January 7th
2010
The preference of making lists seems to be widely spread among food bloggers – many interesting ones popped up in my Feed-Reader over the last weeks. Personally, I’ve been writing lists myself forever. As long as I can remember, anyway. Lists about what to pack for riding holidays, lists for movies I want to see, wish-lists with plenty of books I’d like to be given for Christmas (which I still do) and many more. Don’t even get me started on shopping or todo lists (which I write daily). My plans to end 2009 – yet again – with a favorites list was heavenily boycotted by the wonderful time we spent in Rome with our friends Hande and Theo. Who, right in their mind, would sit in front of a computer, when you could stroll through the bustling city instead? See, I knew you’d understand me!
Yet I couldn’t let go of the thought to miss a great list opportunity, hence, over the next days or so I will try to compile seven favorites lists (7*7) of kitchen related things, events, recipes or else. Let’s kick off today with seven of my favorite cookbooks of the last year (not necessarily published in 2009):
Chocolate – A Love Story by Max Brenner
A feast for your eyes. If you’re into colorful illustrations, this one is for you (if you’re looking for luscious dessert photography, it’s probably not the right choice though). Some day I might actually attempt a recipe from this huge orange title, for now I’m just in awe about the sheer beauty of it.
The Art and Soul of Baking by Cindy Mushet
A brickstone of a book. This impressive volume has everything one could wish for and more, basic instructions, background knowledge and full page photography, all assembled in a very approachable layout. The medley of traditional and rather innovative recipes holds something for baking novice and advanced bakers alike. Everything I’ve tried so far was a hit (that potato, onion and gruyère galette!). Measurements in both volume and weight.
Mastering Cheese by Max McCalman and David Gibbons
Although I’m usually a bit intimidated by single subject cookbooks (food books), because they tend to overwhelm with depth of knowledge, this one is indispensable for cheese lovers. Within 22 chapters maître fromager Max McCalman takes you on a trip to become a cheese connoisseur, from buying to arranging cheese tastings to judging, let alone history and production. So much more than the typical guide book, it pulls me in whenever I just want to check some facts about a certain cheese.
Leon by Allegra McEvedy
I’m a little biased about this one. I doubt that another cookbooks out there comes even close to Leon’s adorably designed and very informative ingredients part (first half of the book). When I first held it in my hands, I couldn’t wait to turn each page, always curious what the designers might have cooked up next. The removable cheese territories map alone made me swoon! But truth be told, since one or two recipes didn’t work out as expected, I use it more as a reference book than to actually cook from it.
The Songs of Sapa by Luke Nguyen
Back to the brickstone department, again. Some may know Luke Nguyen from Secrets of the Red Latern. This time he travels his home country Vietnam and shares family recipes and stories. He introduces the reader to the regional diversity as well as the beauty of his country and the exceptionally stunning (food) photography draws you in immediately. Together with the modern layout and the choices of fonts this book is utter eye-candy.
Wild, Wild East by Bobby Chinn
Yet another book about Vietnamese cuisine, this time with a different spin. I mean it in the best possible way, when I compare Bobby Chinn’s recipes to Jamie Oliver’s: fast, approachable, manageable list of ingredients, often with an unusual twist.
Little Italy by Laura Zavan
To convince me to add another book to my copious collection about Italian cuisine means the book either needs a new approach, great recipes or a capturing design. Little Italy has all three. I especially value Laura Zavan’s general tips on what to do with typical Italian ingredients and her chapters on fresh pasta.
Not satisfied, you still crave for more? A lot of the usual suspects have found their way into my extremely packed Billys, too. Momofuku, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, The Blackberry Farm Cookbook, Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day or Encyclopedia of Pasta are – not without reason – all crowd-pleasers and have added both, inspiration and good recipes to my kitchen repertoire.
Not to forget: the sudden death of Gourmet left a gap that will be hard to fill. Thank god my subscription already ended, because Condé Nast’s sent substitution (Bon Appetit) couldn’t charm me. Instead Jamie magazine could. And the German magazine Effilee could, too (although I agree with the frequently expressed point of criticism: the spare fashion shots with extra slim models I do need not).
And – although this is not a cookbook – the documentary Food, Inc. has left a huge impression last year. Sadly this film won’t get the audience it deserves, the people I know, who watched it, are already very much interested in the subject of food (as well as the politics and problems behind it). You haven’t seen it yet? Order it now!
How about you? Any cookbook you enjoyed in particular last year?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kerrin Rousset [...]
Thanks for all these great book recommendations. I will certainly look into all of them, as none of them has made it to my sidetable yet.
My favorite 2009 one (though not pubished in 2009) is "Sunday Suppers at Lucques" by Suzanne Goin. Lucques in LA has been one of my favorite restaurant for years and when a friend gave me this cookbook, I started to cook my way throught he pages. Some of the recipes might be a bit intimidating for the not so experienced cook, but I can reassure you, they are all worth trying. Not a single recipe failed to convince me to the fullest. Give it a try!
My daugher gave me a slew of cookbooks for Christmas, but not any of the above. I decided I would read each one cover to cover and pick out one recipe from each to do each month.
Haven't started yet, but Ad Hoc is the first one I'm going to read.
Thank you for the review of the Art and Soul of Baking. I've been wondering about this book.
I bought more cookbooks last year than I'd like to admit. My favorite acquisition I bought for holiday baking, The Art of Scandinavian Baking, has been a real delight.
