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
…just about 5 days ago. Hint. We had read about this one and others in various articles, but were pretty surprised when it happened to us. It sure was a pleasant surprise and I might become a collector! Any clue what I am talking about?
EDIT: Cork or no cork. Sometimes the flaw can be quite subtle and barely noticeable, other times it’s a slap in your face. But what to do when the host takes a first sip and declares the wine to be perfectly fine…awkward moment. Anyway, as more and more bottles and certainly very good ones, too, come with alternative wine closures, situations like the above should be of the past.
…and what have you done?
Well, here we go, in no particular order:
Shop for Christmas presents
Have your share of Munich’s many Christmas markets (especially Marienplatz, Weissenburger Platz, Schwabing)
Send out Christmas wishes
Watch Zürcher Verlobung, an old romantic comedy… (a must, although I have a suspicion that Oliver’s sudden disappearance has to do with it)
Wrap Christmas presents and tag them
Pack Christmas packages/gifts and ship them (after waiting in line at the post-office for more than half an hour)
Decide on our menu for Christmas eve
Sautéed duck foie gras with brioche and caramelized apples
Homemade pasta with white truffles
Granny Smith sorbet
Venison braised in port wine with celery puree and baby carrots
Bread and butter pudding with cinnamon ice cream
Shop for Christmas eve dinner (well sort of, still need to get Granny Smiths and lamb’s lettuce)
Bake tons of Christmas cookies (but where have they gone???)
