don’t just cover the spectrum of
traditional British fare but reflect the ethnic diversity that truly is
modern Britain. Some recipes have been adapted from the original if the
ingredients were hard to find in the UK, but the recipes don’t seem to
have suffered for that.
Ann Keeling has a recipe for Chicken Earl. No, this isn’t a scaled down
version of Chicken a la King but a delicious bake of chicken, bacon and
vegetables. It’s the recipe from Ann’s home economics teacher Mrs.
Earl. A great dish to fill up a family of four boys.
Bill Meswania came to the UK as a refugee from Uganda. They were sent
to a camp on Dartmoor before being relocated and the food was a shock.
Bill offers Beteta Wada Spiced Gujarati Potato Balls which are
delicious with a tangy mint and yoghurt dip.
This is a heart-warming and charming book. It has recipes that are easy
to follow and not over-taxing. It has delightful pictures not only of
the food but of parents and grandparents who are the originators of
most of the recipes. The contributors are passing on their culinary
memories and that’s a gift usually reserved for family members. It’s a
lovely book and a treat to read.
The People’s Cookbook
Authors: The British Public with the help of Antony Worrall Thompson
and Paul Rankin
Published by: Infinite Ideas Ltd.
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-905940-75-2
Cooking for Coco
Cooking for Coco? Strange name! Is it like working for
peanuts? Not at
all. This is such a charming book about foods for your baby, in this
case Coco who is the daughter of Siân Blunos. That name might
sound familiar. Siân is the wife of chef and well-known TV food
demonstrator, Martin Blunos. He of the spectacular moustaches. So
that’s the family introductions out of the way.
The meals for your baby are probably the most important you will ever
prepare. You have the responsibility of feeding a balanced diet
appropriate for their age, but had you considered that you are also
moulding their eating habits? Don’t complain that your kids are picky
eaters...it could be partly down to you!
Siân has three children, Coco being the last. She is a busy mum
but wanted to give her kids the best quality and most interesting food.
Both Siân and Martin are chefs and so they understand the joy of
eating a wide range of foods, and why shouldn’t you start to enjoy
those when you are a baby? How about a slightly revamped adult gourmet
menu?
The idea is that you introduce your baby to as many different foods,
flavours, textures as soon as they are able to eat them. Did you know
that babies introduced to chewy foods early are less likely to grow up
to be picky eaters? The wider variety of foods we eat the less likely
we are to develop a whole list of serious illnesses in later life.
So you’re thinking that this sounds like a lot of extra work. Well, no!
Think about it. If your kids can eat, and indeed expect to eat, the
same as you then there is no additional preparation of hot dogs or fish
fingers or anything in the shape of a monster. It’s just one meal for
all members of the family, with a bit of blender work. There’s plenty
of advice about freezing your homemade meals, so some evenings you
won’t need to do any cooking at all. Like the sound of that?
The recipes are simple and flavourful. You’ll want to start with the
fruit puree for small babies, but those purees would be lovely as adult
desserts with perhaps a light dressing of crème fraiche. The
veggie purees are versatile and would work well as either an adult side
dish or part of a gratin. These aren’t dull and boring. Fennel and
Potato Cheese Puree is sophisticated and delicious. The food will get
chunkier but just as tempting as the months go by.
I am sure you have plenty of cookbooks for scrumptious adult food. Your
baby deserves to have equally delectable and exciting tastes. You’ll
swell with pride when your two-year-old says “Pass the kumquats, Mum”.
Cooking for Coco
Author: Siân Blunos
Published by: Carroll and Brown Publishers
Price: £9.99
ISBN 1-904760-30-9
The Japanese Kitchen
 Kimiko Barber has produced a book which
is bound to become a classic. It’s stunning to look at with a wealth of
marvellous photographs by Martin Brigdale which make it appealing to
anyone interested in either Japanese food or culture.
The Japanese Kitchen is an encyclopaedia with recipes...or a cookbook
with amazing information about Japanese ingredients. Either way it’s a
detailed and well-researched volume of 100 ingredients and 200 recipes
both classic and contemporary.
Part 1 consists of an introduction to the history and culture of Japan.
You’ll want to read this as it puts the food into perspective. Part 2
is all about the ingredients. It’s true that there are some unfamiliar
ones here but you’ll find them in many Asian food stores and they will
be worth trying.
