January 4th
2007
Just like you can be certain you'll get to see Dinner for one on New Years Eve, well, on German TV anyway, it'd surprise me if you hadn't stumbled over one of the many Top-Whatever-Lists of 2006. They're everywhere, some funny, a few useful, most very superfluous or even fake/pointless: The other day I zapped over a TV show presenting a compilation of the most annoying people of last year - well, if they are so annoying, why would you want to see them in the spotlight AGAIN?
Food or music related lists I can not so easily pass by. A possible lucky find, something I may have overlooked the entire year, outweighs my usually skeptical tenor. So I double check those, to see if they reflect my own taste, get furious if they missed to include my favorites and am a happy girl if I can spot a new gem.
Anyway, to add to the twothousandsixlist wackiness, below you find some favorite cookbooks and tunes of mine - some of them may not have been published last year, but it was 2006 when I discovered and started cherishing them, all for their very own reasons. And quite positively, I'll manage to miss the one or other...
Favorite cookbooks international:
A Tale of 12 Kitchens - Jake Tilson
It's all been said about this one. Great concept, captivating stories, extraordinary eye-catching design.
Happy in the Kitchen: The Craft of Cooking, the Art of Eating - Micheal Richard
An extensive collection of unconventional techniques and creative recipes - it's amazing what Richard can do with simple potatoes. Immediately makes you want to rush into your kitchen and try yourself. Gorgeous photography.
I like you. Hospitality under the influence - Amy Sedaris
I've tried (a little anyway) to resist buying this cook, to no avail. The opening of the book, including the three different prefaces already made me laugh out loud, just like the whole book, which is packed with plenty of humor, wit (the kind of "Oh my God, did she really WRITE THAT?!!!") and of course recipes. Unmistakable style, a true classic!
Apples for jam - Tessa Kiros
With her third book she continues with yet another gorgeous tale of food, family and travel. Beautifully accompanied with nostalgic shots and casual yet charming food presentations, her books may make your head spin when trying to pick the one you like best.
Breakfast, Lunch and Tea: The Many Little Meals of Rose Bakery - Rose Carrarini
This book would belong to the category "magic spells". Not expecting much, but when I laid my hands on it, I felt any immediate connection and was hooked. 'Love its simple style - less is oftentimes more. The recipes are structured in line with the restaurant's daily schedule and focus more on ingredients than methods, sophisticated photos of the bakery and its customers make you feel like being there.
Also worth checking out: At Home with Magnolia - Allysa Torey , Tana Ramsay's Family Kitchen - Tana Ramsey, Spanish Kitchen - Jane Lawson, Cook with Jamie - Jamie Oliver
Favorite cookbooks Germany:
Cookbooks from the publishing house Thorbecke
A nice surprise on the sometimes a little dreary cookbook market here in Germany are the new books from Thorbecke's culinary line. Edelsüß und Rosenscharf by Rita Kopp, Bratapfel und Ingwerduft and Eine Hand voll Beeren, can't go wrong with any of them, they're all keepers. These books distinguish themselves with a broad spectrum of knowledge about traditional cultivation, use and efficacy of exotic ingredients as well as historical facts, all accompanied by lavish photography and fine nostalgic illustrations.
Sweet Gold - Bernd Siefert
Who is Pierre Hermé? That would have been my initial thought, when I opened the book for the first time. Bernd Siefert, patissier and world champion in his profession, presents a collection of dessert creations, every single one an extraordinary piece of art. Detailed, step-by-step photography demonstrates his workflow and provides useful insights, even though many recipes require special equipment such as a Pacojet. But after all this book is written for Pros!
Mürb & Knusprig. Konfekt und Appetithäppchen - Franz Ziegler
Another masterpiece from the publishing house Matthaes, demonstrating how to create the most wonderful looking tiny treats, may they be sweet or savory. Mouthwatering photography included.
Kulinarische Intelligenz - Jürgen Dollase
FAZ critic Jürgen Dollase presents his thoughts on what he calls culinary intelligence, a great read about how everybody could and should broaden his or her food and eating horizon and ways to apply it to your everyday life.
Götterspeisen - Marion Michels, Dave Brüllmann
Yet another book about desserts. Huge in size and full-format photography, just like an outstanding picture-book. The book's aim is to re-interpret old dessert recipes and give them a new twist, structured according to the four seasons.
