Off The Cookshelf – Introduction

As a keen cook and someone always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration, over the years I’ve built up a sizeable collection of cookbooks. I very rarely follow recipes. I like glossy pictures, ideas, and learning new techniques. It’s rare for me to buy a cookbook that doesn’t have mouth-watering photography – but just once in a while I might, if the ideas contained within are exciting enough.

I like to experiment, and for me the best cookbooks are the ones which encourage you to do so. I don’t like anything that tells me that the instructions must be followed exactly – or else! There are exceptions, of course – baking and patisserie require precise measurements – but other than that cooking is like art. Be creative! But just like art, you need to have some restraint. If you mix too many paint colours at once you’ll invariably make brown – mud – and if you mix too many flavours the same will happen.

For each post I’ll choose a book from the bookcase in my kitchen and review it for you. (It sounds rather grand to have a bookcase in the kitchen. The kitchen is tiny but after the sink, cooker, fridge, and workspace, for me it’s probably one of the most wanted pieces of kit!) I’ll be honest in my reviews. Some books are better than others but mostly the reviews will be favourable. After all, I liked the book well enough to buy it in the first place. I hope you’ll enjoy the reviews and perhaps even be encouraged to try some new things, or even buy the books using our links! (Keep us fed and watered.) I’d love to have your feedback too and if you have any comments, please post a comment.

So without further ado, let’s get on with the reviews. I hope you enjoy them and find them useful.

Bon appétit!