This week I thought I might just digress from my usual posts of promoting the brilliant and totally deserving-of-accolades local chefs and producers, and do something unconditionally and utterly self serving! With the silly season well and truly upon us, there has been the usual flurry of books released to cash in on this gift giving season. Impossible as it may seem, I still have plenty of cookbooks on my wish list. I know I buy an enormous amount of them (or so The Husband says), but there is always another one or two that just catch my eye and cry out to me for a spot on my book shelves or in my heart, so I have whittled the current crop down to five books that I’m pretty sure I can’t live without! I sincerely hope that my family reads this post and takes notes – although I have back-up plans in case they don’t!
1. SARABAN by Greg & Lucy Malouf
Number one on my list is, without any shadow of doubt, the new book by Greg and Lucy Malouf. I have all of Greg Malouf’s other books and simply adore his cooking and writing, but this book about the wonderful culinary landscape of ancient Persia and modern Iran is the most beautiful to look at, to date. Full of the food and food traditions that Persia/Iran is so noted for, this book is stunningly presented with magnificent photos and gold cut-out chapter dividers. I have fondled this book in the shops and lusted wildly after it – I must have it!
2. French Kitchen by Serge Dansereau
Serge – of The Bathers Pavillion in Sydney – shares the French recipes he cooks at home in his Australian kitchen using Australian produce. At last, French cooking made accessible for the Australian cook – and in another beautifully photographed edition.
3. Food From Many Greek Kitchens by Tessa Kiros
Tessa Kiros is another very popular author in this house, with several of her warm and accessible books already on my shelves and her butter cake the Cupcake Queen’s recipe of choice for her frequent creations. Kiros is London-born, of a Greek-Cypriot father and a Finnish mother and has an Italian husband! Add her heritage to the fact that she has cooked all over the world and I think she has it all pretty well covered!
4. Around my French Table by Dorie Greenspan
Much feted in the US, Dorie is the award-winning author of nine cookbooks and this is her latest. This is not classical French Cuisine, nor haute cuisine, but Dorie’s own favourite French food as cooked by her or eaten in bistro’s, then tried at home and very tempting it looks, too! My interest in this book was stimulated by an online group I found that was cooking their way through the book one recipe at a time! It has been out for a few months now and I have resisted the urge to purchase it – leaving that option for my very loving family!
5. Good to the Grain by Kimberley Boyce
I have to be honest and admit that this is not the sort of book I ever thought that I could truly desire, based, as it is, on whole-grain cookery. When I was a very young child, I was badly frightened by a vegan and have subsequently avoided anything that even hints too strongly of whole grain goodness or macrobiotics. However, close contact with this book and some sensible counselling is bound to assist me in my recovery from that early, damaging experience!! I just love to bake and these recipes are enough to tempt even the most serious processed-flour and sugar addict.
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I agree with your wishes especially the first one: my parents visited Iran for their honeymoon and told tales of a magnificently beautiful land and country; I love Persian cuisine and already own two Persian cookbooks and would love this one as well. The photos are stunning.
Amanda, I have to say, you made me giggle… “When I was a very young child, I was badly frightened by a vegan”…love that line.
Your top choice cookbook, Saraban, I was flicking through last week. The photography was indeed very alluring!
I want them all! I’m a cookbook addicted and these books are wonderful! I’m particularly curious to read Tessa Kiros and Kimberley Boyce. Maybe my hubby will be so kind to give some of them…
I actually had a flick through some of these books this afternoon. The Serge D one is really beautiful I have to say.
Sorry to hear that you were frightened by a vegan. Was it the person themselves?
I too am lusting after Saraban but also want this really gorgeous bag for work and am not sure I’m going to get both. I hadn’t seen your other choices but will forthwith investigate (even if they don’t appear for Xmas I can put them on my year long wish list :))
Amanda, GREAT list! I hadn’t heard of the new Greg Malouf book, but I have his Arabesque sitting here on the bench as I type. Also loved his Moorish, which I borrowed from the library. Dorie’s book is wonderful – that I have – and like you I have a selection of Tessa Kiros books as well. Thanks for all the suggestions, I’m going to head out and have a look at them all!
Here’s hoping you get them all!
🙂 Mandy
I completely know where you are coming from about the ever expanding cookbook collection – I can’t seem to get enough of them either!
I LOVE the look of the Good to the Grain – wholewheat baking is something I am very eager to do more of.
Hello Amanda
Great selection. I picked up Saraban from Gleebooks when Greg and Lucy were doing a book signing last week. It’s a pleasure to handle a book so well made. Every page is a piece of art.
It’s worth mentioning that Lucy does the writing, not Greg. He’s the cook. Lucy’s a wonderful writer.
What wonderful holiday reading you will have if Santa brings you all or any of those gorgeous books !
Joumana – I have heard so much about Persian food and the hospitality of the Iranians. I would love the chance to visit there one day.
Brydie – glad you have a smile!
Rita – better start hinting now.
Lorraine – the vegan remark was just a joke, really. 😉
Sarah – good luck with getting both, Sarah. But remember Boomerang Books have monthly discount days which are very well worth waiting for.
Celia – I really, really want to get my hands on Dorie’s book.
Mandy – thanks, but it’s not very likely.
Susan – it is good to hear another positive reaction to Good to the Grain.
Fouad – Lucky you – I saw they also did one in Melbourne and I toyed with the idea of jumping on a plane for just the slightest moment!
Kate – I am looking forward to the break, but looking forward even more to hearing about your trip!
I cannot begin to justify buying another cookbook and yet I do! I often go to the library or visit the bookstore a few times before I carefully expand my collection. I have no more space on my bookshelves! I already succumbed to Dorie Greenspan’s book, but I love that your list goes beyond the obvious suspects. I want all of them. (Sigh.) Tessa Kiros’s books are a wonder, with such beautiful photos that I would want to have it even if I did not cook from it, which I would, of course. Merry Christmas!
Amanda…Aren’t you the clever, albeit sneaky Foodie ;o)
“Good to the grain” is also on my wishlist.
BTW…Hubby thinks I could open my own bookstore since I can bathe in books all day long…especially food books ;o)
Here’s hoping your friends and family pick up on this small hint. LOL
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia