19 Apr 2015

what's your cookbook?


Yes, I know there's a Vogue book in there. Girl's gotta have a bit of glamour


If you could have a cookbook that was ‘you’, what would it be like? I don’t necessarily mean a book that you write; rather, what collection of recipes would reflect your tastes and desires, your style of cooking and eating, how you shop, harvest, cook, eat and think about food? What would be in it?

I started thinking about this when I was working my way along the cooking shelves of my local library. I’d pick out a book, the colour and words along its spine tempting me, the covers making me want to take it home before I’d even cracked open the pages.

I’m sure you’ve done the same thing in your library or a bookshop; flipped and thought oooh! Look at all these delicious meals! And then had a closer look and thought, in a disappointed fashion, hmmm, maybe not. Too much of this, not enough of that, is what I thought as I put the book on the shelf.

I recalled that most people only make three recipes from a cookbook. When most cookbooks, I think, have around 100 recipes in them, that’s not a good strike rate.

So imagine holding in your hands a cookbook that you’d make everything in it. What would it be like?

Chuck out all the rules. I must admit I’m amused by books that start with a breakfast chapter. Me, I eat the same thing every day: rolled oats, nuts, stewed fruit, soy milk; cold in the summer and warmed through in the cooler months. I’m apparently not alone: someone at work told me that when it comes to brekkie, most of us are creatures of habit; changing your breakfast choice is one of the most difficult things to do (especially before 7am). I cannot fathom making a different breakfast every day, even on the weekends. So no need for a breakfast chapter for me.

I wouldn’t have a soup chapter either. My mother is horrified that I recently confessed I wasn’t a big fan of soup. After years of her freezing little portions just for me, each time she made her own big batches! I like chewing things, and while I do enjoy mum’s soups (I do, mum, really!), I could never be bothered making my own. I tried once, and it was just soggy vegetables floating about in water. But then I reserve the right to be contrary: recently I made tomato soup. But it was pretty thick, so more likely I’ll use it as passata.

So let’s get on with what I would have. Lot’s of chunky, healthy salad recipes: substantial, colourful, nutritious, hearty bowls full of vegies, chickpeas or lentils, nuts, and some leafy green things — but not too much; remember, I like to chew. Salads that are main courses in disguise. Different textures and colours exploding from every gorgeous bowl, all assembled in a flash. I actually have pictures of these kind of meals, torn from magazines and stuck on my fridge, for constant inspiration. So a few pages in a book would be very satisfying.

Next would be a chapter that would inspire my weekend meals. Like things on toast or between two bits of bread, but better than what I do at the moment. I need my weekend lunches to be quick because I’m usually in and out of the garden, but I know I could jazz things up a bit. Something to get me out of my summertime cheese and tomato and basil rut (which is pretty good, but a rut nonethless).

The next savoury section would be dedicated to the oven, because I love my oven. I’m thinking colourful vegie gratins, filling pasta bakes (but not too stodgy), warming risottos, wibbly-wobbly quiches, rustic zucchini-scattered galettes. Like the salads, a good emphasis on good-for-you as well as good-tasting. The sort of dishes you make in the wintertime, on the weekend when you have more time (as opposed to those quick toss-it-all-together bowls in the salad chapter).

Then we have, of course, the cakes and puddings and sweety things. Very old-school, old-fashioned. No chai puddings or avocado-chocolate mousses here, nor fancily decorated three-tiered constructions, no celebration or ‘special occasion’ gateaux.

We’d have plain cake, lemon cake (which I now know you love too!), orange and apple cakes, one or two fail-safe chocolate cakes (because everyone needs a go-to chocolate cake). There’d be a small selection of boozy cakes, because you know I love soaking my sultanas in sherry, or sploshing some tia maria in the brownies. A selection of biscuits made for dunking in a mug of tea. And after-dinner fruit crumbles and bread and butter puddings; homely and comforting, a little bit stick-to-the-ribs. All very CWA and what-granny-used-to-make-on-Sundays. Because they are the kind of recipes I love looking at and that inspire me to get in the kitchen.

So there we are. Some of those recipes I’ve already collected here at Dig In, or I have squirrelled into folders, in my own kind of recipe book. But it would be good to have all my favourite and favoured recipes all in one place. I have no desire to write a cookbook (I’d be scratching to reach that target of 100 recipes), but it’s a fun process once you start plotting.

So do tell me: what would be in your cookbook?

23 comments:

  1. Oh, go on, write a cook book. I like everything that's in your dream cook book!

    My actual favourite is Stephanie Alexander's The Cook's Companion. If I could only have one cookbook, that would be it. Arranged by ingredient, it is brilliant for home gardeners and those who shop seasonally. Honestly, it has never failed me for a good recipe that my children will generally eat no matter what glut of odd vegetable I have on hand:)

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    1. Oh, it is brilliant that one, isn't it Jo? unfortunately I do not own it...but whenever I've read it (library, friends' places) I think I really should get it! it is the cleverest and most practical book. no one could beat it!

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  2. How interesting e, I like the sound of your cookbook! I rarely/never change my breakfast either. Always something loosely based around muesli, porridge, dried fruit, nuts and yoghurt.

    I love cookbooks with extra information in addition to the actual recipes such as stories about the author or the ingredients. Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros is a great example of this with stories about her children, her childhood and where the recipes came from.

    The Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans is also a favourite of mine. In amongst the recipes are pages of information about the ingredients, produce, producers, food ethics etc.

    I think my cookbook would be a lot like your cookbook; no nonsense sweet things, some meals that are on the healthy side but not necessarily super-healthy diet food with plenty of cooking inspired by home grown ingredients.

    I would have to dedicate a chapter to bread and bread things.

