Fat Witch Brownies: Brownies, Blondies and Bars from New York’s Legendary Fat Witch Bakery – this came from my team at work, which I would think is 100% down to Twiglet having a good memory. Perhaps me bribing her with a slice of brownie from the bakery when we were in New York recently helped to embed it in her memory. Either way, I’m going to be baking from this soon, very soon!

A Middle Eastern Feast by Claudia Roden – I wrote about these editions from Penguin recently, given that they have very beautiful covers, are a very reasonable price and there are some amazing titles to choose from. This one is going on holiday with me.

Food Britannia by Andrew Webb – I bet our post lady enjoyed delivering this one, pretty weighty! Love books like this, stories about great food, and great producers around the UK. Bad to read at bedtime though, makes one very hungry!

The Skinny French Kitchen by Harry Eastwood – this was from BFF and her fella. Not because I think she thinks I need to lose a few pounds (but she probably wouldn’t be wrong), but because she know’s how much I loved Harry’s last book, and just how much I would love to be in France right now. Or any time really!

Exciting Food for Southern Types – always one that you weren’t expecting! But Southern Italy definitely has some great food on offer today, be interesting to see what it was like in 1891!

So, I have some interesting reading and some fabulous new cooking options to work through in the weeks ahead! Got to love having people around who take good notice of subtle hints on the gift giving front!

Possibly my favourite place in the world to write from

I’ve written quite a few times about how much I love my summer trips to France, about great meals we’ve enjoyed, places I would recommend, and be back at in a heartbeat.

And I’d like to write that I am really not at all depressed at the fact that I won’t be taking up residence for several weeks this year, and that I am sure a fortnight in Northumberland will be just as glorious. But I do hate to tell fibs…and the closer it gets to the time to go, the more I wish I was heading over the water!

If I was, and even given that my French is not bad, then I would definitely be taking the Gastronomic Dictionary from Thomas Harmsworth with me. This is the book I have been looking for every year we have been going, for those parts of the menu that just leave me scratching my head, and most dictionaries don’t go anywhere near. I mean, I’ve always wanted to order ptarmigan, but never known the word. There it is: lagopède des Alpes.

Mainly it’s fish that I come a cropper on, and there does seem to be a good variety covered in this dictionary. I also like that it’s a very slim book, so ideal to slip into the handbag, or hide in the menu! And at £3.50, it won’t break the bank.

Unlike eating in France, given the state of the pound versus the Euro. But if you are going, then enjoy and make the most of the great food on offer, by knowing exactly what you’re ordering, or what they’re offering!

This is a good week, as apparently this is Jam Week. I love jam, love the rhythm of making  it, the rituals of finding the jars, the boiling of the fruit, and then the waiting for it to be cool enough to slather on a hunk of toast with some great butter.

There is even a Pimp my Jam competiton running, for jam with extra pzazz, bling and wow factor. So guessing ordinary strawberry is not going to do the trick! I’ve written before that my favourite jam book of all time is Mes Confitures by Christine Ferber, which has some incredible combinations. They’ve never had any chance of winning a prize at our village show, but just might do the trick here.

I’m also very fond of Jam Jar Shop, a great local business, and a brilliant source for all jar and bottle requirements. There’s also Lakeland, which is a bit more national in it’s coverage. It’s just a great thing to do, to preserve the tastes of the seasons to summon up in the next one. Is there a better taste than great raspberry jam than on a grey wet January morning?

So, take time to indulge in a bit of jam this week, whether on your morning toast with scones with your afternoon tea. Be generous with it!

I confused a British barman the other night, by asking him what the options were for my kir. To which he answered, a little superciliously, just blackcurrant.

Hmm, can’t think of a bar in France where you wouldn’t get a choice of at least two or three, thought it a rather poor show. I’m very partial to, in fact probably prefer, creme de mure, I find it richer but less sickly than cassis, but then I’ve always preferred blackberries to blackcurrants anyway. And it feels less like drinking Ribena as well.

