talking about myself again..
Well it seems that Clare has tagged me, as they say, to talk about my cookbooks.
"Whah?" I exclaimed, when I was first informed.
"Well, that's kind of a mean trick." I thought, because it only reminds me of all the boxes full of cookbooks that I have stored away in both Canada and the U.S.
But I forgive you Clare, because really, once I got thinking about it, I realized these were happy memories.
Aaah.. my cookbooks, my beautiful cookbooks. Wish you were here.
How many cookbooks do I own?
Well I'm not entirely sure, as most all of them are packed away in boxes. But it is safe to say that the amount that I own is not unreasonable. I would even dare to say, that it is a perfectly healthy amount, not too many, not too few. Though I would be happy to add many, many more. Friends and relatives take note: cookbooks are always a welcome gift. And they won't break during shipping.
The last cookbook I bought?
Well that's easy, because I posted about it recently. The French Laundry Cookbook. And it is entirely memorable because it is the first cookbook I have bought since first moving from Canada in February of 2004. And it's oh so pretty. And heavy.
The last food book I read?
I'm sticking with the French Laundry cookbook. If I can curl up in bed with it and keep reading after an hour or so, even if my body is begging me to go to sleep, then it officially qualifies as good reading to me.
Five cookbooks that hold a place in my heart?
1. Fields of Greens by Annie Somerville
This was one of the first cookbooks I bought myself after converting to vegetarianism, and it has served me well long after I fell off the wagon and went back to my meat eating ways. I still remember some of my favourite recipes, and I'm kicking myself now for not bringing that book with me. Romaine hearts with Sourdough Croutons, Tomato-Fennel Pizza, Ginger Muffins, Banana Coconut Bread..
2. Seductions of Rice by Jeffrey Alford
Not only is this a beautiful cookbook, but it also happens to be one of the first cookbooks that my love bought for me. With its exotic recipes and suggestive title, I think he did a damn fine job of picking that one out for me. Grr..
3. Larousse Gastronomique
Well, I'm sure this needs no explanation. This is the holy bible for budding chefs isn't it? Well at least it seems so to me. It's thick and clunky and it feels like you are reading the ultimate encyclopedia of food. The heavens literally shine down on this one. This one did not make the trip with me to Europe and it makes me sad. Oh so sad.
4. Cordon Bleu Quick and Easy
This one is entirely sentimental. When I returned to Canada a month after my birthday to attend a wedding, my ladies (my two best friends), had a copy of this cookbook waiting for me, as a belated birthday present. They both knew that my ultimate dream was to go to Cordon Bleu in Paris. And when they gave me this book I was touched by how excited they seemed for me that by moving to Europe I was that much closer to my dream. Seeing your two best friends so enthused for you to achieve your dream was, well, a moment I will always remember, and that I'll always be reminded of when I look at this cookbook. Which, incidentally, is here with me in Heidelberg!
5. The Joy of Cooking
This cookbook was one of my mother's that, as a child, seemed to me like it held the answer to every cooking question I could possibly have. I believed that every recipe I could ever want had to be within those pages. This, of course, was long before I ever discovered the Larousse Gastronomique. But when I first moved out of the house at the age of 18 to go to university, this was one of the first cookbooks I bought for myself. Somehow I just didn't think I could live without it, as though it was an ultimate necessity in every woman's kitchen. Little did I know that the ultimate necessity in every woman's kitchen would turn out to be a bottle of red wine and some good chocolate. But I'm much wiser now.
People I would like to see answer the above questions when it is convenient for them and should they desire to reveal themselves in this way, and if they haven't in fact already done so. Being wordy is fun.
Tara from Seven Spoons
just because I think she's real nice, and I know she has a cool collection of cookbooks just waiting to be revealed.
Melissa from Traveler's Lunchbox
because I'm ready for more spice bowl type of confessions..
Molly from Orangette
but she'd probably growl at me through cyberspace. But maybe that's what makes it fun.
"Whah?" I exclaimed, when I was first informed.
"Well, that's kind of a mean trick." I thought, because it only reminds me of all the boxes full of cookbooks that I have stored away in both Canada and the U.S.
But I forgive you Clare, because really, once I got thinking about it, I realized these were happy memories.
Aaah.. my cookbooks, my beautiful cookbooks. Wish you were here.
How many cookbooks do I own?
Well I'm not entirely sure, as most all of them are packed away in boxes. But it is safe to say that the amount that I own is not unreasonable. I would even dare to say, that it is a perfectly healthy amount, not too many, not too few. Though I would be happy to add many, many more. Friends and relatives take note: cookbooks are always a welcome gift. And they won't break during shipping.
