One of the hardest things to do is know what is going to happen down the road, we all like to think we know where we are going and how we are going to get there. But how many of us really do know? We can read such books as ‘The Secret’ and ‘Cosmic Ordering’ and come away with some ideas of what we want and how we are going to get it, some of us have even gone to seminars and paid money to get to that stage… then we turn the corner and it all goes out the window…
Sorry I just had to shear that thought with you…


Here are some of the reviews from my works newsletter, I should say I have to write it with the thought of everyone reading it so some of the views expressed are just for the public and not really what I think.

But I’m sure you will notice I do give the biggest review to a Vegan book… But I thought I would shear them all with you as not every one in your life will be Vegan and you may be stuck for a gift book.


Cooking up a storm this season…

With friends and family dropping in on you this season you may be feeling a bit adventures of maybe you just want to show off some of your culinary skills.
It could also be a case of just running out of ideas of how to feed so many people and make it look a bit more interesting than a microwave ready meal from your local freezer store.
Well we are here to help lead you through the many cookbooks that are hitting the shelves in our stores this season.
I haven’t always been a bookseller, at one point you would have found me in a kitchen cooking for as many as three hundred hungry mouths on Christmas day and let me tell you I wish I had one or two of these recipes up my sleeve to help out.
Be it a quick meal as you walk through the door from a hard day of shopping or if it’s meal ideas to impress the in-laws we have them here for you…
I’m going to start with two books we featured last month that are now on the shelves and are selling like hot cakes…

Nigella Express
By Nigella Lawson
ISBN: 9780701181840

Nigella is always known for her own style of cooking and this book is no exception to the rule, be it a quick and easy desert or maybe it’s a meal for the kids who have been out on a play date while you’ve been shopping then this books for you.
You really should try making the ‘Honey Comb’ recipe it was so nice.

Jamie at Home
By Jamie Oliver
ISBN: 9780718152437

Jamie shows that he is more than a ‘bish bosh’ chef with this very down to earth cookbook that shows you over 100 recipes to take your mind off the madness that is the season…

Some of the Best.

‘Marie Clair’ Seasonal Kitchen
By Michele Cranston
ISBN 9781921259036

Throughout this book there are some great recipes to tempt your taste buds, but on page 339 you will find these 4 tempting treats to make any left over cold cuts seem like heaven itself. 4 Roasted Vegies Creamy baked onions, spiced pumpkin, rosemary potatoes, and tomato and eggplant bake. Not forgetting that if any of you have a vegetarian around over the holiday period that these dishes would be great to serve up.

Further Adventures in Search of Perfection.
By Heston Blumenthal
ISBN: 978074759055

Mad scientist or brilliant chef, I’ll leave that one up to you, but Heston really doesn’t stop at just cooking the perfect chicken he wants you to have the best trimmings as well. Use it or just leave it on the table to read this book is a new classic in food development.

Eat, Drink & be Vegan.
By Dreena Burton
ISBN: 9781551522241

If you have a Vegan in the family and never know what to cook for them or if you want to try something a little more healthy than the usual seasonal stooge this year then why not pick up a copy of Dreena Burton’s new book.

Dreena has been making great Vegan food for her family for years and in this her third book she takes it to the next level.
This book will take you through easy to make recipes that you and your family can make together, as well as offer you ideas for those special meals to cook to help you celebrate this season in a healthier way.

Holiday
By Bill Granger
ISBN: 9781921259760

Bill Granger has for a long time been one of my favorite T.V chefs from Australia. In this his latest book he gives us great family food for the holiday season. Bill a family man himself really knows how to make this seasonal cookbook work, with easy to follow recipes for every situation. On page 208 you will find Bills twist on cooked ham, he makes a Hoisin and Plumb Glaze that would make any dinner taste divine. I just wanted to find other ways to use this glaze, trust me one you have tried it you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Ready, Steady, Spaghetti
By Lucy Broadhurst
ISBN: 9781921208980

Now you would think by the title that this is going to be a pasta book from the heart of Italy, but you would be very wrong. This is a great book for you and your children to start cooking together. The recipes range from simple salads to get them eating their greens, right the way through to pork and chive dumplings with a dipping sauce on page 61. A great beginners book for young cooks.

1080 Recipes
By Simone Ortega
ISBN: 9780714847832

Following on from last years runaway hit ‘Silver Spoon’ Phaidon may just have found another big hit with this mammoth book of Spanish cooking. Like Silver Spoon this book really goes to the heart of a countries cooking and as a gift this Christmas to a friend you are sure of a great dinner party or two from this book. I myself have always found it had to get my Paella to taste the same as the one we had on holiday, until that is I tried out the recipe on page 539. I have to say taking the credit for cooking it made me the hit of the evening, I’m sure my secret is safe with you.

Secrets of the Red Lantern
By Various Contributors
ISBN: 9781740459044

If you know someone who loves cookbooks then this may just be the best Christmas present you ever buy them. This book is a journal come adventure into the culinary world of the foods from Vietnam. If I had to choose one then it would have to be something I would order if in a restaurant. On page 335 you will find the simplest starter dish of ‘Tom Rang Muoi’ or salt and pepper king prawn to you and me.

Bear. X