    Nothing too fancy, no icy cold desserts (shiver!) and not too much seafood. Seafood is something that rarely appears in my kitchen! Happy Sunday, great post!

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    1. Jane, your cookbook would be incomplete without a bread chapter! 'nothing too fancy' - that just about sums me up too, I think.
      hope you had a great weekend too, jane.

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    2. I'm with Jane... I love cookbooks like The Real Food Companion... and Stephanie's Bible too...

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    3. maybe I should ask santa for the Cook's Companion...

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  3. I would agree with your ideas for a cookbook. I have never been too keen on soup but my husband LOVES it. I don't think I like the feeling of 'bits' in my mouth so I now always blitz them into a creamy soup. I treated myself to a stick blender a year or so ago and this has been great - why didn't I buy one years ago?!! Basically I make 3 soups: carrots & coriander, leek(or celery) & potato, roasted pumpkin which are all very nice. I would add a few casseroles and fish dishes but again they are basic ideas, I don't do anything complicated and fancy these days. Simple and tasty is my motto!

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    1. That would be a great title for your book, too, linda!
      and while I don't do soup much myself, *roasted* pumpkin sounds like a delicious variation on a classic.

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  4. My breakfast is almost the same as yours, and I have it absolutely every day. Porridge oats, cashew nuts and a little dried apple and/or cranberries, soaked overnight in soya milk, then some Greek yoghurt on top. Lunch is usually the same too, bread, cheese, salad, from the garden if possible. I'd love a book with lots of seasonal local food in it. Recipes for those gluts. I love my Harry Eastwood cake book, "Red Velvet and Chocolate Heartache", she makes delicious healthy sweet things with vegetables hidden in them. I quite like Sarah Raven's cookery books too, because she's a gardener and she uses the homegrown produce beautifully. And I like the occasional (!) slice of something from one of Nigella's books, Roxanne's Millionaire's Shortbread for example. And Delia alway does things beautifully, so some of her recipes would be a must as well. It's intriguing how everyone's choice is absolutely unique to them isn't it. Great food for though. Wishing you a day of delicious things. CJ xx

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    1. thank you CJ. yes, I quite forgot the 'kitchen garden' and seasonal approaches. i'm a big believer in eating what's in season, so maybe i'd have to reorganise my book by the seasons. puddings for winter, puddings for summer ... or as you say, by gluts! though zucchini recipes could (should?) be a book of its own :-)
      I must look for sarah raven books in the local library. thanks for the tip-off.

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  5. I do change things up for breakfast. I tend to go in long ruts with it though. For a long time it was gingerbread with a smoothie, but I'm back to oatmeal with a smoothie. Sometimes it eggs. But it would be hard to make a cookbook for me. I can't eat gluten, legumes, or any nightshade crops, in addition to a handful of other minor things.

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    1. gingerbread for breakfast - I am impressed! daphne, you probably should do a book; i'm sure there are lots of people with intolerances like you who would be looking for delicious guidance and inspiration.

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  6. I can very well choose your imaginary cookbook as my favorite e! The oven foods, simple and boozy cakes, the substantial salads... love all of it. I don't know what cookbook relates so much to me, but I have made so many recipes from La Tartine Gourmande, I'm impressed. I bought it for the pictures (no really, I did!), and realized later that it was gluten free, which I'm not. Turns out I love good GF recipes, all those alternative flours and such. So right now I could live on that cookbook. Very weird.
    My breakfast is coffee. After a few hours I eat something. Right now it's oatmeal with almond milk and fruits. But it changes. Have a great week!

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    1. hello paula darling, I have not heard from you for ages! that's interesting what you say about GF - I never even look at GF recipes because I don't need to, but maybe I am missing out? and I shall look for the book.
      oh, and we all get the cookbooks for the pictures... a cookbook without pics gets put back on the shelf very quickly.

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  7. mine would have easy no fuss recipes with lots of desserts full of cream and chocolate and fruit. baked dishes that you just throw in the pan then into the oven. lots of Persian food and Middle Eastern meals. and potato everything:)

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    1. hey sherry, your desserts sound pretty good - I actually realise that I like a lot of fruit-based puddings and cakes (and who argues with chocolate?). Persian and middle eastern is new to me buy yum, I could be persuaded!
      brown rice and chickpeas are my carbs of choice :-)

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  8. Sounds good to me! Mine would be a kitchen garden book. Eating and cooking from the garden as well as permaculture plants that people may not be familiar with eating :)

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    1. I love those kind of kitchen-garden books too jem! and the names - pasture/paddock to plate, fork-to-fork - so many inventive possibilities.

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  9. I actually have a cookbook of collected recipes, family recipes, recipes from friends etc. it's pretty messy, but only the tried and true recipes get written down there. That would be my start point. Then the things I make without thinking: simple dishes like pasta with broccoli, steak and mash etc. Lots of veggie side dishes. Lots of ways to recreate dishes out of leftovers. Simple food and the occasionally fancy, flashy dish. That's me in a cookbook.

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    1. oh yes - a leftovers section for sure! with advise to always label your leftovers before stashing them in the freezer, unless you like playing 'mystery frozen food'. sounds excellent, bek.

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  10. Yes go on write a cook book! Gosh I can't believe you aren't a fan of soup. I love the stuff (hubby not so much :) ) ... hmm a cook book. Not sure really - easy pessy dishes, oven bakes, casseroles with spices .. I could go on and on .. I love food! :D

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    1. ha, I can hear your enthusiasm form here, frogpond! 'easy peasy' would make a great title, don't you think? yours would be visually stunning, all your wonderful photos.

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  11. Very interesting and comprehensive cook book ideas! Mine would most definitely have a section for noodles and pasta. And maybe curry. Yum!

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