Books

 

















Cumulus Inc

$59.95

While this kind of cookbook is really a coffee table book, one to be admired. I find its not the kind of book I would cook from in my kitchen. I'm intrigued by recipes like coconut rice with fresh mango and caramelised orange syrup, or organic carrots with almond cream and harissa.

Out now, this book is beautifully presented. Earl Carter the photographer has such a distinct style that really suits this masculine style of cooking. I've never been to the restaurant in Melbourne, so I can't say if it is indicative of the style of restaurant but you do get a sense of what the restaurant is like through the photos of people eating inside.

It seems to me a lovely fusion of flavours spanning the middle east to Italy and modern Australian. I always love to see this mixture of heritage on plate.

A Little bit of this, a little bit of that   
$35.00
Junior Masterchef winner Isabella Bliss along with her sister Sofia, mother Sylvana and Noona(Rosa) have come together to put this lovely family cookbook together.
If only all families could put together a lovely piece of history like this.
With traditional Italian recipes and loads of family photos, this book really is a peep into this families kitchen. I love the styling which instantly gives a sense of history and individuality into what could be just another Italian cookbook. Don't be mistaken this book is just for kids or first time cooks. There are heaps of recipes to inspire the best of us.
I'm looking forward to trying Sfingi di ricotta e con acciughe- Ricotta or anchovy puffs!

Out of the Pantry
 Here's a newly released cookbook, Out of the Pantry by Trish Heagerty, a stylist I work with regularly. Out by New Holland and will be on the shelves $35.

It has recipes based on items in your pantry, but the photography is what I'd like you all to have a look at.

$35.00 The Great Aussie Asian Cookbook
from Penguin

Kim Terakes has collected all asian cuisine into one handy book.

I can get my head around Thai and basic stirfry's but this book really is lovely the way you can journey from Japanese influences to Vietnamese, Malaysian and Chinese. Its not too difficult and even the most inexperienced cooks could manage a dish or too. With handy hints on how to stock your pantry with basic asian ingredients, it will also help you shop in your local asian grocer.

I tried the Stir Fried Vegetables on page 132. I'm not a mushroom fan, but its uses fresh cloudwood mushroom. A little difficult to find but it was worth it. I loved it. Simple, fresh and all lovely fresh produce which is even better.

Mangia Mangia  $39.95 Penguin

I have always wished I was born into an Italian family. The thought of spending days with the whole family cooking from age old recipes, excites me. To learn how to make authentic tomato sauces, or fresh pasta from family members who have done it all their lives just gives the food a flavour you can't learn. I love that all these recipes never waste anything, the sausages, all the herbs, crusts or breads. Every crumb and scrap adds to the flavour of yet another dish. There's nothing terribly hard to cook in this book. But to feel like you're a part of this Italian family, even just for one meal, is beautiful. MANGIA MANGIA, eat eat!
This book will be given away at the end of the week!

Bake    $49.95 Penguin

After her first book Macroon, I reviewed last year Alison Thompson certainly has not disappointed. A wonderfully  

photographed book, that is not just for beginner but also the experienced baker.

Broken into chapters of breads, brioches, biscuits, muffins, desserts, cakes, and even gluten free.

Stand out recipes for me include chocolate-orange ravioli ohhh, Ricotta cake and even the gluten free chocolate brownies sound healthy.

With easter next week, why not bake some hot cross buns so run out and grab this book.

    I'll be giving this book to my follower 2bites, I know that she is doing some baking courses at the moment and I        think would appreciate this book the most. Enjoy 2bites!

SUMMER COOKING $29.95
A quintessential cookbook for summer. Fresh ingredients, light easy to prepare meals.

This book is one that you would use everyday in summer to change up the usual garden salad for dinner. With interesting variations for a bbq such as Seared beef fillet & kumara with green tarragon salsa. Or accompaniments like Grilled parmesan and Basil polenta. With flavours coming from regions such as Korea, the middle east and greece, there is certainly something that will please everyone.

Become a follower and go into the running for this FREE copy

Made By Hand, by Julie Le Clerc

Made by Hand by Julie Le Clerc, I love her books. I have all the others and I'm so sorry to say that this one I'm keeping. Her food is best described as cafe food. Simple, tasty, one dish meals that are easy to prepare. As with all cafe food, its food we love with a twist.

The book is broken into chapters of Kitchen garden, Superfoods, Grains, Light&Fragrant and many more. More interesting than traditonal, seasons, or by meals. The book is on matt paper with interesting pages on recycling, gardening tips, being organic and eco cleaning.

I can't wait to try the Vegetable Terrine, Upside down Tomato Tart and the Summer Herb & Brown rice sal

ad.

