Cooking on a Desert Island
After another frustrating bout with Powell's trying to spend my gift card which placed this Portland institution at the top of my list (but that's another story), I started to think of my extensive cookbook collection and which five books I'd need to have if I were ever stranded on a desert island and I came up with the following (L-R in order of preference):
1. tyler florence's real kitchen - the antithesis of chef produced books, most of which have infinitely long ingredient lists and futzy techniques. This is real food for real people. Simple, comforting, with astronomical flavor. I've cooked many recipes out of this book and it has never led me astray (save a trip to the ER after the pork loin incident but the resulting dish was still delicious). From pan-fried tofu to the aforementioned pork loin, fantastic dishes all around.
2. the barefoot contessa cookbook by Ina Garten - like real kitchen, this is real, simple, comforting food but for special occasions when you can afford the extra calories. I have all four of her books but this is the one I constantly go back to for the phenomenal turkey meatloaf, the french potato salad, and the yummy scones.
3. Marcella Cucina by Marcella Hazan - authentic Italian cooking which takes advantage of the earth's bounty. I learned how to make a killer mushroom risotto from this book.
4. The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon - one of the best collections of Asian recipes out there. My favorite Indian chicken curry recipe is from this book. My mom owns a copy and this was one of the first books in my collection.
5. Cooking Light - I realize this is a magazine but hey, it's my blog and I say it counts. :) Whoever thought light and healthy cooking could taste so good? I've been a subscriber for over 10 years and I do believe I'd have to continue the subscription on the island.
I realize no titles from my personal hero, Alton Brown, show up on the list but I've never really cooked from his books (many of his Food Network recipes, but not his books). They are more valuable from a method standpoint and have made me a better cook but then I usually go off and *play* with recipes from my top 5.
I know a lot of you are culinary bibliophiles as well. What five books would you choose to accompany you on a loooong island vacation?
1. tyler florence's real kitchen - the antithesis of chef produced books, most of which have infinitely long ingredient lists and futzy techniques. This is real food for real people. Simple, comforting, with astronomical flavor. I've cooked many recipes out of this book and it has never led me astray (save a trip to the ER after the pork loin incident but the resulting dish was still delicious). From pan-fried tofu to the aforementioned pork loin, fantastic dishes all around.
2. the barefoot contessa cookbook by Ina Garten - like real kitchen, this is real, simple, comforting food but for special occasions when you can afford the extra calories. I have all four of her books but this is the one I constantly go back to for the phenomenal turkey meatloaf, the french potato salad, and the yummy scones.
3. Marcella Cucina by Marcella Hazan - authentic Italian cooking which takes advantage of the earth's bounty. I learned how to make a killer mushroom risotto from this book.
4. The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon - one of the best collections of Asian recipes out there. My favorite Indian chicken curry recipe is from this book. My mom owns a copy and this was one of the first books in my collection.
5. Cooking Light - I realize this is a magazine but hey, it's my blog and I say it counts. :) Whoever thought light and healthy cooking could taste so good? I've been a subscriber for over 10 years and I do believe I'd have to continue the subscription on the island.
I realize no titles from my personal hero, Alton Brown, show up on the list but I've never really cooked from his books (many of his Food Network recipes, but not his books). They are more valuable from a method standpoint and have made me a better cook but then I usually go off and *play* with recipes from my top 5.
I know a lot of you are culinary bibliophiles as well. What five books would you choose to accompany you on a loooong island vacation?
posted by Raquel | 6:04 PM
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