Cookbooks by Nigel Slater, Jamie Oliver
I love that delicious anticipation of discovering a new cookbook. The pictures look wonderful, the recipes sound delicious, you can’t wait to get started.
But I get ahead of myself, there’s the all important step of acquiring the cookbook. Yesterday, I was in a bookshop and got chatting to a few people all of whom were looking very unsure exactly what they were doing there. They needed help.
There’s also the cook who’d like to discover something different – maybe try cooking they enjoyed so much in a restaurant. I needed suggestions from people who know cookbooks, have gazed and drooled over them and of course enjoy cooking! So, with the help of many Twitter followers (thank you everyone!) and a couple of local chefs, here is what WE want for Christmas. And to make it easy for you, I’ve created an Amazon list with all of those (bar one) listed. I am currently stumped with the Martin Wishart cookbook, it seems to be out of print!
We’re a pretty adventurous lot with eclectic tastes which makes this list so enjoyable. Please feel free to add some more – there are bound to be some must-have books that should be there.
Chef Recommends
Neil Forbes at the Atrium restaurant: Manual of a Traditional Bacon Curer
Craig Wood at the Wee Restaurant, Queensferry – Martin Wishart’s cookbook
For beginners/basics
Ainsley Harriott – Just Five Ingredients
Jamie Oliver – Meals in 30 minutes
Jame Oliver – Naked Chef
Simply Inspirational
Rene Redzepi Noma
Two from Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook and Adhoc at Home
The Ottolenghi Cookbook and Plenty
For the baker
The Handmade Loaf from @dan_lepard
The Great British Book of Baking featuring @bakersbunny @pinkwhisk @theboywhobakes
Peter Reinhart Artisan Breads Everyday
Scottish
Sue Lawrence – Scottish Kitchen
F.Marian McNeill Scot’s Kitchen
Nick Paul – The Scottish Farmer’s Market Cookbook
Exotic
Thai Street Food This has to be the largest cookbook I’ve every seen – challenging to find somewhere to put it whilst you’re cooking from it!
India Cookbook – Imagine a 1000 recipes to dip into.
Silvena Rowe – Purple citrus and sweet perfume
Thomasina Myers – Mexican Food
Comfort Food
Nigel Slater – Tender – books I and II
Nigella Lawson – Recipes from the Heart of the Home
Some great suggestions there. I’ve ordered a couple as Christmas gifts! I’d also recommend Darina Allen’s Ballymaloe Cookery Course book. Great for cooking techniques and some classical recipes.
Great suggestion Michael – will have to check that one out!
Thai Street Food is an excellent book, and so much more than a recipe book, it is an insight and a gorgeous photo album. Excellent gift suggestion!
I’ve just had another suggestion from @greenermonday “Fuchsia Dunlop’s ‘Sharks fin& Sichuan Pepper’ gal’s adventures as a cook in China” – I really enjoyed this too.