Archive For September 2008
No, it’s not a mistake. Food GLorious Food is the correct title for this book. Note the GL. That’s the clue. This is full of low-GL recipes and I am sure that is music to your ears if you only knew what GL was, either high, low or average. I confess that I wasn’t sure!….
Apple Press has a series of books and all are called 500 something or other. They are great value, chunky books and this one, 500 Cocktails, is no exception. The photographs of these classy drinks are gorgeous. Ian Garlick has done a great job. Wendy Sweetser is the author, and she is an expert on…
If you only want to own and use one cookbook then you should consider the Ballymaloe Cookery Course. It’s a hefty tome but it’s big for a reason. It’s got probably more information than most of us will ever need. A real one-stop cooking manual. Darina Allen has endeared herself to millions all over the…
This book presents the acceptable face of fast food. The Quick and Easy series of cookbooks are always good value and Quick and Easy 20-minute Meals is another gem. These books spend more time in the kitchen than they do on your smart bookshelf. We would all love the luxury of unlimited time to devote…
This well-illustrated book is a must for anyone who is just about to leave home (and mum’s cooking) and start a life alone, or anyone who now finds themselves cooking for themselves. Eating for One is a cookbook full of, as it says, quick and easy recipes but on closer inspection it’s rather more than…
Our language is full of sayings that cover almost every aspect of life. A stitch in time saves nine, All’s well that ends well, Money talks, Like father – like son, It’s a long way to Tipperary…er,…or something like that. Wise Words and Country Ways for Cooks, however, focuses on kitchen-based wisdom and gives some…
I find myself on the horns of a dilemma! I’ll explain, dear reader. This is a marvellous book, Simple Pleasures – Edible Gifts for Friends and Family to give its full title, but there is a problem. Should I give this book as Christmas gifts to all my friends, or should I use the recipes…
Darina Allen is surely one of the most celebrated Irish cooks of our time. If she isn’t then it’s probable that whoever you might consider worthy of that accolade also has the name of Allen: it’s quite a dynasty. There is no doubt though that Darina must win the contest of quickest smile and she…
The Edible Series of food history books is turning into one of my favourite multi-volume collections. Pizza – A Global History is another title recently published and it has the same characteristic high-end presentation and content as the others I have encountered. These are small books but classy so if you are into shelf-appeal you’ll…
The World of South-East Asian Food. Michael Freeman must be one of the most celebrated and prolific photographers around. Ricelands is his latest book (there are over 100 others) but this one isn’t about photography. Have a look at michaelfreemanphoto.com for more of his work. Michael says of this book: “In it, I write about…
Reaktion Books is a publisher that has presented some of the most worthwhile food-related books around. They have just added a new collection of books to their list and you’ll want these if you have ever boasted of having a love of food. The Edible Series has three titles at the moment (Hamburger, Pizza and…
What exactly is Poteen or Poitín? If you are Irish then you’ll already know. If you are American then you will recognise the same beverage under the name of Moonshine. Yes, dear reader, it’s the intoxicating illegal liquor of the Emerald Isle and has a history steeped in folkloric charm and myth. In Praise of…