Japanese dishes are not just raw fish, rice and noodles, although these
do play a big part. It’s a complex and sophisticated cuisine but not
necessarily difficult to master. There are very few techniques that
will be challenging but presentation is important: simple yet striking.
Spring onions might not be the first Japanese ingredient to spring (if
you’ll pardon the pun) to mind but here they are used in two simple but
typically Japanese recipes. Negi Toro (Spring Onion and Tuna) is one of
the most popular fillings and toppings for sushi. The spring
onion and pork stir fry is quick, has few ingredients and would be a
delicious dinner served with noodles.
It’s no surprise that there are some delightful seafood dishes. The
Japanese are passionate about seafood of every kind and have some of
the most exciting and flavourful recipes. Squid with Salmon Roe is
light and zesty with lemon. Deep fried squid in batter is a classic and
is crisp and succulent, and just right with drinks or as part of a
traditional tempura.
There is a list of Japanese food suppliers with addresses, phone
numbers and a few web sites. If you can’t find Japanese ingredients
near you then you will be able to get them on line. It will be worth
taking the trouble just to enjoy a truly different culinary experience.
“An excellent book” says celebrated food writer Jill Dupleix and I
wholeheartedly agree. It’s exceptional.
The Japanese Kitchen
Author: Kimiko Barber
Published by: Kyle Cathie
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1-85626-769-4
500 Juices and
Smoothies
Apple Press has a series of books called 500 something or
other and
this is one from that very series. They are chunky and colourful
volumes and always great value for money. 500 Juices and Smoothies is
written by Christine Watson who trained at Leith’s School of Food and
Wine and she now works as a food writer and stylist.
This book has a wealth of recipes (well, 500 in fact) and they fall
into various categories. There are simple smoothies and boozy blends,
health tonics and thick and frosty mixes, but lots more. They couldn’t
be easier to prepare so you have no excuse for not indulging. They are
quick to make and portable as well.
We all need our “5 a day” and that’s a target that is sometimes
difficult to achieve. I have a friend who says that red wine and crisps
count as two but you could easily collect some of those five in the
form of juices and smoothies...or you could munch away at a pile of
Brussels sprouts!
You’ll need a few bits of equipment to be able to produce the best
texture of smoothie or juice but Christine explains what you need and
why. Then just add fruit and veggies with some other inexpensive
ingredients and you’re off. This isn’t “cooking” so you see and taste
the results in seconds.
The Health Tonics are what lots of us are interested in. Something to
do us good with no E numbers or extra sugar. Maxi “C” gives a bit of a
boost when you feel a cold coming on. There’s a Cold Remedy for those
of you who didn’t drink the Maxi “C” in time, and a Digestion Smoothie
which is a nasty name for a delicious, fibre-rich and healthy drink.
OK, so there are a few smoothies and shakes that are more for dessert
than health but you can drink these when you are on your own. How about
a Chocolate Marshmallow Cloud Shake or a Peanut Butter and Jam
Smoothie! My favourite is probably Amaretto and Apricot Boozy Smoothie.
Not for every day but what a treat!
Christine Watson has amassed a tempting list of mostly healthy and
always delicious drinks that are made in moments. Buy this book and
you’ll keep the blender out on the counter.
500 Juices and Smoothies
Author: Christina Watson
Published by: Apple Press
Price: £9.99
ISBN 978-1-84543-261-4
Brunch
If we eat our cornflakes late on a Sunday morning we might
think we are
eating brunch but that, dear reader, is only a late breakfast. Brunch
is an event! It’s a great way to feed a crowd in style.
Rachel Lee is a Californian (did they invent brunch?) who lives in
Italy and divides her time between Tuscany and Sicily. She has taken
another look at the whole concept of brunch and has devised a selection
of themed menus. You don’t have to stick slavishly to those; you can
mix and match the dishes and even add a few of your own favourite
breakfast or lunch recipes.
The chapter headings are evocative and charming. November in Tuscany, A
Parisian Valentine’s Day, and Ski Lodge are just a few of the themes.
Each chapter has a menu and a selection of dishes appropriate for the
occasion and season. The recipes are simple but make quite an impact,
so you can cut a culinary dash without all the effort of a full-scale
Sunday lunch.