The raspberry liquer always feel very summery, gives a pretty colour, and of course a floating raspberry makes it feel pretty celebratory too. Rose needs a light hand, as it quickly goes over to tasting like liquid Turkish Delight. Again, it’s pretty and girly, but not everyone’s cup of tea. I’ve never had Violet, although the bottle of creme de violette is still sat in the cupboard from my last trip to France.

I would say a bottle of creme de peche was a great standby, and again a taste of high summer. I guess it also makes the French version of a Bellini. There are so many other options, some of which might work with wine, and some, like Creme de Bananes, that I imagine would be simply vile. But certainly there is no need to stop at blackcurrant.

Photo by Pierre Guinoiseau on Flickr.

Dreams of other places

The calendar doesn’t lie: Father’s Day is two weeks today. Don’t panic, loads of time! Will write a few posts for different options for different kinds of dads, and today is about dads who love food from beyond our national borders. Food passports at the ready!

* For Spanish food lovers, then I’ve still not found anything to top a hamper from The Spanish Food Company. The contents sum up the best flavours in a flash, and we discovered a few new ones too. Hampers start at £30, or you could make up your own selection. You could do him olives and nuts to go with a beer, go all out meaty with their cooking chorizo (my personal favourite) and some Ibercio ham, or show that there’s more to Spanish cheese than Manchego with a selection of more unusual things. I don’t think he’d be disappointed whatever you choose.

* If he’s a bit more “Vive La France” then try The Market Quarter. Based at Borough Market, but now available online so you can avoid the crowds, their gift selection starts at just £12. And £12 buys Dad almost a perfect night in, with a bottle of wine and a tin of rilettes.  If I was buying for Dr T, I know he’d be very happy to find the post lady delivering any of their saucisson sec, not to mention some good tapenade. Just needs some sunshine to really bring the taste to life!

* Scandinavian food is having a bit of a moment, so if he’s a trendy kind of food lover (or just spent too long at Ikea) then try something from Totally Swedish, like Dragsters or Salmiakki. No, no idea either but heck, it’s more exciting than socks! There’s also a lot of herring options, if that’s his thing. Moving round the region, you could also try Danish Food Direct, perhaps ordering him in a bottle or two of Viking Blod!

* If Dad likes it hot and flavoursome, then I really like Spices of India for everything you’d need for great Indian food except the meat. I’d also look at some of the interesting kit as well, like a Roti maker or the Tandoori pot. The Chilli Selection should give plenty of heat options but there are also things like Chai Lovers Indian Tea gift. If he’s seriously into curry, then I would just stock up his spices for him, and there is the most amazing selection here. And if he likes to experiment, then check out the Burmese Curry section.

* Heading further East, if he’s fascinated by the food of Japan, then I would try Mount Fuji or the Japan Centre for supplies for snacks, flavourings and great kitchen kit, from useful to kitsch. I mean, what dad would not want a star and heart boiled egg mould? A few boxes of Pocky, a shot or two of Shochu, and he’s all set for an evening in front of some classic Manga!

The world has shrunk so far, not just down to air travel, but so many of these great online food stores bringing the world to your postbox. So if that’s his thing, then make the most of some food exploration, even if sending him to those countries is out of the financial question.

Up next, finding some great British produce for home loving dads!

Photo by malias on Flickr.

I’ve started writing this whilst watching Michel Roux give a masterclass in pastry on Masterchef. Definitely not a strong area for me, although BFF is a dab hand at pastry (so no going up against her at the village show in the quiche class!). So whether you’re at the beginning of the chapter like me, or moving into advanced mode, then here’s some help along the way!

Pastry: Savoury and Sweet by Michel Roux – seemed only fair to feature him, particularly as he was billed as the godfather of pastry on Masterchef. This gives you every kind of pastry I could imagine you wanting, covering sweet pastries through to pies. No croquembouche featured, but that’s fine, I don’t have a traffic cone shaped mould hanging around anyway!

