Food & Drink Food Inspiration

Recent Recipe Book Favourites

June 19, 2016

Recipe Book FavouritesLast year, I shared some of my favourite recipe books, and since I’m always buying new recipe books (seriously, our shelf is almost full), I thought it was about time to share an updated list of some of my new favourites or ones that I’ve been loving lately. You’ll notice most of the food focuses on mediterranean or middle eastern food, since that is probably my absolute favourite! I could eat it all day!

Turkish Delights, by John Gregory-Smith Turkish Delights, by John Gregory-Smith Turkish Delights, by John Gregory-Smith Turkish Delights, by John Gregory-Smith

Turkish Delights, by John Gregory-Smith

When I bought Persiana last year I was in love with all the middle eastern recipes. We visited Istanbul last year, and I was in food heaven! The first night there, we stopped by a turkish restaurant for food (all the locals were there), and it was some of the most amazing food we’ve eaten. I’m not lying when I say that I think about it every single day! So I was excited when I came across this book full of turkish food! We’ve only tried a couple of the recipes so far, but the ones that we have tried have turned out so delicious! It does require a few ingredients that may be hard to find in your local supermarket, but I managed to find most of them online. I’d recommend the Chicken Stuffed with Spinach & Cheese – we loved that!

From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick SteinFrom Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein

From Venice to Istanbul, by Rick Stein

I’ve lost the original cover (I can’t stand those stupid paper covers so always take them off), so sorry about the underneath cover instead, though it is really pretty! I’m not usually a fan of Rick Stein (Jamie Oliver is top of my list) as he mostly focuses on fish, which I love but his recipes don’t usually appeal to me, but when I saw his show ‘From Venice to Istanbul’, I was drooling over the food. My favourite thing about the book/show, is that it combines my three favourite cuisines: Italian, Greek and Turkish and also explores all of the countries inbetween, like Croatia and Albania! We tried the Lamb & Pistachio Kofte which were SO good, and I’m dying to try the Moussaka.

Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith

Byron, by Tom Byng & Fred Smith

This was a random ‘omg the food in here looks delicious, let’s buy it Shane’ purchase while we were in Costco a few weeks ago. While Shane is usually pretty good at trying all the crazy things that I put on his plate, I do feel sorry for him since he does really enjoy his ‘man food’, so I thought this would be perfect! I must admit that the burgers are all pretty much the same just with a few different toppings, but when you get to the next part, full of ribs, southern fried chicken and mac-and-cheese, it’s pretty interesting! It’s also got some pretty good salads in there, with loads of homemade burger/salad dressings and a good dessert section!

Malaysia by Ping Coombes Malaysia by Ping Coombes Malaysia by Ping Coombes Malaysia by Ping Coombes

Malaysia, by Ping Coombes

I love asian food, and I love the mix of asian and indian food that Malaysian food is. It’s so inspired by their flavours that they have a lot of currys. The colour of the book immediately stood out at me, so I bought it! I had no idea at the time that it was from the winner of Masterchef a couple years ago here in the UK. I thought I recognised her! I made the Laksa for dinner the other week while Shane was away and it was so good! I’ve got loads of leftovers in the freezer for a quick dinner one night. I’m excited to try a few more of the curry and noodle dishes!

What are some of the books that you’ve been loving lately? I’m always on the hunt for more recipe books!

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  • Reply
    Kyia Belle
    June 20, 2016 at 1:36 am

    These look like such great cookbooks. I personally love recipe books, as I’m definitely not the one to make up dishes on the spot. One that I’ve been loving is Celebrate by Lauren Conrad- it’s a baking book, but still so so good!

    • Reply
      April
      June 21, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Haha! Yea I tend to use recipe books for inspiration then add my own little touches to the meal (I can never just follow a recipe haha). I’ll have to have a look at that as I’ve been loving baking lately!
      xo April

  • Reply
    Jasmin Charlotte
    June 20, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Ohh I love a good cookbook! I have way too many and never end up cooking enough from them! I really like Superfood by Jamie Oliver at the moment, and the Jerusalem by Ottolenghi!

    • Reply
      April
      June 21, 2016 at 5:22 pm

      I know that’s the problem that I’ve got! I keep buying new books, cooking 1 or 2 things from them and then I see a new book that I want haha! I’ve got Jamies book – but I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never actually made anything from it and I’ve been eyeing up Jeruselem for SO long! I think I might have to buy it one day haha!

  • Reply
    Melanie Fontaine
    June 21, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    I definitely share your cookbook obsession! I’m trying to keep myself from buying new books too often, because if I would give myself free reign things would get out of hand pretty quickly, but I don’t really think there’s such a thing is too many cookbooks! ๐Ÿ˜‰ One of my current favorites is “Green Kitchen Travels” which is a vegetarian cookbook based off of a food blog and features lots of healthy recipes inspired by the author’s travels and I’m always drooling over the photography! I also love “My Kitchen in France” by Mimi Thorisson, who is another food blogger and talks about her love for country living and her family so heart-warmingly that her book always leaves me feeling invigorated – the recipes are really good, too! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    My favorite cookbooks tend to be books that aren’t just about the food, but rather offer a holistic view of a lifestyle, whether that’s travel, family or any other lifestyle. I always loved reading how a particular style of cooking and living comes together! ๐Ÿ™‚

    And all the books in your post look so gorgeous – I have to keep them in mind for my next purchase! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Reply
      April
      June 21, 2016 at 5:28 pm

      Aww haha! I can’t go to the supermarket without visit the cookbook section to see what’s new ha! I’ve heard of the Green Kitchen Travels one – she had another book (or blog) called Green Kitchen Stories right?
      I’m pretty sure I used to follow Mimi Thorisson’s blog too haha! I didn’t know she’s got a book now!
      I do love a book where it tells a story or the background – especially if it’s anything to do with travel – I think that’s why I love the rick stein book, because it’s not just him writing recipes – he went on a journey literally from Venice, through all the countries to Istanbul experiencing new and traditional food from the places that he visited – and I LOVED that!
      xo April

      • Reply
        Melanie Fontaine
        June 22, 2016 at 9:50 am

        Mimi Thorisson actually has another book coming out this fall! ๐Ÿ˜‰ I think the blog is called Green Kitchen Stories is the name of the blog and their first book was called The Green Kitchen, I think! I don’t own it, but would love to get my hands on it soon! ๐Ÿ™‚
        I haven’t read any of Rick Stein’s books yet (I don’t think they’re big in Germany), but I’m pretty interested in them! Have you read his book on India? I’m really interested in learning more about Indian cuisine, so that’s the book that appeals most to me at the moment! ๐Ÿ™‚

        • Reply
          April
          June 22, 2016 at 5:24 pm

          Ahh yes that’s it! I keep seeing it and wanting to buy it, but I also feel that it would never get used, so it gets pushed to the side.
          I’ve seen the Inda book, but I don’t own it. I’m sure it would probably be pretty similar to the Venice to Istanbul one, as he tends to do a bit of travelling too!
          xo April

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