The English Garden Party menu is a good start. Rachel has been kind
enough to say “The stereotype that English food is bland and overcooked
can be officially put to rest.” There are a few nice twists to the
traditional dishes but this would be a fantastic way of feeding a lot
of people on a warm (we wish) summer day. There is kedgeree, cucumber
sandwiches and summer pudding but also baked Monkfish, Stilton and
Chive Scones and the suggestion of a chilled glass of Rosé.
These lovely recipes could work just as well with other meals. Don’t
disregard this book just because you don’t think you are a brunch
giver. It’s the nature of these dishes that they are quick and easy. No
one would host a brunch if they had to get up before dawn to finish the
preparations.
The art of brunch has as much to do with people as eating. Friends and
family create a convivial atmosphere, and you provide the delicious
distraction of fine food to pick at, to linger over and to admire.
Brunch is a colourful large-format book that will give you all the
tools to entertain in a truly smart but casual fashion.
Brunch
Author: Rachel Lee
Published by: Apple Press
Price: £12.99
ISBN 978-1-84543-244-7
Garden Feast
Growing our own food is becoming a popular pastime and for
several very
good reasons. Most of us are aware that we
should be eating more fresh produce and there is no better way to
ensure you get those quality veggies than by growing your own. Prices
are rising on a daily basis so food from your own garden would help out
the family budget. If you are working in the garden you don’t need to
go to the gym. More money saved! 
Garden Feast is an inspiring volume by Melissa King. She is a
passionate gardener, TV presenter and writer with a degree in
horticulture. The delicious recipes come from Heronswood Cafe in
Victoria, Australia and offer lovely ideas for using the freshest of
ingredients that have travelled less than 50 yards (45.72 metres) to
reach your kitchen.
Melissa has written Garden Feast with, well, gardens in mind and the
bias is towards those with space to cultivate, but anyone with a local
farmers’ market or pick your own farm would enjoy this book. It’ll give
you ideas for those seasonal gluts so you can make the best of fruit
and veg when it’s at its cheapest.
Space to grow food doesn’t mean that you need acres of walled and
romantic kitchen garden. There are plenty of tips in Garden Feast for
those of us who only have a small area with some tubs. Think of the
money you could save if you didn’t have to buy any more pricey bunches
of herbs. How about a few leaves of cut-and-come-again lettuce? You
could grow that on the balcony of a 6th floor flat.
There is a wealth of gardening information relevant to each plant, tree
or root. You’ll learn about growing and harvesting as well as cooking.
The important consideration when growing your own produce is to select
what will grow well on your particular patch and to choose those things
that you and your family will enjoy eating. Melissa provides you with
everything you need to make a success of your vegetable garden.
The recipes are lovely and there are several for each fruit or
vegetable. There are preserves, tarts, salads and bakes. They are
tempting and designed to show off the depth of flavour that you will
find with produce that has never seen the inside of a chilled lorry or
supermarket.
Garden Feast is an ideal book for anyone thinking of growing their own
produce. Don’t wait till next spring, start planning and get the
wellies out.
Garden Feast
Author: Melissa King
Published by: Apple Press
Price: £16.99
ISBN 978-1-84543-253-9
Cooking with Booze
You’ve gotta love a book with a title like that! We are
told that
drinking isn’t good for us so Cooking with Booze presents us with a
delightful solution to that guilt-ridden dilemma. Don’t drink (so
much), just eat!
Ryan Jennings and David Steel are witty and they know their stuff. Ryan
is a food writer and restaurant critic and David is a food writer. The
sumptuous photography by Geoffrey Ross makes these dishes look good
enough to eat...or drink.
Delicious Recipes Using Beer, Wine and Spirits: that’s what it says and
it isn’t a lie. This has got to be more comprehensive than any book on
the subject that I have hitherto seen. We can all think of a short list
of the usual suspects like Tiramisu, Boeuf Bourguignon and Crepes
Suzette. They are all here along with all the other classic booze-laden
standards, but there are pages and pages of tempting recipes that will
probably be new to you.
The chapters take us from Brunch to Dessert and the dishes are
surprising, exotic, romantic, and mouth-watering but all are full of
innovation. Each recipe has a little foreword which is well worth
reading: ‘Nothing says “home sweet home” like bickering siblings and
apple Cinnamon muffins. If these don’t bring some peace to the family,
just pass around the bottle.’ It’s almost poetic!
