Read Ireland Book Reviews
Issue 437
Irish Cookbooks
17/18 January 2009
The Clatter of Forks and Spoons by Richard Corrigan
Hardback; Publishers Recommended Price: 36 Euro. Read Ireland Special Sale Price: 28 Euro / 36 USD / 19 UK; 392 pages, with full colour photographs throughout
A cookbook with memoirs and opinions by Richard Corrigan, presenter of the BBC's Full on Food and one of Britain's leading chefs. Richard Corrigan is one of Britain's most respected and outspoken chefs. He has been a key pioneer in the rehabilitation of British and Irish food, a champion of small producers and, above all, the creator of a highly personal repertoire of innovative dishes utilising ingredients that once formed the basis of a vibrant native cuisine but which had been largely ignored recently by fashionable chefs. Corrigan's food is based, to a large extent, on Curnonsky's dictum that 'everything should taste intensely of itself'. Never a slave to fashion, his approach to food reflects his down-to-earth, countryman's celebration of endemic foodstuffs. At his restaurant in Soho, Lindsay House, and more recently his fish restaurant, Bentley's, he has dedicated himself to rediscovering and reinterpreting the traditional foodstuffs of these islands, from beef and oysters to horseradish and herring, gooseberries and samphire. The Clatter of Forks and Spoons is about joyous eating and the sharing of recipes that all carry the distinctive Corrigan imprint and have been carefully adapted for the home kitchen. It includes an account of the suppliers Richard has come to know and trust, and who are responsible for every item that comes into the kitchen at Lindsay House: farmers, fishermen, gardeners, wine merchants, hunters, foragers and many more. The book is also a memoir of a great chef, telling the story of his move from rural Ireland to the kitchen of one of the world's leading kitchens, the experiences gathered along the way, and the evolution of his philosophy of food. Michel Roux once famously commented that if Richard Corrigan were to cook an old boot, he would be happy to eat it. Corrigan's natural earthiness, deftness in the kitchen, instinctive passion about real food without fripperies and ruthless honesty marks him out as an important voice in Irish food.
Bake by Rachel Allen
Hardback; Publishers Recommended Price: 28 Euro. Read Ireland Special Sale Price: 22 Euro / 28 USD / 14 UK; 290 pages with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
Your best friend in the kitchen and bestselling author, Rachel Allen, is back with a collection of delicious and easy cakes and bakes, tarts and pies, quiches and casseroles from her brand new TV series. What could be better than the smell of freshly baked bread or the joy of eating warm cookies straight from the oven? Do you pine for the pleasures of gingerbread houses and holiday delights or the warming goodness of home baked casseroles? These are just some of the treats that await in Bake, which ties in with Rachel's brand new TV series. She shares both the sweet and the savoury sides of baking, whether quick snacks, wholesome breads and pies, exotic cakes and tarts or easy baked meals for friends and family. Fully illustrated with beautiful food photography including step-by-steps to take the mystery out of traditional baking and pastry making. Rachel also offers troubleshooting techniques for common problems and wheat or gluten-free recipes so nobody is left out of the fun! Rachel's friendly and expert tuition make this easy-to-use book the best friend to every home baker.Recipes include: / Cardamon bread / Crispy bacon and cheddar bread / Paper-thin cripbreads, cheese straws and pretzels / Pork, chorizo and spinach pie / Beef pasties with mint, ginger and peas / Baked cheese fondue in a pumpkin / Smoked salmon and leek gratin / Seville orange meringue pie / Cornish saffron cake / Lime and yoghurt cake with rosewater and pistachios.
The Tannery Cookbook: An Irish Adventure with Food by Paul Flynn
Hardback; 40 Euro / 52 USD / 26 UK; 240 pages, with full colour photographs throughout
"The Tannery Cookbook" showcases Flynn's sprightly, irreverent voice and honest passion for his work. Recipes are organized by ingredient in alphabetical sections running from 'Apples' through 'Chillies', 'Mussels' and 'Pheasant', and on to 'Turnips'. Each section begins with a saucy, chatty mini-essay on the starring ingredient. In addition to inventive recipes such as Mushroom Risotto with Black Pudding, Steamed Salmon with Curried Egg and Spring Onion Sauce, and Warm Salad of Ox Cheek, Red Onion, Radish and Butterleaf Lettuce, Flynn also includes more basic soups, sauces, home-made condiments, and decadent desserts some of which he explains in his mini-essays. Recipe measurements are offered in metric and English units, and most supporting ingredients are standards in a well-stocked kitchen. Unpretentious and unique, this collection will delight those who love fine cooking with a Hybernian flair-and who relish in stories cooked up in the life of a chef.
