Cooking Recent Picks

OCTOBER 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.

Casual Entertaining by Ross Dobson
“Today's entertaining at home should be relaxed and not keep the host in the kitchen and away from the company of family and friends. Top Sydney cook Ross Dobson's mantra is to keep it simple as this collection of fuss-free recipes demonstrates. A chapter on Grazing offers ideas for finger foods and drinks. Try Roast Pumpkin, Feta, and Olive Empanadas, Slow-cooked tomatoes with Goat Cheese; or a Smoked Trout, Celeriac, and Apple Salad with Rye Toasts. With the frugal cook in mind. Cheap and Cheerful has great recipes for dishes that will keep guests well-fed without breaking the bank. Try Mushroom, Spinach, and Potato Bake; Baked Thai-style Fish with Cilantro Rice; or Roast Chicken Pot Pie. When cooking for friends mid-week time is often an issue. Food in a Flash features dishes that can be thrown together with the minimum of effort. Try Pappadelle Pasta with Chicken Tabbouleh. A chapter of Chic Eats has perfect recipes for when you want to dine in style. Try Roast Turkey Breast with Green Olive Salsa or Roast Beef Rib-eye with Cafe de Paris Butter. Sweet Things are always popular and a good way to end any meal, however informal. Treat your guests to Almond, Mascarpone, and Pear Tart; White Chocolate Pots with Berries; or Cherry and Walnut Brownies.” (Amazon)

Good Food: 101 Budget Dishes: Triple-Tested Recipes Editor, Jane Hornby
“Eating on a budget need not mean a dull menu — with a little inspiration from the Good Food team, you can enjoy delicious food and save money too. Here are 101 easy-to-follow budget suppers — economical and creative meal ideas made with everyday ingredients.” (Amazon)

Food From The Sun by Neven Maguire
“Presenting a radiant collection of recipes inspired by the food from favourite travel destinations—from the al fresco trattorias of Italy to the street food of Vietnam, this cookbook makes the kitchen a place to enjoy that true vacation spirit all year round. Recreating a memorable Mediterranean meal or making mouth-watering Thai dishes is made possible with more than 100 delicious recipes from around the world and shows how easy it can be to cook much-loved cuisines at home. The recipes are innovative yet straightforward, leaving plenty of time for a siesta once the plates are empty. Whether an assortment of flavoursome tapas for a group of friends, a Moroccan feast, or a simple dish with someone special, this book is bursting with inspiration. With beautiful finished food shots and evocative location photography to accompany the recipes, this cookbook will bring sunshine to the kitchen no matter what the weather outside.” (Amazon)

In The Mood For Food by Jo Pratt
“Recipes that will suit you” – Guardian
“Feeling lazy and uninspired in the kitchen? Or trying to impress that special someone? Wanting to be healthy or looking to indulge your self? Seeking comfort or ready to be extravagant? Whatever mood you’re in, Jo Pratt has the perfect recipe to suit it.” (Book Jacket)

In The Mood For Entertaining: Food For Every Occasion by Jo Pratt
“If you love to entertain and share good food with your friends and family, whether it is a relaxed Friday night supper, a lazy brunch, a full-on posh dinner party or cooking for a crowd on New Year's Eve, then this book is a must. It has an easy-to-follow layout, with four main chapters broken down into various different menus, offering you food for every occasion: Two's Company, Relaxed Entertaining, The Extravagant Dinner Party and Cooking for a Crowd. From Coconut and ricotta hotcakes with espresso syrup to Honey roast ham with pistachio crumbs, via Mini tomato tatins and Spiced mussels with tomato spaghetti, Jo Pratt's creative and stylish recipes are fuss-free and easy to follow. Accompanied by beautiful full-colour photography, drink suggestions and recipe hints and tips, this book will make entertaining a joy, whatever the occasion.” (Amazon)

Eat Taste Nourish by Zoe Bingley-Pullin
“Everyone can enjoy the food they eat while nourishing their bodies and losing weight. Zoe Bingley-Pullin sets out simply and clearly which foods are healthy and how to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The book is packed full of mouth-watering but easy-to-prepare dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Zoe Bingley-Pullin has long been passionate about the food in our lives. A qualified nutritionist and internationally trained chef (Le Cordon Bleu School, London), Zoe helps people embrace the benefits of food through education and understanding. Zoe worked in the South of France showing clients the culinary delights of the area. Zoe’s healthy cooking classes have been a product of all of experiences as a nutritionist and as chef, combined.” (Amazon)

