The collection is spilling out of its (limited) shelving these days. Herself pouts when I buy new cookbooks because she is under the entirely erroneous impression that each book should earn its keep. Poor girl. She doesn't know that cookbooks are for reading in bed and looking at the pictures. They're for inspiration and encouragement and comfort at times of strain. And yes, I have cooked out of most of the cookbooks I own, but by no means all. Buying a cookbook is a statement of intent, as far as I'm concerned, and no more.
Most of my favourite, don't have to think about it, cook on automatic pilot, recipes came long ago from cookbooks and then were committed to memory. Some I still have to check no matter how many times I make them - like pancake batter and Kosheri and Jamie's baked beans.
And they come in and out of focus depending on my latest culinary enthusiasm. At the moment it's baking, so Nigel will come out, and Hugh, and my new boyfriends the Herbert Bros.
In moments of doubt I have Delia's Complete Cookery and Leith's Bible. Both are excellent. Best loved are Nigella's How to Eat, Nigel's Kitchen, River Cottage Every Day and the Internet.
You never have to pay full price for them, they're often quite beautiful, and obviously they are full of deliciousness. I need more shelves.
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hurrah for cookbooks and huzzah for your culinary exploits.
ReplyDeletewhere would we be without your delicious morsels inspired by said books. herself must BUILD MORE SHELVES.
personally, i am with you in spirit but i can't muster the same delights as you can. and they are too heavy to read in bed. alice will help you with your campaign - you are peas in a pod.
and i agree: delia, prue and madhur for me are my goddesses.
Nigell'as How to Eat does NOT have enough pictures to tempt me, but i'll never forget herself's apple tart....(happy thoughts)