This may seem an unusual post from me but I enjoy eating almost as much as I enjoy reading and would do a lot more of it were I not in fear of an exploding waistline. Travel comes a close third which makes Mina Holland’s culinary atlas an attractive prospect, all the more so thanks to the puff from Yotam Ottolenghi adorning the dust jacket. It’s a clever idea – five geographical areas (Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas) are broken down into countries, some further divided into regions, with an essay about the local cuisine, maps charting indigenous ingredients and a set of recipes.
Holland kicks off with a chatty introduction discussing influences on regional cooking, from invasion and immigration to climate and geographical conditions, encouraging her readers to take a relaxed attitude to recipes and use their creativity. There are regional larder lists and an appealing inventory of kitchen equipment which steers well clear of arcane, expensive accoutrements plus a handy list of stockists for more exotic ingredients. I’m not going to catalogue all thirty-nine cuisines – that would make for a very dull post – but just to give you an idea, you’ll be visiting France, Italy, Germany (yes, I know), Scandinavia, Turkey, Iran, India, Thailand, Ethiopia, Louisiana and Brazil. Holland (bit confusing, that) has something interesting to say about all of the areas I picked out to read, often drawing on her own travels and extensive reading. Her recipes looked clear and easy to follow if a little disappointingly predictable at times – Gazpacho for Andalucia and Guacamole for Mexico – with interesting, unfamiliar dishes from the more unusual destinations such as Iranian Chicken with Barberries, Yoghurt and Orange Peel and Brazilian Shrimp Stew. I’ve a feeling I’ll be dipping into the essays rather than using it as a cookery book, though.
I bet you’re all dying to know about those German dishes so here they are: Savoy Cabbage and Caraway Seeds, Braised Red Cabbage (H’s favourite), Sauerkraut and Beery Bratwurst with Sauerkraut. Danish Dream Cake sounds more up my street. Apologies to any German readers but you know you’d make fun of British recipes featured in a German cook book, and I’m more than happy to look at any traditional German recipes you’d like to send my way, particularly in the cake department. And speaking of cakes – I met a friend in Oxford yesterday where we had lunch at Bills. We both finished of with a Jaffa cake which may sound dull but this was a Jaffa cake like no other I’ve tasted – I urge you to get your hands on one as soon as you possibly can.
Sounds really interesting ! I also love Bills btw….and Jaffa cakes ;))
Yes, it’s a clever idea. Presumably you’ve tried those Jaffa cakes – put them in a whole new light for me!
I love books about food, so this is straight onto my wishlist. I does sound fascinating.
It’s a great one to dip into although I’m not convinced about cooking from it. I think it would make a useful taster (sorry!) for more indepth cook books. You’ve made me check for Australasia which, sadly, isn’t there.
Fancy leaving Australia out! I’m disappointed now. 😉
And what would the national dish be?
I guess New Zealand would fight us for the rights to the pavlova. How about the lamington? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamington).
Well, Bills – of sublime Jaffa cake fame – lists lamingtons on their tea menu. Must be an Australian connection there. I’ll try them and report back.
If that’s Bill of Bill Grainger, he has a string of upmarket cafes in Sydney, so there’s your connection.
No, not him – considerably more down market but I’m determined to try those lamingtons now!
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte!
You’re quite right. I’m waiting for delicious German recipes to come pouring in!
Oo, downloaded this instantly! Will come in handy for my Red Dust Road bookclub dish on Friday (there’s a recipe for chickpea stew)…….
Now off to find a Bill’s jaffa cake 🙂 xx
Hope you find a recipe that suits, Jess. Have to admit than the Jaffa cakes have more of an appeal for me that chickpea stew but I’m sure yours will be fab.
Not a book for someone like me, who has to live on a very restricted diet! I checked out Bill’s though, because I hope to have a day in Oxford shortly. The only thing on their menu that I could possibly eat is the porridge so I think I’d better stay clear!
Oh dear – I am sorry, Alex, but it does sound best avoided. Are planning a trip to the Ashmolean by any chance?