I was surprise to see this book has not only been written by Julie but she has also done all the photography, and although it doesn't say but I think she may have styled the book as well. Beautiful job very inspiring for me as a photographer and as a cook.

The cover is unusual as well. It has a half cover with the back of the book wrapping around so you can use as a bookmark. Love it!

Cook Like an Italian, By Tobie Puttock

A lovely book, with very much an Italian feel just by the photos. The cover has a nice textural feel to it, which adds the richness of the Italian history that emanates from its pages.

Its broken into chapters of regions which is different, and having travelled through Italy I think this is the perfect way to portray this wonderful cuisine.

I have a number of Italian cookbooks,

and the thing that stands out about this one is the richness. Richness of textures, richness of flavours and richness with colour.

I have this book to give away to a loyal follower. If you're not already registered as a follower please get in now. I'll be drawing this one Friday 26th November, so get on the followers list!

Country Women's Association Preserves, $24.95
The art of Preserving is slowly dying. Being a part of the fruit and veg co-op, I often have an excess of one or two items and hate wasting them. I've learnt to dry fruit, bottle sauces, make icecream and sorbets, invent fruit smoothy/whips, but am yet to learn preserving.The Country Womens Association is keeping this tradition alive. I love their books as the history and story behind the recipes are often a book onto themselves. Its also a lovely reminder of time when women would get together and share recipes, that sense of community and helping one another that is now slipping away. It would be lovely if the younger generations could keep this wonderful association alive. Its through these books that recipes such as Spiced beetoot pickle, cucumber relish, bush lemon jelly will 
never be forgotten. The photography is lovely , simple, rustic and really presents each recipe at its best.






Low Gi High Flavour, $35.00A beautifully photographed book that is light and easy to look at, giving you a sense that you're loosing weight just by reading it. At a time in Australia when almost 50% of our population is overweight we can not afford to not have a book like this one our shelves. Its back to basic's, eat well. We are so used to to bulking up our meals that often we need a reminder and and some inspiration on how best to eat and to make it enjoyable. Recipes like Eggplant, spinach and ricotta lasagne, Lamb shank,mushroom and puy lentil soup. Yum!With 130 recipes everyone will find a favourite here. This is a book full of one dish dinners, which I love. There's really no need for sides, and who has the time mid week to cook all that extra food anyway.








The Soup Book  $35.00
With over 150 recipes there is absolutely something for everyone. I love soups they come in sorts of ways, chunky, hearty, healthy, and from all around the world.
Sophie Grigson the editor in chief behind this book has comprehensively covered everything. The basic stocks through to pureeing, thickening, and also the selection of vegies, herbs, spices and pulses.
What I love about this book, is there are more recipes for our fruit and veg co-op to utilize our selections and also that you can freeze a large number of the recipes. These recipes will cater for ever taste bud, cover not only for the vego but also seafood and all meats.
I particularly like recipes like Mexican Chilli bean soup, Hungarian goulash soup and cold soups like Avocado and rocket soup.
I wish penguin had sent me two copies as this is a book I'd really like to keep on the shelf.

the Thrify Cook     $29.95
This book goes through not only cost cutting ways of cooking in an interesting way, but also of using left overs so it feels like you're not eating the same thing over and over again. Simple cooking that really does make you think in a resourceful way. There is whole page on what can be done with a roast chicken, salad, asian style, saute with vegies, pastry parcels etc etc etc.
I've already used some of the ideas from within. I would keep this book on my shelf.
Both these book are published by Penguin and avaiilable at all good bookstores NOW.







 Macaron       $24.95
A beautifully presented book. I particularly like the use of the matt paper, for the old worldly feel. There are handy hints on making the shells and how best to colour them. I did wonder how many different flavours you could possibly make Macarons. There are alot! I like the sound of Black Forest, or Jasmine Tea and Lime. This book gets your creativity stared as the possibilities are endless. The photography by Paul Nelson is beautiful. This would not have been an easy book to shoot, with all the shots being of the same thing. He has done an excellent job, along with the stylist. I am intrigued now and will give making them ago!

BiStrode
I am a little bias as many of the images within this book are mine.
The square format of this book is really practical. There are many recipes from their old menu and recipes that even a novice in the kitchen could wow their guest with. One of my favourites is the Beef Braised in red wine. It takes days of red wine slowly marinading into the beef, but what a dish! So worth the wait.
The recipes incapsulate the traditional english menu of the restaurant while embracing contemporary australian cuisine.
This book was bought out by Fairfax and released at the end of 2008.
You can currently get it from the restaurant direct and any good book stores.