Cooking Recent Picks
SEPTEMBER 2009
The title-underlined links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.
Little Vietnam by Nhut Huynh
“Little Vietnam brings together 80 authentic recipes that capture the energy, colour and excitement of Vietnamese cooking. Acclaimed Vietnamese-Australian Chef Nhut Huynh shares his passion for the food that sustained his family during times of war and separation, and that remains a defining feature of Vietnam's wonderfully rich culture. He introduces traditional classics alongside the eclectic street-stall dishes he has collected on his many trips back to visit friends and family. We learn how to cook restaurant favourites such as Beef Noodle Soup and Salt & Pepper Squid, as well as more exotic dishes like Crab with Tamarind & Chilli. Throughout, Nhut offers practical tips on sourcing ingredients and mastering cooking techniques. Beautifully photographed, this book inspires us to re-create the food so many of us have enjoyed as travellers or in the Vietnamese restaurants that are now so much a part of Australian life.” (Global Books)
Martha Stewart's Cupcakes from the editors of Martha Stewart Living
“There’s no better authority on delectable desserts than Martha Stewart. She and her ingenious team of editors have consistently created the most delicious recipes, and their dedication to simple instructions, how-to photographs, and beautiful styling is unparalleled. And there’s no more in-demand dessert right now than cupcakes. Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes also includes templates and clip art for decorative flourishes, an equipment glossary, and step-by-step instructions for basic and advanced decorating techniques, plus ideas for presenting and packaging the cupcakes in Martha’s trademark style.” (Amazon)
The Thrifty Cookbook by Kate Colquhoun
“Included in this book are recipes for meat balls and fish cakes, simple stocks and soups, inventive rice and pasta dishes, and great British pies and pickles, as well as sensible ideas for spare egg yolks and whites, wrinkly fruit and veg, and stale bread and cakes. Kate tackles frequently asked questions such as whether it is OK to reheat rice and how much mould we can scrape off the jam, and shows how some well-chosen store cupboard basics can transform any leftover carrot or bacon rind into a satisfying meal.” (Amazon)
The Use-It-All Cookbook by Bish Muir
“Do you have to throw away that single carrot? How can you make that cold chicken tasty? Can you use that half pot of yoghurt at the back of the fridge? "The Use-It-All Cookbook" is packed with ideas for using your leftovers including that sad-looking carrot or hard cheese at the back of the fridge. Soups, stews, pies, and risottos sit alongside delicious quick recipes and tasty juices and smoothies. It includes: an easy to use A-Z of leftover food and how to use it up; basic recipes which can be adapted for a variety of leftovers; quick and easy recipe ideas; and, advice on planning, buying and storing food.” (Amazon)
Homestyle Pies and Tarts by Homestyle
“With more than 150 recipes of diverse origins and flavours, Homestyle Pies and Tarts is an indispensable reference for every home cook.” (Book Jacket)
Fresh Eggs Don't Float by Lara DePetrillo & Caroline Eastman-Bridges
“Are you tired of getting cooking tips from people who can't even remember what it's like to need them? The shelves are full of people who can tell you how to bake a better pie - but will they remember to tell you that if you have cheap or old tins, you have to line them with baking paper so that you can get the food to come out of them? That's where 'Fresh Eggs Don't Float' comes in. Lara DePetrillo and Caroline Eastman-Bridges remove the intimidation from cooking and offer a light-hearted, smart and funny approach to making great food from your own kitchen - without fancy gadgets and over-complicated instructions. In this heart-warming guide to food in all its forms, you will find superb recipes, amazing facts and invaluable tips to creating fabulous meals at home.” (Amazon)
The Settler's Cookbook : A Memoir Of Love, Migration And Food by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
“Through the personal story of Yasmin’s family and the food and recipes they’ve shared together, The Settler’s Cookbook tells the history of the Indian migration to the UK, via East Africa. Her family was part of the mass exodus from India to East Africa during the height of British expansion, fleeing famine and lured by the prospect of prosperity under the imperial regime. In 1972, they were one of the many families expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin who moved to the UK, where Yasmin has made her home with an Englishman. The food she cooks now, in one of the world’s most ethnically-diverse cities, combines the traditions and tastes of her family’s hybrid history. Here you’ll discover how Shepherd’s Pie is much enhanced by sprinkling in some chilli, Victoria sponge can be enlivened by saffron and lime, and the addition of ketchup to a curry can be life-changing.” (Amazon)
Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey by Rick Stein
“Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey" is an ambitious journey, avoiding the beaten track and tourist hot-spots, in search of the authentic food of Southeast Asia. In this accompanying book to the major BBC series, Rick shares his favourite recipes and some well-known classic dishes inspired by the fragrant ingredients and recipes he sampled from local chefs, family-run restaurants, street vendors and market stalls.” (Amazon)
Party Cakes For Kiwi Kids by Annette Hislop & Linda Ross
“With 25 eye-catching creations to choose from, Party Cakes For Kiwi Kids is just what you need to make your child’s special say a memorable one. From pure Kiwiana to fairy tales and sports to the great outdoors, there’s something to capture every Kiwi kid’s imagination. And it needn’t be difficult: step-by-step instructions and easy to follow photography ensure that preparing professional looking & delicious tasting cakes is well within every cook’s reach.” (Book Jacket)
Wine Class by Jo Burzynska
“Wine Class is an entertaining and informative guide to wine that aims to equip the reader with the confidence to hold their own, discover what they like and understand wine. Brimming with amusing anecdotes and myth debunking, the book is based on Jo Burzynska's popular Adventures in Wine classes. It examines the key factors that affect wine - the influence of region, the key grape varieties, the winemaker, plus key wine recommendations in a variety of price brackets, to illustrate what Jo is discussing. It is aimed at beginners, but has a depth that ensures that those with some wine experience will also find it of use and should particularly appeal to a female readership. Jo will be widely recognised through her weekly section in the Herald's Viva and her wine classes held at Seagar's at Oxford.” (Amazon)
Healthy Eating For Your Heart by Paul Gayle, Jacqui Lynas
“This book contains over 100 recipes that have been designed to tempt your taste buds and keep your heart healthy.” (Book Jacket)
Fast Ed's Dinner In 10: Cook Simple, Stylish Food In 10 Minutes Flat! by Ed Halmagyi
Jewish Cooking, Jewish Cooks by by Ramona Koval
Food Festivals Of Italy : Celebrated Recipes From 50 Food Fairs by Leonardo Curti & James O. Fraioli
Jam Packed : Lunchboxes For School And Work by Lana & Delia Raizon
Ben's Barbecue by Ben O'Donoghue
Curry Kitchen by Jacki Passmore
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