

Indian cookbooks - then and now
"Books, even cookbooks, are written for a diversity of reasons and it is often more profitable to enquire why they have been written than analyse their contents in an uncritical manner. " Shylashri Shankar/The Peepul Tree I guess this particular post stems from one of those books on my desk - The Food of India - a large beautiful book which I picked up from the op shop for a song. Like it's companions in this series from the Murdoch stable on various world cuisines, it feat
Nov 4, 2025


Recipe problems - they still exist
"If you learn a recipe, you can cook the recipe. If you learn the technique, you can cook anything." Michael Symon That cookbook I was planning for the grandchildren - well I'm still working on it, although having been treated to dinner cooked by one of them last night - butter chicken, pumpkin masala, naan - I sometimes wonder why I'm bothering. I also wonder what is the best approach. I think I am aiming, in a less grandiose way, to do what Michael Symon says in his open
Nov 3, 2025


Food for celebrities - a book
"Staying in really is the new going out." Nisha Parmar The pile of books on my desk is not getting any smaller because I keep on adding to it. It's becoming a bit of an addiction which is a somewhat worrying thought. So today I decided to tackle yet one more - a birthday gift from my son and his ex, so it dates back to June. I did look at it pretty much straightaway, but then it ended up in the dreaded pile. So a quick summary - a beautiful cover - well done designers. Go
Oct 16, 2025


Cookbook covers
"Cookbook covers are tricky because they need to convey the story and concept of the book in one photo." David Lebovitz 'You can't judge...
Sep 30, 2025


From an old writer's block to a new one
At least I now have a title, for today's attempt at a post. And I also have a few ideas buzzing quietly in my head. I took that photo...
Sep 28, 2025


Nice food, nice lady
"I just know that it's possible to eat truly good food that doesn't take eons to prepare (although it does need to be cooked with TLC)" ...
Sep 27, 2025


Thinking about self-publishing
I mentioned this book in passing a little while ago, It was a present from my son - a self-published book by a friend of his. As he...
Sep 9, 2025


Cauliflower and chicken - different approaches
This is one of those 'I've got to use up something so what am I going to make?' pieces with some other random thoughts about this and...
Aug 28, 2025


A lucky dip quickie
"This is Réunion. A union of people from everywhere, blended with vanilla, sugar and rum." Yasmin Khan I am running out of time today,...
Aug 27, 2025


How to begin a cookbook
"an ode to the food of my childhood, a mash up of food from Bahrain and the surrounding countries, with a slightly Westernised take,...
Aug 13, 2025


Nuggets
" nugget - a small piece or lump, especially of gold in its natural state" or "something small but valuable or excellent" Cambridge...
Aug 5, 2025


Do I need this book?
Probably not, but I want it - it's an object of desire Continuing with the pile of books on my desk I have mentioned this one a couple of...
Jul 17, 2025


Artichokes begin with A
"The artichoke, like the oyster, is a food that makes an indelible impression on the untried tongue." Bert Greene And because they begin...
Jul 13, 2025


A Jamie book
"We're all familiar with the clichés of American food: junk food and supersizing ... but what is real American food all about?" Jamie...
Jun 30, 2025


The mysteries of authenticity
"While the concept of a fried roll originates from China, the specific combination of chicken and ham is not a traditional Chinese...
Jun 20, 2025


Now is the winter of our content
"a carol to what makes the cooking of the cold months something to cherish." Nigel Slater It has been very cold today - well 'very' is...
May 18, 2025


Gennaro's Verdure
"Each plate is an emotion. In the mind of a cook there are thousands of recipes, every time you change it a little bit." Gennaro...
May 3, 2025


The seasonal divide
"I momentarily forgot that not all Spring celebrations are about Easter, that, for many, Easter isn’t a thing at all, and that not all...
Apr 23, 2025


The problems with first recipes
"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something." Henry...
Apr 15, 2025


A marginally disappointing purchase
"With stunning location and food photography throughout, Danube is your passport to a world of flavours, stories and traditions that will...
Mar 29, 2025

