Christmas sees a raft of cookery books arrive, and if there are two things Mrs Foodie can never have enough of it’s shoes and cookery books. You can play safe and stick with the big guns, but that will never garner the kudos of a book carefully selected to suit the recipient’s interest. So if you are still looking for a present for a foodie friend, here are some of our picks for presents that will please a range of tastes.
Taste: The Infographic Book of Food
Taste: The Infographic Book of Food
Different people like information presented in different ways, and if your friend is a visual kind of person they are going to love Laura Rowe’s Taste. This chunky hardback is packed with fascinating and very useful information about food, all presented in easy to understand graphical format. Great for adults and perfect for explaining where food comes from and how to prepare it to children.
Saltwater Kitchen Cookbook: Cornish Food Adventures from the Beach to the Table
Saltwater Kitchen Cookbook
Louise Searle and Haley Spurway’s Saltwater captures the journey from beach to table of contemporary Cornish food and lifestyle. The recipes are filled with bold tastes drawing strongly on Cornwall’s wild bounty. Hogweed Smoked Rabbit Loin on Samphire Cakes with Wild Mustard Dressing particularly took our fancy. The recipes are complimented by text and illustrations giving an insight into Cornish life including tips on where to eat and how to forage some of the more unusual ingredients.
Nikkei Cuisine: Japanese Food the South American Way
Nikkei Cuisine: Japanese Food the South American Way
Nikkei refers to individual members of the Japanese diaspora; Japanese emigrants and their descendents who reside in a foreign country. One of the largest groups live in South America leading to the development of Nikkei cuisine, a marriage of South American and Japanese flavours that is currently taking the culinary world by storm. Luiz Hara’s book provides a wonderful introduction to this new wave with over 100 strikingly illustrated recipes gathered from the best Nikkei restaurants in Peru and Brazil.
Good Things to Drink with Mr Lyan and Friends
Good Things to Drink
No of course this list is not all about food. What a silly idea that would be when many fine festive flavours come in small bottles. If you find creating cocktails complex let Mr. Lynn and Friends walk you through the equipment, ingredients and techniques needed to become a perfect mixologist. The recipes are clear, easy to understand, and we particularly like the little bit of magic included in each where the author explains why it works, and how to take it further.
The Social Bite Cookbook
The Social Bite is a social enterprise that trains and employs formerly homeless people in cafes across Scotland. They also provide food to local homeless communities paid for by their customers (including George Clooney). And as if that was not enough, they have produced a great wee cookbook packed with interesting recipes and inspirational stories from the folk they have helped. Could it get any better… well yes, 50% of profits from book sales will go to help the homeless. Go on… buy two. It’s Christmas.