56 Book Review F
lavour is first and foremost with any Ottolenghi recipe and his latest book Simple Too proves
that time is no barrier to a fuss-free, tasty dish. Yes, he may be using a couple of lesser known kitchen staples but arm yourself with some tahini, za’atar and harissa and you too can impress yourself and your guests with some appetizing food. Meat, fish, vegetables, pulses and pasta all feature along with cakes and desserts which you could eat straight off the page. Roast chicken with cabbage and soy butter, butternut parmigiana, aubergines with capers and dill and a semi freddo topped with a tempt- ing ‘croissant meets panko’ topping. I’ve already tried the easiest recipe in the book (just 5 minutes prep time!) and it got the thumbs up all round.
The wonderful Claire Thomson (@5oclockapron) has just released her latest book – Dear Grace - a book full of love and recipes from a mother to a daughter embarking on her first kitchen adventures away from home. This is full of easy dishes for cash-strapped students with busy schedules but it’s also infused with a mother’s love alongside precious memories and heart-felt advice. This is proper food with feeling enriched with comfort, but above all, the recipes are easy, tasty and work for anyone. The one pan cookie recipe and potato, spinach and coconut curry are clear favourites but more importantly this feels like a book that will stand the test of time improv- ing with age, spills and scribbles.
I can’t think of many meals in our house where cheese doesn’t squeeze in somewhere – sweet or savoury, cold or hot there always seems to be a place for it and that’s why Cheese Please by Sue Quinn caught my eye. Now we are firmly back in the season of roasts and bakes this is the book to show you how to celebrate cheese in all its forms. The best ways to store it, swap it, bake it, crisp it, crumble it, stretch it and, best of all, grill it! With over 90 indulgently cheesy
by Emma Jones
Page to plate The cook book market already caters well for those ‘ready, steady, cook’ moments when we all need something quick, tasty and healthy but with social media ever-expanding the competition gets stronger all the time.
dishes including dips, this accomplished food writer will have you rushing off to the local deli or using up that tired knob of cheddar currently lurking in the fridge. Twice baked cheese soufflé with walnuts and honey or halloumi and sweet potato scones – take your pick.
I visited Istanbul over 35 years ago and still my memories return to the discovery of kofte and silky-smooth aubergines. I’ve yet to return to this vibrant, magical city but Istanbul by Ozlem Warren is a welcome re-introduction to this delicious and diverse cuisine. In a city where east meets west it is unsurprising that the cuisine is a feast of fusion food soused in history and culture. Travel through the pages like you are exploring the streets of the city from patisserie to street food and breakfast cafes to pickle shops whilst serving up healthy and hearty, delicious food for family and friends. Included are Ottoman classics like Lamb Stew over Smoked Aubergine, comforting borek tray- bake and an array of meze spreads. Proper, authentic, delicious Turkish food – with thoroughly unpronounce- able names.
Riverford Organic celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and, as a veg box customer for over 25 years, it’s safe to say I’m a loyal customer. This autumn they have released The Riverford Cookbook – Easy Evenings – your answer to fast, fuss- free, family meals. Straight forward and seasonal with helpful shortcuts it’s perfect for those flexitarians when vegetables sit at the heart of the meal. The book covers all bases with one-pot meals, hearty salads, puddings and bakes including recipes such as Korean Sticky Pork, Cheesy Carrot Tacos and warming Thai Meatball Broth. I’ve yet to see a copy but with their talented, down-to-earth and instinctive team of chefs (including the brilliant @ emilyontoast) I would definitely add this one to your list.
Shout out for our brilliant local bookshops. It’s Bookshop Day on 10th October so do pay them a visit –there’s no better present than a book.
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