cookbooks

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:04 pm

I looked and tried to find a topic already underway about this topic. Couldn't navigate the site too well. I couldn't see 'The Kitchen' listed in the forum section as a category. Ah well. I will start my own.

I went to the bookstore and got sidetracked in the cookbook section and for those interested thought I'd share what I found. Incredible selection of vegetarian cookbooks, I was in shock! Maybe I've been holed up for so long and unable to move in any sort of direction that I have missed the growth of this. Rumplestiltskin am I?

Anyway I bought this one book called 'Dakshin" by Chandra Padmanabhan, vegetarian cuisine from the south of India. Man oh man this looks exactly right for me. I love this style of cooking, yum yum. So the book contains beautiful photos of the dishes, lovely ingredients, glossary for us ignoramuses. I'm hoping the recipes are easy to follow. I have a couple local sources for unique ingredients, so not worried about that part.

The other book I purchased was the 'New Laurel's Kitchen' which will replace my badly worn and torn copy from the early eighties. I loved this cookbook and the down to earth explanations of food combinations etc helped me become grounded and healthy at a time I needed this kind of info.

Just wanted to tell everybody who likes to talk cookbooks and recipes :-6 Add your own favorites if you'd like.

Bon appetite!

Erin

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:19 pm

Erin, I've heard of the New Laurel's Cookbook! Maybe I will check that out.

Somewhere around here I have the Moosewood Cookbook left over from my vegetarian days. I am thinking of going back to veggie-ism in the coming year.

I have two books to recommend...

The Vegetarian Chili Cookbook (80 Deliciously Different One Dish Meals) by Robin Robertson

and....

Fix It and Forget It 5-Ingredient Favorites (Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes) by Phyllis Pellman Good

I love the Fix It book!! Best cookbook I own. I also have the regular version for cooking in an oven but I use the slow cooker book the most and I plan to get the diabetic version too.

What is it about cookbooks?? When I get a new one I feel like there's such potential waiting for me! Like I have a book of secret laws that will help me create magic. :-6

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:59 am

watermark;718514 wrote: I looked and tried to find a topic already underway about this topic. Couldn't navigate the site too well. I couldn't see 'The Kitchen' listed in the forum section as a category. Ah well. I will start my own.

Is this the one you were thinking about?

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=32719

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:00 am

Hi RG-

Yeah I remember you mentioning the 'Fix It and Forget It' and me thinking that this covered meat based meals but that I didn't have any veggie recipes to go in the slow cooker. I've totally taken that statement back after seeing the assortment of veg cookbooks in the store. There are a few books specifically for slow cookery.

I think I saw the 'The Vegetarian Chili' there also. There was an amazing selection.

I'm not a strick vegetarian but when I do eat this way I feel better all in all. I still love a breakfast with bacon and eggs, or the BLT, even the hotdog with sauerkraut and mustard

I've been enjoying cooking meals that take a long time to prepare. Just something healing for me at the moment. Something I have developed as I've gotten older and since I've been experiencing upheaval of late. My kids have come to expect a dinner that tastes good albeit at a late hour most days. I have hard time being an efficient cook. You should see how many pans, dishes, stirring utensils, lie all over my counter when I'm done.

At the bookstore, there were a ton of cookbooks for the diabetic as well. probably two shelves worth. I'm not knowledgeable about the diabetic diet, but am certain a lot of the recipes are yummy.

Hi Bryn Mawr-

That is RG's thread for a fg cookbook. I was looking for a thread talking about cookbooks in general. but thanks for looking. Maybe there is a thread I just couldn't find anything, but will consoladate happily if one is found.

Happy eating,

E

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:08 am

I've been using the cookbook I bought, south India cooking. So far I've made two dishes, though it seemed like the work of ten

. I didn't have many of the ingredients so went to the asian food store. This took me about an hour standing there searching for the right kind of peas. Did you know there are a dozen varieties of these peas, even though the recipe called for 1 teaspoon of two or three of them, I had to buy a bag of each. Luckily there came a nice Indian woman who wanted to help me find the ingredients. She snickered when she saw my recipe, letting me know right away she could give me an easier recipe than the copy of the one from my new cookbook. Of course I declined, I was bound and determined to make what I set out to make :wah:

The dishes were okay. My house has smelled wonderful for the week since I prepared them. The spices are the best, the tempering that's required for these dishes releases the scent. MMMmmmm... I will try another recipe again in the future, but need a little break as these two kind of wore me out.