Oh, but take a look at the recipes! Cranberry-Cointreau Scones, Apple
Beignets with Calvados Cream, Yum! But there’s more than just sweet
treats. Cuba Libre Back Ribs laced with a nice little belt of dark rum.
Braised Lamb Shanks with Sherry-Poached Figs. Mustard-Glazed Brats with
Caramelized Onions probably sounds alarming to my British readers.
Brats are not small unruly children (well, yes they are but not in this
case), they are a type of sausage.
That’s not the end of the alcoholic marvels. Each recipe has a
suggested cocktail, wine or beer so you can have some more booze with
your booze! Vodka Salmon Nests has an Absolut Mojito. Cranberry and
Almond Irish Whiskey Cake is paired with Black Velvet, a real retro
taste of Champagne and Guinness.
Cooking with Booze is full of smart and inspiring recipes and cocktails
as well solid advice about beer and wine. It’s informative but it’s a
lot of fun as well.
Cooking with Booze
Authors: Ryan Jennings and David Steel
Published by: Apple Press
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1-84543-222-5
Wagamama – Ways with
Noodles
Hugo Arnold is crazy about noodles and that enthusiasm is
evident from
the first page of this delectable book. The
photography by Ditta Isager is marvellous and is shown off to best
advantage in this large-format volume. I’ll not say too much about
Wagamama, the Japanese-inspired restaurant chain, I’ll write a review
later. 
There are over 120 noodles-based recipes here. Incredible but true!
Hugo introduces us to various different types of noodles each with its
own texture, flavour and form, and then it’s on to a handy list of
common ingredients. Most are readily available from your local
supermarket but there are several for which you might need to visit an
Asian food store. Once you are set up with your store cupboard you are
ready to tackle the recipes.
Perhaps I should say that you are now ready to tackle the soup stocks.
Don’t think you can just use a cube of something salty and synthetic.
The quality of the final dish depends on the stock so don’t cut
corners. This isn’t rocket science - it’s easy to produce flavourful
broths and there are even alternatives that use stock cubes (but good
quality ones) with the addition of real veggies, etc.
OK, so let’s explore the main recipes. There are chapters on sauces,
soups, wraps, in fact everything that is even slightly noodle-related.
I was pleased to see a chapter devoted to children: kids love pasta of
any kind, and it’s fun to try eating with chopsticks. There is a great
selection of dishes here for youngsters to make (with mum or dad), to
eat and enjoy. The recipes are simple with few ingredients but
delicious combinations such as ginger, soy sauce, orange, chicken and
sweetcorn...little hands might need a spoon for that one!
The recipes are truly scrumptious and provide ample choice for meat
eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians alike. They are simple to make and
rely on fresh ingredients. The dishes work well as a meal for one but
equally for family feasts.
It’s difficult to select just a few recipes that typify this book. Its
charm is that the dishes are so diverse. Pork Gyozas are meat-filled
wontons, Prawn Salad Rolls are light and refreshing and don’t need
cooking, but my favourite is Chicken and Egg Noodles with Black Bean
Sauce. It’s one of those dishes that is embarrassingly easy but has
robust favours and a texture that makes this a regular weekday dinner.
I confess that I am impressed with this book and I didn’t expect to be.
I love noodles but I couldn’t imagine a whole volume of recipes. But
here it is, and I’ll be using it often.
Wagamama – Ways with Noodles
Author: Hugo Arnold
Published by: Kyle Cathie
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1-85626-646-8
The Food and
Wine Lover’s Guide to Portugal
Charles Metcalf and Kathryn McWhirter are a formidable
team. I know of
Charles from his numerous appearances on food-related shows like Good
Food Live on the UKTV Food network. Kathryn has a wealth of experience
as both a food and wine journalist and editor.
I had expected this book to be just a guide to Portuguese wine, but
it’s much more than that. It is, in fact, just what the title says, a
guide for lovers of both wine and food. It’s a sumptuous and chunky
volume that I find most appealing. There is no verbal or graphic
padding, this is just cover to cover information, lovely photographs,
and charm.
