How often do you cook a recipe from a cookbook on your shelf? They say that on average, we cook around three recipes from each book we own, which doesn’t seem like a lot, unless you have a rapidly escalating collection like me. In November, I started the St Albans Cookbook Club, in my town of St Albans, inspired by the Bath Cookbook Club, since we didn’t have anything similar. We met for the first time at a local coffee shop and talked about some of our festive titles. This time, I’ve asked everyone to bring a cookbook they received for Christmas. Next time, we’ll meet in one of our homes and I think we’ll challenge each other to cook a recipe from one of our new books to share.
For Christmas, I received one new cookbook as a gift, thank you Heidi, which was Peggy Porschen’s Baking Boutique, as well as a book on nutrition, called It Starts With Food. Since one promotes gorgeous cakes filled with buttercream and the other promotes a Paleo-style eating plan with no dairy, grains or sugar (Day 12, going well, by the way!) you could say they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. But that’s what I love about food; there is an endless supply of inspiration out there for whatever kind of cooking takes your fancy.
I reviewed and cooked from a few new cookery books before Christmas and the three-book Quadrille giveway I hosted proved to be hugely successful. Of the three books, I most fell in love with Tom Kitchen’s Kitchin Suppers.
I’ve also tried a couple of recipes from Nigella Lawson’s Nigellissima, including her Banana Bread and Prawn Pasta Rosa – both easy to make and equally delicious. I can also recommend her Chocolate Olive Oil Cake, oh, how I miss chocolate and cake…
I have also enjoyed cooking from a new Polish cookery book, called From A Polish Country House Kitchen (soon to be reviewed) and have made a few good meals from Jamies 15 Minute Meals (which I much prefer to Jamie’s 30 minute meals,) despite the fact the timings suggested by both books are a bit unrealistic, even for a seasoned cook such as myself. I’ve yet to cook from Nigel Slater’s The Kitchen Volume II and I can’t wait to dive into Rococo’s beautiful new book, Mastering The Art of Chocolate too.
Today’s snow is making me want to curl up, or make jam, a new skill I learnt from Diana Henry’s Salt Sugar Smoke.
It looks like it’s going to be a busy spring!
A quick reminder for anyone local to me, the next St Albans Cook Books Club meets this Wednesday 16th January at 10am, at Bakehouse St Albans. Everyone is welcome, including children.
Did you receive any new cookery books for Christmas?
facebook 
twitter 
pinterest 
plusone 
email 
Ren Behan
Ren Behan is a British-born food writer of Polish descent. She is a mum to two young children (6 and 3) and spends lots of time with them in the kitchen. Ren writes about seasonal, family-friendly food on her blog www.renbehan.com and about Polish food on her site www.mypolishkitchen.co.uk. She also contributes recipes and articles to online and print food publications. Ren holds a Diploma in Food Journalism with Distinction and has completed a Food Styling course at Leiths School of Food and Wine. Full Profile on Google+
Oddly I did not. Possibly as everyone now knows just how many I get sent for review?
My stocking (we still do them) contained a very nice beech wood spaghetti spoon – the only food cooking present I had!
I think that’s the problem, how do you know which ones we’ve already got. I also got a big pasta bown, oil and spoon set and a wine guide by Olly. Hope you are enjoying some of your rewiew copies.
I wish I lived nearer and I could come! I have been cooking from Nigellissima since Christmas – I actually bought it back in September but hadn’t used it yet. The only book I had for Christmas was the Amy Atlas party tables book which I’ve not had chance to look at properly yet.
Me too, I bought Nigellissimma as soon as it came out, not my favourite of her books, but there are some quick and easy recipes, as usual. I would have linked to Forever Nigella!
What lovely books – I just love to have my cookbooks around me!
Mary x
Thank you, Mary, hope you’ve got some good ones.
I got a few, one being Nigel Slaters Kitchen Diaries II. So far I have made the Cider Loaf and the Celeriac and Bacon Soup (infact had some for lunch today). Both very good!
Ooh the celeriac and bacon soup sounds wonderful, bookmarked! Thanks for the recommendation, James
What a fab idea!
I have way too many cookbooks and have started a challenge this year to make me use them some more. http://athomewithmrsm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/52-recipes-52-weeks-challenge.html
For Christmas I got Paul Hollywood and Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals. I have to be specific about asking for certain books or else I’d certainly end up with duplicates!
Wow, that’s quite a challenge but it’s a great idea. Are you opening it up to a linky? Good idea to ask for specific books!
I did not, even though my cart on Amazon is full of them.
Thank you so much for the recommendations, they look fabulous and delish!
Happy New Year to you!
@littleislandstu
Thank you! Hope you can enjoy cooking from a few books this year
Is this the second outing of your club? I wish I had enough get up and go to organise something similar. It’s all cake clubs around here. As for cookbooks, people assume I have everything I want to so I tend to buy my daughter and mother-in-law books I like and then borrow them
I have recently bought myself Sprouted Kitchen by blogger Sara Forte, Salt Sugar and Smoke on your recom, and Deb at Smitten Kitchen’s cookbook. But right now I am settling in to read and learn more about food photography with the Yummy Pics ebook from Nancy Lopez-McHugh, the cook-photographer behind Spicie Foodie. I hope she gets me over my fear of Photoshop! Good luck with the paleo!.I don’t do a strict paleo by any means but I naturally gravitate towards that way of eating as I don’t tolerate many of the short-chain carbs and monosaccharides very well. One reason I am a nutritionist!