Also worth checking out: Fingerfood. Die Krönung der kulinarischen Kunst - Heiko Antoniewicz, Tapas - Das Kochbuch - Juan Amador, Wie koch ich...? - Sebastian Dickhaut, Kochen fast ohne Rezept - Hans Gerlach, Alice im Wunderland - Christine Ferber, Philippe Model, Bernhard Winkelmann
Looking for further inspiration? Other cookbook lists/awards of 2006:
Amazon.com Top 10 Editors' Picks
Amazon.com Top 10 Customers' Favorites
Favorite music:
St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
Love it or hate it, there's no in-between! Funky grooves, an irresistible blend of different styles, pop, soul and hip-hop, smooth vocals with spiky lyrics. "Crazy" was just the beginning - inventive, defiant, wonderful.
Oyebo Soul - Arsenal
It’s a real shame, that this innovative Belgian duo is still rather unknown. An enjoyable mix of bright eclectic sounds that will put a smile on your face, their mix of different languages and styles ranges from electronic beats to Brazilian and African tunes. Highly addictive!
Rabbit Coat Fur - Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
There's no way around the powerful and seductive vocals of Jenny Lewis. You voluntarily get sucked in by this exceptionally charming debut, a moody trip through the lands of pop over folk, gospel harmonies to country influences. Bittersweet storytelling through mostly autobiographical lyrics.
Timeless - Sergio Mendes
Sergio Mendes could easily achieve what so many can't, bridge the generation gap, make parents and kids alike enjoy the same music - but probably not this one. 15 of his timeless classics have undergone a major makeover featuring famous hip-hop artists, urban samba tunes blending surprisingly well with progressive rap and hip-hop. Joyful sounds - for open-minded listeners only.
Lunatico - Gotan Project
The long-awaited follow-up album to their debut can easily hold up to all the high expectations. A little less electronic than La Revancha del Tango, these captivating mellow tango sounds go perfectly with a glass of red wine or an extensive dinner and will spice it up, too!
Worth mentioning: I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass - Yo La Tengo, Half the perfect world - Madeleine Peyroux, Nektar Openminded, Veneer - José González, Splendid Isolation - Yonderboi, Cantoma - Cantoma, Männersachen - Roger Cicero, Kush, Tag und Nacht - Schiller, Versions - Thievery Corporations, Meds - Placebo, Rosa - Rosa Passos, Infinito Particular/Universo ao Meu Redor by Marisa Monte
More music lists of 2006:
Amazon.com Top 100 Editors' Picks
Amazon.com Top 100 Customers' Favorites
So what do you think, what were your favorites in 2006?
Hi Nicky,
I've just recently discovered your wonderful site. Well done! I have been reading Made in Italy by Giorgio Locatelli which I received for Christmas. A really good read with interesting stories, recipes and anecdotes. Highly recommended!
This is not very helpful to somebody who tries to reduce her cookbook purchases for the new year! Damn, I added three more books to my wishlist ;(
My newest purchase is the Oxford Companion to Food, once I finished it (will that ever happen??), I'll be a wise foodie!
With friends like you, who needs enemies!!! Carol only added 3 books to her list.
You've added 11 to mine!
Sheech!
I think you guys led me to a Tale of 12 Kitchens. Thanks! It was awesome. I also loved Jamie's Italy. I'd love to have a framed picture of the one in the book of the 4 generations of pasta makers. I will have to check out some of your music picks.
Um das "Sweet Gold" beneide ich Dich auf jeden Fall, bisher war es mir immer zu teuer, bin ich aber in meiner Buchhandlung muss ich es jedesmal aufs Neue durchblättern. "Götterspeisen" hab ich mir gleich notiert.
Great "best of list" - keep on the good work. I will chose one of your recommendations for my next amazon shopping trip. Thanks for all the fun from your blog.
Das Gotan Project würde auch auf meiner Top Ten zu finden sein :). Und Marisa Monte mag ich auch - das erinnert mich immer an meine Gastmutter Marisa, die war großer Fan von ihr. Daher verbinde ich Marisa Monte immer noch mit zur Schule fahren während die Sonne langsam über der Serra aufgeht.. *hach*
thanks for sharing the list. i adore amy sedaris and just her on the martha stewart show today (a rerun i think). that cookbook of hers looks like a lot of fun so i'll be sure to check it out.
i already have breakfast, lunch, & tea and you're right, there's something very special about this book!
as for my favorites...well, i just moved to paris so i've been attracted to the many dessert books that i'm finding here. the recipes are much more complicated and the likelihood of replicating them is slim but they are gorgeous to look at. especially the pierre herme ones!
btw, thanks for your music recommendations! i'm always on the lookout for new music and you guys have great taste! :)
I received the Amy Sedaris book for Christmas and have reviewed a few recipes on my foodie blog: rachel's bite.
tula's country-style greek salad
crosscut stump stew
and I made the Tiddlywinks Toadstool Pie and will posting about that one tonight.
