Stuck for Christmas presents? Maybe some cookbook recommendations would help?

As you'd expect, I own a rather large collection of cookbooks. Sadly, I don't use many of them very often... you know the issue, right? I bet you have bought cookbooks before that looked great on the shelf or even leafing through and then you try a recipe and it's only so-so and you never touch it again? And others might find their way into your life quite by chance, you might not  think much of them at first, but then you find yourself going back to them over and over again.

It's the latter category of books that I want to recommend to you - of course, we all have different tastes, so don't take this as a guarantee that they will be an instant hit with whoever you give them to, but the chances of success are possibly a bit higher. This list isn't of books I have been leafing through over the last year (like the gorgeous coffee-table stunner and interesting travelogue that is turquoise), these are the cookbooks that I actually used the most over the past 12 months (with the exclusion of my go-to reference-book for all things Austrian that is Plachutta's Die Gute Kueche).

The Number One book I invariably go to when I look for inspiration is always one of Skye Gyngell's books. A Year in my Kitchen and My Favourite Ingredients never fail - there's always a least one recipe that will fit the bill. Note that I write INspiration not Aspiration... I have tons of books that I can salivate over, but eventually find the recipes too complicated and over the top to be attempting them for a dinner party - Skye's recipes are always stunners for their amazing flavours, but are simple to make and won't fail to impress if you use top-quality ingredients like she does at Petersham Nurseries.

Today's Special is probably my Number Two for dinner parties - I am more and more drawn to French bistro cooking, it's become a massive trend in the UK since the economic downturn, but there aren't many restaurants/gastro-pubs that do it well or where the value-for-money is agreeable. It also tends to be food that can easily be prepared in advance, takes little effort, yet pleases the palate like nothing else. If there is a downside in this great book by Anthony Demetre of Michelin-starred Arbutus and Wild Honey here in London, it's that some of the meat cuts are relatively unknown here in the UK, certainly not available in supermarkets and even some butchers will struggle. But I happily substitute and always succeed!

Another book I have used loads and loads over the past year is A Piece of Cake - when I was sent a review copy I thought, rather sarcastically, "Well that's just what the world needs, another baking book." Unlike Pierre Herme's book, this is one that you will go to every time when you look for a gorgeous, but do-able cake, cupcakes, cookies etc. I have tried so many recipes in there and not one has failed me. The other upside of this book is that the photography transports you right back into a childhood summer: furniture and dishes with a bit of patina, Swedish countryhouse-style partying... believe me, it's like going on a holiday just by browsing through it.

It was after a year of owning it that I first tried a recipe in Asian Bites last Christmas - and I have never put it down since. I love Asian food and I find making it at home, with fresher ingredients and less MSG, incredibly rewarding. The recipes are a collection from all over the Asian continent, from Turkey to the Far East, but the ingredients are surprisingly accessible (at least here in the UK). The focus is on small bites, tapas-style, sharing kind of dishes, but most of them work equally well as a main meal (lots of quick mid-week dinner ideas in there) or presented finger food style at a party. All bursting with flavours, these are exotic treats that are sure to become a hit in your home, too!

A book that I have unearthed after a nearly a decade of falling in love with the restaurant (which has now sadly closed) is The Sugar Club Cookbook. This Peter Gordon venue offered amazing fusion cuisine which never failed to impress me when we first moved to London, I bought the book, but that was at a time when I wasn't very proficient in the kitchen yet and, with 60+-hour weeks, lacked the time to actually use my kitchen for what it was originally intended. 

Reading through the list, I realise I have a penchant for chefs from Down Under... Bill Granger being another chef who does incredibly tantalising food that is suitable for the most amateurish of cooks! Feed me Now is full of family-friendly recipes, comforting and accessible, with lots of dishes that make a quick weekday dinner or lunch. As usual for his books, there are always great breakfast ideas as well...

I'll admit that I only got this to be able to re-create Joël Robuchon's heart-stopping potato purée, but it's become my reference book for all things French. If you've ever wondered what exactly a rouille is or want to make sure the ratatouille you're attempting is actually authentic, you now know where to turn. I mentioned Plachutta as the bible for Austrian cooking at the beginning, this is basically its French cousin. It's got all the classics and more and the recipes work every time, so if you're into French food, The Complete Robuchon is a must for you! (Just one word of warning: no pictures!)

If you want something a bit unusual for a keen gardener or someone interested in herbs, buy them Edible Wild Plants and Herbs. With descriptions of what the plants look like and what they're traditionally used for, this might be your survival guide if the current climate pushes to to go foraging for your food... to be honest, I haven't tried the recipes yet, but it's a gift with a bit of a difference.

Last, but certainly not least, a book that I've enjoyed tremendously over the last year - so much so that I've ordered ten copies each of the English and the German edition and given to lots of friends and relations for birthday and Christmas presents...my friend Nicky Stich's delicious days has a wonderful collection of no-fuss recipes, the pictures are mouth-watering and, knowing her as the down-to-earth and lovely person that she is, I am loving her honest food - and still many earmarked pages to look forward to!

So there you go, that should do nicely for culinary inspiration and if you hurry, they might get delivered on time without you having to venture out into the cold... bake some cookies instead or let me know YOUR most-used books in 2009!

Comments

[Pille]

Great list of books! Thanks to you, Johanna, I've already got the Today's Special as well as Edible Wild Plants and Leaves - ordered it right after getting back from London. And I've had Skye's first book for years - love i!!!

[Thermomixer]

Thanks for another great year of inspiration. About to go home and unmould a broad bean pate from Greg Malouf's Turquoise. Made last night in the Thermomix. Have a good Christmas.

[johanna]

Oh I will be looking forward to trying your recipe!
My parents will be joining us for Christmas this year after a month in oz which they enjoyed very much!

Have a great Christmas and a happy new year!
Love
Johanna

[Bellini Valli]

A great line up of suggestions.

[Angela]

Some great suggestions here, Johanna! I seem to have a lot of Australian cookbooks these days, too. I am particularly pleased that Bill Granger will be opening a London restaurant!!

[johanna]

Wow that will Be Great! Maybe we should meet there next year!
X

[Margaret]

Wonderful list of cookbooks and some of them are new to me. I too was sent A Piece of Cake and I love cooking from it.
Happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family Johanna.

[Jeanne @ Cooksister!]

Mmmm, some fab ones there (and I agree on Skye Gingell's book!). I got the Leon cookbook for Christmas and am really enjoying it - all the food looks not ony tasty but good for you!