Weekend Cooking: Library Loot!

 

I am trying to make sure that I borrow cookbooks from the library where I can so that I can literally try it before I buy. To be fair, sometimes it does seem as though I am just delaying the inevitable because so far this year I have ended up buying 3 cookbooks after I initially got them from the library! 

Today I am sharing the three cook books that I currently have out from the library right now. I also have numerous novels out that are a bit foodie, but I am focussing just on actual cook books for now!

Delicious: Love to Eat: Around the World in 80 recipes by Valli Little

The author of the month for July in the Lambs Ear Cookbook Club was Valli Little who was the editor in chief for Delicious magazine. This book is decided in sections based on countries ranging from European (Italian, Spanish, French and British) to Austalian, Inidan, Asian and Middle Eastern. The first time I went through the book there were a few things that looked nice but only a couple that I had to make. However, every time I go through it now I find more and more. If I had more time with the book I would like to cook at least one thing from most of the chapters. So far, we have cooked

Chocolate Orange Cake (Spanish) - This is one of those cakes where you boil the whole orange for a couple of hours and then use it in the cake. It was a really delicious cake.

Slow Cooked Mexican Beef with guacamole and lime crema (Mexican)- We are actually cooking this one in the coming week. 

Truffled Chicken with Champagne Sauce (French) - I think this champagne sauce is going to become a regular whenever we do a roast chicken.

Sticky Date Pudding Cake (British) - This was an absolute winner of a recipe! Easy to do and tasted delicious!

Thai: Anywhere and Everywhere by Nat Thaipun

Nat Thaipun was the winner of Masterchef Australia in 2024. In one of the episodes, she won a prize to go to the UK to visit Jamie Oliver, and he has provided the foreword to the book, as well as chosen this as one of his cook book club selections, which is where I heard about it! I was kind of surprised that I hadn't heard of it before this!

If you love Thai food, this book is exceptional. She spends time talking about the different regions of Thailand and how the flavours vary in each area, how to make the staple pastes, seasoning, marinades and garnishes 

Each recipe has the title written three ways. The first is in the Thai writing, then in western style of writing but with the Thai name and then the English translation. 

It is a beautifully presented book, and I look forward to cooking some more out of it before it has to go back to the library! The one dish we have cooked from it so far is Grapow Moo which is a Basil stir-fry with pork. It is served with rice and a fried egg on top! It was pretty easy, and very tasty. 

Midnight Chicken (& Other Recipes Worth Living For) by Ella Risbridger

This is the book that I picked up from the library this week, so I haven't really had a chance to go through it properly yet. I have, however, heard so many good things about this book. One of the interesting things about this book is that there are no photos of the recipes. Instead, the book is filled with beautiful illustrations. 

I have heard that this is the kind of cook book that you can read like a novel, from beginning to end. It charts the story of how cooking helped her rise from the depths of grief and mental health issues. I am looking forward to digging into it soon!

This was a Cook the Books selection a few years ago but I never explored it at the time. I can't remember if it was difficult for me to track down or what. Better late than never though!

Weekly meals

Saturday - Scrambled Eggs on Toast
Sunday - Lasagne
Monday - Swedish Meatballs, mash and broccoli
Tuesday - Thai
Wednesday - Bacon, Risoni and Vegetable Soup
Thursday - Lasagne
Friday - Bacon, Risoni Vegetable Soup