I also created a top 10 music list and included video's on my personal blog: rachel's odyssey. we only have one in common :)
I love Apples for Jam and have been debating forever whether to buy A Tale of 12 Kitchens. Guess I should get my copy soon. Thanks also for the great music recommendations. Eating well requires awesome tunes and it's also fun to discover new tracks to cook and much to. Have a great new year!
I love Tessa's previous book (falling cloudberries) and was wondering whether the new one is worth buying, too:) I've heard of some of the others, yet there are few new titles, so thanks a lot for the list.
Also - I've discovered some good music thanks to your recommendations before, so your music list is much appreciated, too:)
Thank you for all the recommendations, my wishlist is growing day by day and I can't do anything against it.
"Dinner for one" is always on Estonian national television on 31st December as well! And it's very funny really.
A big thank you for your constant recommendations on this site, although I am trying to ignore them because of my budget. That didn’t work with this post, especially your words about „I Like you” and the Rose Bakery make it impossible to resist amazon.uk.
One book from the island that impressed me: The Prawn Cocktail Years, celebrating all the nostalgic recipes that conquered the world in the sixties and seventies because they were so good in the origin. And as the authors Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham are real Pros in cooking and writing, you can find Prawn Cocktail and Onion Soup, Beef Stroganoff an Crepes Suzette in their best way. No retro and no irony, but great words and photos. (Ok, my Wiener Schnitzel an Gulasch is better - thanks for the recommandation in your list, I am aiming for the Top5 next year!)
I'm always looking for good books about food. Thank you for this list!
I love the Gnarls Barkley and Sergio Mendes albums, and you've just convinced me to buy that Amy Sedaris book. Happy new year!
Dear Delicious Days,
As a Malaysian food blogger, I am very happy that James Oseland's book is on the New York Time's list. I hope more people will learn more and discover Malaysian cuisine.
Jürgen Dollase habe ich schon mehrfach in der Faz gelesen, Geschmacksschule von ihm ist auch sehr gut, Deine Empfehlung kenne ich aber nicht. Noch nicht :)
Sebastian, I am quite proud that I can give YOU (aka lord of the cookbooks, owning in fact the largest private collection I have ever seen!) a recommendation ;)
Even if it's not, the Prawn Cocktail Years at least sounds retro, you planted a seed, of course I will have to take look at it!!
Hehe, Nicky, nice one too („l. o. cb”). But there is more: discovering your shop (we have to talk about this!) I discovered MFK Fisher and the much praised Australian Version of „delicious”. Didn’t know they have a different (and better) one. Thanks.
My newest cokbook indulgement was amy Sedaris, and I totally adore it. Thanks for all the wonderful recommendations!
Happy New Year Nikki!! Can't wait for aother year full of delicious food and photography!
I just discovered your website and love it. I am also enjoying Das Perfekt Dinner on German TV. You might want to take a look. I am improving my German and enjoying a cooking show.
Best regards and Happy New Year!
[...] Deliciousdays: Favorites of 2006 - cookbooks and music [...]
I am another Simon Hopkinson fan. I have a pile of yellowing newspaper pages from the time when he had a regular articles in the Independent. He has only written four books I think, but they are all excellent. "Roast Chicken & Other Stories" is his first and best book, and as the title suggests he writes mainly about simple food, simple but perfect.
James, I agree on Simon Hopkinson and heard from a friend who knows him through the industry that he soon will have a column again, just forgot where. Anyway, my current favourite is "the Art of cuisine by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec" published about 1960. It's much more inspiring then all the glossy food photo art books currently out there. It’s about true love and inspiration by cooking, poems, unique and personal views on food, ingredients, cooking and as he calls his book, the art of cuisine. If you'd like to look at some samples from his book
Thank you for your book recommendations, I just bought Amy’s book and cannot stop laughing, she is insanely brilliant!
I got Amy Sedaris' book for Christmas and totally love it. She is hilarious! Another favorite of mine is Two for the road from the Sterns, which is even better than their Roadfood.