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Hardback; 25 Euro / 36 USD / 18 UK; 210 pages, with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
Do you love seafood? Wish you could create delicious dishes at home, but lack the confidence - or just don't know where to begin? Help is at hand!"From Tide to Table" is a user-friendly, richly illustrated cookbook that tells you everything you need to know to become a great seafood cook. Featuring 65 mouthwatering recipes for every occasion - from salads and appetizers to everyday meals, and form barbecues to dinner parties - all of which come with simple, step-by-step directions that will have you cooking with confidence in no time.Also included are sections on the basic techniques of cooking with fish, such as filleting, boning, and skinning, as well as how to prepare stocks, dressings, batters, and more. Georgina Campbell is Ireland's leading writer on all aspects of Irish food and hospitality. She is a regular contributor to a number of newspapers and magazines.
Cornucopia at Home by Eleanor Heffernan
Hardback; Publisher Recommended Price: 50 Euro. Read Ireland Special Sale Price: 40 Euro / 52 USD / 26 UK; 464 pages, with full colour photographs throughout
"Cornucopia at Home" contains a selection of the most popular and enduring recipes from the Cornucopia Vegetarian Wholefood Restaurant in Dublin. The restaurant is a household name amongst vegetarians, health food enthusiasts and foodies in Dublin, as it has been serving fresh, wholesome, home-style fare for over 20 years. The lavishly designed and illustrated book is divided into six sections which are soups, salads, main courses, desserts, breads and seasonal menus. All the recipes are based on regular Cornucopia offerings, simply reduced in a step by step guide to suit domestic purposes.This book will start by an introduction by Deidre McCafferty which outlines the philosophy that has been her guiding light over the years of running the restaurant. There will be a section that introduces the Cornucopia at Home chef to some of the more basic elements of the Cornucopia kitchen both ingredients and utensils. Each section will include an introduction, followed by tips and explanations, the recipes come next. This book contains delicious and satisfying recipes with consideration for the following dietary requirements: Vegan; gluten-free; yeast-free, dairy-free; egg-free; nut allergy; and, sugar free. Each chapter contains a variety of recipes suitable for each diet, clearly marked by symbols on each page. "Cornucopia at Home" is for people who like vegetarian food, who like wholefood, who like comforting food, who like health food and who like to cook everything from scratch.
Easy Entertaining by Darina Allen
Large Format Paperback; 20 Euro / 28 USD / 14 UK; 302 pages with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
Entertaining can often feel like a daunting task... but it doesn't have to with this practical cookery book. The hugely experienced Darina Allen is on hand with helpful tips and techniques and outstanding recipes so you will be full of confidence and inspiration to invite friends and family around whenever you want. Knock up a warming Cannellini, Chorizo and Cabbage Soup for a winter lunch, plan a pancake party with loads of ideas for fillings, prepare a Lamb Korma ahead of time and then impress your guests with a host of delicious accompaniments, create Adorable Baby Banoffis for dessert of go festive with a Thanksgiving Turkey with Fresh Herb Stuffing. There are endless suggestions, variations and combinations! Whether you want to give informal suppers or entertain your boss, this book will take the hard work out of party planning and ensure that you will enjoy it as much as your guests.
In our busy lives, even having a few friends over for a meal can seem a time-consuming and daunting task. In this much-needed book, the experienced Darina Allen smoothes away the stress of entertaining with over 250 recipes that cover everything from three-course dinners to tapas and one-pot suppers. The chapters include Starters, Finger Food, Brunch, Formal Dinners, Family Desserts and Festive Meals and the recipes are balanced so that you can prepare some dishes in advance. There are modern recipes from around the world as well as vegetarian options, with advice on tables settings, menu planning and wine accompaniments. This is the only book you will ever need for entertaining at home.
Cooks Academy Cookbook by Vanessa Greenwood
Large Paperback with Endflaps; 20 Euro / 28 USD / 14 UK; 206 pages, with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
Cooks Academy is Dublin's premier cookery school. This book presents a collection of their most popular recipes, with step-by-step instructions. Aimed at the everyday cook, it offers ideas for healthy salads, imaginative main courses, delicious baking and sumptuous desserts.
Vanessa Greenwood is a founding Director of Cooks Academy Cookery School. In addition to teaching at the school, Vaness has written a monthly food column for Image magazine. She has made many TV appearances and performs coookery demonstrations at food exhibitions. She has works in the catering industry for a number of years and have travelled extensively both to educate her palate on many of the world's finest cuisines and to experience the best of cookery schools worldwide.
