Saturday, March 20, 2021

Weekend Cooking: Two new cookbooks


Over the last ten days or so I have been lucky enough to acquire two new cookbooks so this week I thought I would talk about them today.


I have posted before a few times about my love of  Great British Bake Off. I enjoy watching the Australian and Kiwi versions as well, but the original is the best! In fact, the latest series is about to start showing here in the next couple of weeks, so that is something to look forward to!



Of the GBBO alumni, one of the most successful alumni has been Nadiya Hussain. Since winning Bake Off in 2015 she has made several TV shows with the lates being Nadiya Bakes. Recently my husband was away for the weekend so I had time to spare and so I binge watched the series on Netflix. What I didn't realise is that I had already made one of the recipes from the series. I did know it was her recipe, but not where it came from.



I thoroughly enjoyed the TV series, from the recipes to the way that Nadiya communicates with the viewer and her production team. She's just so warm and friendly, and that is visible in the introductions to the recipes in the book.



Hussain likes to take classic recipes and give them a twist, which often reflects multicultural cuisines. For example, she shares a recipe for Sheesh Kebab Toad in the Hole, which is normally made with sausages. I think the next recipe I intend to make is Filo Cream Parcels, which is her version of a Lebanese dessert.



If I have one issue with this book it is that not ever recipe has a picture. While most do, and there are so recipes that have a couple of pages of arty photos but others have none. I really prefer to have even just a small photo so I can see what I am aiming for!



Here's the trailer for the TV series.






The second cookbook I received this week was one that I saw mentioned on Jackie's blog, Junkboat Travels. She mentioned that she purchased the book, The Atlas Cookbook, after seeing the author, Charlie Carrington on Australian Masterchef.



As you may recall, over the last year we have been doing the Atlas Masterclasses, where we receive a box of all the ingredients that we need to make recipes from all around the world. It has been one of the ways that we have kept ourselves amused - trying all different foods! 



When I was reading Jackie's post, I saw the book mentioned, and then I did a double take as I made the connection. The cookbook that she had purchased was by the same chef behind our Atlas Mastclasses. I didn't know he had a cookbook out. I couldn't not purchase it myself really!



I haven't had a chance to study the recipes, but I am sure I will find plenty to make!



Have you bought any new cookbooks lately?


Weekly meals


Saturday: Out for dinner
Sunday: Beef and Pepper Pie
Monday: Baked Zucchini Parmesan and Tomato Risotto
Tuesday: Pork chops, cabbage and mashed potato
Wednesday: Chicken Enchilada
Thursday: Spanish Tuna Bake
Friday: Fish and Chips at the beaach



Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

18 comments:

  1. Hope all is well with you Cheers

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    1. Yes thanks Carole! And I hope it is well with you too Carole!

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  2. i keep buying cookbooks even tho i don't need them. but i have to have them:) I bought alice zavlasky's Veg Book recently, and i'm still going thru the bacon cookbook by niamh shields. so many recipes, so little time...

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  3. Thanks for the shout-out, I haven't looked at the recipes yet either.
    I love Nadiya's show too! I also love the original Great British Bake Off. The Canadian version isn't bad (Dan Levy hosts the first two seasons, so another reason to watch!).

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    1. We have watched the first season Great Canadian Bake Off but I don't think they have showed the second series here yet.

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  4. We have been avid fans of the Great British Baking Show, and especially liked Nadia. She had her own TV show for a while, which was fun to watch. I don’t need any more baking books, though.

    be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I don't really need any more either Mae, but sometimes you just want to right?

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  5. Your masterclasses sound like a great way to spend time during the pandemic.

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    1. It has been fun Diane, and we continue to do a selection every few weeks.

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  6. Those cookbooks look worth checking out!

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    Replies
    1. I have numerous recipes bookmarked in Nadiya's book for sure!

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  7. I haven’t seen the GGBO but hope our library will acquire the DVD’s. The Atlas cookbook is one I’ll request. I have a cookbook addiction:-)

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  8. I have a number of cookbooks I acquired when I worked in publishing. When we brainstormed about books, the editor always begged for more pictures and everyone always agreed in theory, but each photo adds to the cost of the book, so sometimes we would work backwards - how much do we think we can charge without losing sales, then based on that amount, how many pictures can we include? It is challenging but people want to see how the recipe turns out!

    I have not done much cooking during the pandemic but I have craved chili from time to time and have tried several recipes - some too complicated, some too basic!

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    1. Thanks for sharing about the publishing process CLM!

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  9. I purchased Judee's cookbook but gave it away at Christmas to one of my daughters. I may buy a copy for myself, still! I borrow a ton of cookbooks from the library, but I haven't splurged on buying any recently. I brought home the British Baking Show on DVD after seeing it mentioned so often by my fellow bloggers, and we watched a few episodes, but my husband said it wasn't a good choice for him while he's trying to lose weight and I never remember to watch anything by myself, so we stopped!

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    Replies
    1. My husband and I both enjoy watching GBBO together Laurie!

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