cookbook wish list + a giveaway

December 14, 2011

Good morning fine friends!

I have an admission. I’m not much of a cookbook girl. I adore the ones I have and turn to them often but I’m much more likely to garner recipe inspiration online. I’d like that to change. Like I said, I love the books I own. We turn to Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything for, well, everything! He has a basic recipe for all you can imagine – it’s a great jumping off point. I was gifted Ottolenghi: The Cookbook last year for Christmas and I adore it. I want my collection to grow.

As I did last year, I’d like to share with you my wish list of 5 cookbooks I’d love to see on my shelves this year. I know they’re not all brand new – I’m a bit behind the times but most of them came out this year and all of them I’m sure would inspire and enchant.

And because I’d like to give something back to you, my lovely readers who have kept coming here week after week to read about my adventures in the kitchen and general ramblings, I’d like to give one of them to you. Details to follow, but first…my wish list, in no particular order:

1. Tender: A Cook and His Vegetable Patch by Nigel Slater

One of my very favourite blogs to read is Orangette, though I’ll admit, often it’s more for the writing than the recipes. Molly just has a way with words. And so, it turns out, does Nigel Slater. Molly has mentioned on several occasions what an inspiration she finds Nigel Slater to be and those recipes of his she’s featured have just really spoken to me. Pudding Cake of Honey, Cinnamon, and Plums. Apple Crumble. Poached Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce. I’d like more of him in my kitchen, on my table, but mainly in my mouth.

2. Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi

I love his first cookbook, enjoy his columns in the Guardian, and now I’ve eaten at one of his restaurants. I think it’s safe to say I’m hooked on Yotam Ottolenghi. His recipes aren’t difficult and the focus is less on technique and more on incredible fresh, vibrant flavour combinations. Top of my list.

3. Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi

There has to be something sweet on this list! Written to complement the Momofuku cookbook, Momofuku Milk Bar reveals the recipes behind what I’ve heard are their addictive cookies, pies, cakes, ice creams, and more. The bakery (in NYC – have you been?) seems to be wildly popular and you can’t seem to go five minutes without seeing their Compost Cookies talked about or baked from this book. I’ll jump on that band wagon in a second.

4. Super Natural Every Day: Well-loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen by Heidi Swanson

If you aren’t familiar with Heidi Swanson’s blog, 101 Cookbooks then get to know it. Her recipes always work wonderfully well and are not only delicious but incredibly healthy and wholesome. I’ve heard rave reviews about how well that translates to this book and I’d love to have it on my shelf.

5. The Homesick Texan by Lisa Fain

Lisa Fain’s blog of the same name offers me a rare connection to the food I grew to love in my year as an honorary Texan. The Homesick Texan cookbook is filled with Texan comfort food like cheese enchiladas drowning in chili gravy, chicken-fried steak served with cream gravy on the side, warm bowls of chile con queso, and big pots of fiery chili made without beans. Not forgetting Coffee-Chipotle Oven Brisket, Ancho Cream Corn, and Guajillo-Chile Fish Tacos. Drooling much? Yeah. That’s what I thought.

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To win one of the cookbooks listed in my Top Five Wish List:

– Leave a comment below telling me which cookbook from the list you’d like to win and why.

For up to two additional entries:

– Follow me on Twitter @Eating4England AND tweet: I’d really like to win the cookbook of my choice from @Eating4England. Enter to win here: http://bit.ly/rrr4sB.

– ‘Like’ Eating for England on Facebook AND leave a comment on the Facebook page telling me which cookbook you’d like to win and why.

This giveaway is now closed. The winner has been selected using random.org and is Amanda Stevens! Congratulations Amanda! Email me at eatingforengland at gmail dot com with your shipping address and I’ll get a copy of Plenty in the mail to you!


57 comments     posted in:   Links, Reading


white chocolate & cranberry biscuits

December 12, 2011

I feel like I blinked and suddenly Christmas is in matter of moments. I can’t tell you how in the mood for it I am this year though.

We’ve been gone for the holidays the last three years in a row (Nicaragua, Vancouver, and Thailand. I know, jet-setters.) and I am just ready to be at home, cosying up and getting in the spirit.

We bought our tree the first weekend in December and I am officially obsessed. I’ve been shopping for gifts, writing cards, listening to Christmas tunes, day dreaming about mulled wine and sausage rolls…. I just can’t stop.

So, yes, I am unabashedly excited about Christmas. Are you?

These cookies seem especially festive to me. I think it’s the red and white combo that does it. They’re another Ottolenghi creation – the man never ceases to hit the nail squarely on the head.

This recipe is from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook and yes, before there is an outbreak of confusion, biscuits are what we Brits call cookies. Usually I opt for the word “cookie” but this is Ottolenghi’s recipe and residing in the U.K. he goes with biscuits. So there.

They’re thin, crispy and buttery beyond belief. Dan inhaled five of them within minutes of me bringing them out of the oven. So…yeah. I’m more of a soft, fluffy cookie girl but these really hit the spot. Chewy cranberries and oats and melty oh-so-sweet white chocolate chips. Your friends would probably keep you a little closer if you brought a batch of these over.

White Chocolate and Cranberry Biscuits
from Ottolenghi: The Cookbook

British measurements are listed first with American adaptations second. If you don’t own a measuring scale I highly recommend buying a cheap digital one so that you can weigh ingredients accurately for baking. Most have the option for grams and ounces. Here’s a reasonably priced option. Also, the argument for using a scale :)

Ingredients

  •  90g plain flour/ 3.7 oz all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda/ baking soda
  • 100g/ 3.52 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 110g/ 3.8 oz soft brown sugar
  • 25g/ 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 80g/ 2.82 oz whole rolled oats (not the instant kind)
  • 60g/ 2.1 oz white chocolate, chopped into chocolate chip sized pieces (or just use white chocolate chips)
  • 75g/ 2.64 oz dried cranberries

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 170C/350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl add the butter, vanilla, and sugars and beat with a wooden spoon until combined. Gradually add the egg, combining thoroughly after each addition.
  4. Add the flour mixture and the oats, then the chocolate and cranberries. Mix to combine but be careful not to over-mix once the ingredients are blended together.
  5. Chill the mixture in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes to help you shape the biscuits. Scoop up a bit of the mixture and shape it into a ball somewhere between the size of an olive and a walnut. Press the balls lightly onto the baking tray. Be sure to space them a good distance apart as they’ll spread quite a bit during baking.
  6. Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, until they’re brown in colour. Remove from the oven and cool on trays before serving.

4 comments     posted in:   Recipe


brick lane sunday market

December 9, 2011

One of my favourite days at home this trip began with a wander through Brick Lane market. From the dodgy stolen goods section, all the way through to Spitalfields Market, we passed amazing food stalls, great clothes, books, crafts, and more cool kids than you could shake a stick at. It was awesome.

Brick Lane is better known for its nightlife when a million Indian restaurants open their doors and try to lure you in (namely by yelling at you about how cheap their food is, which I’ve never quite understood) to dine. I’d never experienced it by day, but apparently this happens every Sunday.

It was only around 12.00pm as we wandered but the bright sun was so low in the sky that we were walking blindly half of the time.

The sun stays like that in the U.K. during the winter months and there was something so beautiful about it as we meandered through the steam and smoke of food vendors, in and out of shops, the sun in our eyes. I can’t wait to go back.


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