Cookery Reviews

Although most books we review in Hot Brands are recently published, once in while we find books that we didn’t have time, or space to review first time around. This is one such book, we love Italian food here at Hot Brands, its synonymous with good food, good wine, good company, good weather ... all essential ingredients for a slice of the Italian life that is delightfully served up in this book.

Frankie Dettori, everyone's favourite Italian export, is as well known for his love of life as his success on the course. With a chain of family–orientated restaurants under their belts, Michelin–stared chief Marco Pierre White and Frankie Dettori have teamed up once again to transport their special mix of delicious decadence and simple, down–to–earth home cooking.

We loved this book, it’s heart warming, the photography of beautiful Italian scenery and mouth-watering recipes is fabulous and the personal photographs of Frankie and his family add an intimacy. Both Frankie and Marco share their favourite recipes that they have been cooking at home for years, handed down from generation to generation, and this book could start a tradition in your home; and as Marco says in his introduction, ‘If this book ends up covered in flour and sticky finger prints with the odd note in the margin, than and only then will you have realized its true value’ We absolutely loved it and can’t wait to the weekend to try out some of the
recipes and sit down as a family in the Autumn sunshine as Frankie and Marco suggest.

>> www.amazon.co.uk

Synopsis Ottolenghi is one of the most iconic and dynamic places to eat in the country. Its unique blend of imaginative food presented in a cutting-edge, elegant environment has redefined dining expectations. Yotam Ottolenghi and Sam Tamini’s inventive yet simple dishes, collected over the years at their London restaurant, are inspired by their respective childhoods in East and West Jerusalem, but draw on numerous culinary traditions ranging from Persia to California.

Hot Brands Verdict
The 140 original recipes cover everything from accomplished main courses through healthy and quick salads to Ottolenghi’s famous cakes and breads. Beautifully photographed, both of the food and their lifestyle, this book is a celebration of the Ottolenghi concept. The recipes are clear and easy to follow; the book is divided into Vegetables, pulses and grains, Meat and Fish, Baking and Patisserie, Larder. Whatever your preference you will find something to delight you here, the Hot Brands team are particularly into Bread and Pastry and they loved the recipes in this delightful book, having sampled the Lemon Meringue, where you make your own Lemon Curd, it was sublime, and there are many more absolutely delicious recipes. Highly recommended, we loved it, absolutely perfect for weekend indulgences.

Synopsis Comfort food can restore body and mind. Whether it is the beginning, or the end of a hectic day, we often turn to food for comfort and pleasure as well as nourishment. Clarissa Dickson Wright, the knowledgeable gourmet, has selected 100 of her favourite recipes to create an eclectic and inspirational collection of dishes for you to enjoy at home. People are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of home-made, simple food that will nourish friends and family instead of choosing a take-away, or buying ready meals. There is a desire to go back to basics and cook food that is delicious, often cheap to create and easy to make.

Clarissa has revived and simplified old classic recipes that have stood the test of time as well as presenting original recipes that have been inspired by her travels around the world. Not only are you offered warming classics like Sausage Casserole, or Fish Pie as well as more exotic dishes like Partridge with Dates and Walnuts and gorgeous puddings like Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding, but Clarissa entertains and informs the reader with her witty, historical and often nostalgic introductions. This is a personal collection, but a fascinating one that will inspire and delight.

Hot Brands Verdict
This is a hot favourite of Hot Cook here at Hot Brands, he loves her down to earth no nonsense approach to cooking, with clear instructions, easy to follow recipes and wholesome ingredients. All his favourites are here, mouth-watering steamed syrup pudding, really simple chicken curry, delicious roast pork, with crunchy crackling and the wonderful Sausage Casserole. It’s certainly the way to a man’s heart.

>> www.amazon.co.uk/Clarissas-Comfort-Clarissa-Dickson-Wright

From roasting her first chicken in a tiny gallery kitchen in the middle of the Atlantic to the large feasts cooked at her family home, Daisy Garnett reveals how she not only learnt the skills of cooking, but also fell in love with food- a love that now borders on an obsession. Full of entertaining and often hilarious food and family related anecdotes, her adventures are diverse and heart-warming. Over 100 recipes and techniques are entwined into the narrative and with charming illustrations throughout, this book will inspire all its readers to appreciate the pleasures of cooking- and enjoy a few other lessons along the way.