Natalie @ gluten a go go
I was pleased with both Gordon Ramsey's and Jamie Oliver's latest cookbooks, "Cooking for friends" and "Jamie's America". Attractive pictures and good reading I think!
Oh, eine verlockende Liste. Keines von den sieben Büchern war unter meine "Lupe" gekommen. Danke!
Zu meinen Favoriten:
Ganz toll finde ich Mitch Tonks Titel "Fisch" (nächste Woche bei Val), sprachlos machte mich Nigel Slaters Volume 1 "Vegetables", James Petterson "Baking" - klasse, "Rose Bakery" von Rose Carririani nehme ich so gern zur Hand, "Lauter Lieblingsdesserts" von Marianne Wildeisen, die Rezepte haben es mir angetan (nur das Layout/Fotos hinkt dem Inhalt hinterher) - und das Gourmet Magazine, jede Ausgabe. Die Zeitschrift vermisse ich schmerzlich!
I recommend Nose to Tail Eating
Definitely interested in The Art and Soul of Baking and Leon! This is a great list. Happy New Year!
I'm excited about my book... if I say so myself. Haha. But that's not until next Fall.
Ach, ich habe letztes Jahr so viele Kochbücher angeschafft, dass meine "Bibliothek" aus allen Nähten platzt. Bei dieser Auswahl kann ich mich kaum beherrschen.
I recommend: "Brot für Genießer: 53 Variationen" und
"Brot und Gebäck für Genießer: 50 neue Rezepte" von Richard Bertinet. The pictures look great, the pastry tastes gorgeous
You will (almost) never want to buy bread again ...
*gg* schon wieder neue Bücher für die stetig wachsende Liste! The Songs of Sapa habe ich kürzlich erworben, schön!
Im von mir lang erwarteten "Brot - So backen unsere besten Bäcker" fand ich erschreckend, dass das Rischart-Rezept für Münchner Brezen mit dem Zusatz "Herstellungsweise für den Hausgebrauch ohne Lauge" daher kommt und "zur Veredelung" Wasser, Salz, Mehl" empfiehlt. Bei den schwäbischen Brezen sind sie immerhin auf Kaisers Natron ausgewichen. Dabei hab ich mich auf Originalrezepte gefreut...
my favorite cookbook of last year:
Vefa`s Kitchen - a greek cookbook, which left no desire!
http://www.amazon.com/Vefas-Kitchen-Vefa-Alexiadou/dp/0714849294
Turquoise by Greg Malouf is one of the most beautiful pieces of print I've ever seen. Part travel journal + part cookbook, its gorgeous photography, thoughtful prose, and unique recipes take you on a cultural journey through the mysterious country that is Turkey. This book has not only inspired me to explore new spices and methods in my kitchen, but also to take a trip and see and taste the country for myself!
hallo, "The Art and Soul of Baking" looks pretty interesting but everything is only in ounces....how do u deal with it?
Hi Eamit, I use a kitchen scale, that does conversions (imperial/metric). Very useful! Otherwise you can always use online conversion tools.
i received a load of great cookbooks from a friend who had a catering business. its so exciting to see the many varieties of taste, foods, flavors that i can incorporate into my growing family meals. happy reading, happy cooking, happy eating.
hi nicky, thank your for this information. for sure, I will have a look at "little italy", "the art and soul of baking" and "the songs of sapa".
my personal favorit cookbook last year (not published in 2009) was "kastanien" of Erica Bänziger and Fredy Buri. if you like chestnuts as much as I do, you will be delighted about this book. My personal favorit recipe thereof was "Kastanienspätzle" with leek and mushrooms and a lot of thyme. (I am eating it right now...-;))
Further I had a lot of fun with Fischküche of Annemarie Wildeisen (simple recipes with background information) and the two cookbooks of Rolf Hiltl ("vegetarisch nach lust und laune" and "die welt zu gast") about vegetarian food.
Unfortunately, I don't know whether there are also english versions of this books.
I was happy that you enjoy my book
"little Italy" . If you want you can find my last
advice on italian cooking on my blog:laurazavan.wordpress.com
buon appetito!
laura zavan
Hei Nicki,
out of the six cook books I bought last year, my favourites are Jan Hedhs "bröd" because as a german living abroad it enables me to bake perfect sourdough bread. I also like your little book quiet a lot, already have to fight a matcha-cookie addiction and my husband surprised me with your duck breast dish.
But the dessert on the cover with the poppy seeds, where is the recipy for that?
Thanks for the last year, yours was the first food blog I discovered.
Hi Esther, basically it's just a plain vanilla panna cotta with some added ground poppyseed. The only thing important: Once you added poppyseeds (maybe 2-3 tablespoons for 500g cream), you have to wait and stir from time to time until the panna cotta starts to set and then you can fill it in ramekins. This prevents the poppyseed from sinking to the bottom and makes sure, they are evenly distributed within the dessert.
I am a garage sale guy who looks for old cookbooks. Especially the ones church groups have put together to raise money for one charity or another. To read their names and where they are from you know their submission for the book was popular with their families. I enjoy recreating the recipes for a step back in time.
Love the Leon cookbook... if for nothing else than the designs and layouts. Great book.
I bought the Bobby Chin because I found it for 7 bucks here in Singapore. I'm hesitant to try any of it haven eaten at his restaurant however. Very, very underwhelming food there.
Me too! I am all about lists, love 'em, and don't remember a time (or mere day) when I wasn't making lists. Great cookbooks above, a perfect start to the series. Can't wait to see the next 6 lists for sure !