Cookbook of the week

     I've resolved to make better use of our large library of cookery books because, while they are far from just for ornamental purposes only, all too often we seem to rely on a limited number of recipes. Of course there's sense in that as we return to ones which work well and, crucially, have found favour with the family, but I'm conscious that we're not making the most of the wonderful resource which our collection represents, and I want to address that by making a point of cooking more widely from what's on the shelves - while not ruling out adding to it ...

    We've started with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Veg Every Day, a book full of good things, and one which I have been using a lot so it's certainly earning its keep, but keen to experiment, we've tried Hugh's chestnut and sage soup and found it excellent.

    Hugh says, "this is a rich and elegant soup with a beguilingly velvety texture", and it is that, but it's also very quick and easy. You sweat a chopped onion in olive oil and butter, then add sage and garlic and sauté for a minute. Pour in vegetable stock, and cooked, peeled chestnuts, and simmer. Blend the soup, add some crème fraîche, then garnish with sautéed sage leaves and a few reserved sliced chestnuts. It's delicious.

    We had it with lovely Ballymaloe brown bread (from Bread by Eric Treuille and Ursula Ferrigno).

Comments

[Sandy]

Jan made 'Sweet Potato Gratin' (a bit peanutty for me) from HFW's veg book today and it's been earning its keep here too.

Kale & Mushroom Lasagne, Beetroot & Walnut Hummus and the Carrot Hummus were great!

[Moira]

I've just been reunited with a favourite (out of print)recipe book that got lost a few years ago (possibly in a house move). In the pre-Christmas preparations I realised that I still missed it and ordered it online. I'm really looking forward to using it again. It's Katie Stewart's Calendar Cookbook, so fits in well again with the current trend towards more seasonal cookery.

[Cornflower]

Excellent! I'll have to try your recommendations (and somehow get past the beetroot-haters here - misguided souls that they are).

[Cornflower]

Our copy of Katie Stewart's The Times Cookery Book is still often referred to, and we always make her lemon and parsley stuffing at Christmas.

[Elaine]

I made Chicken Liver Pate over Christmas which recipe I first used from Delia Smith about 30 years ago. Still as lovely as ever. Also made her meatballs and tomato sauce. Before Christmas I baked for a tea party and made chocolate fudge cake from The Great British Bake off, Apricot and Marzipan cake, ditto and a coffee and walnut cake from my Bero Cook book which used to belong to my mum. Covers vanished years ago and it is covered in food stains but I will never part with it.

I agree though that trying new recipes from the books on my shelves would be a good idea.

[Lucille]

I'm a great fan if Hugh's latest book. With the surfeit of meat over Christmas I'm looking forward to working through more of his recipes. So far I haven't found a dud one.

[Erika]

Some years ago I was bed bound for 3 weeks and spent the time whizzing through my cookbooks and penciling into the front my favorite recipes and others which looked interesting. I am SO GLAD I did this. I still haven't tried all the new ones but it enlarged my repertory enormously, especially soups and sandwich fillings.

[Cornflower]

We have some real old favourites, too, like yours, covered with signs of use! Delia's complete cookery course was the first cookery book I bought for myself when I was a teenager and it's still going strong.

[Cornflower]

Yes, I agree it's a great book.

[Cornflower]

Brilliant idea, Erika!

[Mr Cornflower]

Not coincidentally there has been a recent purge of the Cornflower recipe scrapbook, things cut out from newspapers and magazines dating back over thirty years. Apart from giving our daughters a good laugh at pictures of the clothes and hairstyles of the late 1970s, this brought back many memories of meals and shared experiences, some triumphs and a few minor disasters ("remember when Dad forgot to take the chipolatas out of the oven on Christmas Day?"). I'm now in full organising mode so the surviving recipes have been sorted into two piles (baking/desserts and main courses/accompaniments)which will soon be filed in clear 'punch pockets' in separate ring binders. Now if you'll excuse me I'm just off to roast some vegetables...

[Sandy]

Roasted beetroot is great ...

[Mr Cornflower]

I'll take your word for it.

[Your Mother]

I too remember when a certain Dr. forgot to take the chipolatas out of the oven. Don't worry - you won't be allowed to forget it !

[oxslip]

Oo nice, I got this book for Christmas and had spotted that one, so good to know it lives upto its promise. Must remember chestnuts next time I'm shopping

[Cornflower]

It's a good thing he's used to having his leg pulled!

[Cornflower]

Do try it - it's lovely.

[MzTallulah]

I've been tempted to buy it, but resisted because the variety of available vegetables here leaves much to be desired; it's the same reason why I've been resisting Heidi Swanson's books, which also seem very interesting. I should probably do the same, when I get a cookbook I go through it very excitedly, but then I end up making the same things over and over again.

[Dark Puss]

No cook should be without a copy!

[Dark Puss]

I assume you use the Chestnut and Chorizo soup recipe from Moro? If not then I recommend it to you.

[Dark Puss]

Borrow from library? If reasonably well used and to your taste then buying it might be a reasonable tactic.

[Dark Puss]

Welcome back to Cornflower, I've missed your comments recently! Happy New Year from Peter in London (and his Cat)

[Cornflower]

Funny you should mention that ....

[Dark Puss]

We are making it for lunch this very Sunday.