Hot Brands Verdict
We loved this book, it is utterly charming, what sets it apart from others is Daisy’s narrative. It is like reading an adventure story; a journey through someone’s life, coupled with delicious recipes. Daisy’s commentary makes it even more fun, you don’t just see a recipe, you live the recipe as if you are in the kitchen, or galley with Daisy. It would make a wonderful Christmas present for any food lover.

>> www.gardentrading.co.uk

>> www.amazon.co.uk

Synopsis The cookbook that really understands what you need in the kitchen, answering all your culinary questions, from what the finished dish should look like and if it can be prepared it ahead, to what to do with leftovers.

Over 1,000 mouth-watering recipes, thousands of explanatory photographs, and superb step-by-step guidance will teach you how to get great home cooking on the table without fuss. Plus a 90-minute DVD demonstrates over 25 everyday techniques.With a pull-out Pocket Shopping Book listing every recipe's ingredients, perfect for dropping in your handbag so you’ll never need to write a shopping list again

Hot Brands Verdict
This is a superb book containing absolutely everything you need to know about cooking. What we love are the step-by-step sequences making is easy to follow the recipes, with mouth-watering photographs of the finished result.

This comprehensive book includes recipes for Appetizers and Snacks, Breads, Sandwiches and Pizza, Soups and Salads, Eggs, Cheese, Pickles and Chutneys. Pasta, Pulses, Rice and Grains. Vegetables, Fish and Shellfish, Poultry and Feathered Game, Meats, Cakes and Desserts, including Puddings and Ice Cream, Cakes and Pastries, Fruits and Jellies

The DVD gives really clear and easy to understand demonstrations of basic techniques, and also cross-references to further information in the book.

There is a great Shopping List, which includes all the ingredients of all the recipes, which is so useful.

This is a perfect gift for anyone who loves cooking; it is suitable for an absolute beginner, or for an experienced cook. If you are looking for the ultimate all in one cookbook, this is the one!

>> www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk

Buy The Cooking Book from Amazon.co.uk

Synopsis
"Buonissimo!" is Gino's second collection of recipes. Divided into 5 chapters, this book includes recipes for the family - whatever your family may be. 'Romantico' offers recipes for two - sexy food, sensual ingredients. 'Salute' is food for sharing - generous party food, appetisers and barbecues. ‘Facile, facile’ is full of recipes that take hardly any time or ingredients to make, but taste fantastic. ‘Per Tutti I Giorni’ are cosy weekday suppers and nutritious family meals, while 'Per Me' are recipes specially designed for 1 person, including one-pot meals and comfort food.

Hot Brands Verdict
We loved Fantastico! which was Gino’s first book and this book is equally enjoyable. Gino’s style is very easy and relaxed and the book reflects this, his recipes are clearly explained and illustrated with beautiful photography. Increasing numbers of people are living alone, or through different working hours, eating alone and his ‘Per Me’ section of recipes for one is absolutely delicious.

We loved the Courgettes and Lemon Zest Pasta, really quick and easy to cook, and the indulgent Marzipan stuffed Peach with Meringue, takes longer to make, but well worth the wait! If you have seen Gino on television cooking programmes, one of his strengths is the way he combines flavours, and his Every Day Suppers are a great example of meals with wonderful flavours. We have a definite sweet tooth here at Hot Brands and throughout the book there are delicious mouth-watering desserts, including Hot Chocolate Soufflés with Raspberry and Grand Marnier Sauce, Strawberry Pavlova, with Basil, Lime and Balsamic Vinegar and the aptly named Best Lemon and Mango Tart. If you love Italian food this book is a delight! Perfect for Christmas giving, or as an indulgent treat for yourself.