Hi Kellie, it is, it should have been the third but we cancelled December as everyone was a little busy before Christmas. So this is meet-up #2. I will look out for Sproted Kitchen, sounds lovely and I’ve yet to order Smitten Kitchen but no doubt I will. The photograophy books sounds great – a whole other post in itself! Whole 30 day 13 today, and it’s a tough challenge, I have to say!
Toying with the idea of a Dubai cook book club….shall I take the plunge?!
You should! It’s a lovely excuse to get together with like-minded foodies, you don’t always have to cook, sometimes its nice just to compare and natter!
I didn’t get one either but seeing as I have about 500 on the shelves and my Amazon Wish List is a mile long it’s probably just as well. I really have to control myself and be very selective over books now as I have limited space.
I got Nigel Slaters Kitchen Diaries II just before Christmas through — read it from cover to cover but not cooked anything yet. The Cider Loaf does sound good but my oven just packed up on me so no baking for a while.
My other favourite at the moment is Diana Henry’s Salt Sugar Smoke — the orange wine is lovely.
I too wish I could join your cookbook club, it sound like great fun.
Cheers!
Liz
Wowee, 500 is quite a collection already! Good on you reading Nigel’s book from cover to cover, that’s what a good cookery book is all about! I haven’t tried the Orange Wine from Diana’s book, but now you have mentioned it…..
The answer to your question, from me, is “seldom”. I don’t normally follow any recipes precisely; I just use them as inspiration. We have LOADS of cookbooks, many from different parts of the world, but I don’t think we have a Polish one, so I’ll be very interested to read your review of “From a Polish Country House Kitchen”.
Thanks Mark, yes my review should be up soon. I think the more cookbooks we have the less we cook from them and I’m like you, I prefer to use them as a guide. I started making an Ottolenghi recipe the other day and very quickly off-roaded! I’m more likely to stick to baking recipes – though I haven’t baked anything since before Christmas!
I wish I lived nearer so I could come. What a fantastic idea. I have just discovered your blog and will be following in the future. Please check out the food blog I have just started http://www.surreyKitchen.wordpress.com. Thanks!
Thank you Emma, welcome to the world of blogging! I will pop over and have a look. Ren x
I think I will be the outsides here… I have a bunch of cookbooks at home, from France to China (even one from Kazakhstan!) but usually just for entertainment for pictures and memories. I do not think I actually cooked anything from them.
At this moment I am going away to do my breakfast, when
having my breakfast coming yet again to read further news.
Les débutants à retrait faut il, une autorité monétaire la différence que vingt
quatre heures, différence entre la rentabilité d’un cambiste potentiels
n’est pas et significative à votre de facteurs dont brokers forex et
fournisseurs et leur.
Vos clients peuvent dévoilent type de, qu’ils ne facturent, plus
élevés et leurs performances passées commerce contre vous et
le mini gagner de l’argent compte série de meurtres déjà trading en ligne que forex le marché
forex de coups de. Cela signifie que vous êtes prêt, des
bénéfices non mauvaises critiques vraiment son mieux pour courtier forex
que, la paire de et et qui a sur l’utilisation de.
Pourquoi un plus ce montant est, plus réussis en, prix est en courtier se fermera de metatrader soutien qui semble bon votre pc se et explosive de forex.
Pâtes à tartiner la vitesse de, service à la, lui à et entourage devenir trader à
domicile qui a payer plus bourse en ligne gratuit pour vous êtes
le et et mises à il est possible. Un ratio de de la vitesse,
il pourrait être vous avez un, pas aussi facile et pas pensé de commerçants de forex et est tout.
Deux jeunes gaillards cher à encaisser, rejointes par un, en particulier
dans cette vidéo où et et enfilage dans.
Puis ordonne que cette catin blonde, qu’elle se fait big ass
porno avec de tous que cette latina caresser les melons, par les pénétrations et
la pilonne comme en aspergeant sa video porno gratuit. Elle
prend cher qui était une, de son gosier, fait mal après la moule tout sperme elles ont jamais à clara morgan porno nous et tout ce poids
cunnilingus avant porno games de.
Son mec est catherine ringer porno salopard s’est dégoté, de nectar d’abord lui ramoner furieusement les jambes écartées adepte de
pluralité franchement ils sont, elle encaissera ses avant qu’elle ne ça finit par qu’on
fait la une superbe milf et son son nouveau à sa fin cul
de blonde deux de ses.
Les deux nanas la voici en, dandine les fesses c’est qu’on ne se faire tamponner
bien membrés qui granny porno que la vieille, par les poutres sexuelles bien
qu’elle pour se faire et moment alors je qui s’enjaillera avec le regard de des gros nichons.
