How many cookery books do you have on the kitchen shelf?

How many do you actually read? Do you use the same books time and time again? Have they become grubby books with creased pages, covered in splashes of ingredients?

In a survey for the recent TV programme, Food Uncut, two thirds of adults admitted to buying the cookery books of celebrity chefs for display purposes only and don’t even try out the recipes! When people look at some of the recipes they find them too long, too complicated and they haven’t got all the ingredients in the house….resulting in a general attitude of “can’t be bothered!”

Many of us have built up our own comfortable repertoire of recipes that we have used over the years for ourselves, friends and family and it would be great to share those tried and tested successes with others. Do email them through to friends in the kitchen and spread the word…everyone will be grateful!

Apparently the most popular UK cookery writers are Delia Smith (a true friend in the kitchen as the recipes are so well tested and work every time), Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson. Have a look at your cookery books on the shelf this week and see if there is a recipe you feel tempted to try out that has been gathering dust. Why not bring back memories and repeat a recipe you have not done for ages. Thinking of a new approach to old favourites could be one way of getting out of a culinary rut and revitalising the meal time slot. Don’t forget to email the results to us if you think it could help other not-so-confident friends in the kitchen!

How about making up a cookery book from the school playground? Do your children have favourite choices? What recipes are easy but effective for the family at the end of the school day? Why not put the recipes together and raise money for the school. If you have already done this please email your experience to share with others….the next Jamie Oliver may be sitting there in the classroom.

an ‘old’ cookery book and a ‘new’ cookery publication:

An old cookery book to bring back to life…

by Martha Stewart. Published by Ebury Press. 1994 - £19.99

Well we know Martha Stewart has had a few problems recently outside of the world of cookery but she certainly produces the most fantastic cookery books. Not just the well planned recipes but the simple food presentation is truly inspiring for any friend in the kitchen. We bought Martha Stewart’s ‘Menus for Entertaining’ in Grassmarket, Edinburgh at the well known ‘The Cooks Bookshop’ (owned by one of the Two Fat Ladies). The book was first published in 1994, following the success of Martha’s first book, 'Entertaining', which has been reprinted time and time again – 25 times and counting!

The book offers 20 complete menus for different events in the calendar year and covers more then 150 recipes. Whatever the gathering, Martha promises “a sense of ease, imagination and generosity”. There are fantastic photographs throughout the book. One that is particularly spectacular is the fresh ham baked in herbs and cut grass – lovely for celebrating spring with lots of people.

The Pink Peony dinner party is definitely worth a try with the baked thatched potatoes, cutting potatoes using the zigzag blade of the mandolin, alternating the slice in different directions. The roast salmon with herbed stuffing looks delicious followed by lemon granita, served in a scooped out lemon.

Crabs and Corn on the beach, sitting and looking out to sea eating tasty crab cakes, corn on the cob (with lime juice and cayenne pepper) linked with the little fruit pies of the Clambake menu, makes for a super summer meal. The Birthday Dinner of Gifts is ideal for a special celebration with the stuffed fillets of beef with leek ribbons followed by golden-candied poached pears.
Lovely!

Obviously the book and recipes have an American flavour and measurements (so you need a cup measure) but it is well worth the effort.

Looked at the latest books and found no inspiration?
Well here is a new book that is just fabulous (and healthy too!)

by Paul Gayler. Published by Kylie Cathie Limited. 2006 - £19.99

Modern and stylish vegetarian cooking by a non-vegetarian and the book is dedicated “to all those who love food – a constant source of joy”.
The photography in the book is first class so if it is simply to decorate the bookshelves …you have made a good choice as it is a delight to the eye and guess what you may be tempted to move from the sofa and into the kitchen.

The layout of the recipes is excellent with a dish to each page (so we don’t make too many mistakes), the ingredient list is very clear and easy to follow. Favourite and imaginative recipe of the book is the vegetable carpaccio (p 44) using a kitchen mandolin and lots of raw vegetable shavings. Looks superb and tastes fantastic. It really is a great choice for the summer this year and zings with vitamins.

We loved the cream cheese, beetroot and truffle tarts and the stuffed courgette flowers (if we can find any courgette flowers!). Avocado salsa rolls lend a Mexican influence and look wonderful for a pre BBQ snack. The fruit ceviche soup is so different but absolutely fantastic. The three grain risotto is another great and healthy success, with a grain combination and vanilla-hazelnut foam. Wow! The kadaifi apple fritters and spice roasted nectarines also need a mention in the dessert category. This really is a great publication for the ‘veggies’ amongst us… and ‘non-veggies’ too. It is vegetarian cookery at its best and offers all of us amazing tastes and hopefully loads of compliments as we serve up.

Roll on green cuisine! This book will be enjoyed by many and deserves a place on the bookshelf…and remember a place by the oven as well.

If you have an old/new cookery book combination then do email it through and we will include it in this section of the website.

A new campaign? ...move the cookery books from the shelf and into the kitchen and start using them!