http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com collaborative book reviews about all things food and wine Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/7660_new-release-hix http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/7660_new-release-hix#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:49:25 +0000 admin http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=7660 Hix Oyster & Chop House features 100 mouth-watering recipes for dishes that appear on the menu of the famous British restaurant. Oysters are a speciality and the book includes a guide to native oysters, producers in the British Isles, and tips for preparing.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/7660_new-release-hix/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/6197_apples-sara-paston-williams-2009-uk http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/6197_apples-sara-paston-williams-2009-uk#comments Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:59:13 +0000 Duncan Markham http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=6197 The National Trust's (UK) book on apples is probably everything a good British gardener would need to develop an orchard of delicious lesser-known apple varieties. One of a series of useful little books, this volume covers some history of the apple, culinary and cultural, the supposed health benefits, origins of various cultivars old and new, and horticultural tips for growing trees in various settings. This is a valuable and charming book for British readers and for curious fruit growers and apple lovers in other places.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/6197_apples-sara-paston-williams-2009-uk/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5905_new-release-canteen-great-british-food http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5905_new-release-canteen-great-british-food#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:33:35 +0000 admin http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=5905 Canteen took the London restaurant scene by storm in 2005 - a restaurant serving proper British foodwith passion and pride. Unapologetically nostalgic, their first, much-anticipated cookbook is a splendidly comforting collection of 120 British dishes.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5905_new-release-canteen-great-british-food/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5405_new-release-mums-know-best http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5405_new-release-mums-know-best#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:58:00 +0000 admin http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=5405 The Bikers send out a call-to-arms for mums, daughters and their grandmothers to unlock their private recipe archives and share with, and learn from, other mums of all races and backgrounds.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/5405_new-release-mums-know-best/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4533_valvona-and-crolla-mary-contini-2009-uk http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4533_valvona-and-crolla-mary-contini-2009-uk#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:37:15 +0000 Helen Parkins http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=4533 Based on the food served at Edinburgh's best-known Italian deli-cafe, Valvona and Crolla, this new recipe book makes for an evocative and mouth-watering read. Organised around the four seasons, there are recipes, personal stories and mini-travelogues, hints and tips, and detailed ingredient information specific to each time of year. Inspiration abounds throughout, supported by recipes which are as reliable as they are tempting. All in all, 'Valvona and Crolla: A Year at an Italian Table' is a veritable feast for foodlovers.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4533_valvona-and-crolla-mary-contini-2009-uk/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4567_life-is-sweet-hope-and-greenwood-2009-uk http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4567_life-is-sweet-hope-and-greenwood-2009-uk#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:26:41 +0000 JudithM http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=4567 Life is Sweet is about making various types of confectionery at home, traditional and modern. The authors are the owners of the Hope and Greenwood confectionery shops in London and are experienced sweet makers. The recipes include a wide range of cooked and uncooked sweets, from rich dark truffles and chocolate with chilli and lime to marshmallows, nougat, toffee apples, old fashioned ‘pulled’ toffees and salt licorice. If you enjoy astonishing your friends with new home cooked goodies, this is a book to add to your bookshelf.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/4567_life-is-sweet-hope-and-greenwood-2009-uk/feed 1 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/935_the-scented-kitchen-frances-bissell-2007-uk-review http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/935_the-scented-kitchen-frances-bissell-2007-uk-review#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:34:23 +0000 JudithM http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=935 Any comprehensively stocked kitchen will have many scented ingredients in the spice rack, drawer or cupboard, ranging from pungent to aromatic, depending on the types of dishes prepared and enjoyed in each household. This book is not concerned with any of them. The subject matter of The Scented Kitchen is perfumed flowers from the flower garden, using them in various ways to impart flavour and aroma, and in some instance, colour also. Had I come across this title on a shelf, I might well have passed it by, thereby missing an interesting read.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/935_the-scented-kitchen-frances-bissell-2007-uk-review/feed 0 http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/763_the-clatter-of-forks-and-spoons-richard-corrigan-2008-uk-review http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/763_the-clatter-of-forks-and-spoons-richard-corrigan-2008-uk-review#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 09:06:05 +0000 Daniel Chan http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/?p=763 In “The Clatter of Forks and Spoons”, Irish chef Richard Corrigan covers the food that he grew up with as the child of a farmer in Ireland, traditional recipes, and the dishes he serves at his restaurant. Many of the dishes are simple and comforting, and will rarely require any searches for exotic ingredients or specialist equipment. Corrigan is also a storyteller, so you will find essays, anecdotes, and observations throughout the book. He presents his views with a great passion, but it’s done in a similar manner to what you would get from having a feisty debate with a good friend over a beer. He is also a champion of artisanal producers and allows many of these producers their own voice in his essays. This is an outstanding book from three viewpoints. Firstly, in Corrigan’s writing, no words are wasted and his essays could be a book in their own right. The second are the recipes. It is food for the soul, the ingredients are listed in a clear manner, and the instructions are presented in a conversational tone. Finally, it’s a beautiful book. The photography suits the book in that it has a feel more like a family photo album than food porn. Many people will find this book a worthwhile purchase, including those who want to rediscover their Irish and British roots, those who simply enjoy good food writing, and anyone who simply wants to cook a delicious meal.]]> http://www.thegastronomersbookshelf.com/763_the-clatter-of-forks-and-spoons-richard-corrigan-2008-uk-review/feed 2