This book works on two levels. First, as a guide for those who are
lucky enough to take a trip to Portugal and second, for the rest of us
who want to know more about the country and its food and wine. I should
say that this book will very likely encourage you to go to Portugal
even if you hadn’t considered it before.
Kathryn and Charles lead us around every region of Portugal,
introducing us to wineries, directing us to good restaurants, pointing
out places of interest along the way, and escorting us to the most
comfy places to spend the night. You’ll feel confident that you’re
getting the most out of your visit.
Let’s take Douro as just one example. It’s a region in North East
Portugal. There’s a large-scale map with places of food- and
wine-related interest and accommodation clearly marked. Next it’s pages
and pages of information about wine. Remember we are just looking at
the wine of this small region and there is a handy list of wines to
watch out for. The next section covers food and where to buy it, either
in a restaurant (there is a comprehensive list) or at a market, deli or
specialist food shop.
You won’t want to be eating and drinking all the time, so take notice
of the Exploring Douro pages that are full of ideas to pass the time.
Boat trips, train rides, spectacular views and even local festivals are
all listed, and after a long day you’ll pick your guest house from the
dozens reviewed, relax with a glass of Port and make plans for tomorrow.
Every element of this book had been meticulously researched by people
who have an obvious love of Portugal, its wines and its people. It’s
informative, fascinating and a thoroughly gorgeous book. I hope that
Charles Metcalf and Kathryn McWhirter will consider writing similar
guides for other wine-producing countries.
The Food and Wine Lover’s Guide to Portugal
Authors: Charles Metcalf and Kathryn McWhirter (www.innhousepublishing.com)
Published by: Inn House Publishing
Price: £16.95
ISBN 978-0-9557069-0-5
Homestyle Asian
This is a large format volume with a wealth of photographs
by Steve
Brown and it’s impressive in its presentation and
content, and it even feels solid!
This is one of a series of Homestyle cookbooks from those nice people
at Murdoch Books and I’d say it’s a winner. We are talking
about the
whole of Asia so the recipes are diverse. Each one is clear with
photographs of the finished dish but also photographic step-by-step
instructions and there is nutritional information for each recipe.
You will already be familiar with the cooking techniques - stir-frying,
steaming, etc - and the ingredients are almost all to be found in the
local supermarket. It’s the combinations of spices and fresh vegetables
or meats that makes Asian cooking so popular. We all want to eat
healthier foods that don’t take ages to cook.
Homestyle Asian covers everything from soup to salad, curry to dessert.
The book is divided by food rather than country so the chapter on
noodles and rice includes Udon Noodles from Japan, Phad Thai from
Thailand, Chinese Fried Rice, Singapore Noodles, etc.
There are lots of classic recipes from all over Asia: California Rolls
(have you never heard of Continental Drift?), Tempura, Sichuan Chicken,
Thai Beef Salad, Chilli Crab, Nasi Goreng and many more. This is a
one-stop Asian cookbook!
There are quite a few dishes that are new to me. Hot and Sour
Lime Soup with Beef sounds tangy and interesting, Chilli Octopus Salad
will be flavourful and light, and Noodle Cakes with Chinese Barbecued
Pork will be a stunner for a smart lunch.
There is a nice selection of Asian desserts that would make an exotic
end to your meal. I am often at a loss and it’s too easy to resort to
ordinary fruit salad, but how about a fruit salad with pineapple,
papaya, star fruit and ramboutans! There is a scrumptious Coconut Ice
Cream and you don’t even need an ice-cream maker, but the most striking
has got to be Sticky Black Rice sweetened with palm sugar. It’s easy to
make but will be both delicious and memorable.
Don’t open this book unless you have got a nice cup of tea or glass of
red wine. You won’t want to put it down. A lovely book and great value
for money.
Homestyle Asian
Author: Murdoch Books
Published by: Murdoch Books
Price: £14.99
ISBN 978-1741962192
A Pike in the Basement
Simon Loftus has had a life filled with travel and food.
That’s a
combination that can bring both pleasure and pain and, in this case,
some witty stories. His experiences will make you laugh out loud and
you’ll admire his fortitude.
A Pike in the Basement - Tales of a Hungry Traveller is a history of
Simon’s food-related life. The chapter headings are charming (Harvest
Lunch), thought-provoking (Bullets and Smashed Homelettes), worrying
(Shoot a Sheep for Breakfast) and delicious (Fried Eggs and Chapatis).
