Cooking Blog

While I’m trying to limit the purchase of new cookbooks, two have recently made their way onto my shelves as they are two of the Best Cookbooks I’ve seen in a while.  I simply couldn’t resist and thought I’d share as they have both already been put to use, a sure sign they’ll become favourites.

Best Cookbooks

The first of my new Best Cookbooks is “Slow Cookers”, from a series called Kitchen classics .  In the cooler months my slow cooker really gets a work out.  So much so I’ve recently added a second smaller one to my collection so I can have ready made porridge for the family when we wake up.  My kids always want porridge  in winter, and because we’ve decided we like the traditional oats the best, they usually have to wait a whole 5-10 minutes while they are prepared.  Way too long for any kid!  Now the problem is solved.

Anyway, back to the Cookbooks.  I’ve already made Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup – very easy and simple using chicken thighs and fresh corn.  Another great recipe is one using lamb shanks, which are pretty difficult to mess up in the slow cooker.  This was sensational and the kitchen was filled with wonderful smells while it cooked.  Here’s the recipe.

Lamb Shanks with Tomato, Chilli and Honey

8 french trimmed lamb shanks

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 large onion, sliced

1 cup red wine

2 tsps dried oregano (I used fresh)

1/2 tsp chilli flakes (I left these out – we’re not big chilli people)

500g tomato passata (I used 1 tin diced tomatoes)

1 cup chicken stock

1/4 cup honey

Throw it all into the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.  Serve with rice or vegetables.

The next of the Best Cookbooks won me over not just because of the great simple recipes, but the extra hints and tips given with each recipe.  Sometimes you want a bit of extra information or to put a twist on a recipe, and this book caters for that.  It’s called “The Basics: A really useful cookbook”, by Anthony Telford.

I have already made the Tomato Soup which was a huge hit with the family using wonderful fresh tomatoes.  Also featured is “Really Useful Information” on some of the fundamental ingredients in the kitchen including selection, preparation and use.  I think this book would be a ‘really useful’ addition to any kitchen.

So there they are, two of the Best Cookbooks I’ve purchased in a while.  If you see them, have a closer look.  They are definitely worth the investment.