Buy Buonissimo! Italian Food has never been so sexy from Amazon.co.uk

Synopsis: From cookies to casseroles, fresh from the oven
What could be better than the smell of fresh baked bread or the joy of eating warm cookies straight from the oven? Do you pine for the pleasures of gingerbread houses and holiday delights or the warming goodness of home baked casseroles?

These are just some of the treats that await in Rachel’s Baking Secrets‚ which ties in with her brand new TV series. Rachel shares both the sweet and the savoury sides of baking‚ whether quick snacks‚ wholesome breads and pies‚ exotic cakes and tarts or easy baked meals for friends and family.

Fully illustrated with beautiful food photography including step-by-steps to take the mystery out of traditional baking and pastry making. Rachel also offers troubleshooting techniques for common problems and wheat or gluten-free recipes so nobody is left out of the fun!

Rachel's friendly and expert tuition make this easy-to-use book the best friend to every home baker.

Hot Brands Verdict
This book really is a joy, you can almost smell the delicious aromas in Rachel’s kitchen, she obviously loves baking and the passion shines through in this delightful book. Beautifully illustrated with mouth-watering treats, the recipe categories include Sweet mouthfuls, Cakes, Puddings, Breads and savoury bites, Tarts and pies, Breakfast and patisserie, baked meals, holiday and celebrations, basic recipes and techniques. We loved the Pink Meringues with Raspberry Cream, the Rustic Bacon and Cheddar Bread, and the amazing Date Bread and Butter Pudding with Boozy Toffee Sauce, perfect for a weekend indulgence. We also loved the basic recipes section, which is really helpful there, and there are many more delights to discover in this lovely book! If you love baking you will adore this book.

Buy Bake from Amazon.co.uk

Synopsis: Pastry dispels the myth that pastry-making is complicated and beyond the reach of many cooks. Designed in an easy-to-follow format, this chunky companion presents all the classic pastries in the simplest possible way, along with an inspiring collection of original recipes. Trained in the classic French style, and with more than thirty years experience as a top chef, Michel Roux has a wealth of culinary experience to offer on the subject.

Each chapter is based on a particular dough and starts with a step-by-step technique spread. The recipes that follow use the basic pastry in a variety of ways-both sweet and savoury. Recipes range from great classics, such as Quiche Lorraine, pecan pie and lemon tart, to contemporary ideas for canapés, seafood pastries and filo croustades. Classics are given a modern twist, while innovative recipes offer new flavour combinations, or a lighter style of cooking.

Hot Brands Verdict
This book has become the pastry bible in the Hot Brands kitchen. Hot Cook, our cooking specialist and Louise, our bread-making supremo have both used it and love it, and even our editor, not known for her culinary talents, ventured into the kitchen one Saturday to experiment with making Palmiers. (Although no one actually saw her make the puff pastry, we think she was aided a little by a packet) nevertheless, she swears Michel’ s technique helped her make the end result! This really is the crème de la crème of pastry cookbooks, inspiring, encouraging and superbly illustrated throughout with delicious mouth-watering recipes, a perfect Christmas gift for novice and experienced cooks.

Buy Pastry from Amazon.co.uk

>> www.waterside-inn.co.uk/

Synopsis
Discover how to choose and enjoy over 300 classic and regional cheeses. From a young and fresh Cornish Yarg to a rich and complex Stilton, celebrate the variety, quality and pure culinary pleasure of great British cheeses.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about cheese from detailed profiles of over 300 types from around Britain and Ireland. You’ll discover a range of the finest farmhouse produce and follow the traditional methods of how cheese is made.

Plus, trace its colourful history, get advice on serving and how to put together an impressive cheese board and find out what to buy where, from specialist cheese shops to websites.

This is a delightful little book, there are expert tasting notes and photography to introduce each variety, and we loved the background material explaining cheese manufacture and introducing specialist cheese-sellers so you can make your own selection. We had no idea that there were so many British cheeses, or such wonderful names like Snodsbury Goat which is a hard cheese from Worcestershire, or Vipers Grass which is a soft cheese from Somerset. This is a perfect gift, or stocking-filler for any foodie.

www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk

Buy Great British Cheeses from Amazon.co.uk