I am having a couple of weeks off work over Christmas which I am soooooooooooo looking forward to. I know it will go by in a flash, so I am already thinking about some of the things I want to get done that are also relaxing and fun.
One job I have been meaning to do for ages that I think will make my life a whole lot easier is sorting out a recipe file. A go-to list of healthy and homely meals that will solve the what's for dinner tonight age old dilemma. I have collected a few cookbooks to go through that will hopefully sort me out!
1. We have been very inspired by the River Cottage series and feel like Hugh is a good friend. I bought the The River Cottage Family Cookbook a few weeks ago to put under the tree for moi, so can't wait to unwrap it and dive in. I am also hoping to use this as a guide for the garden as well.
2. A Cook's Guide to Grains: Delicious Recipes, Culinary Advice and Nutritional Facts was a birthday present that got put aside but has some really interesting thoughts on the history of grains as well as some intriguing grain based recipes, including homemade cheese crackers and Herring in Oatmeal.
3. "Marie Claire" Seasonal Kitchen: Inspired Recipes and Food Ideas. I have had this book a while and looking forward to giving it the time it deserves. It is divided by seasons and uses seasonal fruits and vegetables. It also has some great sections including my favourite called Deli Desserts, which is about quick-fix dessert ideas from the Deli or Supermarket shelves. For example, cut Turkish Delight into tiny cubes and layer in tall glasses with strawberry coulis and vanilla ice cream, or smash toffee brittle into small pieces and sprinkle over rich chocolate ice cream. Genius advice for the uninspired!
4. Babycakes: Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-about Bakery. Michelle over at Hugo and Elsa put me on to this one. I haven't received my copy yet, but given that we have a lot of food intolerances it sounds like childhood will not be denied cupcakes. And frankly we could all feel better about eating delicious cakes sans wheat, sugar and dairy.
5. Also waiting to be read is Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, I know there was quite a lot of buzz when this was released - which was ages ago, but intriguingly A A Gill describes it as 'Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino'.
Most of these books are not new releases, but I am hoping to stockpile a list of classic and inspiring recipes for family meals in 2010. Wish me luck!
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