So now you are hooked (nice link, huh?) and you just need to know more,
before you even read the first paragraph.
A flooded basement started Simon on his quest for good food and drink.
He was seven years old when a flood filled his father’s cellar. His dad
decided to drink the wine stored there before it was contaminated by
the salt water. Simon can still remember his first sip of ’45 Mouton
Rothschild and he didn’t grow up to be a lager lout!
This is a man with a sense of adventure and a taste for fine food. I
don’t necessarily mean expensive meals and rare ingredients but the
right dish at the right time in the right place. Simon’s memories
revolve around food (and drink) and he has collected some marvellous
ones during his travels. His constitution has enabled him to survive
encounters that would have defeated a lesser man (or woman). Those
experiences have been retold with great humour but I am still not
persuaded that a glass of Retsina is a good idea for breakfast!
“A fresh peach brings back a walled garden in Brittany, the smell of
saffron recalls paella in Andalusia, and the succulence of a watermelon
evokes a dusty afternoon in Isfahan.” Well, how romantic is that! But
this isn’t an over-sincere travelogue, it’s a rollicking good read.
Simon is a cross between Delia Smith and Indiana Jones.
You’ll love this book if you have passions for either food and drink or
travel. It’s poetic and a lot of fun.
A Pike in the Basement
Author: Simon Loftus
Published by: Eland Publishing
Price: £12.99
ISBN 0907871240
China to Chinatown
There can’t be a single town in the UK or North America
that can’t
boast at least a Chinese takeaway or a brace or two of Chinese
restaurants, but have you ever wondered why it’s Chinese food that is
so ubiquitous and not, say, Malay or Turkish?
J.A.G. Roberts has written China to Chinatown – Chinese Food in the
West and it’s a book that goes some way towards charting the history of
our (that is, western) relationship with those delicious dishes that
have been loved and loathed in turn over the last couple of hundred
years.
Eighteenth and nineteenth century Europeans living in China were very
reluctant to even try Chinese food. It was often more of a reflection
of social prejudice than dislike for a cuisine they knew nothing about.
It’s true that there were (and still are) a few challenging dishes. The
prospect of eating dogs was, and still is, rather distasteful to
Europeans who are more comfortable eating a cute fluffy lamb or bunny.
Chinese food became more popular to westerners when they had the
opportunity to eat Chinese food on home territory. Some of the first
restaurants frequented by Europeans were in California where there was
a sizable Chinese population, and having your own Chinese chef became a
status symbol.
There have been various “Chinatowns” around Britain for a considerable
time. These were not places that most of the indigenous population
would frequent. They were considered as dens of vice with laundries,
and the few eateries catered to the Chinese, with no concessions to
western tastes.
These last decades have see our eating habits change, and now Chinese
food is no longer considered strange or fear-provoking. “Instant”
Chinese food was available in supermarkets in the 70s and fish and chip
shops run by Chinese might also sell a spring roll or two.
Ken Hom had a popular TV cooking series in the 80s and he helped to
present Chinese food as delicious, fresh and different. Most of us have
a wok at home and now find Chinese restaurants that don’t offer
European dishes, and these days you’ll have to ask for a fork. We have
come to expect higher standards and are more eager to try authentic
dishes.
The swings in popularity of Chinese food have had more to do with the
politics of the moment rather than culinary preferences. More Chinese
have come to the UK and food is big business. The days of deeply-felt
suspicions are gone and the rumours of cat skins being found in
dustbins are now consigned to the annals of urban myth.
It’s been a fascinating evolution and J.A.G. Roberts has penned an
absorbing account. China to Chinatown probably tells us as much about
our own attitudes as host community as it does about food. A
worthwhile read.
China to Chinatown
Author: J.A.G Roberts
Published by: Reaktion Books
Price: £12.95
ISBN 1-86189-227-6
The Rough Guide to
China
It’s no good thinking you’ll buy a guide book when you get
there, or
get by with a bit of assistance from other travellers. That just does
not work! If your fellow voyagers are any help at all it will probably
be because they have A Rough Guide in the backpack.
