everybody sing…
‘when the dog bites… when the bee stings… when i’m feeling sad… I simply remember my favourite things… and then I don’t feel… sooooo… bad’
come on now, admit it, you sang along in your head didn’t you…?
Well, you may have guessed the theme for this months challenge… it’s all about randomly selecting a recipe from your favourite cook book… the thing is, I thought this would be really easy… surely I know which my favourite book is..?
… the problem is that I kind of have a few, depending on my mood and so this could get a bit sticky… and that was when I remembered Nigel Slater’s AMAZING The Kitchen Diaries… more of a novel than a cook book… it is so eloquently written, detailing the changing seasons and what they bring to his kitchen… and the way he cooks is so familiar and comforting and not at all patronising like some cooks can be… it’s also a beautifully presented book, with stunning, subtle photography… even the font is easy on the eye… it’s the kind of book I pick up occasionally and just flick through and read and it makes me feel comfortable… it really is a dessert island cookbook!
… I gave myself a bit of a headache here too because I have to go away for work tomorrow (i’m off to Cannes of all places… but it’s really not going to be a glamorous weekend by any means…) and so i’m not at home whilst I write this and can therefore not cook the dish to go with this post (and yes, I will obviously cook it during the month at some point…) so I called up The Viking at home and asked him to randomly choose a page… and I think I lucked out with Salmon and Dill Fishcakes… which i’ve never made before and can’t wait to make!
… so now it’s your turn… whats your favourite cookbook…? have a think, pull it down off the shelf and then, because I feel there may have been a little cheating going on recently, ask a significant other, or failing that a neighbour, or failing that a random stranger, to randomly flick open the book and you HAVE to cook that dish!… no cheating or i’ll send the blog fairy out to get you! (that’s not me by the way…)
usual rules apply… post your blog, link back to here, include the fabulous random recipes logo if you feel the urge… and then email me so I know you’ve done it… dom@thepersuaders.co.uk
eat and of course, enjoy!
Easy peasy, I know exactly which is my favourite cookbook…..!!
You have good taste, Dom!
My favourite book is a Nigel Slater one too – my one is Appetite. I'll have to go and ask the boy if he is joining me this month and whether he wants to do the same recipe as me or choose his own favourite book. I'll get Adam to choose a random page for me so definitely no cheating!
Come back safe from Cannes.
Lou.
Oh a lovely one this month. Like you I have many favourites depending on my mood, so I may have to pile up the favourites and randomly choose before I even get to the recipe choice!
My current favorite cookbook is “Land of Plenty” by Fuchsia Dunlop. It's Sichuan cooking, wonderfully detailed and extensively researched during a number of years she spent in China. I'm glad to have found your site.
Nice idea, Dom. I've got a lot of favourites, though, so this will concentrate the mind.
Oh this is a tough one. Shall have to go and sit in front of teh book case and eliminate I think … and yes, I did sing along in my head ;0)
Thanks Dom – a nice easy one for lazy summer days (I wish) – at least it will be when I figure out which is my favourite chocoalte book!
oh dear…i am so fickle when it comes to my cookbooks…i get one…drool over it…flip through it…obsess about it…cook cook coook…and then toss aside. They have all been my fave at one point…ok..will have to decide…and then…NOT CHEAT! 😉 enjoy cannes!
I must get round to doing this this month. Not sure what it will be – probably one of my Skye books.
Enjoy Cannes!
This is gonna be difficult. I have few favourites. Don't worry, I'll make sure to pick the one.
Oh my god. Have you seen the size of my cookbook collection? (There's a tab on my blog if you want to have a look.) I have a headache just thinking about which one is my favourite. I could possibly narrow it down to about five… will have to have a ponder!
It's whiskers on kittens, here! hum, hum, hum!
Easy choice … The Silver Palate Cookbook … totally random recipe … page 89 – Chicken Breasts Baked On A Bed Of Wild Mushrooms. Now, where will I find wild mushrooms? Hmmm … stay tuned!
Cannes, huh? Oooo la la! Hope you get some down time to enjoy the sights!
Oh man – which is my favourite??????
Hope there are some good bits to Cannes.
Gagh!! I am going to have nightmares about choosing which book to go with Dom. I'm afraid I may have to hold you responsible for the poor quality of my sleep for the next 28 days! Looking forward to hearing what everyone makes- thanks again Dom for a brilliant blogging challenge!
A dessert island? Really? Take me there, please!
Seriously, this is a great one, I think I have my favourite all picked out…
Oooohhh I love this one. Fabulous. I know exactly which one to use. I hope you are having a fab trip. My work has never sent my anywhere glamorous before – unless you count the bank.
Ah, Dom.
I was just checking out your blog and see you're favourite cookbook is also my favourite. Nigel Slater is the man who taught me to cook (albeit through Appetite) but cooking with kitchen diaries makes me feel like he's in my kitchen!
I don't know if you remember me, but I did the Ottenlenghi foodwriting day with you, and I know it's rather uncouth to post a link to my blog in your comments, but it's very new and very tender and I'd love some advice if you have the time.
ofmofy.blogspot.com
p.s. I'm stealing that banana jam recipe! Have a great time in Cannes
I'm glad you're all happy about this months challenge. I think it's lovely to wax lyrically about your favourite books!
And so glad to see so many new faces too. Please do try and take part. It's a fun challenge. ( if you don't cheat!!!)
Xx
Love it! Enjoy Cannes and don't work to %$*&@*! hard!
Sorry I miss last month's challenge (just because in Milan was too hot to cook and I was so lazy) . . . but this month I'm in!!!
Not just in my head…I'm singing out loud…!
Yes, this is a nice challenge…bit spoilt for choice but I think Miss D (or should I say Mrs C) is still the flavour of the month for me…
Oh and have an awesome time in Cannes…
Ciao! This is Bea recipe: http://cookingmanu.blogspot.com/2011/07/hazelnuts-cupcakes-by-bea.html
PS look at the pic, she was very proud and so she wanted to write her name on it!!
That kitchen diaries really catch me up! my favorite recipe book ever!
Love this idea!