… when flicking through a cookbook do you often think that there are some sadly neglected bits of the book… that, like the filling of a sandwich, the juiciest recipes are perhaps in the middle of the book… or is it just me and Jean from Baking in Franglais who suggested this idea…?
… this months random recipes is all about those sad two pages and the recipes they hold… i’d like you to randomly select a book from all your books and then, for a first time in random recipes, you get to choose either the first page of that book, or the last page, whichever takes your fancy… and cook that recipe… it’s an intriguing idea because you’d expect that most cookbooks start with starters and soups and end with desserts but scouting my books that’s very often not the case depending on the theme of the book… and even when it is, that first recipe is often a surprise… go have a look!
… usual rules apply:
1. randomly select a book
2. look at the first and last recipes
3. choose one (or both if you’re feeling flash..) of the recipes and make it
4. post the recipe on your blog with a link back to my blog and include the random recipes logo
5. deadline is midnight on the 29th May
… this month I went all out and took every cookbook I had down from the shelves and threw them around the room… I span myself around and pointed… and my random book this month is Porters – An English Cookery Bible by Richard, Earl of Bradford and Carol Wilson…. as the title may suggest it’s a very very English cookery book written by the founder of Porters restaurant in London. I’ve never cooked from it before so this is a first for me… the first recipe is for Asparagus with Orange Butter and the last recipe is for Cinnamon-scented Rice Pudding Brulee. Both sound wonderful and if I can i’ll try and make both dishes…
… so that’s it, off you go and get random!
Brilliant, love it! Oooh, but first or last, which to choose…
Intriguing! I think I'll be heading for dessert at the back!
Oh great challenge…!
What a great idea! I didn't contribute last month because I dont bake but this looks fun! 🙂
Yet another great theme for the challenge, Dom! Looking forward to finding out what I'll be attempting…
I like this idea, that cinnamon brulee sounds divine, can't wait to see it.
You're right! The first and last are usually ignored as we dig deeper toward the middle of the cookbook! This should be fun!
If you're trying to decide, I'm voting for the cinnamon rice pudding brulee!
A very interesting concept and you're right – I'm often jumping into the heart of a cookbook and bypassing the beginning and ending pages… I'm not sure I'm convinced the best recipes are necessarily on either of these pages, but neither should they be ignored… 😉
Sounds good! Love this idea. xxx
Yay, a choice – how exciting is that. First pages I'm more likely to do with that initial enthusiasm that I'm going to make everything, so start at the beginning. It never lasts, so not sure I've ever done a last recipe.
SNAP! I have that same book Dom! Love it! And LOVE this challenge and as ever, count me IN darlink!
I have read the challenge PROPERLY this time too! LOL! Karen le Smutt
Great challenge and we get a choice – how exciting!! Of course if it's a macaron book it doesn't matter what page I choose, it will still be macarons so let's hope not! 😉
I hope you don't get a zillion posts about watercress soup or lemonade !!
I LOVE this one!! Although perhaps I should wait til I pick the book and discover the recipe to decide that! Was sorry not to participate in last month's challenge…it was a long month! This month I am in for sure!!
Think I might join in for the first time – here's hoping something tasty and exciting!
My randomly selected book is 'Sugar Animals', which means I'm either going to be making a sugarpaste elephant or sugarpaste frog… certainly can't argue about the randomness of this challenge!
Hehe – Dom, your comment made me laugh out loud. I hadn't realised it, but the second picture does look rather unappetising! Tasted lovely though at least. Looking forward to next month to see what it throws up!