You need to plan your trip and take advice from the experts. They have
no axe to grind and nothing to gain by sending you to this particular
museum or those particular restaurants. They have a long-standing
reputation as one of the best travel guide companies around. Their
guides are not one bit rough and you’ll be glad!
The Rough Guide to China is a chunky volume as you would expect. It’s a
big country after all! This is the essential guide that you’ll need
first to plan your trip and then to enjoy it. It’s full of relevant
information and answers all your questions about customs, food, sights
and...Oh, yeah, night life. You’ll stay out of trouble (don’t worry
mum, I’m not a kid), healthy (but I thought it was just a bit of a
rash), eat REAL Chinese food (can I have a fork please?) and you’ll get
to see the most fascinating places. You have come a long way and you
don’t want to miss anything.
Those nice people at Rough Guides seem to have thought of everything.
They lead you through the basics from vaccinations (you don’t need any)
to visas, from weather to wildlife. There are the things to avoid
(drugs, ladies of easy virtue, being the target of any kind of scam,
and policemen), and things that you should know to make your trip the
most memorable for all the right reasons.
The Rough Guide to China is easy to use and it’s divided into regions
to help you plan your travel. So let’s start with Beijing. Your Olympic
gold medal is on its way back home with the rest of the team but you
plan to stay for a while. The information on where to go, what to see
and where to stay is well researched. There is a detailed street map,
and transport information which even tells you where the ticket offices
are. There’s a subway map and a list of bus routes. The accommodation
section is comprehensive with prices indicated.
There are pages and pages of places to go and things to do. All the
places of interest are listed with the English name, the name in
Chinese characters and pronunciation so you can ask when you get lost.
People will appreciate you being able to exchange a few words in
Chinese.
I expect you’ll want to eat at some point during your trip! China is,
after all, home to some of the best food in the world. The list of
restaurants is impressive and you’ll even find street food, as well as
food courts in shopping malls. You’ll be able to ask for common dishes
IN CHINESE!
Talking of shopping, that has got to be high on the agenda for a lot of
people. The Rough Guide to China tells you all you need to know about
where to buy some jade at a reasonable price, clothes (as long as you
are the size of an average Chinese), antiques and souvenirs ranging
from tacky to tolerable. This book could save you time and money.
A trip to the exotic east isn’t just like a day trip to Calais. It’s
good to have a bit of advice to give you confidence. Read The Rough
Guide to China before you go and start dreaming!
The Rough Guide to China
Author: David Leffman, Simon Lewis
Published by: Rough Guides
Price: £18.99
ISBN 978-1-84353-872-1
Stylish Indian in
Minutes
Monisha Bharadwaj has a talent (in fact she has many, she
is also a
classical Indian dancer and an educator) for writing books that are
little works of art. There are over 140 recipes in Stylish Indian in
Minutes and all of them are mouth-watering and yet simple to make.
This volume just oozes class. Gus Filgate is one of the best
photographers around and his stunning pictures are contrasted
marvellously by black and white shots of striking Indian ladies and
gentlemen at cocktail parties and dinners.
Although Monisha was a graduate of Hotel Management she found the
preparation of authentic Indian food in the UK to be something of a
challenge. Her professional training had equipped her to produce
classic French dishes which were popular with family and friends, but
they didn’t provide the taste of home that Monisha craved.
Monisha’s mum had a high profile career which didn’t leave much time
for long-winded recipes. She was however (and probably still is) an
accomplished cook and was well used to entertaining on a grand scale.
She would be able to produce lovely dishes for parties and festivals
with seeming ease and in very little time. But the Indian cookbooks
Monisha found in the UK presented Indian food as complicated,
over-exotic and only to be tackled by those with endless time and the
support of several assistants!
After lengthy phone calls to mum and lots of practice Monisha ditched
the European-targeted Indian cookbooks and devised her own techniques
to provide truly authentic dishes, the sort that are made by truly
authentic Indians!
Obviously there are dishes from all over India that have lists of
ingredients as long as your arm, but Stylish Indian offers delicious
recipes that will not fill you with terror. They have ingredients that
you will find easily and you won’t need to attend culinary school in
Mumbai to achieve lovely results.
The recipes are, as ever, superb and easy to follow and it’s difficult
to pick my favourites. There is so much here that would be ideal for
both vegetarians and certified |