The last cookbook I bought?
Well that's easy, because I posted about it recently. The French Laundry Cookbook. And it is entirely memorable because it is the first cookbook I have bought since first moving from Canada in February of 2004. And it's oh so pretty. And heavy.
The last food book I read?
I'm sticking with the French Laundry cookbook. If I can curl up in bed with it and keep reading after an hour or so, even if my body is begging me to go to sleep, then it officially qualifies as good reading to me.
Five cookbooks that hold a place in my heart?
1. Fields of Greens by Annie Somerville
This was one of the first cookbooks I bought myself after converting to vegetarianism, and it has served me well long after I fell off the wagon and went back to my meat eating ways. I still remember some of my favourite recipes, and I'm kicking myself now for not bringing that book with me. Romaine hearts with Sourdough Croutons, Tomato-Fennel Pizza, Ginger Muffins, Banana Coconut Bread..
2. Seductions of Rice by Jeffrey Alford
Not only is this a beautiful cookbook, but it also happens to be one of the first cookbooks that my love bought for me. With its exotic recipes and suggestive title, I think he did a damn fine job of picking that one out for me. Grr..
3. Larousse Gastronomique
Well, I'm sure this needs no explanation. This is the holy bible for budding chefs isn't it? Well at least it seems so to me. It's thick and clunky and it feels like you are reading the ultimate encyclopedia of food. The heavens literally shine down on this one. This one did not make the trip with me to Europe and it makes me sad. Oh so sad.
4. Cordon Bleu Quick and Easy
This one is entirely sentimental. When I returned to Canada a month after my birthday to attend a wedding, my ladies (my two best friends), had a copy of this cookbook waiting for me, as a belated birthday present. They both knew that my ultimate dream was to go to Cordon Bleu in Paris. And when they gave me this book I was touched by how excited they seemed for me that by moving to Europe I was that much closer to my dream. Seeing your two best friends so enthused for you to achieve your dream was, well, a moment I will always remember, and that I'll always be reminded of when I look at this cookbook. Which, incidentally, is here with me in Heidelberg!
5. The Joy of Cooking
This cookbook was one of my mother's that, as a child, seemed to me like it held the answer to every cooking question I could possibly have. I believed that every recipe I could ever want had to be within those pages. This, of course, was long before I ever discovered the Larousse Gastronomique. But when I first moved out of the house at the age of 18 to go to university, this was one of the first cookbooks I bought for myself. Somehow I just didn't think I could live without it, as though it was an ultimate necessity in every woman's kitchen. Little did I know that the ultimate necessity in every woman's kitchen would turn out to be a bottle of red wine and some good chocolate. But I'm much wiser now.
People I would like to see answer the above questions when it is convenient for them and should they desire to reveal themselves in this way, and if they haven't in fact already done so. Being wordy is fun.
Tara from Seven Spoons
just because I think she's real nice, and I know she has a cool collection of cookbooks just waiting to be revealed.
Melissa from Traveler's Lunchbox
because I'm ready for more spice bowl type of confessions..
Molly from Orangette
but she'd probably growl at me through cyberspace. But maybe that's what makes it fun.
Labels: Heidelberg
posted by Michèle at 11:12 AM
5 Comments:
I am so glad that it worked out like I hoped it would. I was suprised at how it made me think of cooking books that I made or read a long time ago. Well done.
I wondered how you would cope with this, seeing as all your cookbooks are in storage! I guess the important ones stay with us, in mind and heart if not on the bookshelf! Very interesting choices; your mention of the Joy of Cooking made me think back to the very first cookbooks I ever used, pilaged from my mother's dusty and little-used bookshelf. I still make rice by the method it taught me!
Michele, don't worry--I might growl, but I won't bite! Actually, this is the second time I'd been tagged for this; Kate from Accidental Hedonist had already done the dirty deed. I will most certainly do my best to carry on the meme. At the moment, I'm on vacation, but I'll see what I can do...
Hi Clare,
It was fun to do. To search my brain and see which ones popped up first. It makes me wish I had taken the time to copy more of my favourite recipes before we moved!
Hi Melissa,
well now I want to know how you make your rice, since I dont have the book here to check it out. Ive been spoiled by having a rice cooker available to us here in this apartment we are renting, it makes perfect rice every time. Though when we move next I might not be so lucky!
Hi Molly,
Now that is dedication. On vacation and you're still going to give it a shot. You are a better woman than I!
Hope you're having fun, I look forward to reading your post.
Done! Here you go: click
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