I recently cleaned up my cookbook bookshelf. I know, 'big news' you're thinking! Well, for me it was because until yesterday morning this shelf had, besides the books you see above, a bunch of magazines, magazine pages crammed here and there and a few other books I had to say to, 'what was I thinking?' The other reason I cleaned it up is that the senior software engineering guy and I are in the process of house hunting here in the northern California community we relocated
to a bit over a year ago. See the photo with all the boxes at left? Well looks like we'll have to reload them again. Only this time we'll go a short distance from this rental house to the new-to-us one I just know we'll find soon. I don't like the process of moving, but a new adventure is something I always relish.
Relish...a good food term...[think I'm getting hungry]...I like to cook and occasionally I even love to cook. The books above are ones I use quite a lot and a few, I admit, I've yet to use. For today let me describe the highlights of my cookbook library:
*the big one with the blue spine that is laying flat [to the right in the photo] is a book of the cuisines of China. It's titled, "China, the Beautiful Cookbook: authentic recipes from the culinary authorities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Sichuan." [published by HarperCollins in 1991] It's one of those fantastic books with gorgeous photos and historical foodie info. I've had this book for some years, but haven't actually fixed anything from it but certainly do plan to.
*sitting on top of the China one is "Crock-Pot: Slow Cooker Bible" done by the brand of slow cooker of the same name, published in 2010. It's my newest book and I fixed the 'Jerk Pork and Sweet Potato Stew' recipe featured on page 54 in my copy. It was pretty tasty. I like using my slower cooker in the cold of winter - in fact I used it to make the split pea soup I wrote about just this past November.
*the movie Julie & Julia came out in 2009 and the following Christmas, under the tree, were Julia Child cookbooks for me! One package had the famous two-volume set and the other package was this cool one titled "Julia Child: The Way to Cook" that was published in 1989. It's a good-sized book as you can see in the photo above and I've actually fixed several of its recipes including: 1)the master recipe 'Sauteed Chicken,' 2) a mold of sliced potatoes and cheese 'The Stove-Top Anna,' and 3) a most amazing pumpkin pie 'A Fluffy Pumpkin Pie.' Ummmmm gooooood.
Also on the shelf are three other favorites:
*"Food to Die For: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta's Kitchen" by author Patricia Cornwell [with Marlene Brown]. Patricia Cornwell is a best-selling crime writer whose key character is Kay Scarpetta. Although both the author and fictional character are medical examiners [coroners] both love to cook and the books include references to good meals...most with an Italian flavor. There is one recipe in particular I've made several times, 'Miami-Style Chili with Beer,' on page 58 in my copy of the book. [I substitute high quality root beer for the alcohol-based beer called for in the recipe - actually adds a ton of cool flavor.]
*"The Silver Palate Cookbook: delicious recipes, menus, tips, love from Manhattan's celebrated gourmet food shop," by Julee Russo and Sheila Lukins. I've made so many of these recipes - some multiple times - that my copy of the book is getting a bit worn. I made a great one that surprised me: 'Oxtail Stew.' [who knew I'd like this so much!] Other favorites are: 1) 'Beef Carbonnade' - again I substitute root beer for the imported dark beer called for; 2) 'Lemon Chicken,' 3) here's one I highly recommend - 'Chicken Marbella,' and 4) 'American Picnic Potato Salad.'
*"In Great Taste: fresh, simple recipes for eating and living well," by Evelyn H. Lauder. This was published in 2006 but I can't remember when or where I bought my copy. I made 'Asian Shrimp or Chicken Salad' just last week [I chose to use shrimp] and it was so good. I've also fixed 'Beef Tenderloin with Parsnip Mash.' Parsnip Mash you wonder? It's delicious!
I can totally understand how food bloggers can wax poetic about recipes and ingredients and utensils and flavors and such. I find such beauty in the process...oh, and of course in the eating!
Do you have a favorite cookbook and/or recipe? Share in the comments!
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