Legless: Desserts To Get You In The Spirit by Kylie Banning
“This is the ultimate decadent cookbook, with a wicked selection of recipes made from your favourite spirits and liqueurs. Great for parties, entertaining or a great night at home, Legless features an array of fresh and feisty desserts with an extra kick in them.” (Amazon)

The Happy Baby Cookbook: The Complete Recipe Collection For Babies & Toddlers [food director, Pamela Clark]
“When you’re a first-time parent you’re naturally nervous and unsure about what to feed your precious little bundle of joy. Should you choose breast or bottle? When should you start introducing solid food? When can baby start eating with the family? Is there such a thing as a healthy snack? This delightful book is jammed full of recipes for first foods, puddings and lunchboxes, as well as allergy-friendly and party food. There’s a big chapter on family food with useful information on how to cook delicious meals for the whole family, taking out the toddler portions before adding more robust flavours for the rest of the family.” (Book Jacket)

Cook in Boots by Ravinder Bhogal
“A fresh new cook on the block, with 170 irresistible and easy dishes to dress up, dress down or simply kick off your heels and indulge yourself with. This luscious, sophisticated, you-want-to-eat-the-food-off-the-page cookbook launches an exciting new face in the world of cooking. Ravinder Bhogal is a 'self-confessed greedy girl about town' and your new best friend in the kitchen. Winning the 'Fanny Craddock for the new generation' award from Gordon Ramsay on his 'F-Word' programme, Ravinder has a huge appetite for good food (and unhealthy addiction to high heels). She understands that modern women need a new kind of cookbook that caters to their moods as well as their busy lifestyles, and be accessible and fun.” (Global Books)

Seriously Good! : Gluten-Free Cooking by Phil Vickery
“Phil Vickery believes that he can revolutionise the notoriously restrictive gluten-free diet. Using his Michelin-starred cooking talents and his nurturing of simple, honest ingredients, Phil has created over 150 recipes that coeliacs have until now only dreamed of.” (Global Books)

Red Velvet And Chocolate Heartache by Harry Eastwood
“In Red Velvet Chocolate Heartache she has fiddled, tweaked and thought outside the box to pioneer a way of bringing exquisite cakes that remain natural and healthy, into our everyday lives – by introducing ingredients from the vegetable garden. Ginger Sticky Toffee Pudding made with parsnip, or Orange Squash Cupcake made with butternut squash are bound to amuse and delight your taste buds. In this spirited cookery book, Harry shares her baking secrets and practical knowledge as a cook and as a food writer to prove that it is possible to have your cake and eat it too.” (Book Jacket)

Mixologist : The Journal Of The American Cocktail Volume Two Editor, Anastasia Miller “In celebration of the cocktail’s 200th anniversary, Volume Two of MIXOLOGIST: The Journal of the American Cocktail focuses on the origins of the word “cocktail” and the profession of bartending.” (Book Jacket)

The Cheese Room by Patricia Michelson
“A contemporary book about cheese using the author's recipes and anecdotes to introduce us to a world of cheese which is so much more than just facts and figures. Don't expect lists of dozens of cheeses but do expect to learn about cheese in a relaxed and informative manner - you can even learn how to make fresh cheese. Great salads, warming soups, ideas for scrumptious suppers and special occasions, the recipes are easy to follow. Patricia's 'Travelling Tales' intersperse the chapters - you will feel as enthusiastic about cheese from round the world as she does when you read these narrative interludes. And not forgetting great ideas for cheeseboards, fondues and how to set up your own cheese and wine tasting at home.”(Amazon)

Marvellous Mince And Sensational Sausages by Simon & Alison Holst

The Gluten-Free Kitchen by Sue Shepherd

Fast & Fun Family Food by Simon & Alison Holst

Crockpot Cooking For New Zealand Homes : Easy Meals Using Slow Cookers And Crockpots / (recipes, Nestle New Zealand Consumer Kitchen)

Country Women's Association Cakes / Country Women's Association of Australia

Casseroles And One-Pots [editor, Jane Massam]

Eat My Globe by Simon Majumdar

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