cookery

 

click on any of the pictures for a link

The New Rayburn Cookbook

Obviously, I bought this book when I suddenly found all I had to cook with was a rayburn when we moved house. And it was very useful too - I found out the previous owner had the shelves in upside down, how the controls worked, and basically that it was not that frightening afterall. But this is a great cook book in its own right, and I would still refer to it even if we did not have a rayburn. Not just homey country recipes - although the scones and muffins are there.. but also more interesting and exotic, such as mussels and Thai recipes. Great for using with your rayburn as recipes are designed to fit the oven tray etc, but nothing stopping you using the recipes in a conventional oven either.

 

The River Cottage Cookbook, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

well this is the modern day book on downsizing, and it is great - part cook book part vegetable expert part smallholder guide. I am never sure if this book belongs in the kitchen, the living room or the sheep field. A great allrounder. Let me put it this way.. if I lost my copy, I would buy another.

 

 The book of Preserves

This is an Australian Women's Weekly book, which is a pity for me as I dont deal in cups as a measurement very well, particularly with dry ingredients. However, you can convert the recipes (with a bit of faffing about and a calculator..) and the book is a wonderful source of very interesting recipes, as well as the classics. It covers Jam, marmalade, jellies, fruit butters and spreads, chutney, pickles and liqueurs. as well as recipes, each section gives a basic guide to the making process, so you can make up your own recipes after that. Its another out of print book, but pick it up if you can.

 

 How to Freeze

Really handy book, ideal for freezing a glut of vegetables, fruit - or leftovers!. Set out alphabetically, just look up what you want to freeze, and you can find out if you can, how, and how to thaw. I turn to it all the time

 

 

  Original whistle stop cafe cookbook

If you have enjoyed the novel, and the film; Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe , then this book is a natural follow on - and if you haven't - its a good purchase anyway - a really good book full of Southern food recipes, pictures, commentary, smippets from the novel, written by the same author, Fanny Flagg. Gives you a taste of the cookery and culture of Alabama.

Besides which, it's a very handy book to turn to to use up a sudden glut of green tomatoes when the blight has taken out your plants....

 

 Green Cuisine

a great little book that is ideal for dealing with the surplus from your garden, allotment or vegetable box. The recipes are simple and yet delicious. Highly recommended.

 

 

click on any of the pictures for a link to amazon.co.uk