Well Christmas is well and truly over for another year, not sure about
you but I’ve already managed to break several of my New Year resolutions but
despite the dark evenings I do love this time of year. Lots of chunky soups,
comforting stews, steamed puddings and the smell of Seville orange marmalade
bubbling in the pot. The bitter oranges are in the shops now, so rush out to
buy more than you think you need, freeze some and use my Whole Orange Marmalade
recipe (see Examiner website), whenever you are running out of Seville orange
marmalade during the year.
Meanwhile how about some fresh new ideas to liven up your cooking for
2019. Here are some of my favorite new cookbooks to use up your Christmas book
tokens:
1. The
Noma Guide to Fermentation by René Redzepi and David Zilber
2. Ottolenghi
Simple: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi
3. Extebarri
by Jon Sarabia and Juan Pablo Cardenal
4. Ethiopia:
Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa by Yohanis Gebreyesus
5. Zaitoun:
Recipes and Stories from the Palestinian Kitchen by Yasmin Khan
6. Jamie
Cooks Italy by Jamie Oliver
7. Venice:
Four Seasons of Home Cooking by Russell Norman
8. Copenhagen
Food: Stories, Traditions and Recipes by Trina Hahnemann
9. How
to Eat A Peach by Diana Henry
10. Cook, Share, Eat, Vegan: Delicious Plant-based Recipes
for Everyone by Áine Carlin
It may not be to everyone’s taste but my book of the year is the Noma
Guide to Fermentation by René Redzepi and David Zilber. Few chefs know or
understand how to use fermented foods to their full potential like René does.
For several years now, David Zilber, Arielle Johnston and Lars Williams have
been experimenting and perfecting all manner of fermented foods in their bunker
turned fermentation lab beside Noma in Copenhagen, and have gone where few
others have dared to venture. For those of us who have been experimenting over
the years this book is the master class Penny, Marie and all of us in the
‘Bubble Shed’ at Ballymaloe Cookery School have been eagerly anticipating.
Yotam Ottolenghi’s new book, Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook, has taken
the US by storm as well as this side of the world. Israeli born Yotam, author
of Jerusalem and Plenty already has quite the following for his take on his
beloved Middle Eastern food. However, he is not known for simple recipes so in
the nick of time, before people get too exasperated, he’s published this volume
of enticing dishes, many with fewer than 10 ingredients – and several that take
less than 30 minutes to get on to the table. Love this book of quick and
everyday recipes from one of the most creative chefs on the current food scene.
Ethiopia: Recipes and Traditions from the Horn of Africa by Yohanis
Gebreyesus. Always fascinating to learn about the food of an area that is
totally unfamiliar, so I was intrigued to find this book published by Kyle
Books. I first tasted Ethiopian food in Santa Fe in California and later ate
Teff, the fermented flat bread from a stall in Union Square Market in lower
Manhattan. Ethiopia, a fascinating country that has never been colonized but
it’s intriguing cuisine is enriched with the different religious influences of Christianity,
Judaism and Islam, a combination unique to Africa. Chef Yohanis Gebreyesus, takes us on a journey of the essential
Ethiopian dishes, interwoven with enchanting stories of local people and
customs. He whetted my appetite not only for the food but for the country – must
visit soon…
For a taste of Ethiopia here in East Cork, rush to Fizzy’s stall at the Mahon
Point and Midleton Farmers Market. She also sells the quintessential Berber
spice mixture that you’ll need for many of the dishes.
Trina Hahnemann’s name is not nearly as
well known as René Redzepi but in her own way she is a much loved and highly
respected ambassador for Scandinavian food. Trina has written ten best selling
cookbooks full of gorgeous simple recipes. She is an enthusiastic advocate for
sustainable solutions, organic sourcing, and food cooked with love. Copenhagen
Food is a love letter to her native Copenhagen and the delicious dishes enjoyed
from her home town. 
Of the new vegan cook books published in 2018, of which there were many here are a few worth a mention: Cook, Share, Eat, Vegan: Delicious Plant-based Recipes for Everyone by Áine Carlin; Veganish by Holly White. The runaway best seller is by The Bosh Boys, Bosh! Simple Recipes, Amazing Food, All Plants. And finally 15 Minute Vegan Comfort Food by Katy Beskow.