 The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts by the French Culinary Institute – based on the highly regarded curriculum developed by the master patissier, Jacques Torres, this covers the skills you would need if you aspire to be a pastry chef. Photography looks beautiful, and clear, and it says there are lots of insider tips, which are always useful. If you can’t get on their course, then utilise this distillation of their experience!

 Pastry Paris: In Paris, Everything Looks Like Dessert by Susan Hochbaum – I know this is not out yet, but just thought this was a bit of pastry fun. You will never look at Paris in the same way. And you’ll want cake by the end of the book! Stick this one on your wishlist for later in the year.

 The Diabetic Pastry Chef by Stacey Harris – there are nearly 3 million people suffering from diabetes in the UK, which doesn’t stop you fancying something nice to eat. Stacey Harris has used a number of substitutions to lower both the carbohydrate level and calorie counts in order to give some diabetic-friendly delights. Not only does it cover the recipes but also the basics to help progress everyone’s knowledge.

 Puff Pastry Perfection: More than 175 recipes for Appetizers, Entrees and Sweets made with Frozen Puff Pastry Dough by Camilla V Saulsbury – I guess this is a title for those like me that think life is too short to make puff pastry yourself. Call me a bad foodie, but I’m great at converting someone else’s fabulous pastry, and sure these recipes would make great standbys.

 There are so many aspects to pastry, that I’m sure there’s a book for every kind of pastry enthusiast, from lazy to wannabe chef. But I’m still buying frozen puff pastry! Fabulous photo of something to aspire to by Carabou on Flickr.

Today’s five is in anticipation of St Patrick’s Day next week, and to show that there truly is so much more to Irish cooking, and celebrate some of the great Irish talent. Go on, have a great new book! Here’s my choices:

Trish’s French Kitchen by Trish Deseine – a surprising one to start perhaps, given that Trish seems like the ultimate Parisian, but she’s actually from Belfast. Discover what she loves about French food, from a wide variety of regions and for all kind of occasions. And love the fact that this woman from Belfast teaches the French about French food!

Kitchen Hero by Donal Skehan – get your pre-order in now for Donal’s new book out at the end of the month. I know, he looks about as old as Justin Bieber, but there is no doubting his enthusiasm for great food and you can see why his style has earned him the title as “Ireland’s answer to Jamie Oliver”. You certainly get some sense of that with the chapters of the new book, which include Meals in Minutes, Stretch Your Meals and Comfort Food. Still, makes a nice change from the cheeky Essex lad!

Forgotten Skills of Cooking by Darina Allen – really the grand dame of Irish cooking, this is a great book for things you perhaps didn’t know you needed to know! So, if you suddenly find yourself wondering how it is that you smoke a mackerel, cure your own bacon or make your own butter, then this is the book you need.

The Clatter of Forks and Spoons: Honest, Happy Food by Richard Corrigan – I love this title, as it just sums up what food should be about, and the scene it should conjure up. Richard Corrigan always comes across as so enthusiastic about great food that I would imagine this is as good a read as it is cookbook. I’d give it housespace!

An Irish Butcher Shop by Pat Whelan – The fifth generation of his family to be involved in farming and meat prep, not to mention living above the shop, Pat Whelan knows his meat. And he suggests this is the book for you if you don’t know a lot about meat, and want to know how to choose it and cook it. And for a guide to help you, then I can’t think of a finer guide.

So go ahead, celebrate the best of the Irish in all its magnificent variety!

Cake photo by Becka Spence on Flickr.

Been feeling jealous recently, as lots of friends and colleagues seem to have been heading off to Paris for a few days R&R. I don’t even particularly love Paris, but I even them the food possibilities! And then killing time in Foyles at St Pancras, I found a few food guides to Paris, that made me yearn for the trip so I would have a reason to buy them.

