The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Recipes => Topic started by: r+lchick on November 20, 2009, 09:26:06 am

Title: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: r+lchick on November 20, 2009, 09:26:06 am
OK, hands up.  Who had a great row of cook books and only uses 3.  I'll start the Mexican Wave.  I have a great pile of cook books and use for most of the time an old Readers Digest book.  Possibly one or two others.  I bought a lovely cook book on soups and breads but the ingredients are so expensive or so wasteful that I have never used it.  I may copy the recipies out of some books and then get rid of them.  Anyone want a cook book?
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: carl on November 20, 2009, 09:34:49 am
I know the feeling. I get cook books for presents, and most have never been used, just flicked through and pictures admired. I tend to use only a handful of books and you can tell which ones becuase they have recipes torn from glossy mags etc stored between the pages. with xmas on the way i am expecting more books. I can no longer keep them all in the kitchen and many are hidden away, reducing the chance of ever using them.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: sheila on November 20, 2009, 10:28:01 am
We could start a swop club.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: r+lchick on November 20, 2009, 11:03:48 am
Don't want to swap, but if I work out the postage will gladly send them on to people for the price of postage?  Any takers?
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: daniellestocks on November 20, 2009, 11:17:29 am
My recipies are in the form of bookmarks on my laptop  :D lol
It a nightmare when my internet collection is lost   ::)
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: chickenfeed on November 20, 2009, 11:20:47 am
 ;)i just love cook books you can never have too many who's going to start a list on whats for swaps etc. ???
this could end up being a long post if every one has a house full ;)
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: doganjo on November 20, 2009, 04:08:29 pm
I like having lots of cookery books - the pictures are the best bit.  It's nice to see what my food COULD look like if I didn't add bits here and take bits away there! ;D ;D ;D

My two mostest ever favourites are my signed copy of Nick Nairn's salmon cook book, and my well thumbed, with stuck together pages, all jammy, syrupy, and gravy - y, Katie Stewart.  I am about to make a Christmas cake from that for the CSSA Secret Santa at the AGM in December.  Was going to do one for the TAS meeting innGlasgow on the 7th, but had to think of something much lighter in case Snoopy got it ;D
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: MrsJ on November 21, 2009, 07:40:28 pm
I have loads.  I did try to rationalise the collection but MrJ wouldnt let me get rid of any.  He said we might need them at some time!  I write in mine - I know, some people would have a fit, but I have one of my gran's cook books and I love the fact that she has written little notes in the margin and added suggestions.  I love all the splashes on the favourite recipes.  Yesterday, I asked Stu what he wanted for Sunday lunch and mentioned that most people only use a few recipes over and over again, so he opend a cookery book and we're having Clarissa's spicy lamb with chickpeas.  I think I should try and do this at least once a week.  There must be lots of lovely recipes on my shelf, just waiting to be discovered.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: doganjo on November 21, 2009, 07:45:57 pm
I noticed a couple of books when Sandy and I went shopping on Thursday - Mrs Beeton - I've got an original one of hers.  A bit battered but still readable, one of the adverts has the date 1922 on it.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Moregin on November 21, 2009, 07:49:13 pm
Have to say I am n the 'never have too many cook books' category. Everybody knows if they are stuck for a Christmas Pressie a cook book or a kitchengadget and I am happy.  I tend to read them like books, and generally have a pile at the side of the bed.  only problem is I have a lousy memory and can never remember where I have seen the very recipe I need  ::)

Katrina
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: sheila on November 23, 2009, 09:31:33 am
Mrsj. Could we have the Lamb recipe please?
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: carl on November 23, 2009, 10:55:50 am
a good idea? open a different book at least once a week and find a recipe you've not done, using ingredients you have. I will look out for clarrissa's spicy lamb as i have folk coming saturday lunch and i have loads of lamb and chick peas in my stockplie already. dark evenings, nowt on the box worth wasteing time over, get cooking. i might actually use more of my books rather than hide them away for months on end.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Sylvia on November 23, 2009, 12:05:10 pm
I can read a cookery book like a novel, from cover to cover! I counted and find I have seventy four!! but wouldn't part with any.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: daniellestocks on November 23, 2009, 07:04:22 pm
Yesterday, I asked Stu what he wanted for Sunday lunch and mentioned that most people only use a few recipes over and over again, so he opend a cookery book and we're having Clarissa's spicy lamb with chickpeas.  I think I should try and do this at least once a week. 

Thats the kind of theme i use, first i start off planning our tea meals for the week and find a new recipie id like to try. So i get only the ingredients i will need for the weeks teas, it makes life so much easyer knowing what were having and how long it will take each night to cook,  my weekly shop is soooo much cheaper and i dont buy anything i dont need!!  ;D

Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: sheila on November 25, 2009, 03:20:54 pm
What I really want is a copy of " A shilling cookery for the people" by Alexis Sover. Anyone got one or know where I can get it?
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: r+lchick on November 25, 2009, 03:40:13 pm
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P-cqAAAAYAAJ&dq=A+shilling+cookery+for+the+people&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=534kl4FtVy&sig=XSU0AY30Ao6B-H0yF7GthVAiEXU&hl=en&ei=2U4NS7KbAo6q4Qap0bCNBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P-cqAAAAYAAJ&dq=A+shilling+cookery+for+the+people&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=534kl4FtVy&sig=XSU0AY30Ao6B-H0yF7GthVAiEXU&hl=en&ei=2U4NS7KbAo6q4Qap0bCNBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false)

Hope this link has worked.  Put it into Google and the book on line came up.  Ros

If you want the book, ABE books has a copy for 60p 
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?tn=shilling+cookery+people (http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?tn=shilling+cookery+people)
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: MrsJ on November 26, 2009, 10:50:07 am
Quote
Mrsj. Could we have the Lamb recipe please?
Sorry, didnt see this - will copy it over tonight.  It was delicious, a real "Stick to your ribs" meal, just right to eat in front of the fire.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: sheila on November 26, 2009, 11:38:26 am
Thanks for finding me the book. I have ordered one.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: MrsJ on November 26, 2009, 04:11:58 pm
Recipe for Harrira (actually courtesy of Jennifer Patterson) from the book "Two Fat Ladies Full Throttle".  It sounds like a lot of ingredients but we always keep a lot of spices in the house for curries and sausage making.

4 oz chickpeas, 3/4 lb cubed lamb, 1 large onion chopped, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 oz butter, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, salt & pepper, 1 pt chicken stock, 14oz tinned chopped tomatoes, 2 oz long grein rice, 1 red pepper chopped, juice 1 lemon, chopped parsley.

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight, drain and cook rapidly for 10 mins, then simmer for a further 20 mins, then drain. 
2. Fry the onion in the oil and butter until translucent.  Add the lamb and brown evenly.  Add the ginger, corriander, turmeric, cayenne, cinnamon, salt and pepper and fry for a few minutes. 
3. Transfer to a saucepan and add the stock.  Cover and cook gently for an hour. 
4. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, rice, red pepper and lemon juice and cook for a further 30 mins. 
5. Sprinkle with the parsley.

I served it in a bowl as it was a bit runny, with a chunk of bread - lovely!
This recipe is for raw lamb and dried chick peas but I substituted leftover lamb and a large tin of chick peas so missed out the soaking/cooking of the chickpease and the first hour of cooking the meat.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Gordon M on November 26, 2009, 10:07:40 pm
Top marks to MrsJ!! Harrira soup is amazingly tasty!.
On the subject of cookbooks, I have "Maw Broons cookbook" some excellent old recipes in there, the trouble is,,it's made my trousers and shirts shrink!
Gordon.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: sheila on November 29, 2009, 07:52:55 pm
Have tried your recipe mrs j. lovely!
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: r+lchick on November 30, 2009, 11:07:01 am
After bleeting about having too many cook books, what do I do this weekend - buy two more.  One was a Readers Digest Country cookbook to go with my month by month one and the other was about beans an pulses.  You just can't stop yourself can you.  Together they cost under £5.00 to not too bad on the purse.  Ros  :chook: :cat:
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: carl on November 30, 2009, 12:09:06 pm
I was inspred by your lamb and chickpea recipe, and made something similar this weekend, but with added chorizo, and no peppers. It was well recieved by our visitors, and very filling. i will alter it agin next time and use pork, cumberland suasage and those big white beans as the main ingredients. will also alter the herbs and spices a bit. not sure what to call it? smallholders pork warmer?
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Snoopy on December 01, 2009, 08:01:39 am
Sorry
dont get this thread at all  :o