Celebrity Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Famous Irish People compiled by Fiona Brophy
Large Format Paperback with Endflaps; 20 Euro / 28 USD / 14 UK; 250 pages, with full colour photographs throughout [Add To Basket]
The recipes include Bertie Ahern's Dublin Coddle, Sharon Corr's Thai Chicken Salad, Rachel Allen's Chocolate Pudding and Pat Shortt's Fish Pie. The recipes range from soups and salads, to old-fashioned favourites, this book really has something to suit every taste. Suitable for everyone, this book is the perfect Christmas gift. Each recipe and personal story appears alongside a beautiful photograph of the personality. The celebrities come from every field including: Politicians, Sports, Musicians, Actors, Artists, TV Personalities, Chefs & Journalists.
Our Grannies’ Recipes edited by Eoin Purcell
Hardback; 15 Euro / 20 USD / 10 UK; 140 pages [Add To Basket]
"Our Grannies' Recipes" is a collection of the best traditional favourites handed down from generation to generation.We all have recipes that are dear to our hearts, passed on to us from our grannies, grandads, great aunts and uncles. This book is the culmination of an effort to collect, document and sample those recipes.Collected online and by post from people across the country, the book is a true flavour of what Irish people value about cooking and baking in this changing island.With a mix of sweet and savoury, full meals, snacks and desserts, "Our Grannies' Recipes" is a charming book of Irish recipes for the whole family and includes favourites like: Apple Pie; Irish Beef Stew; Brown Bread; and, Pancakes and Chicken Soup.
Georgina Campbell’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat, Drink and Stay in Ireland 2009
Paperback with Endflaps; 20 Euro / 28 USD / 14 UK; 700 pages, with full colour photos [Add To Basket]
Dubbed the 'glove-box bible' Georgina Campbell's "Ireland: The Guide" is Ireland's most respected independently-assessed hospitality guide. Fully revised and updated, this meticulously researched guide features over 1,200 entries to suit all tastes and budgets - featuring everything from hotels, restaurants, cafes, and pubs, to country houses, guesthouses and farmhouses. In addition to the main entries, the guide also includes a roundup of visitor information on towns and villages throughout Northern and Southern Ireland, plus detailed maps to help you find your way around. This is a must-have guide for anyone planning a trip - for business or pleasure - to the Emerald Isle.
Avoca Café Cookbook by Hugo Arnold with Lelie Hayes and photographs by Georgia Glynn Smith
Large Format Paperback with Laminated Cover with Endflaps; 28 Euro / 35 USD / 20 UK; 190 pages, with full colour illustrations throughout [Add To Basket]
The Avoca Café Cookbook is much more than a collection of appetising recipes: it is a mirror to a fresh, new Ireland. It draws from tradition, from what’s wholesome, natural, instinctive, and reinvents it with colour, taste and confidence. Over 120 delicious recipes are only part of the menu. The book goes behind the scenes to the most precious ingredient, its people, and unfolds the inspiring tale of one of Ireland’s business successes, the family-run Avoca Handweavers. It charts the evolution of the Avoca café from four tables with home-made soup as the most elaborate offering to the terrace cafes at Kilmacanogue and Powerscourt House in County Wicklow, with their extensive gardens where over 1000 people daily can enjoy the freshest ingredients, lovingly prepared. The Avoca cafes continue to flourish, garnering awards, critical acclaim and an ever-increasing host of appreciative customers. In this book the reader and cook will find exciting recipes for crispy salads and Mediterranean tarts, for aromatic soups and crusty breads, light lunches and family dinners, summer picnics and late-night suppers. This book is stunning addition to any contemporary kitchen.
Avoca Café Cookbook 2 by Hugo Arnold with Lelie Hayes and photographs by Georgia Glynn Smith
Large Format Paperback with Laminated Cover with Endflaps; 28 Euro / 35 USD / 20 UK; 260 pages, with full colour illustrations throughout [Add To Basket]
Following on the best-selling success of the first book comes another exciting collection of much-requested recipes and fresh ideas from the award-winning kitchens of the Avoca cafes. Even bigger and brighter than its predecessor, it is infused with a passion for fresh ingredients and wholesome, creative cooking. With over 170 new recipes, a whole chapter planning your menus, and a guide to deli shopping, this book is sure to become a dog-eared favourite in kitchens worldwide. It is a treasure trove of inspiring meals, simple techniques and useful information. Above all, it’s about good food making great meals.
Please note: Prices were correct at time of original posting but are subject to subsequent change without notice.
Gregory Carr, Independent Bookseller
Read Ireland
392 Clontarf Road
Dublin 3
Ireland
Tel + Fax: +353-1-853-2063
Customer Services Comments, Criticism and Questions
Subscribe to Read Ireland Book News - Our Free Weekly Email Newsletter