Whether you’ve got a trip planned, or want to plan a trip, here’s five I’d be thinking of:

The Patisseries of Paris: Chocolatiers, Tea Salons, Ice Cream Parlors, and More by Jamie Cahill – see, there’s why I want to visit Paris in just one book title. This is the book that first caught my eye in Foyles, because it’s such an attractive cover, and then the content is equally enthralling. I want to work through each and every page. My waistband says I don’t. But when did I ever listen to that?

The Authentic Bistros of Paris by Francois Thomazeau – for me, you can keep the Michelin Guide, I’d rather eat in places like these in Paris. In fact, some of my most memorable meals in Paris have been in good bistros. Of course, some of the worst have been in bad bistros, so I’d want a reliable guide. Helpfully organised by arrondissement, this has great photography and evocative descriptions. Perfect.

The Historic Restaurants Of Paris: A Guide to Century-Old Cafes Bistros and Gourmet Food Shops by Ellen Williams – these are really the Parisian institutions that have stood the test of time. Some of these names you’ll recognise, or the names of their customers from times gone by, such as the tea shop where Proust indulged his love of madeleines. These are the places that perhaps are at the root of Paris’ gastronomic reputation.

Parisians’ Paris by Bill Gillham – get an insiders view on some of the places I guess they’d prefer we didn’t know about. Seems fair, there’s parts of London we don’t want to share, right? Whilst not consistent by area, you’ll get  some interesting thoughts on things like cheese shops, places for breakfast, coffee stops, dinner stops, and places to recover and get a good night’s sleep!

Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris by Clotilde Dusoulier – can there be a better food guide to Paris? I love the Chocolate and Zucchini blog, and this is Clotilde’s guide to the places she loves in Paris. Not just places to indulge, but also how to decipher the menu, even how to order coffee properly. How not to cause a diplomatic incident over coffee is always valuable advice!

Of course, if you don’t want to lug a guide book round, then I would just have read of everywhere that Edd Kimber visited, as they sounded amazing. And he knows a good cake when he tastes one! He also recommended some of the tours available from Meeting the French. For example, get to see the inside workings of a bakery and pastry shop or, as Edd did, visit Gerard Mulot’s chocolate shop. Sounds a great treat for an inside track on Paris

Now, where’s that Eurostar booking page?

Great bistro shot by Alainlm on Flickr.

January was all about eating up the leftovers, and generally trying to waste an awful lot less food. It’s a theme that’s continued throughout the year as we adopt more frugal measures for economic reasons as well as just being more environmentally sound. Faux pastor has figured large in the year, I highly recommend it as a great standby recipe for using up leftover roast.

Ta dah! The finished faux pastor

I think I missed out on February’s best meal, as Dr T and MGG went to The Field Canteen at Riverford. There were lots of vegetable dishes, but MGG was most impressed by the puddings. One day I’ll get there too, just have to settle for the veg box deliveries and the great recipes that come in the box.

Anyone for seconds?

March was about getting ready for Easter, for which I wasn’t very well prepared on the marzipan front. But I did get a great recipe from Domestic Jules for a Simnel loaf.

In April, we skipped off to sunnier climes, and ate our way round Majorca. Lots of memorable meals, lots of good tapas, and something to show you why you should always keep your chefs busy:

When chefs have too much time on their hands

It was also the month that the bee hive, and the strange outfits arrived.

Beekeeping: it's all glamour

There was some glorious weather in May, and one of the hottest days saw us at the Derbyshire Food Fair. Plenty of good food, both for eating then and there, and lots to bring away for another day.

The spoils we bore triumphantly home!

June. Oh, I remember June. It goes down as the only time in my life that I have been served a starter that looks like an arse. Really.

By July we were heading off to France, and it was the usual couple of weeks of eating and drinking, still discovering new places and new things to eat. We had great breakfasts, and we had an amazing dinner at Sa.Qua.Na in Honfleur, which really was dining at the next level.

The amuse bouches

August was about barbecues, but obviously good ones, as no photographs exist. In September I was in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and discovering the joy of food courts out there.

What you get for HK$35

I might be heading back there in a few weeks time, great dim sum, and very cheap.

In October we had a great day at the East Midlands Food Festival, where it was all about wood fired pizza ovens, and particularly the great pizza from Hot Rocks Artisan Pizza. It disappeared pretty darn quick, hence no photo.

In November we were eating and drinking well, as I had a great hamper from The Spanish Food Company, which I did share with my friends. In return they had to help me out with tasting gin, so we had a comparison for the SW4 Gin I’d been sent. A good night was had by all.

And so to December, which always bring great food. Our Christmas Day was team cooking with BFF to turn out some spectacular beef, pretty decent soup and some great puddings. But most of all it was a chance to share a great dinner with great friends and family. Which for me is really what food is all about. So here’s hoping for lots more of the same in 2011, and the same for you and yours.

Apologies to those who were reading my posts last year, as I did write something similar after the horror of finding the Kids Treat frozen food hamper, but hopefully a year on, a whole heap of other interesting options have materialised to write about.

The hampers I love are those that enable you to send someone something a bit different, or something they’d usually eat but a bit more unusual or premium than their usual. Here’s my choices for this year:

* I’ve already written about how wonderful the hamper was I received from The Spanish Food Company, but definitely worth a second mention, and having a look at. I certainly thought for £30 that it was a really good selection of things, and the quality is fantastic. We’re very sad to have come to the end of the chorizo, which is kind of the reaction that you’re going to want from any gift you send.

* Moving slightly further North and Bien Manger are a great source for French gourmet treats. Their little box of treats is more tin than hamper, but for just under £22 gives a French food lover some tasty morsels to tempt their tastebuds over the festive season. The fig chutney will be a fantastic accompaniment to the duck foie gras, and then there’s a ballotine of capon with saffron, that could be a whole Christmas meal in one! Which you can finish off with chocolate truffles or salted butter caramels.

* Lets not forget the brilliance of our own food producers, and BritishFineFoods.comis a great place to find beautiful produce. For something that brings together some great British additions to any pantry, then try their Christmas basket. Smoked salmon from Inverawe, some blue Wensleydale, and some great duck liver pate, and you could be snowed in on Christmas Day and not go hungry.

* Not so much a hamper, as a chest, but packed with organic goodies to keep the organic food lover happy. Some good stuff from Duchy Organics like Lemon Curd and Blackcurrant Preserve, as well as some coffee and pate to keep you going. If you want, and have the budget, then you also have the option to add wine or champagne to this. Currently this will set you back £65, without the wine, from Fine Food Store.

* For something packed with sunshine flavours, then try Maroque for flavours of Morocco. The Little Yellow Cookbook Ingredients Collection gives you the key spices and ingredients for the dishes in the cookbook (which can be downloaded for free). All the key flavours are there: rose and orange water, tahina, paprika, saffron…like sunshine in a box. Could brighten up Boxing Day leftovers, that’s for sure!

* Somewhere not necessarily renowned for its sunshine, but does produce some fantastic produce is Wales.  And I’m not just talking about Dr T. I would suggest for homesick expats then you might want to send them the Luxury Welsh Hamper from Gourmet Gifts. Everything from Welsh tea to laverbread, plus more tasty fare like oatcakes and Penderyn whisky. Sadly though, there is a glaring oversight, at least as far as Dr T would be concerned, as it is rather lacking in Clark’s pies and pints of Dark.

* Whisk are like the contemporary version of a hamper company, with some great choices. I wouldn’t object to finding my stocking stuffed with their Foodie Stocking Filler, which contains tasty treats such as spiced winter chutney, marmalade and a baby Christmas cake amongst other things. You could tuck into all of this before you even got out of bed on Christmas morning.

So I think it’s time to stop thinking of hampers as something a bit naff and old fashioned, and instead see them as a whole heap of fantastic foodie gift ideas all conveniently wrapped up in one box. Well, you’ve heard of bulk buying!

Festive food inspiration by Dano on Flickr.