How can TOO MANY and the word BOOKS be put together in a sentence

IMPOSSIBLE to have too many - more more more    ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Greenerlife on December 07, 2009, 10:03:27 am
Totally agree Snoopy!  ;D  Have well over 200 cookery books.  Some really grubby through over use, but I know them well enough to think I need to cook a certain ingredient - oh yes Ms Grigson is good for that...etc.  The only cookery books I tend to ignore are American ones.  I have never found a decent one with reliable recipes.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: SuzyJ on December 07, 2009, 12:53:45 pm
I noticed a couple of books when Sandy and I went shopping on Thursday - Mrs Beeton - I've got an original one of hers.  A bit battered but still readable, one of the adverts has the date 1922 on it.

Loads of books here but Mrs Beeton is the one used most - 107 years old my copy is and definitely looking worse for wear but has some great stuff in plus illustrations.

Gotta be one of the best things I ever inherited!
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 08, 2009, 10:30:02 pm
I've got way too many  (just considering the space on the shelves!!!) but am still asking for more...Will get the Sicilian kitchen from my mum and Jamies At home from OH (wanted it for years!). I love the inspiration to try something new but in the end I tend to do one out of each book - but quite often again and again.
If you want to let me know what you want to get rid of, I might just like it and send you the postage lol :&>
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Jackie on December 23, 2009, 12:42:00 pm
You CANT HAVE too many cook books, you just cant!

I have loads and I love every one.of them I read and re-read them many times and often give a book to my family and say "pick one"  :D
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Snoopy on December 26, 2009, 10:20:45 am
Got more for Christmas - hooray

Love the River Cottage Every day - and Hugh signed it too, also got the Diary 2010 - well they were Joes' presents,
but its me that will end up doing the cooking and putting dates in his diary as usual  ;D ;D ;D

Bought Jenny Bristows Today and Everyday Cookbook, secondhand for 3 quid in the North, a bargain  ;D

Also got a lovely Scottish Recipe book too, and  The Chinese Kitchen, that has great recipes in so will soon be
having a dinner party chinese style

Keep them coming......

Recommendations

M & S Has a lot of reproduced Mrs Beeton books in stock and they will probably put them in the sale.

Any Womens Institute books are always full of great recipes and ideas - so look out for those in the sales too!

Happy 2010

Julie
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: doganjo on December 26, 2009, 02:53:00 pm
I've got way too many  (just considering the space on the shelves!!!) but am still asking for more...Will get the Sicilian kitchen from my mum and Jamies At home from OH (wanted it for years!). I love the inspiration to try something new but in the end I tend to do one out of each book - but quite often again and again.
If you want to let me know what you want to get rid of, I might just like it and send you the postage lol :&>
I just had a thought (yes, I know, it's dangerous at my age  ;) ;D ;D)  We could all meet at James and Kenny's hotel for lunch some day and have a 'swap shop'.  Not just cook books - other things as well.  We could decide on a date and put a list on here of wants and offers - what do you all think?  That could work in other areas too - look on the members map to see who's near you.
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 26, 2009, 03:27:52 pm
Sounds absolutely fab, Annie! Any excuse to barter and swap and of course to have James' and Kenny's steak pie  ;D :&>
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: jameslindsay on December 26, 2009, 03:44:43 pm
Good idea Annie  :)
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Greenerlife on January 04, 2010, 12:00:44 pm
Another book added to my already groaning shelves for Christmas - hoorah!  Nigel Slater's "Tender" - all about vegs - tip top book - the way he writes just makes me want to eat. ;D
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Rosemary on January 04, 2010, 02:54:21 pm
Just looked at this thread - love the idea of a swap shop, especially since we'll be moving in the summer. Or we could have a garage sale...
Title: Re: Who has too many cook books?
Post by: Wizard on January 10, 2010, 12:09:54 pm
My problem is where do you keep them I used to belong Readers Digest Group They have published some great cookery books so has Time Life but now it seems the book has to be by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall or Jamie Oliver Gary Rhodes or such very nice I'm sure There is a lot on Tv we like Nigel Slater not a chef but my word he can cook.We also like Nigella on TV.So I record the program and save the recipe I like to disk after editing out all the rubbish it saves no end of space.If its a complicated recipe I print it out and take it in the kitchen.You cannot have to many books ! Oh you can I assure you but I will need an awful lot of disks to fill one shelf LOL George & Kath