Simply..sentimental....

25/8/2017

Kondoing the cookbooks has been an interesting (and emotional) exercise. It has been about so much more than food.

The little Scottish book was given me by three teenage pupils (boys) when I was leaving to teach in England. I was so touched! The others are almost worn out and some were given by friends. Nigella Christmas I have given away - way too much fat, sugar and cream - even for me and even for Christmas!

The Complete Avocado Cookbook (still available) is lovely with recipes for every course including really good salads and this special dessert. Combine mashed avocado, whipped cream, beaten white of egg, chopped dates, honey and the juice and rind of one orange. Garnish with a little grated chocolate....Mmmm

Don't laugh, but I've just ordered a cook book! 5 Ingredients - Quick and Easy Food by Jamie Oliver.

Don't you think I was meant to have this one? It was surely designed with me in mind. Ticks all the boxes. And published just yesterday to coincide with the ending of my review of my cookbooks :-)

The kind of cook I want to be..tomorrow...

What kind of cook are you?

20 Comments

Lotta

25/8/2017 11:09:19 pm

That does sound like it was written for you Freda - he must have got the memo! The one I've got my eye on is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'River Cottage Much More Veg' - not out until 21st Sept but it sounds like it might be a good match for me.

Lotta

25/8/2017 11:37:45 pm

PS Have added a few rainy day ideas to diet books post!

Julia

26/8/2017 03:17:06 am

And with collages on my mind, i was thinking that a good rainy day project might be to tear out the pictures and make some collages out of old cookbooks...:-)

Freda

26/8/2017 01:21:37 pm

A 'good match' is a good way to put it, and thank you - we may indeed have more rainy days.

Sheena

25/8/2017 11:44:43 pm

I watched Jamie on tv this week demonstrating recipes from his new book and despite having an embargo on new recipe books I was sorely tempted. The problem is he makes it look so very easy which doesn't transfer to my kitchen. Witness my 40 minute preparation of his 15 minute meal!

Freda

26/8/2017 01:23:30 pm

Thankfully I am not usually in a hurry for a meal.

Julia

26/8/2017 02:32:24 am

5 ingredients is about my speed too, these days, freda...what kind of cook am i?
My son-in-law says that when they open the fridge, they see leftovers and garbage..and that i see possibilities..
I lov the challenge of creating something delicious from what is already here. I never plan. I shop, get what's fresh and see what happens. And often, there are some interesting meals from the leftovers..:-)

Lotta

26/8/2017 02:54:57 am

I do exactly the same Julia - spontaneous improvisation!

Freda

26/8/2017 01:25:06 pm

Creative and innovative (collage idea is good too Julia). My attempts are too often just disappointing. I plan to be better organised.

Mary

26/8/2017 02:56:53 am

I am an ad-lib kind of cook.Take something out of the freezer in the morning with a vague idea of what it might be for dinner, except, of course, when I forget to take something out and then I start thinking about making a pasta or egg dish around 5 pm. Though I like to look through cookbooks, and own many, I rarely use the recipes. But perhaps just reading them rubs off on me. I pick through herbs and spices I have on-hand to flavor dishes. Even then I don't measure, just toss in at will. Just writing this out makes me think I am a rebellious cook!

Freda

26/8/2017 01:27:06 pm

Another problem with this approach for me is if I do create something delicious, I can't ever repeat it1 But hurrah for rebellious cooks!

cath

26/8/2017 08:21:37 am

What kind of cook am I? I have become a disciplined planning one. No improvisation, no surprises. Cooking in this house means cooking separate meals for the two of us.
Your series about cookbooks has made me wonder how to bring more joy in preparing the diet I need to follow. I don't have an answer already.
There's a small stack of cookbooks on my desk (much smaller than your precarious looking collection) and I will add Jamie Oliver - the only cookbook I have by him- for now.
If I manage to find two or three recipes that would be posssible for me- with only small adjustments- my mission to find more joy would be a success.

Freda

26/8/2017 01:28:55 pm

It sounds as if a few very small changes might make the difference and spark joy Cath.

Lucille link

26/8/2017 11:48:41 pm

I think you might like Hugh F-W's Three Good Things.
Just three main ingredients. I turn to it when I want to simplify my week.
I think that Jamie's recipes look easy and quick on television because someone has always prepped the ingredients into neat little bowls for him! I kept Happy Days and At Home but have jettisoned others, sometimes photocopying a frequently used recipe. I did this with Nigella too.
Looking forward to Nigel's new one because he writes so well in winter and loves Christmas.

Freda

27/8/2017 01:56:24 am

Thanks Lucille - I shall take a look and Nigel's new title is very poetic..
I might get by very well with just two or three books!

Swissrose link

28/8/2017 12:32:27 am

Interesting thoughts - I did declutter cook books so should look at what's left...

My granny used to laugh because I would start lunch at 11.45 for 12 when the kids came home from school, so "quick cook" would probably describe my cooking style. Or quick preparation and then leave for however long, as I like one-pot meals both with and without meat. Lately we have been low-carb high fat and find it surprisingly easy, which I didn't expect.

Well now - Delia has been standard for a long time, though she's more of a reference book, tbh. We have several Jamie Oliver cookbooks we consult fairly often, and Nigella gets a look-in, too (I should look at her again now we are allowed high fat!). Hugh F-Wh is also on my shelf for veg and my husband enjoys that and also Italian, regional and fish cookbooks, as he is the more 'exotic' cook in this house - I have aspirational Indian cuisine books but never really used them :o
I did have Polpo and didn't like it at all...!

One cook book I have used a lot is one I've had for 30 years by a German actress turned bio-organic-green advocate which has often appealed. Then there is Swiss chef Oskar Marti, who published four books, one for each season, also nearly 30 years ago but in a style that would be very now, I think - I bought them for their beauty and delicate illustrations as well as the herbs and other lovely ingredients as well as their seasonality - I try to buy things in season as much as possible, which is also traditional here in Switzerland.

There are a few Weight Watchers brochures and other smaller publications that I will peruse now and again, but depending on the success of our present efforts, they may go.

And then, there's the Flavour Thesaurus - always worth a dreamy browse! (Thanks to Cornflower for that recommendation!)

Ooh, got quite carried away, there...

Freda

29/8/2017 02:30:55 pm

Oh I'm glad you got carried away - a lovely read. You can get to know someone from their cookbooks!

Nib's End

29/8/2017 09:38:34 am

I'm the kind of cook who thinks it tastes so much better and looks lovelier on the plate if someone else makes it. Any volunteers? I'll do the dishes.

Freda

29/8/2017 02:32:30 pm

I know that feeling. I used to 'clear the decks' for the cook in our small kitchen.

Angela Conroy

1/9/2017 12:06:16 am

I think Jamie is stealing this lovely lady's idea:-
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/

Check out her site - it' s treasure trove of interesting. 5 ingredient recipes with lots of tips on how to adapt them in various ways.

It opened my eyes to the fact I could cook a delicious, healthy meal without a mile long list of ingredients. Hope you enjoy...

Simply..sentimental....

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