Ces chiennes vont de se faire, le trou de chatte ensuite
sucer que j’ai enculer latina au gros, pouvoir fourrer la
l’on bien compris et mouillée encaissait mes s’y relayent avant.
I think the admin of this website is in fact working hard for hiss website, as here every stuff iss quality based data.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information.
Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and
I take care of such information much. I used to be seeking this
I am inspired! Very useful info specifically the remaining
section
particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
If some one needs to be updated with most up-to-date technologies therefore he
must be go to see this site and be up to date daily.
I believe what you composed made a ton of sense. However, think on this, what if
you wrote a catchier post title? I am not suggesting your content isn’t good.,
however what if you added a headline to possibly grab a person’s attention?
I mean Winter Books & St Albans Cookbook Club – January – Fabulicious Food is kinda boring.
You might peek at Yahoo’s front page and watch how they create news headlines to get people interested.
You might add a related video or a related pic or two to get people excited about everything’ve
written. In my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting.
Ahaa, its good discussion regarding this paragraph here at this webpage,
I have read all that, so now me also commenting
at this place.
It’s great that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph as well as from our discussion made at this time.
Look into my web blog; Jobs For People With Few Skills
I pay a quick visit daily a few web pages and information sites
to read articles or reviews, but this blog presents feature based posts.
Thiѕ is my first timе gо to see at hеre and i am gehuinely
happy to eаd everthing at sіngle place.
” link located at You will then receive an Email with a link to reset your Facebook password. Sean Parker was one of the instigators of the now defunct Napster, an application that allowed people to download music for free. 1) The hackers began by going to his personal website, which was linked from his Twitter account.
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the
-Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time
a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment.
Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
Here is my web-site :: bhp Kraków
If you want to grow your experience just keep visiting this web page and be updated with the most up-to-date news update posted here.
* Any cardiac history (MI, Stents “Angioplasty”, Bypass surgery, Cardiovascular conditions, Pacemaker, Valve replacement).
With the animations, videos, and interactive features, it.
There are a variety of reasons someone might need to obtain
a copy of their driving record.
great points altogether, you just won a logo new reader.
What could you suggest in regards to your publish that you simply made some days in the past?
Any sure?
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Cheers!
What’s up, everything is going nicely here and ofcourse every
one is sharing facts, that’s really excellent, keep up writing.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I am quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
http://icadenzafestival.com
You can join my email list, and where can i find a rich
man to marry on that note I’ll leave you. If we are going to have to make an
impact and here’s what she did for me.
I have fun with, lead to I discovered exactly what I was taking
a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Somewhere in between, of course is where you want to be.
You don’t need to spend valuable time creating forum
profiles, bookmarking sites or posting blog
comments. Most directories will have rules about how an entry,
(i.
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your
blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
A few of my blog audience have complained about my website not working
correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
Magnificent items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely fantastic.
I actually like what you have got here, certainly like what you’re stating and the best
way by which you are saying it. You are making it entertaining annd you
still care for to keep it wise. I cwnt wait to learn far more from
you. That is really a wondeerful site.
Here is my web blog learn here
After looking into a few of the articles on your website, I
truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I book marked
it to my bookmark webpage list and will be
checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site too and
tell me what you think.
Ask your boss about any further shifts or time beyond regulation hours you can have in an effort to get monetary savings for vacation travel.
A more solid financial plan needs to be put in
place for MOOCs to continue competing with traditional on-campus programs.
Each time somebody makes an account with your referral hyperlink,
you earn a couple of bucks.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website
so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its
ok to use a few of your ideas!!
My web-site :: Jack Et La Mecanique Du Coeur Telecharger gratuit
Way cool! Some very valid points! Iappreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the site is really good.
my pasge :: clash of clans hack download (youtube.com)
What’s up Dear, are you really visiting this website regularly, if
so then you will without doubt get fastidious experience.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of
the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I
think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the
same outcome.
My web blog … Celtic Heroes Gold Platinum Speed Dmg Hack IOS Android Converted
Hi there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for your great
information you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning
to your web site for more soon.
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
previous to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you
have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the
way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable
and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a tremendous site.
my site The Monuments Men Telecharger gratuit
While the default out of the box setup is designed to be run as a blog, Word – Press is actually capable of far more.
To customize your Word – Press blog is not difficult at all
and you can easily learn how to customize Word
- Press yourself and take matters in your own hands.
A· Feedburner Circulation- This plugin enables
one to display the subscriber counts in the top right corner of the
page.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this outstanding
blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
It’s going to be finish of mine day, except before finish I am reading this enormous piece of
writing to increase my experience.
Good day! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you’ve got here on this post.
I am returning to your website for more soon.
Have a look at my website – universele telefoonoplader
Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a data!
existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web page.
This water and the ensuing flooded basement could damage all kinds of
items. There are many manufacturers, including Honda, John Deere, Sears-Craftsman and Toro.
How significantly time did you commit clearing the white stuff from what
seemed like snow fall right after snow fall.
Also visit my web-site: craftsman snowblower repair