Erin

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:46 am

Last book I bought was Slimming Worlds 100 comfort food recipes

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SLIMMING-WORLD-10 ... dZViewItem

can see it there, some nice soup and stew ideas in it.

For pure decadence it has to my Nigella express cookbook

she makes it look alot easier than it is but is dead easy to follow and her laid back approach is fab.

I made these for my hubby and kids last week, Rocky road crunch bars

125g/4½oz soft unsalted butter

300g/10½oz best-quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces

3 tbsp golden syrup

200g/7¼oz rich tea biscuits

100g/3½oz mini marshmallows

2 tsp icing sugar, to dust

. Heat the butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a heavy-based saucepan over a gentle heat. Remove from the heat, scoop out about 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted mixture and set aside in a bowl.

2. Place the biscuits into a plastic freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin until some have turned to crumbs but there are still pieces of biscuit remaining.

3. Fold the biscuit pieces and crumbs into the melted chocolate mixture in the saucepan, then add the marshmallows.

4. Tip the mixture into a 24cm/9in square baking tin and smooth the top with a wet spatula.

5. Pour over the reserved 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted chocolate mixture and smooth the top with a wet spatula.

5. Refrigerate for about two hours or overnight.

6. To serve, cut into 24 fingers and dust with icing sugar.

they didnt last two minutes lol

I dont know if you get Nigella in the states?

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:28 pm

I collect Betty Crocker (plaid books) cook books. I try different recipes from books but I seem to always go back to recipes I grew up with - and my husband thinks a potato (french fries) is a vegetable.

While in Hawaii, I have this hole in the wall restaurant I love - its the best Asian food - I get noddles, beef & Broccoli, sweet & sour pork, and @4 prawns for $6.00.

its so fresh & they cook it right in front of you - delish.. Of course the above is nothing my husband would even try.

I need to get to a book store to get my husband a few books for Christmas, I'll take a look at the cook books you've suggested.

Patsy

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:37 pm

Hi Chezzy,

I've not heard of Nigella, probably could order the book online though. That Rocky Road recipe does sound tempting to make. I know these would not last more than one evening in my house. My oldest son can eat a whole platter of cookies and such without realizing it.

That other 'Slimming" cookbook doesn't sound like too many recipes for slimming down

. I could be wrong 'bout that though.

I think cookbooks are wonderfuul ways to get new ideas but for me it seems I'll tend to establish a basic dish into my repertoire and use it regularly rather than making something new on a weekly basis. I get real excited about the prospect for something new but then burn out quickly. For example the Indian foods I will probably take one of the dishes and use this all the time, which is my aim now as I try some of them, find the ones that work for me and my family.

Hi Patsy-

Betty Crocker, huh? They don't make them plaid anymore, I don't think. My mom raised me on The Joy of Cooking, but I've since gotten a Betty Crocker on my shelf. My Joy of C is tattered and barely functional, should just toss the thing, but... I actually like the BC a lot. I noticed a vegetarian BC on the shelf on my recent cookbook binge.

Are you still in Hawaii? Been to a luai-sp? yet? I spent one summer in Maui with my older sister. There in Lahaina was this weird wild animal restaurant. Served all kinds of beasts. Never knew who would have liked to eat there. Sad, and disgusting as well. Very expensive too as I recall.

Take care,

Erin

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:09 pm

Erin

Got home yesterday - didn't want to come home..

I collect red so the Betty Crocker books (old) matches my red & white checked kitchen.

Hawaii is very expensive as far as buying food - a head of lettuce is $3.80

1 Bag of Lays chips $5.00. Eggs $3.00 a dozen

As far as visting Hawaii - its only as expensive as you want to make it, there's restaurants with deals & coupons, Breakfast $2.99, Dinner $8.99 for surf & turf.

My hole in the wall Restaurant piles on the food - its all to go there, and wonderful.

I'll take a look at your cook books - like I stated my husband is picky - its called a spoiled brat..!!

Patsy