Archive For January 2009
You might not know the name Meena Pathak but I am sure you know her products. Pataks is the name of the company she has helped to prominence, and those little jars and packets are in every supermarket both in the UK and around the world. The distinctive labels indicate quality foods that have a…
The name sounds familiar. Well, it will do to any of us who buy the celebrated Patak’s range of Indian sauces and condiments. They grace every supermarket and are easily recognisable by their diamond-shaped logo. Considered some of the best commercial sauces around, I even have Indian friends who periodically use them. That must surely…
Now, I am not a girl with an overly sweet tooth. I can pass up a slice of most cakes without so much as a backward glance… but cookies, or biscuits if you are British, that’s a different story. The appeal of a cookie is its size. They offer a delicious sweet treat in just…
This is the 25th anniversary edition of Ken’s original and ground-breaking book. I had that first edition, and it fell apart through years of use. I am sure that many readers will have had the same experience. This is a book you will use even if you are too young to remember the BBC series…
Zeenat Harnal began work in the hospitality industry in 1980 as a management trainee within the Taj Group of Hotels in India. This is a prestigious chain which has given the world some of the most enthusiastic and talented managers and chefs. Zeenat moved from Mumbai to Bangalore where she took up a post of…
There are some products that evoke memories. Dr. Pepper root beer reminds me of my friend Carolyn in the US, HP Sauce reminds me of my husband and Hoola Hoops remind me of our boy Peter. Golden Syrup reminds me of treacle tart while watching Sunday Night at the London Palladium (I was very young!)…
Cook Yourself Thin: sounds like a kitchen workout video. “Try these few simple exercises while you cook – lift those pans, jog between fridge and sink, whisk to lose calories.” Not at all. This is about eating but in a more thoughtful way. Almost sounds too good to be true… but read on. The full…
I am so surprised that there are not more Turkish cookbooks around. It’s a cuisine that has had a huge influence on the entire Mediterranean region. Even if you have never taken a holiday in Turkey you will be sure to recognise some of the dishes. The names might change from country to country but…
I have, dear reader, in my possession, one of the original slow cookers or crockpots. It isn’t a thing of beauty and the pot doesn’t come apart to put in the dishwasher. It’s a large capacity brown lump that has been used hundreds of times over the past 25 years. So what is the appeal…
This is a magnificent volume that leads you to expect something special before you even open the cover. Black Pudding and Foie Gras is a vision of brown suede, evocative photography and a bunch of very tasty recipes. Andrew Pern is the author and chef who plates many a serving of Black Pudding and Foie…
It’s all very well telling us that we should eat 5 fruits or veggies each day but that sometimes seems difficult to achieve. Crisps and red wine don’t seem to count and I am not even sure that a stuffed olive is equal to two portions; and is Marmite part of the equation? Perhaps not….
Well, OK, so Mostly Food and Cocktails is mostly about food. No surprise there. But it’s also about laughs, health, and encouraging my dear readers to enjoy food. You can’t truly love meals if they are playing a negative part in your life. You should be able to eat and feel good about yourself rather…
Founded by Margo and Francesco Marrone, The Organic Pharmacy in Kings Road, London opened in 2002. It was the first and only pharmacy in the world dedicated to health and beauty using only organic products and treatments. Fully registered with The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, they choose to specialise in herbs, homeopathy and…
Paula Bartimeus is well placed to write this volume on Healing Foods. She is a trained nutritionalist and was editor of Optimum Nutrition Magazine for eight years. Paula has also written Eating with the Seasons. Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” That’s probably a positive approach to healthy living….
Whilst it’s true that there are more of us baking bread these days, it’s also evident that there are many more who think of bread making as a mix of alchemy and terror. Homemade Breads by Ciril Hitz will offer a wealth of new recipes for the experienced baker and lots of advice and hand-holding…
This book has been around for a good many years and that’s a good indication that it’s a worthwhile read. You can bet that any book that is reprinted as many times as Charcuterie and French Pork Cookery is a winner with the public. I have been looking forward to delving into the pages and…
So what’s Fast Chicken? Nothing to do with shop-bought Fast Food. This is seriously good food and made in less time than waiting for a take-away or, more probably, walking to the high street for some fried chicken originating from some southern state in the good ol’ US of A. Fast Chicken is one volume…
If you think Omega-3 is a planet often visited in Star Trek Voyager then perhaps you should read the book! Might save your life or at least help you live longer. The authors, Penny Doyle and Audrey Deane, have both worked either as dieticians or in food development. They are well placed to give you…